Jessica+Ross

Name: Jessica Ross Course Code: CCT205 Tutorial Section: 0101 Date Due: Thursday February 5, 2009




**__Introduction

__**  In the United States it is against the law to air profane or indecent programming at certain hours and it is necessary for programs to be rated accordingly. Thus, Congress gave the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the responsibility for enforcing this law on certain television programs. The FCC also has the rights to issue monetary penalties or revoke licenses from broadcasters who do not comply with these rules (Federal Communications Commission, 2005). However, some believe the FCC and broadcasters are not as critical as they should be about making sure indecent programs do not get aired. It has been proven there has been an increase in offensive content on television. Thus, some interest groups want networks to limit the use of offensive material (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001). Meanwhile others believe people should judge for themselves what is appropriate and do not see the need to interfere with existing standards and programs (Time Canada, 2005). Today there is much debate in regards to what is deemed appropriate for television broadcast. Television standards have been reduced and many shows are taking advantage of this. Many shows are now controversial and show much more profane and indecent material compared to past years. Despite controversy, many of these shows receive a high number of viewers and most viewers are not in support of censorship restrictions. However, the voices of interest groups and concerned parents are stronger for they are seeking change (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001). This paper will focus on the history of television censorship and the positive and negative effects of censorship by using examples from various individuals and groups.

**__History__** With the rising popularity of television in the late 1970s there was a need for improved censorship standards. In 1978 the FCC narrowed its definition of indecency and took into consideration the time of day certain programs should air. Programs with more indecent material were shown later in the day because there was a risk of children being in the audience at earlier times. Such programs, which were considered inappropriate for children were shown between 10pm and 6am. In 1987 there was a decision to change the time to 12am to 6am, but a United States Court of Appeals reversed this in 1988. The FCC could not enforce this later time period due to the fact there was little research done on children’s viewing behavior at the time. Also they did not have the right to ban indecent broadcasts since it appeared the time of 12am is was not a popular time for television viewing (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001). In the 1990s there was a growing   concern and need for tougher censorship policies. Many programs were said to have glorified violence and contained coarse language. Thus, in 1996 Congress passed the Telecommunications Act, which contained a section called the “Parental Choice in Television Programming.” Under this section it was stated programs should be rated according to the amounts of sexual, violent, or indecent material they contain. This rating system would allow parents or concerned viewers to block shows they found to be inappropriate. Shortly after in 1997 the rating system based on age and content was created and still continues to be used today (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001). 

Despite measures being made in ratings and show times for changing trends in television programming, some people still do not think they are perfect. Many watchdog groups have carried out studies about offensive content in television programming. These groups tend to carry out their studies by recording programs on major networks and categorizing each indecent act into different categories (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001). A media watchdog group called the Parents Television Council (PTC) has conducted many studies about the media affects on children and has influenced many changes in the television industry. This group’s main concern is the effects of the media on children and families. The PTC rates the top twenty most popular shows of the current television season according to the Neilson viewer rating system. These shows are then categorized according to the occurrence of foul language, sexual content, and violence. These studies are completed because they believe that the current age rating is not accurate. They believe not all children between the ages of 2 and 17 watch age appropriate programming. Out of the current top twenty shows six shows were deemed unsuitable and four of these were believed to have had the wrong age rating. These four programs were rated appropriate for persons over the age of 14, but the PTC thought adults should only view them. These shows included //Family Guy//, //American Dad//, //House//, and //Moment of Truth//. These shows were criticized because the names of the shows sound child appropriate, while the content contains adult themes (Parents Television Council, 2009). By collecting this information they are able to discover who is sponsoring inappropriate programs and the networks, which are responsible for airing them. With this information they contact the companies responsible for supporting this kind of programming in hopes that founding towards the programs can cease. Thus, the program shall be removed from the airwaves or shifted to a more appropriate time. Most recently a television program called //Swingtown// was cancelled. The PTC did not agree with the content of the show, which included open marriage, drugs, and sexual experimentation. Therefore they contacted the advertisers and many sponsors no longer supported the program for fear the support would give their brands and companies a bad image. Thus, with a decrease in sponsorship the show could not be supported (Parents Television Council, 2009). media type="youtube" key="LobdrJwl424" height="344" width="425" (Winter, 2008) = Video regarding "Swingtown" controversy, concerns about "Family Guy," and recognizes a family film  = =  = = = = = =   =
 * __A Need for Stronger Censorship__**

__ **A Need for Viewer Choice** __ In response to an article regarding media censorship many people agreed there should be less government involvement in television censorship and viewers should decide for themselves what they think is appropriate. Some parents don’t like the idea of the government and other groups deciding what their children should be watching. They believe it is unfair to interfere with entertainment when it should be left to the parents to pay attention to what their children are watching (Bohon, et al 2009). Media watchdog groups have been criticized because it is believed they do not perform complete studies. Also it has been said, they are only interested in promoting shows they want to keep on the air. They are also believed to not take into consideration the way people today consume television media for it is has changed over the past few decades. Families rarely watch television together and 60% of children aged 8 to 17 have a television in their bedroom. Also, the lists these groups produce leave out many shows, which incorporate themes of family life that contain little controversial material (Lowry, 2004). People also believe that media watchdog groups and individuals who push for increased television censorship are unfair. Thus, believing these groups only identify shows, which go against their own ideologies. For instance, before //Swingtown// was cancelled it was aired at 10pm, which is considered a time period appropriate for networks to air programs with adult themes. Due to this incident it is assumed these groups are only interested in bringing back rules and regulations that were appropriate years ago and do not suit television standards today. In a sense this has also been viewed as a way to restrict what people can watch and takes away a sense of freedom from those who supported the program (Adelian, 2008). Creators of programs can also have difficulty with censorship standards and complaints regarding indecent material. Seth MacFarlane, who is the creator of two popular yet highly controversial programs, has received complaints from the FCC and the PTC. His shows entitled //Family Guy// and //American Dad// have been criticized for the titles sound misleading and they contain offensive material. MacFarlane does present his work to the network’s standard board and will admit his shows do get away with more offensive material than a lot of other programs. However, he believes that these shows have kept up with times and fills the demands of viewers who appreciate this kind of entertainment. The standards understand the direction these shows take and they do remove material they consider to be indecent without taking away from the shows’ “edginess”. Thus, viewer commitment and freedom to chose to watch the program becomes louder than supporters of censorship groups (The Hollywood Reporter, 2007).

media type="youtube" key="hR2nso47lm4" height="344" width="425"
 * (Durbin, 2007))
 * disclaimer-contains mild coarse language, violence, drug use, and crude humour*  **
 * <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Clip from one of top 20 shows “American Dad”, known for its edgy humour and topics regarding controversial issues  **

<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> __**Conclusion**__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">With the creation of more relaxed guidelines in television and the increase in the amount of offensive material on television some people see the need for stronger censorship guidelines. Media watchdog groups and concerned parents continually speak out against offensive material on television because they feel it has negative affects on children. Some groups and individuals who are passionate about reducing the amount of offensive material on television conduct studies about the effects of viewing indecent material, provide information on popular television programs, and take action by contacting sponsors and networks. By providing information on television programs others can tell what is considered indecent and can use this information to convince sponsors to stop supporting such programs. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Others have either adapted or appreciate the changes in censorship standards. The people who are in support of these changes tend to believe they should have the right to decide for themselves what is appropriate. They also believe parents of young children should take their own responsibilities as parents and pay attention to what their children are watching. Also, parents’ groups are criticized for not being in tune with media changes and having incomplete studies. Creators of television programs, which are considered indecent, have difficulty with strict censorship policies. People, who are in support of freedom from strict censorship, continue their support by watching these programs and increase ratings in hopes their programs do not get cancelled for being indecent.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__ **Works Cited** __ Adelian, J. (2008). PTC uses kids as human shields. //Television week//. Retrieved February 3, 2009, from Canadian Reference Centre database. Bohon, K., Freeman, C., Gardner, J., Hujsak, A., & Quigley, C. (2009). Letters: Has TV gone too far—or have its critics? //Time Canada//, from Canadian Reference Centre database. Durbin, E. (Writer) Barker, M., & Weitzman, M. (Direcrors). (2007). Dope and faith (Television series episode). In S. MacFarlane (Producer). //American dad//.

Federal Communications Commission. (2005). Regulation of obscenity and profanity. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">http://www.fcc.gov.eb.oip/ Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved Febuary 5, 2009 from Wikipedia: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/101e/US-FCC-Logo.svg/720px-US-FCC-Logo.svg.png

Granite Broadcasting & WMYD. (2002). //TV parental guidelines.// Retrieved Febuary 5, 2009, from http://media.tv20detroit.com/tv-ratings.jpg <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Kaye, B., Saplosky, B. (2001). Offensive language in prime time television: Before and After content. //Journal of broadcasting & electronic media//. Retrieved Febuary 2, 2009, from HeinOnline database. The Hollywood Reporter. (Interviewer) & MacFarlane, S. (Interviewee). (2007). //Animate for life: The show’s creator discusses why he’s not worried about// //Offending anyone//. Retrieved from Gale Cenage Learning database. Lowry, B. (2004). Just who watches this s***. //Variety.// Retrieved Febuary 3, 2009, From Gale Cengage Learning database. Parents Television Council. (2009). //What are your children watching? Rating the top 20// //Most popular prime time broadcast TV watched by children ages 2-17//. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/top10bestandworst/2008/main.asp <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Parents Television Council. (2009). //PTC celebrates “Swingtown” death knell//. Retrieved Febuary 2, 2009 from http://www.parents.org/PTC/news/release/2009/0115.asp

Unknown (n.d.). //TV ratings: TV MA//. Retrieved Febuary 5, 2009 from, http://brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0002/7231/brand.gif Winter, T. (Producer). (2008). //August parents television council entertainment altert.// Los Angeles: Parentstv.