Media

Today parents face an array of media and entertainment technologies that present difficult problems for those wishing to shield their children from media content -- photographic images, music, advertisements, and motion pictures -- that may be morally damaging.

Consequently, Family Research Council supports the vigorous enforcement of existing laws banning the distribution of obscene materials and the enactment of new laws criminalizing the distribution of non-obscene pornographic material to children.  Similarly, Family Research Council supports efforts by the Federal Communications Commission to increase the fines and penalties for the broadcast of indecent and profane materials, and FRC believes such restrictions should be applied to cable and satellite transmissions.

Furthermore, Family Research Council believes that no person or family should be forced, as a condition of access to communications services, to receive or purchase media content or programming channels to which he or she objects.

Pornography

Pornography has spread like a plague in our nation. It has moved from the margins of our culture to the mainstream, attacking marriages, families, and communities. Worst of all, it has stolen a time of innocence from our children.

Obscenity and child pornography are illegal and not protected by the First Amendment. They acquire no legal protection merely because they are sent over the Internet. Websites distributing this material from overseas can be prosecuted under extradition agreements, but the fact is that the overwhelming majority of hardcore Internet pornography is produced in the United States and should be prosecuted aggressively. Family Research Council calls for the vigorous enforcement of all existing laws against child pornography and obscenity.

Courts have ruled that some adult pornography that does not meet the legal definition of obscenity has first amendment protection, but that protection is not absolute. Laws may regulate the time, place, and manner of distribution and may restrict it from children. We do not have adequate laws to protect children from this kind of material online, and FRC will continue to work toward stronger laws to protect children.

Resources:

• Internet Guide for Parents by Stephen Sweet [Brochure]
• Dealing with Pornography: a Practical Guide for Protecting your Family and Your Community by Pat Trueman [Brochure]
• U.S. v. Extreme Associates [Amicus brief]
• From Playboy to Pedophilia: How Adult Sexual Liberation Leads to Children's Sexual Exploitation by Carson Holloway [Witherspoon lecture]
• The Government's Profound Interest in Protecting Children [CultureFacts]
• Media Exposure Linked to Adolescent Sex by Bridget Maher, M.A. [CultureFacts]
• Enforcing Broadcast Decency [Special publication]

Broadcast and Cable Decency

Television programs are transmitted over "public" airwaves that belong to the American people.  Consequently, Family Research Council strongly supports the publics right to make the airwaves suitable for viewing and listening.  The Congress agrees and has given the FCC appropriate powers to create and enforce regulations to control obscene, indecent, or profane programming. 
 
Because the federal courts have made it very difficult for the Federal Communications Commission to control the socially undesirable content on broadcast and cable channels, we now believe that the only effective and unambiguously legal approach is to empower cable customers to receive or block channels for any reason (e.g., controlling soaring cable bills; limiting exposure to unwanted sexual or violent content).  Cable subscribers would not be charged for blocked channels.  This approach goes by names like "cable choice" or "a la carte," and FRC believes "cable choice" would revolutionize the entertainment industry, making the final product cheaper and suitable for all audiences.

Family Research Council will monitor judicial, statutory, and regulatory developments in this area and influence national policy to make television, radio, and cable programming appropriate for the general public.

Resources:

• Enforcing Broadcast Decency [Special publication]
• Amicus Brief: US v. Extreme Associates