Voluntary Ratings And V-chip Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Voluntary Ratings And V-chip Technology - Essay ExampleParents must assume responsibility for what their children are overt to on the public airwaves, and the presidential term has provided parents with some valuable tools. Nonetheless, it can be argued that these tools have not been aright publicized or explained to parents. The government cannot simply endorse these tools and then forget about the problem. It must hold out publicity of these tools, it must create educational resources which are readily available to parents and the public, and it must maintain an relapsing function to ensure that channeliseers continue to comply with certain minimum standards. Section 551 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was a directive from the U.S. Congress to the broadcasting industry. This directive called on broadcasters to establish voluntary ratings for programming. The system was designed to include ratings for programs with sexual themes, violence and other topics or themes whic h parents might deem inappropriate for their children. On September 25, 1997, the Federal communications Commission reviewed a set of standards that were agreed on and proposed by broadcasters. These proposed standards included an advisory before the broadcast to be followed by a basic grading system. For example, a TV/ M rating would be for mature audiences only a TV/14 rating would strongly caution parents to be sure of inappropriate themes and, a TV/PG would suggest parental guidance. In addition to these voluntary rating standards, the government also endorsed the implementation of certain technological tools. These technological tools, based on the V-chip, would prevent inappropriate or objectionable material from being broadcast. The enforcement of the governments V-chip directive required increased advertising to consumers on the purposes and the use of the V-chip, and the expansion of V-chip technology to the radio.