Is the Nation Offended?

or just 23 random people...

Published on December 6, 2004 By philomedy In Current Events

Link

So it appears that 99.8% of the complaints that have led the FCC to crack down on "indecency" have come from one group, the Parents Television Council (PTC).

This is fantastic. So apparantly the vast public outcry against the media's indecency is nothing more than the vast isolated outcry of one special interest group. I truly feel comfortable now that I know the FCC's hunt was spurred by a minority that happened to be offended by something the rest of us really didn't care about.

The horrible part is that all of us that don't care are the ones who are suffering for it. How many stations refused to air "Saving Private Ryan" for fear of FCC fines? Imagine how they feel now that they know that a majority of their viewers would have liked to see the program, and that it was only one particular group that was sitting there, eyes fixed on the screen, so fixated on finding offensive content that they missed the point of the movie...and that it was this group that overran the FCC with complaints, and that it was because of this annoying minority that the FCC justifies draconian fines.

What's even more upsetting is the FCC's lack of recognition that the majority of the nation was not offended. Instead, it continues to pursue absurd fines in the name of the public good, conveniently ignoring the fact that its "public" is not the public, but the PTC.

Comments

Danny Bassette

on Dec 06, 2004

Minorities rule america, I'm going to form my own minority group so I too can get special treatment. Now all I need are another few people that would agree with whatever ideas I felt like standing for

philomedy

on Dec 06, 2004

I for one am offended by Sierra Mist commercials...let us call the FCC about those!!!

dabe

on Dec 07, 2004

I absolutely hate Ditech commercials. They outta be banned too.

Seriously, I find it offensive that the government would buy into the PTC arguments, and ban something, or that what we have now for media ownership is a few stinkin' rich people who get to decide what we watch, and pander to those morally deficient individuals who cannot tell the difference between art and smut. Who are they to judge what may, or may not offend me. I can't for the life of me understand how people can't adjust to the "if ya don't like it, change the freakin' channel" concept. Personally, I hate reality TV. I really do. So, ya know what? I don't watch it.

kingbee

on Dec 07, 2004

I hate reality TV. I really do. So, ya know what? I don't watch it.

i was wondering how why it was you seemed so outta control...i thought maybe you had some sorta genetic invulnerability against the nanofrequency psychic tuneups that make the rest of us so...i dunno....pliant?

philomedy

on Dec 07, 2004

I can't for the life of me understand how people can't adjust to the "if ya don't like it, change the freakin' channel" concept. Personally, I hate reality TV. I really do. So, ya know what? I don't watch it.

Exactly. If you don't like something, stay away. Don't try to tell me that I don't like it. How do you know I don't like it?

Just because you don't like pornography doesn't mean its evil either. Just tell the nice cable company not to send it to you. Do not, however, infringe on the rights of the thousands of hard working perverts who enjoy getting home, turning on their playboy, and burping the worm.

Hmm...burp the worm...thats a good one...there could be a whole article that comes outta that...

Gideon MacLeish

on Dec 07, 2004

It saddens me (as a conservative Christian) that there are so many fellow conservative Christians who can't seem to find the damn "off" button on their remote, and thus stop creating a rather unflattering parody of other conservative Christians.

Champas Socialist

on Dec 07, 2004

It is also usually only minorities who are offended by racist and sexist TV material, but I am glad that these minority groups like PTC are sticking up for a more just society. It is all very well to suggest people switch off, but the concern of groups like PTC is often more to do with the effect it has on others.

philomedy

on Dec 07, 2004

It is all very well to suggest people switch off, but the concern of groups like PTC is often more to do with the effect it has on others.

I can see getting upset at Janet Jackson's "malfunction." You cross the line when you go after programs that are regularly scheduled and that lead in with disclaimers. Then you are just messing with people's choice.

LeapingLizard

on Dec 09, 2004

Yeah...go figure. People worry about such minor things. Ooohhh, a nipple. What about the freakin' wars the US in engaged in all around the world? Ok, I'm stopping now.

philomedy

on Dec 09, 2004

I'm sorry, my guy nature took over...I saw the word nipple and couldn't concentrate. Maybe I do need to be protected...

iamheather

on Dec 09, 2004

I wonder how many people make up this "minority" special interest group.

I do not agree with PTC on a lot of things, namely that I can use my "parental control" by turning the tv off, but I did find some interesting information on their site.

"Yet much of the power of the organization comes from the PTC's ability to mobilize a grassroots outreach. With 28 chapters nationwide and growing, the PTC can, at a moment's notice, send a torrent of information to constituents across the country to address and respond to broadcast decency issues. These 'feet on the street' carry the PTC message to their community; to local television affiliates; to nation and local advertisers; and to local, state and federal officials."

Maybe there are more people responding than we think. Seems the article attributes individual emails and letters as all belonging to the PTC if the action was taken by an individual at the PTC's urging.

Also on their site:

"The Parents Television Council does not believe in censorship. It strongly advocates free speech and free expression. What it does desire is a choice for families who do not want their children exposed to blatant sex, profuse violence or profanity. Adults should not be denied the right to consume any lawful media, but a balance must be struck to consider the public interest of protecting children from harmful content. Therefore the PTC advocates careful consideration of time, place and manner of adult-oriented content."

philomedy

on Dec 09, 2004

Maybe there are more people responding than we think. Seems the article attributes individual emails and letters as all belonging to the PTC if the action was taken by an individual at the PTC's urging.

It's obvious that it is not just one individual responding. What I do wonder, however, is how many of these individuals even saw what they are complaining about, and how many merely heard about it through the PTC's "outreach" and jumped on the bandwagon.

iamheather

on Dec 09, 2004

how many of these individuals even saw what they are complaining about, and how many merely heard about it through the PTC's "outreach" and jumped on the bandwagon.

Yes that would be interesting.

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