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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gore Backs ‘V’ For Violence In TV Childproofing His Comments Refer To Computer Chip That Will Be Installed In Sets Next Year

Associated Press

Vice President Al Gore endorsed the idea of rating TV shows for violence on Thursday, staking out an administration stance as the industry inches closer to adding codes for violence, sex and crude language.

Breaking the administration’s silence on possible changes in the ratings that took effect Jan. 1, Gore declared, “We need a ‘V’ - a ‘V’ to tell us when our youngest children could be exposed to violence.”

Gore’s comment came in a statement after his meeting Thursday with parents’ groups, children’s advocates and other organizations seeking stronger ratings.

“Now more than ever, it’s time for the industry to put the ‘V’ back in the ‘V-Chip,”’ Gore said, referring to a computer chip that will be installed in TV sets next year letting parents block out shows based on ratings.

The vice president, Senate Commerce Committee chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., Rep. Edward Markey D-Mass., and other key television policy-makers have been meeting with industry and parents’ groups to try to nudge an agreement along.

To give more time for such an agreement to be reached, the Federal Communications Commission postponed a hearing scheduled for today, its first on the effectiveness of the TV ratings. The hearing was rescheduled for July 14.

The FCC by law must review the ratings system. If the agency finds it unsuitable, the commissioners can appoint a board to create a new one, but the TV industry does not have to go along.

After a meeting on Tuesday, McCain told the TV industry that if an agreement is not reached by June 24, he would move ahead on legislation that would force the industry to provide more detailed ratings.

Broadcasters want assurances from Congress that the addition of “V,” “S” and “L” or other changes would head off legislation. Other than at NBC, there is growing support for adding those notations to three current rating categories to designate violence, sex and potentially offensive language, said representatives involved in the negotiations.

Those three current ratings are: “TV-PG,” parental guidance suggested; “TV-14,” programs unsuitable for children under 14; and “TV-MA,” for mature audiences only.

To keep the talks from unraveling, Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., was attempting to get a commitment that House leaders would not pursue legislation to strengthen ratings or to improve the quality of TV shows if a deal is struck.

Members of the TV industry are split over adding the “V,” “S” and “L” letters to the current “TV-Y7” rating category, which designates children’s programs suitable for children 7 and older.