Inouye Signals Support For Bill To Regulate Television Violence

INOUYE SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR BILL TO REGULATE TELEVISION VIOLENCE
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 4/10, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
Senate Commerce Chairman Daniel Inouye , D-Hawaii, said that he will seek passage of contentious legislation sponsored by Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller, D-W.Va., requiring the FCC to regulate television violence. "I'm going to do my best," Inouye told CongressDaily when asked if he'll try to pass it. "I know there are constitutional issues, but somewhere you have to make a move and proceed," he said, emphasizing that he won't pass unconstitutional language. "If we sit around and wait until we believe we have the perfect bill, in the meantime, thousands will be murdered from lessons they learn on television," he said. The bill, to be introduced in late April or early May, would represent a major departure from the agency's existing approach of only penalizing TV and radio stations for running afoul of indecency guidelines governing sexually explicit and profane content. Fueling the legislative push is a report that the FCC will soon issue to Congress concluding that lawmakers can regulate excessively violent fare without violating the First Amendment. Broadcast and cable outlets argue that the government should not act as censors or intervene in artistic and business decisions.
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