IPI Press Release: Is The Family Choice Bill Really a `Nanny State Micromanages the Video Industry' Bill?

IPI Press Release: Is The Family Choice Bill Really a `Nanny State Micromanages the Video Industry' Bill?

DALLAS, June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and lawmakers announced the "Family Choice Act of 2007," legislation more aptly named the "Nanny State Micromanages the Video Industry Act," according to the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI).

"Parents already have all the tools they need to select which channels are available to their children," says IPI President Tom Giovanetti. "This bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing, constituting government interference in the freedom of companies to determine their own business models in the guise of protecting children."

Another question is who determines which channels and what programming constitute a "family tier?" The government, that's who.

But even then, many of the more famous recent incidents involving objectionable material occurred on the major broadcast networks, which almost certainly would be included in a "family tier."

Parents have been increasingly empowered over the years as every major provider of video services has deployed systems to block undesirable channels. Subsequently, the family audience doesn't show up in the Nielsen ratings, making low-rated channels less valuable to advertisers. But not even these methods can prove as powerful or efficient as parental responsibility and the on/off button.

In reality, few parents go to the trouble of blocking channels, turning off the television or even keeping the TV out of the control of their children. So if they can't be bothered to intervene, why should the government take action and risk unintended consequences?

The Institute for Policy Innovation is a national economic think tank based in Dallas, TX. IPI telecom experts are available for interview by contacting Sonia Blumstein at soniab@ipi.org or at (205) 620-2087.

Source: Institute for Policy Innovation

CONTACT: Sonia Blumstein of the Institute for Policy Innovation,
+1-205-620-2087 - office, +1-202-213-0379 - cell, soniab@ipi.org

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