04-13-2010, 06:26 AM
colonel panic wrote: As for the way the networks and cable channels program this material, just keep in mind they are in business to make money. The days of television broadcasters serving the public interest are long gone.
No question, there are some great shows on TV nowadays. The basis of my premise is that the programming of those shows makes their enjoyment difficult or in some cases, impossible.
As colonel panic says, "The days of television broadcasters serving the public interest are long gone" and that's the issue that must, somehow, be the target of viewer protest.
It seems to me that networks, who are using the "public airwaves" have always had an obligation to serve the public good, but the FCC has failed to look out for our interest, except in sometimes over the top censorship, which prevents the networks from matching the intelligent creativity found in the best shows on cable.
If the FCC can impose its rules regarding the most picayune issues, then they can also deal with the irritating self-serving programming behaviors that plague the public viewership.
Isn't that the duty of the FCC?
I agree with Buzz and disagree with Lew Zealand on this. It would not rob the broadcasters to impose reasonable rules on them that would insure certain standards of programming. It is certainly NOT socialism to regulate the use of a resource THAT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE.
There already are standards, but as of late the broadcasters have taken the bit in their mouth and said the hell with the viewers' interests. We're going to do whatever suits us, and now we have the problems we're discussing.
I'd bet that given standards that would deal with the basic issues raised here. the broadcasters would do better, not worse.
What do you think?