Bill to investigate video content-blocking passes Senate

The FCC will start to investigate video content-blocking technologies, if a bill just passed by the US Senate clears the House, including not only the V-Chip but other technologies that don't work hand-in-hand with ratings systems.

Now that the US House of Representatives has passed the nation's economic bailout bill, legislators in that branch of government may have the opportunity to consider another measure already approved by the US Senate. By unanimous consent this week, the Senate gave its okay to a bill that would force an FCC investigation of content-blocking technologies ostensibly aimed at use by parents in screening video content across multiple distribution platforms.

If it becomes law, the bill would compel the FCC to start examining within 90 days "advanced blocking technologies" that would include the so-called V-chip/ratings system along with methods that don't incorporate ratings systems, and that might therefore leave more discretion to individuals.

As defined by the bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday, initially introduced by Sen. Mark Pryor (D - Ark.), "advanced blocking technologies," means "technologies that can improve or enhance the ability of a parent to protect his or her child from any indecent or objectionable video or audio programming, as determined by such parent, that is transmitted through the use of wire, wireless, or radio communication."

Other language in the Senate bill -- known as the Child Safe Viewing Act (S. 602) -- contends that "studies suggest that the strong appeal of video programming erodes the ability of parents to develop responsible attitudes and behavior in their children," and that there is consequently "a compelling government interest in empowering parents to limit their children's exposure to harmful television content."

The FCC would be directed to focus, in particular, on technologies that don't incorporate any rating systems, that can filter language based on information in closed captions, and that will work across "a wide variety of distribution platforms, including wired, wireless, and Internet."

The bill also points out that when Congress first authorized the V-Chip in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, it also "further directed action on alternative blocking technology as new video technology advanced."

Meanwhile, the TV broadcasting industry has been arguing that the V-chip/ratings system approach is an effective content control tool which is well suited to meeting the government's stated end goal of "protecting children"

After being received by the House from the Senate on Wednesday, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.