Report: TV airing more sex, foul language

In terms of sexual content, coarse language, and violent material combined, the per-hour figure almost tripled from 1989 to '99, the Parents Television Council says

March 30, 2000
Web posted at: 8:22 p.m. EST (0122 GMT)

In this story: $50 billion a year in ad spending 'Very bad for our country' RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Television content today has become unsuitable for consumption, The Parents Television Council says.

"What parents will find on broadcast television today is literally crap -- a word that was used 41 times during a four week period last fall as compared with only five times during a similar period in 1989," said Brent Bozell, council chairman, at a news conference Thursday.

TIME.com TIME.com analysis:Why your TV is more vulgar and less violent

The group released its latest television content analysis study, "What a Difference a Decade Makes: A Comparison of Prime Time Sex, Language, and Violence in 1989 and '99. The report compares and contrasts four weeks of prime time programming from the fall of 1989 with four weeks of programming from this past fall.

According to the study:

  •  In terms of sexual content, coarse language, and violent material combined, the per-hour figure almost tripled from 1989 to '99.

  •  On a per-hour basis, sexual material was more than three times as frequent.

  •  The level of violence on television has remained about the same.

So far, the TV industry, including CNN's corporate parent, Time Warner, has not commented on the report. The National Association of Broadcasters, which represents the industry on Capitol Hill, said it was still studying the contents of the study and may comment later.

While network television ratings are down, overall TV viewership -- including cable and satellite programming, remains high -- on average, more than 7 hours a day.

$50 billion a year in ad spending

And despite occasional viewer protests over TV shows' content, advertisers still spend nearly $50 billion a year for commercial time.

In the past, the Federal Communications Commission had far more control over the content of TV programming than it does now.

However, during Thursday's new conference, there were hints from Capitol Hill that the FCC may be asked to exert stronger influence on broadcasters.

"This particular genie -- when you're talking about broadcasters using the public airwaves -- can always be put back in the bottle. And that's why maybe it's time for the FCC to go back and take a look at where its current policies have taken us," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Connecticut.

'Very bad for our country'

Lieberman said broadcasters were taking the easy and sleazy way out because there is always an audience for sex and violence.

"The net effect of that, we argue, it has been very bad for our country and particularly for our kids, and that's why I think it is time for the FCC to take another look," Lieberman said.

Reporter Jonathan Aiken contributed to this report.

Watchdogs: TV ruder, cruder despite ratings
May 27, 1999
White House summit looks for answers to youth violence
May 10, 1999
Poll: Violence in the media should be regulated
May 3, 1999
Study: TV shows too much sex without responsibility
February 9, 1999
Study: 'Electronic baby sitter' overexposes youth to sex, violence
January 6, 1999

Parents Television Council
The National Association of Broadcasters Home Page
The National Coalition on Television Violence
TV Parental Guidelines

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.