Programs that have virtually the same content are getting different ratings. Both shows contain explicit sexual innuendoes and are not appropriate for children of any age. Since the ratings are assigned by the networks, there is room for fudging, based upon the popularity of the programs in question. The age-based rating system is opposed by the Parents Television Council of the Media Research Center, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the Children s Defense Fund, the National Education Association, the National PTA, and many other groups. The age-based rating system fails in that it does not identify and inform the parents of the sexual, violent, or other indecent material required by the law.
Many parents oppose the levels of violence on television.
A content-based rating system would eliminate or reduce the level of violence on television, since a high rating in this category would stigmatize such programming, leading to its removal. I encourage the FCC to do what is right, as opposed to slapping an approval on something that is barely satisfactory or adequate. It will be much easier to approve the age-based rating system than to design a new system. However, ultimately such an action will lead to the further decline in the quality and content of television. CS Docket No.