Letter assignment

This is the letter I wrote to President Obama as well as relevant members of the FCC. The organization, Morality in Media, brought it to my attention that the FCC does not currently strictly enforce indecency laws on television (basically things that shouldn't be on between 6 and 10 are). The current FCC chairman is resigning, so this letter's sole purpose is to encourage the selection of a new FCC chairman who will enforce these laws......

To whom it may concern:

When I became aware that indecency laws in the United States are not currently being strictly enforced on public television, I was shocked. As a government with the purpose of ensuring the well-being of the people in this country, how can laws that protect children from being exposed to harmful material not be strictly enforced?

            As a fourth year university student majoring in Human Development and currently enrolled in a Media and Human Development class, I have been exposed to research that shows quite clearly that indecent material can have lasting impressions on children. Material of a sexual nature especially can negatively impact sexual development and increase tendencies for earlier and riskier sexual intercourse.

            Children’s primary form of media is television, with preschoolers watching an average of two and a half hours per day. There are few parents who have the time or the patience to sit down with their children for such an extended period of time and monitor their children’s television use. Exposure to this material can range from the innocent child flipping through channels to the pre-adolescent who is just becoming curious about sexuality. In each of these situations, parents might be unable to monitor and protect the child during their media use. They have put their trust in law makers and enforcers who have put in place agreed-upon laws to help them protect their children from indecent material.

            With the approaching appointment of a new FCC chairman, I urge President Obama and all others with a say in the situation to appoint one who will enforce indecency laws strictly. Networks must abide by those laws that protect children from unnecessary harm. If they choose not to, they must face consequences and/or choose to transfer to cable or satellite. This has been the law thus far and should remain so as long as new laws are not created.

Sincerely

Jaclyn Crane