The V-Chip Controversy

Young children watch 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence before leaving elementary school.

The V-Chip Controversy

Thousands were infuriated… lawyers and the TV Networks called it unlawful as it violates the First Amendment, parents were happy to have the help, and kids were angry because they could no longer see some of their favorite shows. The fight of the century had begun between the television industry and the government over the issue of television violence.

In 1991 when Tim Collings first thought of the idea for an optional device that blocked violent television programs, he never could have imagined the controversy that would erupt. Democratic Congressman Ed Markey from Massachusetts came up with the idea that the V-Chip should become a required feature of the television. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton. The law required that all televisions by the year 2000 would be required to include the V-Chip. The networks were told that they must voluntarily come up with a rating system for all television programs by 1997 or the government would establish one for them.

The television industry claims that the chip will violate their First Amendment right and cause them to lose valuable commercial dollars. The First Amendment gives everyone the right to freedom of speech. Broadcasters believe some shows will be forced off the air because they are seem too violent. The networks do not think that anyone should tell them what is too violent. Networks feel that people do not have to watch shows they feel are too violent. By forcing the networks to create a rating system for TV programs with violent content or objectionable material, the networks will no longer have the right to freedom of speech. The networks are also afraid that they will lose millions of dollars because the people that make the commercials will be afraid to buy commercial space on the television for programs that are considered to be "objectionable".

Some lawyers, like those from the American Civil Liberties Union, are opposed to the V-Chip law. In short, the ACLU claims that:

The chip violates the First Amendment and is a form of censorship.

The V-Chip takes away from the real causes of crime and violence today; poverty, poor education, not enough jobs, and abuse. Many parents are happy to have the V-Chip because it will help them to have control over what their children are watching when they are not able to be at home.