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Bush says he supports regulating cable
WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush says he supports extending indecency standards to cable and satellite programming, which is currently exempt from such regulations.
Such a move would affect programs like HBO's highly popular gangster drama, The Sopranos, and Howard Stern's future show on satellite radio.
Bush's comments came Thursday in response to a question at the American Society of Newspaper Editors convention, where he was a speaker.
Bush was asked if he endorsed applying broadcast standards to satellite and cable services.
"Yes, I'm for that," he said. "I think there ought to be a standard. On the other hand, I fully understand that ... the final decision is a parent turning off the TV."
In the U.S., government regulations currently prevent broadcast networks from airing indecent programming, except between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Some legislators have floated the idea of applying that same standard to all programming, including cable and satellite shows.
But the White House quickly backtracked, saying later in the day that Bush had actually been voicing support for a bill that failed to pass Congress last year.
That proposed legislation would have increased fines applied to broadcast outlets from $32,500 US per violation to a maximum of $500,000 US per incident. It was silent on the issue of cable and satellite television.
"The president was reflecting back on the legislation endorsed by the administration," a Bush spokesman said.
Bush also said Thursday he supported the government setting standards to help parents make informed choices about their children's viewing.
"I have no problems with standards being set to help parents make good decisions," he said.
Cable and satellite programming currently runs with ratings on all shows except news and sports. In addition, satellite dishes allow parents to block out undesirable channels.
The V chip, which is standard equipment in all TV sets, allows viewers to block shows based on ratings.
WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush says he supports extending indecency standards to cable and satellite programming, which is currently exempt from such regulations.
Such a move would affect programs like HBO's highly popular gangster drama, The Sopranos, and Howard Stern's future show on satellite radio.
Bush's comments came Thursday in response to a question at the American Society of Newspaper Editors convention, where he was a speaker.
Bush was asked if he endorsed applying broadcast standards to satellite and cable services.
"Yes, I'm for that," he said. "I think there ought to be a standard. On the other hand, I fully understand that ... the final decision is a parent turning off the TV."
In the U.S., government regulations currently prevent broadcast networks from airing indecent programming, except between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Some legislators have floated the idea of applying that same standard to all programming, including cable and satellite shows.
But the White House quickly backtracked, saying later in the day that Bush had actually been voicing support for a bill that failed to pass Congress last year.
That proposed legislation would have increased fines applied to broadcast outlets from $32,500 US per violation to a maximum of $500,000 US per incident. It was silent on the issue of cable and satellite television.
"The president was reflecting back on the legislation endorsed by the administration," a Bush spokesman said.
Bush also said Thursday he supported the government setting standards to help parents make informed choices about their children's viewing.
"I have no problems with standards being set to help parents make good decisions," he said.
Cable and satellite programming currently runs with ratings on all shows except news and sports. In addition, satellite dishes allow parents to block out undesirable channels.
The V chip, which is standard equipment in all TV sets, allows viewers to block shows based on ratings.
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