Monday, August 31, 2009

Rockefeller, FCC Eye Content Blocking

Senate Commerce Chairman John (Jay) Rockefeller said Monday's release of an FCC report on existing technologies that block television content deemed inappropriate for children was a welcome step but more must be done by the agency and Congress. Government and the private sector must go beyond simply offering information, he said in a statement. They must provide "simple ways for families to control and monitor their children's screen time [and] must offer the tools and policies that make it easy for people to be good parents and oversee the viewing that goes on in their homes."

Rockefeller said he looked forward to the FCC's next action in this area, noting that his interest in the topic has long been high as are his expectations. He vowed to "continue fighting for these important protections" and said he looked forward to working with Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and other Commerce Committee colleagues on the issue. The FCC report was required under the 2007 Child Safe Viewing Act and over the past six months, the agency has compiled a record on parental control technologies in use as well as those still in development.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the report "contains some important information for parents [but] also raises important questions and exposes the need for further study of this essential issue." The Commission will soon unveil a notice of inquiry seeking more information on the topic as well as others related to children and media in the digital age. "We recognize that technology has created profound new challenges for parents by vastly expanding the scope and quantity of media available to our children. But technology also can -- and must -- be part of the solution," Genachowski said in a statement.