ORTHODOX UNION JOINS IN REQUESTING FCC TO FIND TV PROGRAM RATING SYSTEM UNACCEPTABLE

April 8, 1997

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America -- the
nation's largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization -- joined with
other concerned groups in submitting comments to the Federal
Communications Commission with regard to the television industry's
proposed rating system for TV programs. The comments submitted by the
coalition of groups, as well as the separate comments submitted by the
Orthodox Union's Institute for Public Affairs call of the FCC to find
the proposed system -- a system that rates programs by age-based
categories rather than through content descriptions -- to be
"unacceptable."

Both the Orthodox Union's and the coalitions comments contend that in
order to be "acceptable," the proposed system must serve the goals
intended by Congress when it passed legislation requiring the
development of the "V-Chip" technology and a rating system to work with
that technology. The comments contend that Congress' intent was that a
system be created that would empower parents to guide the television
viewing habits of their children. The proposed age-based system fails
to accomplish that goal because it is too vague to be of any use. Just
one example: a significant majority of programs fall into a single
category (the expansive "TV-PG"), giving parents almost no guidance on
why the program was so designated and whether a "TV-PG" program is
suitable for their child.

Nathan Diament, director of the Orthodox Union's Institute for Public
Affairs, issued the following statement in conjunction with a press
conference held this morning in Washington, D.C., to announce the filing
of the coalition's comments:

"We are pleased to join in this important effort to assist parents in
the monumental task of raising morally healthy children. At this time
of year, Jews are about to celebrate the holiday of Passover. A key
theme of this holiday is the centrality of the home as an educational
environment and parents as teachers of their children. It is for this
reason that the festive Passover meal -- during which parents explain
the historical and religious significance of the holiday -- takes place
in the home and not the synagogue. The Orthodox Union is committed to
ensuring that parents receive the necessary tools to educate their
children. In this television age, a system of content-based program
ratings that fully informs parents about what their children are viewing
is indispensable."

Your Opinions Are Always Welcome

You can also express your opinion directly
to the Knesset, White House or Congress via the OU Online Communications Center

or you can dialogue with others on our Message Board

To OU IPA Home Page