Satellite Kids and Censorship

Ever since the Janet Jackson Superbowl incident, the clamor for television regulation has grown. Moreover, parents are getting more and more concerned about the effect of television on their children. Viewers do not generally exercise discretion in the programs that they watch, and these programs can affect them on a subliminal level.

With this, the Congress and the Senate are thinking up of ways to regulate the content shown on our screens. Officials are suggesting that television companies offer family- and child-friendly programming, so as to do away with parents’ growing concerns regarding television content.

Another suggestion is to form a different type of regulatory approach. Television providers ought to offer their channels on an “a la carte” or choose-your-own basis, so that subscribers can pick out channels that they do not safe or appropriate for children. However, this approach will deem some of the program lines on providers illegal, which will eventually cause less profit.

One other suggestion is to impose, or raise, fines on channels or providers that broadcast indecent or lewd content. Lawmakers have regarded this approach more openly, are thinking of including pay television providers in the existing bill.

Currently, there is an existing Children’s Television Act, although this is generally about television programming and the effects of advertising on children. Other measures to control other content that children may encounter when channel-surfing are yet to be undertaken.

At the moment, however, the Congress do not have any right to govern over the airwaves, due to the First Amendment. Imposing such regulatory measures on television content might cause the press and other freedom advocates to lash out and think that free speech is being attacked.

As of now, the measures cited are still underway, and what parents and other guardians can do for the moment is to self-regulate in the home as much as possible. After all, it is actually up to us to subscribe to such providers, and ultimately, the responsibility of screening content should also fall on our shoulders.


David Johnson

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