The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking feedback and responses to the subject of the affect of electronic media on children and whether or not the Commission should have more power to wield authority.
Released on October 23, Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape presents some of the influence (both pro and con) emerging media has on youngsters, before asking for additional data on these subjects. Specifically the FCC is seeking “information on the extent to which children are using electronic media today, the benefits and risks these technologies bring for children, and the ways in which parents, teachers, and children can help reap the benefits while minimizing the risks.”
The FCC also is asking commenters to “to discuss whether the Commission has the statutory authority to take any proposed actions and whether those actions would be consistent with the First Amendment.”
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski included a statement with the NOI in which he noted that “twenty years ago, parents worried about one or two TV sets in the house,” while today, media choices are far more widespread for children, including videogames, which “have become a prevalent entertainment source in millions of homes and a daily reality for millions of kids.”
Genachowski continued:
This Notice of Inquiry recognizes the importance of undertaking a comprehensive approach to assessing how children can best be served in the digital media landscape. The vital role of government in this media environment is therefore to empower parents and protect children, while honoring and abiding by the First Amendment.
Thanks2 Sean
Comments
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
I read somewhere that Genachowski was one of the founding members of Common Sense Media.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Wait, wasn't the ECA praising the FCC just a few days ago?
ECA, small hint: You can't give some power to the government and expect them not to take everything they can.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Oh behalf of the extra 10 dollars my parents have to spend due to the FCC giving Cablevision a slap on the wrist fine while not making sure they didn't fix what got them fined in the first place:
($%^ you FCC. MOST USELESS ORGANIZATION EVER!
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
"The vital role of government in this media environment is therefore to empower parents and protect children, while honoring and abiding by the First Amendment."
Sorry, but the First Amendment needs to be first and foremost, not just an afterthought. The children will be fine.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
FCC will find limited success trying to wield the bleephammer on the internet. The most they could ever hope to accomplish is making suggestions to big names like YouTube or Google.
I for one want our government to keep things free and open, then step aside. Excpet where regulation is necessary. Like energy and other public utils.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
"Thanks2 Sean'"
Your welcome.... (j/k)
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Let's say for the sake of argument that video game censorship is constitutional (yes I know how hard it is to swallow this). What authority would the FCC have to make the rules for game censorship?
Video games are not commuinication in much the same way as a movie or a book is not communication. Sure some of them involve the internet but the FCC has no authority there in terms of content control (at least not now). Let's take God of War 3, the game has no multiplayer and no online to speak of (it may have DLC though), how could the FCC possibly justify that the game would fall under their jurisdiction?
I used to cling to the hope that the FCC is not filled with censoring trash, and that they instead are just regular people obliged to censor the TV and respond to complaints as per the letter of the law. Now that's been shattered.
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
If I may be so bold...griping here may be satisfying in the short term but will get us nowhere long-term.
The FCC is calling for COMMENTS...this is our chance, as a group, to have our voices heard. I would urge each of us to take 20 minutes to write a respectful, coherent comment on these issues and submit them to the FCC. This will help us get some balance on this issue.
For those who know of information that contradictions the "traditional view"...that, in particular, would be a valuable contribution to this discussion.
And remember, keep it respectful, coherent and reasonably short.
Ok, off my soapbox...
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Didn't it say we have to wait 60 days to respond? I don't know how to contact them with comments they are requesting.
---------------------------------------------------- Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
I see what you're referring to, but I believe it's "legaleze"...it says 60 days after publication in the federal register...I believe that has now happened. At any rate they seem to be accepting comments at this time on their web-page (the web-page to deliver the comments is toward the end of the .pdf document in the link. You have to write out a .doc file, and upload it).
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Well, I no longer live in the Unites States so have fun guys. I suffer from chronic lazyness that prevents me from doing this, but I wish you guys the best of luck!
"God, is that you?"
"No! It's a me, Mario!"
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Heh, if anything the FCC needs to be dissolved. It's outlived it's usefulness, and is only a bullying tool for the PTC
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
This seems like a potential hot-button issue coming up in a few years (as more people take notice). Various government entities want control over media. Hell, there is even that move the Senate took recently to give the president emergency control over the internet. (naturally, nobody cared because a celebrity is currently in office)
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
"Please provide us with evidence that will allow us to have more control over your lives. For the sake of the children, naturally."
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Government organization considering grab for more power. Film at eleven.
In other breaking news, experts are quoted as saying the sun is "very likely" to rise tomorrow morning.
Re: FCC NOI Asks for Comments on Content Control
Recent surveys and studies have shown that kids use online media to watch porn *GASP* and because of the video games they play they become raving, raping madmen with no moral values and are most likely going to jail then they would not playing video games and not going online.
Here in the studio we have a qualified psychologist who has written several books totally unrelated to the matter to talk to you about this, more at 11.
- FOX NEWS
"God, is that you?"
"No! It's a me, Mario!"