Why do we feed the destruction? We
play violent video games about war and expect peace. We watch television shows
about dysfunctional families and assume our own will stay together. We attend
PG movies full of violence, drug usage, swearing, and sexual content; and suppose our lives will not be affected ("Opposing Viewpoints in Context").
The truth, however, is bad media is crafting
a deteriorating society. I believe that our rating systems, especially for television,
are no longer effective and should be replaced with a new system immediately.
When did it become acceptable to kill
on television? When sexual acts were deemed suitable for all audiences with
cable? When did swearing every other sentence or “bleeping” become tolerable?
Our television standards have steadily
been decreasing. Consider how these shows will affect the next generation. Are
we hoping to raise a generation of “Homer Simpsons” or are we just hoping the
next generation won’t be affected by this powerful, influencing media? ("Opposing Viewpoints in Context")
The reality, however, is that our
media is already hurting society. We can’t ignore the negative effects that can
be seen everywhere. We can’t stand by and let our television and other forms of
media degrade anymore.
 |
| http://androidnewsgator.com/tag/wrong/ |
The FCC, using their Nielson system,
is the editor of our television shows. Over the past few years, however, they
have allowed the rules to creep and twist to different meanings. The FCC never
set up definite rules for their own system, and is easily able to change the
wording to whatever they want at that time. Running and rating our own
television programs has always been placed in the government’s hands (Parents).
Why wasn’t that power given to
parents? Because, at the time the FCC was created, a rating system by public demand
would have been impossible.
Why isn’t it given to parents now?
Because the FCC feels that our benevolently-minded bureaucrats are the best
option because parents are incompetent when it comes to this sort of thing (Parents). The
FCC won’t make changes to their imperfect system. While parent associations and
organizations call for a new ratings system, the FCC remains silent and
unmoving.
Immoral media is hurting our society.
Somehow, we must change it. We must adjust our media ratings to stop the
drastic change and to keep the rules from completely disappearing.
It
is time for a change.
Works
Cited
"Parents, Not
Government, Should Regulate Television Violence." Opposing Viewpoints
in Context. Greenhaven Press, n.d. Web. 1 Nov 2012.
<http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&source=&sortBy=&displayGroups=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE|EJ3010153292>.
"Violence, Sex, And Profanity in MPAA-Rated Movies Is Increasing." Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Greenhaven Press, n.d. Web. 1 Nov 2012. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&source=&sortBy=&displayGroups=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE|EJ3010662216>.
I think that you did a great job with your article and were very persuasive. I liked that you were specific when talking about the FCC and I thought your call to action was powerful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my post! The comments and complements on my blog post were very kind. Would you like to give me some advice on how to make my argument stronger?
DeleteOkay, I hear your argument about wanting to TV needing to change. My question is, what do you want us to do about it? How do you think you can stop the ball, now that it's started rolling? You've said that we should let parents rate and run the programs. Well, what about parents who like immorality and violence in their television? As sad as it is, some people are just used to that sort of thing, and they might object to sudden changes to their programs. Of course, they could always just not watch TV, but they would probably object to that proposition.
ReplyDeleteI hoped to, in this post, discuss that our current ratings systems are not working. I hoped to get people to start thinking and start trying to fix our media. As to your comments on parents, I have a possible answer. If every household in the country were to submit ratings on certain programs they view, then, overall, the levels of violence and immorality would be removed. Those who really enjoyed these bad medias would be eliminated by those who really hate these bad medias, and a center, much more acceptable, standard could be reached. I'm not saying this idea is perfect; it is just a possible solution.
DeleteI like the point you made, and I think your argument was very persuasive. I thought the information you included about the FCC was excellent. However, I would have liked to see more evidence that the FCC did not originally create guidelines to follow when censoring television.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The evidence is there, I just wish I could have talked about it more. Thank you for your suggestion on my post.
DeleteI really enjoyed this post. I think you have a good topic and a good argument, although I would caution against the font changes, which I am guessing were a mistake. I also think that your first paragraph is great, it just needs a little more introduction. I feel like that first question is jumping too far into the discussion for the reader to understand. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my post! The comments, complements, and criticisms on my blog post were very helpful. Do you have any advice on how to make my argument and claims stronger outside of this blog?
Delete