User:Seanbaker2015/Media Influence and Political Reactions

Political Reactions

The parental advisory label introduced in the 1980s.

Certain groups used the dangers of media influence as a way to promote a political cause. Music with violent and sexual lyrics have often been the target of concern. Several influential women, including Tipper Gore, founded the Parents Music Resource Center, and was one of the main organizations that pushed for warning labels on music. They argued that such material had simple and identifiable effects on children, and thus should be classified only for adults. In a 1985 Senate hearing on potential music labels, Joe Stussey, a professor from the University of Texas at San Antonio, argued that modern lyrics contained "an element of hatred, a meanness of spirit." At this same hearing, Senator Ernest Hollings wanted legislation to allow the government to remove offensive music that he called "outrageous filth". Ultimately, a voluntary parental advisory label was adopted by the music industry in 1985.

Other media, such as violent video games, have also faced criticism. In 2005, California banned the selling of violent video games to children under the age of 18. The state cited studies that said violent video games caused children to become more aggressive and desensitized to violence. However, in 2011, the Supreme Court struck down the law in a 7-2 decision. The majority opinion argued the government had no place to restrict ideas to children, even if those ideas are violent in nature.

Going back as far as 1948, opponents raised concerns against television. It was felt that television could lead to a breakdown in communication, and harm the family environment. Children would be at most harm, being influenced through television airwaves that some felt were focused on selling inappropriate products and showing violent programs. By 1955, Congress held hearings on how television could potentially lead to juvenile delinquency. In the 1970s, initiatives were introduced to limit the type of advertisements shown to children.