RMMW contends that the stations are broadcasting a toxic diet of mayhem to viewers and that the country's leading health organizations have repeatedly warned that excessive media violence has severe public health effects. Yet, the FCC staff declined to seriously consider this evidence in its ruling. The FCC must do more than wring its hands and say it can't do anything about it. Violence, threatened or actual, creates an environment of fear, intimidation and power.
Violence is the supreme manipulator of audiences.
Citing recent events like the L.A. freeway suicide and the Springfield, OR copy-cat school shootings as examples, RMMW contends violence must be handled by broadcasters with extreme care and sensitivity. The Application for Review states, 'We are not asking the Commission to regulate content or censor content of news programs. The Commission can, however, send a message about manipulative violence, warn about it and invite a national discussion about it. The country has a serious problem with local television news. Rocky Mountain Media Watch asks the Federal Communications Commission Members to review the evidence and arguments regarding the harmful effects on citizens of local newscasts on four Denver television stations.