remember a while back we were talking about Howard Stern and FCC regulation of satellite/cable...well, the Republicans are on the move....
GOP wants to censor Cable and Satellite Radio now, too
by Joe in DC - 3/2/2005 10:19:00 AM
Wow, these Republicans are so obsessed with sex, it is amazing. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) want to regulate what you can watch and hear on cable, including HBO, and satellite radio, now, according to Reuters.
GOP wants to censor Cable and Satellite Radio now, too
by Joe in DC - 3/2/2005 10:19:00 AM
Wow, these Republicans are so obsessed with sex, it is amazing. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) want to regulate what you can watch and hear on cable, including HBO, and satellite radio, now, according to Reuters.
Two top U.S. Republican lawmakers on Tuesday said they want to apply broadcast decency standards to cable television and satellite television and radio to protect children from explicit content.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens said he would push legislation this year to accomplish that goal and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton said he would back it if it does not violate free speech rights.
"Cable is a much greater violator in the indecency area," Stevens, from Alaska, told the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents hundreds of local television and radio affiliates. "I think we have the same power to deal with cable as over-the-air" broadcasters.
"There has to be some standard of decency," he said, but noted that "no one wants censorship."
Stevens cited the discussion of masturbation and sex toys during prime time television as one example of content that bothered him. He told reporters he would extend the restrictions to premium channels like HBO as well.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens said he would push legislation this year to accomplish that goal and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton said he would back it if it does not violate free speech rights.
"Cable is a much greater violator in the indecency area," Stevens, from Alaska, told the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents hundreds of local television and radio affiliates. "I think we have the same power to deal with cable as over-the-air" broadcasters.
"There has to be some standard of decency," he said, but noted that "no one wants censorship."
Stevens cited the discussion of masturbation and sex toys during prime time television as one example of content that bothered him. He told reporters he would extend the restrictions to premium channels like HBO as well.
