FCC Solicits Comments on TV Violence

Federal regulators on Wednesday began soliciting public comment on whether there was too much violence on television and whether the government should step in.

The Federal Communications Commission wants to hear from parents, the television industry and others about the effectiveness of the television ratings system and the V-chip, which allows parents to block specific programs. The FCC also is seeking public input on what kind of regulation, if any, might be needed.

Michael J. Copps, one of two Democrats on the five-member commission, has railed for years against violence on the airwaves.

“Hundreds of studies over decades document the harmful impact that exposure to graphic and excessive media violence has on the physical and mental health of our children,” Copps said. “Wanton violence on the people’s airwaves has gone unaddressed for too long.”

The FCC will take the public’s comments for two months and then report to Congress.

A spokesman for the National Assn. of Broadcasters defended programmers. “Most people would acknowledge that programming on broadcast television is far less violent than what you would find on cable and satellite,” Dennis Wharton said.

The FCC, which regulates the public airwaves, has stepped up enforcement since Janet Jackson’s breast-baring performance during the Super Bowl halftime show in February.