Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 20:55:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: TV Industry, Lawmakers Said To Reach Deal On Expanded Ratings
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WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The TV industry agreed in principle late
Wednesday to strengthen its six-month-old program ratings by adding new
on-screen symbols to flag violence, sex and potentially offensive
language, key lawmakers said.
"We're going to sign it tomorrow, but it's done tonight," said Rep.
Billy Tauzin (R., La.), who has been helping to nudge the deal along.
National Association of Broadcasters' spokesman Dennis Wharton said a
formal announcement is expected Thursday. "We are putting the finishing
touches on an agreement involving modifications to the TV parental
guidelines," he told the Associated Press.
Helping to remove one of the biggest stumbling blocks to a deal, Sen.
John McCain (R., Ariz.) released a letter Wednesday evening, giving the
industry assurances that the Senate would head off any attempts to force
stronger ratings. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R., Miss.) was
among the members who signed the letter.
Similar assurances against legislative action have been given to the
TV industry from key House members, including Tauzin and Rep. Edward
Markey (D., Mass.), who wrote the law calling on - but not requiring -
the TV industry to rate shows.
In a further concession to the industry, McCain promised to block any
legislation that would make TV stations and cable networks air more
family-friendly shows. Afterwards, he and Sen. Dan Coats (R., Ind.) also
confirmed a deal was reached.
Under the agreement, Congress will "refrain for several years from
trying to change the rating system, in order to give the rating system a
chance to work," McCain said.
By this fall, parents are likely to see the letters "V," "S," "L" and
"D" show up alongside the ratings that now flash in the upper-left
corner of TV screens for 15 seconds at the beginning of a program. The
"D," for adult dialogue, would indicate language filled with sexual
innuendo.
ABC, CBS and Fox are expected to be part of the agreement along with
the major cable networks. NBC has steadfastly opposed the changes and
isn't expected to go along with them, a network official, speaking on
condition of anonymity, said Wednesday.
If that is the case, NBC would continue using the existing six-tier,
age-based ratings system without the new notations, the official said.
Tauzin asserted that NBC isn't part of the agreement, citing
"creeping infringements on the First amendment." A call placed to NBC
wasn't immediately returned.
McCain said he hoped NBC "will come on board between now and the
first of October," when the deal would go into effect.
One or all of the new notations would be added to the present "TV-PG"
for parental guidance suggested; "TV-14" for programs unsuitable for
children under 14; and "TV-MA" for mature audiences only.
Since they took effect Jan. 1, the TV ratings have been attacked by
parents' groups and key lawmakers for not giving parents enough
information to make decisions about children's viewing choices.
But the new letter codes aren't expected to be added to the current
"TV-Y7" rating category, which designates programs suitable for children
seven and older. Broadcasters have balked at that idea.
Negotiators have been striving to reach an agreement before the
Federal Communications Commission holds its first hearing next Monday on
the effectiveness of the industry's rating system.
A 1996 telecommunications law requires the FCC to review the ratings
system. If the FCC finds it unacceptable, it can appoint a panel to
create a new system, but the TV industry isn't required to use it.
Copyright (c) 1997 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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