State's senators get after TV sex, violence

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The senators want their colleagues to increase penalties for those who flout federal decency rules and institute stronger controls over violent programming.

Republican Lindsey Graham appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday to tout a bill he's introducing to increase fines for each violation from $27,500 to $275,000. Repeat violators would be fined as much as $3 million. Similar legislation has been filed in the House.

Democrat Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, the commerce panel's most senior Democrat, pushed his bill to study the effectiveness of so-called V-chip technology to block violent images from children.

Congressional hearings were spurred by the halftime show, where singer Justin Timberlake exposed fellow entertainer Janet Jackson's breast. About 90 million people watched that show, including millions of children.

Lawmakers and the Federal Communications Commission chided CBS and MTV, which produced the show, for embarrassing Americans and exposing children to indecent material.

Graham called it a "deplorable stunt," adding he's been worried for years about the increasing sex and violence on television.

"We need to bring consequences to the table," he said, referring to the provisions in his bill that would increase fines.

In written remarks, Graham said Congress' job is to ensure broadcasters show appropriate programs, especially when children might be watching.

Hollings criticized FCC Chairman Michael Powell for asking CBS, which broadcast the Super Bowl, to enforce its voluntary code of conduct instead of taking swift action for the performance.

In prepared remarks, Hollings said he supports increasing penalties and giving the FCC more enforcement powers, but he accused the independent agency of not being aggressive enough.

"But even a bigger hammer will have little effect if the commission is reluctant to swing it," he said.

In addition to requiring the FCC to study whether V-chips are doing the job, Hollings' bill would require new rules to better shield children from violent images.

He wants the government to ban broadcasters from showing violent material before a certain time, a "safe harbor" that also applies to the showing of risque material.

Hollings has introduced the bill each year since 1993 and has gotten it past the Commerce Committee, but not on to the Senate floor. He also has proposed increasing penalties tenfold for airing sexually offensive material.

As of Jan. 1, 2000, television makers had to include V-chip technology in sets 13 inches or larger. The chip allows parents to block violent shows.

Powell said the Super Bowl show represented a new low for broadcasters, adding that the FCC is aggressively curbing indecent programs but needs more enforcement authority.

The National Association of Broadcasters didn't comment specifically on congressional proposals, but soon will conduct a forum on decency standards.