Clinton Suggests Voluntary Music Industry Ratings

By Sushuma on 2000-01-31 12:24:14

In his State of the Union address, President Bill Clinton raised the ugly specter of the PMRC days when he suggested that the entertainment industry impose a voluntary rating system upon itself.?Clinton cited that current voluntary rating methods are "too numerous, diverse and confusing to be really useful to parents." He called for a rating system "for all children's entertainment that is easier for parents to understand and enforce." Clinton's comments were in response to last year's Columbine massacre and other high school shootings.?Although Marilyn Manson was nowhere near Littleton, Colorado when students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold began shooting at their classmates in April, Harris printed the shock-rocker's lyrics on his personal Web site.?Parents believe Manson's anti-authoritarian stance may have inspired the killers.?"Every parent I know worries about the impact of violence in the media on their children," said the President in his January 27 address.?Senator John McCain, a Republican candidate for president, and Senator Joseph Lieberman have drafted a bill that would impose age restrictions on music, much as the film rating system prohibits those under the age of 18 from seeing South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.?With Clinton's support, the bill would also restrict TV programs and Internet content according to age.?There's one bright side for underage kids looking to get their hands on forbidden material.?The bill would not only propose a virtually unenforceable age restriction, but would also list the exact nature of the offensive content on the album, TV program or computer game.?So at least you know what you're not getting.?The bill is most likely to effect rap artists, who can sell thousands of albums with the benefit of one parental warning sticker.?Xzibit told SonicNet's Teri Van Horn, "They're trying to tighten the leash...Instead of trying to police the entertainment industry, we should strongly suggest that parents take a stronger role in what their kids get into." Music industry insiders were cynical about the proposals, and not because a parental warning sticker on an album is a guarantee that 14-year-olds will try to buy it.?Instead, they point out that some retail chains like Wal-Mart are restricted from carrying albums with the labels.?Read more ...

You are currently Not Logged in.
Click here to login or sign up

Subject:  

xComment: