A majority of respondents to a new Rasmussen poll believes that the FCC should have the power to regulate "objectionable content" on radio and TV including violence, profanity and sexual content. Among the 1,000 adults polled July 27 - 28, 55% want the enforcement while 34% say no. Eleven percent weren't sure. Although that 55% majority sounds impressive, that figure is down 8% from the 2007 survey. The study did not break out broadcast, already regulated, from cable, which is not - a shortcoming which should be corrected in future polls. The poll did find that a majority of parents with kids at home say content ratings are effective, according to TV Watch, an online group set up by broadcast networks to promote the ratings/V-chip system. TV Watch Executive Director Jim Dyke says that 60% of respondents with children at home said the current TV rating system is effective in warning users about content...
When asked which type of content was their biggest problem, violence ranked first (39%), followed by sexual content and profanity. It should be noted that the FCC does not regulate violent content but this study shows enough concern for the FCC to consider doing just that. When asked to rate the FCC's effectiveness, respondents were all over the place - 29% believe the FCC is doing a "good or excellent" job of regulating "profanity, sexual content and violence" while 28% say the FCC is doing a poor job. Just 9% said the agency was doing an excellent job, with 20% saying it was doing a good job - 37% fair and 6% weren't sure...
As with all polls, there are results that hit you in the head, others that sit in a bowl like soggy cereal. The fact that sexual content and profanity take a backseat to violence in this study, indicates to me that the FCC should start considering violent content in addition to the other two subjects. The public opinion of the FCC proved nothing in this study because of inconclusive results. Keep in mind that this is just one poll but if you start seeing similar results in future studies, you've got a trend worth watching...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1884] Giving us liberty: The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe's Island in New York harbor...
2.1921] Play ball, on Radio: The first play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game is done by Harold Arlin on KDKA Pittsburgh. Arlin describes the action between the hometown Pirates and visiting Philadelphia Phillies...
3.1924] Comic strip debut: "Little Orphan Annie", drawn by Harold Gray makes its debut in newspapers...
4.1962] Hollywood shocker: The body of 36-year old blond bombshell Marilyn Monroe is discovered in her Los Angeles home. Death is ruled a probable suicide from an overdose of sleeping pills. To this day a controversy remains as to the real reasons for her death...
5.1963] Nuclear treaty: The U.S., Britain and the Soviet Union sign a treaty banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space and underwater. Now we need a treaty for those who still say, "nucular"...
6.1964] Wedding Bells: Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft exchange vows followed by a lifetime of laughs until Bancroft's death...
7.1969] Pictures of Martians: The U.S. space probe Mariner 7 flew by Mars, sending back photos (of green people waving?) and scientific data...
8.1981] Ronnie means business: The federal government begins firing air traffic controllers who walked out on strike...
9.1994] Twinkle, twinkle little Starr: A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals chooses Kenneth Starr to take over the Whitewater investigation from the immortal Robert Fiske...
10.2006] Duped by a dope: Floyd Landis is fired by his team and the Tour de France no longer considers him its champion after his second doping sample tests positive. Landis maintained that it was his Wheaties that must have been laced by Lance Armstrong...
Music Memories:
•1967] Released on this date: "Ode To Billy Joe" - Bobbie Gentry...1972] "Nights in White Satin" - Moody Blues...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Patrick Ewing (48), Maureen McCormick (54), Samantha Sang (57), Rick Derringer (63), Loni Anderson (64), John Saxon (74) and Neil Armstrong (80)...
Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the Pro Football HOF induction (Grimm, Jackson, LeBeau, Little, Randle, Rice & E.Smith), 3 days until 1st NFL pre-season game, 32 days until Labor Day and 35 days until Minnesota and New Orleans kick off the NFL season...
