FCC to Explore Universal Ratings System for TV, Games, Mobile

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 31, 2009 - 8:42am.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to consider implementing a single ratings system that would cover content on TV, in video games and on mobile phones. The agency delivered a report on media blocking and parental ratings today, in which it announced plans to begin the inquiry.

Both media producers and technology firms have said such a ratings system is unnecessary.

Bloomberg notes that major broadcasters told the FCC earlier this month that they believe a third-party ratings system would constitute compelled speech in violation of the First Amendment.

The ratings system is also opposed by the mobile industry trade group CTIA, and the Entertainment Software Association, which represents video game companies.

"The ESRB rating system is considered by parents, family advocates, the Federal Trade Commission, and elected officials as the gold standard in providing caregivers with the information they need to make the right choices for their families," Rich Taylor, vice president of industry trade group the Entertainment Software Association, told Kotaku.

"Universal ratings will, in the end, only serve to confuse consumers, violate the Constitution's first amendment, and are a solution in search of a problem."

http://snipurl.com/ri8os (Bloomberg)

http://snipurl.com/ri8tq (Kotaku)