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make a conscious decision about how to respond to the concerns about
"porn rock" as they go about serving their audiences.
I appreciate the consideration of the Subcommittee in permitting
me to let you know of the action NAB has taken.
Thank you very much.
FRITTS LETTER TO BROADCAST STATION GROUPS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS,
DEAR : The lyrics of some recent rock records and the tone
of the related music videos are fast becoming a matter of public debate.
The subject has drawn national attention through articles in publications
like Newsweek and USA Today and feature reports on TV programs like
"Good Morning, America."
Many state that they are extremely troubled by the sexually explicit
and violent language of some of today's songs. An example that has been
cited is the song with words which say in part:
"I knew a girl named Nikki I guess you could say she was a sex fiend I met her in a hotel lobby masturbating with a magazine."
The pre-teen and teen audiences are heavy listeners, viewers and buyers
of rock music. In some communities, like Washington. D.C., parents and
other interested citizens are organizing to see what they can do about the
music in question, which at least one writer has dubbed "porn rock."
I wanted you, as one of the leaders in the broadcasting industry, to be
aware of this situation. For your information, I am enclosing the recent
Newsweek column as well as a letter I received from a group of
influential Washington area residents.
It is, of course, up to each broadcast licensee to make its own decisions
as to the manner in which it carries out its programming responsibilities
under the Communications Act.
Sincerely,
FRITTS LETTER TO RECORD COMPANIES
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS,
DEAR : I am writing you, as a leader in the recording industry,
to ask your assistance in a matter of concern to many of us in broadcasting.
The sexually explicit and violent nature of some of today's songs raises
difficult issues of selectivity for those broadcasters who program rock
and other contemporary music. The sheer volume of new records (and
videos) made available to broadcasters, as well as the recording
techniques sometimes used, make it extremely difficult for broadcast
owners, managers, and program directors to be fully aware of the lyrics
of all of the music their stations are being asked to air.
NAB has neither the ability nor the desire to place itself in any way
in the role of censor of the music that broadcasters are presenting to
the public. We do believe, however, that with your help we can play a
constructive role by assisting broadcasters in making reasoned
programming choices.
At its May meeting, NAB's Executive Committee asked that I write you to
request that all recordings made available to broadcasters in the future
be accompanied by copies of the songs' lyrics. It appears that providing
this material to broadcasters would place very little burden on the
recording industry, while greatly assisting the decisionmaking [sic]
of broadcast management and programming staffs.
I look forward to hearing from you on this proposal and learning your
thoughts on the problem of selectivity that the broadcasting and
recording industries confront.
Sincerely,
The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Fritts.
Mr. Steding.
Mr. STEDING. First of all, I would like to take
the opportunity to thank the Senate Commerce Committee for bringing
together a panel of witnesses today for the purpose of analyzing
carefully the
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