Washington – The top U.S. communications regulator on Tuesday chided the cable TV industry for not doing enough to help parents shield children from objectionable programs, adding that better protections would result if consumers were allowed to more easily pick the channels they receive.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin during a Senate meeting urged cable operators to offer programs “a la carte” instead of in bundled packages, a move that he added also would benefit consumers by lowering bills about 2 percent. Martin’s position marks a shift from the FCC’s previous stance under former Chairman Michael Powell.
“I think the industry needs to do more to address parents’ concerns,” Martin said. “You can always turn the television off and … block the channels you don’t want. But why should you have to?”
Martin’s comments were made at an “Open Forum on Decency” held by Senate Commerce Committee chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.
The hearing, which was standing-room only, came as lawmakers and regulators are debating how best to protect children from programs with excessive sex and coarse language delivered to homes via cable and satellite systems. Because their programs aren’t sent into homes over the public airways, both industries aren’t held to the same standards as broadcasters.
Martin warned that if cable providers don’t police indecency themselves, broadcast standards could potentially be extended to cable and satellite operators. Companies could be forced to create a “family-friendly” tier of channels, he added, or to offer channels individually.
Stevens added that if the indecency problem cannot be resolved, “we’re going to see a bill that many of you will not like and we are going to be in litigation for many months.”
But some experts predicted such efforts won’t get traction, noting courts have struck down previous attempts.
“While the testimony will likely garner headlines, we don’t believe it will significantly increase the risk that the government will require cable operators to offer a la carte programming, at least anytime soon,” said Blair Levin, a financial analyst for the Legg Mason investment firm.
There are at least four bills pending in Congress that seek to address the public concern over indecency that erupted after singer Janet Jackson bared her breast during the 2004 Super bowl halftime show.
Lawmakers, some TV watchdog groups and religious broadcasters have seized on the indecency debate as a way to boost family-friendly programs on cable and give cable TV subscribers greater power to drop channels with racy fare.
But Hollywood and cable TV representatives stressed that increased parental responsibility protects children better.
“I am always flabbergasted when parents approach me with their kids and tell me how much they like ‘The Sopranos,”‘ said actor Joe Pantoliano, who plays a mobster on the profane and bloody HBO drama. Pantoliano spoke in his capacity as co-president of the Creative Coalition, an entertainment industry advocacy group.
The hearing also brought out some major religious broadcasters arguing against a la carte offerings. They prefer channels be bundled, which allows their programs to reach more homes.
John Casoria, assistant secretary for Trinity Broadcasting Network, the nation’s largest religious network, urged lawmakers to expand requirements that cable operators must carry any television station, arguing that it would help religious broadcasters find more exposure on cable and help curb indecent fare.
“The way to protect the First Amendment is to have as many voices out there,” Casoria said.
