looks on the V-Chip as giving the remote control back to the parent. The administration supported the V-Chip and has aided in the formation of a means to create a rating system. Senator Paul Simon, a long time critic of the industry, surprised and disappointed many when he opposed the concept of the V-Chip and the legislation, which incorporates it into new television set. In an article written for Business Wire and also in a speech on the floor of the Senate he argues that: The V-chip is no substitute for the industry disciplining itself In areas of high crime where children watch 50% more TV, the V-chip would not be used Teenagers will find a way around the V-chip. They will see the programs at the homes of other children It will take years for the V-chip to be in all TV sets TV needs to be cleaned up now. Will the V-chip distinguish between gratuitous, glamorized violence and other types? Will broadcasters shy away form any programming deemed to be violent? It will be a pro for cable and a negative for broadcast television. Yet it is broadcast television that has made the most progress in lessening violence. For 10- to 14- year-old males a negative rating will have drawing effect. In short the V-chip is a gimmickThere are some problems however with the v-chip. Some of these are: There will certainly be problems that are related to the implementation of the rating system and the use of the V-chip. Will the rating be carried just at the beginning of the program or will the rating be carried throughout the program so if a program is turned on in progress the rating will be read by the chip and the program will be blocked? Would each episode of a show be rated or would shows be given just one rating, regardless of content from week-to-week? If "R" ratings are limited to a post-9PM, would that mean that reruns of th...
