FCC SCORED FOR FAILING TO ENFORCE CHILDREN’S TV ACT

Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey, one of the authors of the landmark Children’s Television Act of 1990 has endorsed a recent report by the Government Accountability Office criticizing the Federal Communications Commission for failing to enforce compliance with the act. In an interview with Politico.com, Markey called the FCC’s oversight “weak”, adding that more needs to be done to “hold broadcasters, cable operators and satellite providers accountable for their statutory and regulatory requirements.” Markey, regarded as a liberal Democrat, was joined by Dan Isett of the conservative Parents Television Council, who was quoted by Politico as saying, “When you look at the sort of selective enforcement on this issue … it’s an indictment of the entire agency.” Susan Linn of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, added, “The law is not really being enforced. Clearly, something’s awry.” In response to the GAO report, FCC Media Bureau Chief Bill Lake said that the agency plans to institute new audits.