How Is the TV Rating System Scoring So Far?

With the beginning of the year came a new ratings system for television programs, similar to the movie ratings system, intended to help parents make informed decisions about which programs to allow their children to watch.

But the voluntary system--created to avoid official government action--is too simple, critics say. Popular prime-time shows are often given a TV-PG rating with little indication about specific content.

Industry officials defend the new system, saying that a more complex and detailed set of ratings would only confuse viewers and act as a deterrent to listing them in the limited space of newspapers and magazines.

Is the new television ratings system working?

Actor Robert Hanley, founder of the Entertainment Fellowship, which tries to encourage Judeo-Christian values in movies and television:

“I like the idea that the entertainment industry is itself doing the ratings. I prefer that to having Washington doing it for us. . . . [But] I’m not sure this is the answer. . . . [For example,] with ‘NYPD Blue’ [the show’s creator, Steven Bochco], runs a disclaimer that parental guidance is suggested. . . . That points to me as evidence of responsibility. . . . Tell us what it is and let us make the choice. . . . This is about the soul. This is character of the individual, not only of children, but of the adults. . . . I think any logical, thinking human being would want to know what is going into his mind, into his soul and into his character.”

Catherine Flory, president of the 31st district Parent-Teacher-Student Assn.:

“They didn’t go far enough. . . . They may say it’s language, but to what extent do they mean it’s inappropriate? . . . They’ve got to give more information. . . . What the PTA is trying to do is create critical viewing habits at workshops going on in the Valley. . . . They should watch the program with their children. . . . The parent is the one responsible for the child, and they should not let their child randomly watch TV . . . and make sure that the child understands what they are watching. . . . I think something is better than nothing. It’s a step in the right direction.”

Laurie Trotta, director of communications for Mediascope Inc. of Studio City, whose research data were instrumental in the campaign for a ratings system:

“We think the spirit of the idea was to give parents a tool to gauge violence and sexual content. These ratings really don’t give them that information. . . . They don’t allow parents to make that judgment for themselves on behalf of their kids. . . . That is one basic criticism we have had with the film ratings system and now with the television ratings system. . . . You could compare it to food labels which tell you all the ingredients and allow you to make the decision.”

Jim Lawrence, associate professor in the Cal State Northridge radio-television-film department:

“Right now the industry is rating itself and there’s a certain self-serving aspect to this. . . . The bottom line is they don’t want to turn off any viewers, and they will give a rating according to what will give them the biggest possible audience. . . . But I’m not a fan of censorship and certainly not of any government committee stepping in to tell you what to watch. . . . To tell you the truth, this is not an easy issue. . . . I think the individual could handle it if they gave a one-line frame of description. . . . That gives you more of an informed choice.”