Three major industry trade groups—the Motion Picture Association, the National Association of Broadcasters and NCTA–The Internet & Television Association—have defended the current system of TV ratings for children’s programming in a May 22 joint FCC filing.
In April, the Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau issued a Public Notice that it would examine several issues related to TV content ratings and warning labels, including the current system’s handling of content related to LGBTQ+ and transgender people.
The joint response from the main trade groups representing the motion picture, broadcast TV and pay TV industries provides extensive detail on how the system works and how the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board actively seeks feedback from parents to refine its work. But it avoids the controversial question of LGBTQ+ content in addressing the FCC’s ask for public comments on how the ratings system might be improved.
“The TV Parental Guidelines continue to provide an effective tool to help parents and caregivers to make informed viewing choices about age-appropriate programming,” the joint filing said. “The Monitoring Board plays a vital role in fostering consistent TV ratings across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. The Board is committed to continuing working diligently to further promote consistency and transparency in ratings and support public understanding.
“At the outset, we agree with the Media Bureau that parents must be empowered to make informed choices when it comes to the type of television programs that are appropriate for their children,“ it continued. “As discussed below, the Monitoring Board and the voluntary TV Parental Guidelines are doing just that. Indeed, the Guidelines are a widely recognized, well-understood and broadly used tool to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions about the television programs their children watch. The television industry carefully developed this decades-old TV ratings system and continues to seek feedback from stakeholders and refine ratings practices.”
The FCC’s Public Notice read: “Recently, parents have raised concerns that controversial gender identity issues are being included or promoted in children’s programs without providing any disclosure or transparency to parents.”
That prompted a number of filings by conservative politicians and groups, including U.S. Sen Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Center for American Rights President Daniel Suhr and the Concerned Women for America, calling for updates that would flag content with LGBTQ and transgender themes. Separately, 13 Republican state attorneys general filed comments urging the FCC to create a separate system where viewers could rate programs.
More than 40 organizations and industry associations, including Free Press, responded with comments opposing the idea. In its filing, public-interest group Free Press said the FCC lacks the authority to change the current system and that efforts to add the labels would silence LGBTQ+ voices.
The full filing from the MPA, NAB and NCTA can be found here.
