FCC Comr. Copps told reporters Wed. he was becoming ‘impatient’ w...
FCC Comr. Copps told reporters Wed. he was becoming “impatient” with lack of industry response to his concern about indecency and violence on airwaves and thought it might be time for FCC to step in. One possibility would be…
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for agency to “dust off” 1998 Gore Commission recommendations for public interest obligations, voluntary code of conduct and more public service announcements, he told reporters at media breakfast. Gore Commission report was aimed at digital broadcasters but Copps said recommendations could apply to analog and cable providers as well. Paxson and Disney have made some commitments, but generally industry hasn’t responded to his call to voluntarily “come together,” Copps said: “I think it’s time to see how the Commission can encourage action.” He said broadcasters told him they had to air questionable programming because of competitive pressures or for artistic reasons. He said he was particularly puzzled about concerns that artistic directors would walk out if broadcaster or programmer didn’t “put this trash on the air.” Copps said every day he gets 20-25 letters and e-mails expressing concern about violence and indecency and some days there have been thousands. He acknowledged, however, that he knows of no consensus on Commission to act on those concerns.