Gillespie on Talk of the Nation Re: TV Violence, Today at 3.38PM ET

I'll be on the NPR show Talk of the Nation to discuss last week's FCC report on violent TV and kids:

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission issued a report calling for content regulation of violent programming to extend to cable and satellite channels. Nick Gillespie, editor in chief of Reason magazine, talks about his op-ed that appears in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times, where he argues that the FCC should stay out of the debate over TV violence.

That's from TotN's website, which is online here.

Update: The audio from the segment is now online. Click to listen.

Comments

[Guy Montag]

As the only representative of the cast of GTASA on this board, I fully endorse Mr. Gillespie in his efforts to bring sanity to this discussion as well as the support he has given to my segment of the entertainment industry.

[NoStar]

The cachet of the leather jacket is wasted on radio.

Nick, can you find out why NPR announcers sound like they have been lobotomized? I'm thinking it might be the equalizer settings, although it is possible they have taken the Jim Brady route to liberalism, i.e. have 1/4 of their brains destroyed.

[Guy Montag]

I'm thinking it might be the equalizer settings, although it is possible they have taken the Jim Brady route to liberalism, i.e. have 1/4 of their brains destroyed.

If they express any excitement at all they are snatched up by The Pacifica Network.

[Pro Libertate]

Guy,

Who were you? I played that game on the Xbox. Of course, now I've moved to the Godfather, which is less random in its violence.

[Rumack]

Neal Conan (or Ira Flatow on Science Fridays) sound lobotomized? Someone hasn't been actually listening.

[Hormone Cow]

How could the government regulate the content of satellite channels? Is it just because they are using the public airwaves?
Normally regulation is based on TV and Radio broadcast being intrusive into someones home, and it must be regulated for content that wouldn't offend people or "harm children". But with a subscription to digital satellite TV, I would not think this to be an issue. Especially since people could block certain channels or programs, and use the guide feature to see what is on before they watch it.

[MikeP]

Neal Conan (or Ira Flatow on Science Fridays) sound lobotomized? Someone hasn't been actually listening.

Indeed. NPR hosts don't all sound like Ira Glass and his compatriots on This American Life. And that show can be easily avoided. I know. I've done it.

[Number 6]

Nick Gillespie- I think you made the woman with the four-year-old cry. Well done.

[David]

Cow,

That's because the issue has never been about parental controls. It's about people needing to make sure that no one can watch what they find offensive.

[highnumber]

I like This American Life.

Jerks.

[spur]

If by lobotimized you mean they aren't screaming whackos like Jime Rome or Neil Boortz than I guess we just have different tastes.

[Dave]

Favorite caller: The woman who explained that even though she has the ability to block programs she doesn't want her children to watch, it's "Way down on her to do list", therefore the govt should ban shows that she doesn't want her kids watching to "make it easier". That's right, your rights are less important than her lazy ass not pushing a fucking button.

[NoStar]

By lobotomized I refer, of course, to the flat monotone reminiscent of The Stepford Wives mixed with a trace of condescension.

[Guy Montag]

Pro Libertate,

Guy,

Who were you? I played that game on the Xbox. Of course, now I've moved to the Godfather, which is less random in its violence.

I am Guy Montag on one of those talk radio stations.

[VM]

NoStar: good description.

🙂

[Guy Montag]

Favorite caller: The woman who explained that even though she has the ability to block programs she doesn't want her children to watch, it's "Way down on her to do list", therefore the govt should ban shows that she doesn't want her kids watching to "make it easier". That's right, your rights are less important than her lazy ass not pushing a fucking button.

Perhaps she is as ungratful to Albert Gore, Jr. about the V-Chip as she is to him about the looming environmental crisis?

Perhaps she likes Tipper Gore a little better for all of those record labels.

[Franklin Harris]

Crap. Nick has preemptively used an argument I thought I was going to be the first to use: Parents don't use the V-Chip because they don't really care that much about TV violence. They just like to complain about it. It beats complaining about threats to children from generations past: scarlet fever, bears, Indian attacks, U.S. Cavalry attacks, etc.

[dr. dog]

Stuffed animals fighting caused Columbine?

I'm glad the caller was quickly hustled away before someone had to respond to that.

[LarryA]

How could the government regulate the content of satellite channels? Is it just because they are using the public airwaves?

All your channels are belong to us.

[TrickyVic]

"""That's right, your rights are less important than her lazy ass not pushing a fucking button."""

Yeah, her right not to push button is great then everone elses rights.

I do agree Dave, currently convenience trumps rights. Here's how I get there.

Security trumps your rights, but if security is no good if it becomes too inconvenient. Therefore, convenience trumps security. Since convenience can trump security, and security trumps rights, convenience trumps rights.

Well I'm half kidding.