But news organizations worry that ratings may keep people from viewing their sites because stories routinely contain such news as violence and sexual crimes. About 25 news organizations attending the Manhattan meeting of the Internet Content Coalition supported the move. Leaders from other industries are expected to meet this fall to decide their position on ratings. The news group's opposition to ratings echoes the stance of its colleagues in television. TV news organizations are exempt from rating their shows.
Movies shown on TV, on the other hand, warn viewers of violent or sexually explicit content.
First Amendment advocates have raised concerns about the White House plans for an online rating system, saying the pressure for industry action seemed forced and could undermine free speech on the Internet.