04/24/01: Slamming Music Industry

[Freakapotimus]

Tuesday April 24 12:57 AM ET
New Report Seen Slamming U.S. Music Industry

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The music industry is expected to come under fierce criticism on Tuesday in a new U.S. government report on the marketing of violent and lewd entertainment to children.

The Federal Trade Commission study, due for release on Tuesday at around 10 a.m. EDT follows a scathing FTC report in September that said the entertainment industry ``aggressively'' marketed adult-rated films, video games and music to under-age audiences.

A source familiar with the FTC's progress report said it came down hardest on the music industry, while the film and video-game sectors were found to have made some headway since last September but still had work to do.

``The music industry comes off looking the worst of all three in terms of progress they have made since the last study was done,'' the source said.

He said the report did not propose any specific actions to be taken against the industry, preferring instead to rely on self-regulation and public pressure.

In the past, the FTC has balked at policing Hollywood, citing constitutional hurdles.

Last September's FTC report on the entertainment industry was ordered by former President Bill Clinton after the massacre in April 1999 at Columbine High School in Colorado raised new concerns about the effect of violent entertainment on young people.

The music industry, in particular, has been criticized for not providing ratings according to age for the sale of recordings with sexually explicit, homophobic, misogynistic and violent lyrics such as those by Grammy Award winning rapper Eminem.

Music Likened To Books

Amy Weiss, a spokeswoman for the Recording Industry Association of America, and other music industry sources defended the music business ahead of the report.

``Music is unique for the same reason there are no rating systems for books. The works of musical artists are not rated. It's virtually impossible to rate words,'' Weiss told Reuters.

For 15 years, record companies have been placing ``parental advisory'' stickers on albums that have profanity and explicit lyrics but have never suggested an age limit for albums with ''parental advisory'' stickers.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman is expected to introduce a bill later this week aimed at punishing firms that market violent media products to children.

The proposed legislation would target ``false and deceptive advertising'' of adult-rated films, music and electronic games to under-age audiences, an aide said.

The bill, co-sponsored by Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Herbert Kohl, is likely to face opposition from Hollywood lobbyists who say it amounts to cultural censorship and is contrary to First Amendment rules protecting free speech.

[kurten]

Yes, let's shield children from reality. That way when they grow up they're totally prepared for adult life.

[Adambomb]

At 4/24/01 11:40 PM, kurten wrote: Yes, let's shield children from reality. That way when they grow up they're totally prepared for adult life.

Dont you mean unprepared?

[Slizor]

Yes, let's shield children from reality. That way when they grow up they're totally prepared for adult life.

Dont you mean unprepared?

its a thing called "sarcasm"

[kurten]

Thank you for not being as blind as some people, Bugger. I really couldn't believe it when that guy didn't understand that I didn't mean what I said.

[shorbe]

Censorship rears its ugly head again...

shorbe

[Shrapnel]

At 4/26/01 11:34 AM, Bugger_all_99 wrote:

Yes, let's shield children from reality. That way when they grow up they're totally prepared for adult life.

Dont you mean unprepared?

its a thing called "sarcasm"

Adambomb wasn't sure and was only asking for clarification.

[D2Kvirus]

At 4/24/01 09:58 AM, Freakapotimus wrote: Tuesday April 24 12:57 AM ET
New Report Seen Slamming U.S. Music Industry


By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The music industry is expected to come under fierce criticism on Tuesday in a new U.S. government report on the marketing of violent and lewd entertainment to children.

The Federal Trade Commission study, due for release on Tuesday at around 10 a.m. EDT follows a scathing FTC report in September that said the entertainment industry ``aggressively'' marketed adult-rated films, video games and music to under-age audiences.

A source familiar with the FTC's progress report said it came down hardest on the music industry, while the film and video-game sectors were found to have made some headway since last September but still had work to do.

``The music industry comes off looking the worst of all three in terms of progress they have made since the last study was done,'' the source said.

He said the report did not propose any specific actions to be taken against the industry, preferring instead to rely on self-regulation and public pressure.

In the past, the FTC has balked at policing Hollywood, citing constitutional hurdles.

Last September's FTC report on the entertainment industry was ordered by former President Bill Clinton after the massacre in April 1999 at Columbine High School in Colorado raised new concerns about the effect of violent entertainment on young people.

The music industry, in particular, has been criticized for not providing ratings according to age for the sale of recordings with sexually explicit, homophobic, misogynistic and violent lyrics such as those by Grammy Award winning rapper Eminem.

Music Likened To Books

Amy Weiss, a spokeswoman for the Recording Industry Association of America, and other music industry sources defended the music business ahead of the report.

``Music is unique for the same reason there are no rating systems for books. The works of musical artists are not rated. It's virtually impossible to rate words,'' Weiss told Reuters.

For 15 years, record companies have been placing ``parental advisory'' stickers on albums that have profanity and explicit lyrics but have never suggested an age limit for albums with ''parental advisory'' stickers.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman is expected to introduce a bill later this week aimed at punishing firms that market violent media products to children.

The proposed legislation would target ``false and deceptive advertising'' of adult-rated films, music and electronic games to under-age audiences, an aide said.

The bill, co-sponsored by Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Herbert Kohl, is likely to face opposition from Hollywood lobbyists who say it amounts to cultural censorship and is contrary to First Amendment rules protecting free speech.

I propose a new law.

Any organisation containing the letters "TC" making up two thirds of their abbrieviated title should be ignored, told to fuck off, then shot out of a cannon into a Chinese airspace.

All they do is bitch, moan and bullshit us thinking thy're important.