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Other bands who have more to say, I listen to their words and I
learn from their words.
The CHAIRMAN. Do you think that now there is adequate basis
for parents to know what is on the records that their kids are
buying?
Mr. SNIDER. I think if they really are concerned, there is. But
quite honestly, I do not think that the majority of parents are in
reality as concerned as the PMRC or myself. I do not think they
really want to spend the time to listen to what they might consider
to be a bunch of noise. They put it on and they cannot understand
a thing that is being said anyway.
And so I think most of them do not spend enough time with it.
The CHAIRMAN. Senator Hollings.
Senator HOLLINGS. Yes. Mr. Snider, I think I would just take the
opportunity to make an observation. You and I would differ as to
what is obscene or what is shocking or what is vulgar, and persons
of goodwill will differ on that particular score.
I think that somewhere in this hearing record, we should not be
on the defensive and we should not create the atmosphere that we
are powerless. The absolute nature of your statement that we do
not have any
You see, they differed between what was indecent, what was
obscene, and what was shocking. They had the seven dirty words. I
think everyone remembers that case on the west coast, and the
Supreme Court of the United States found that the FCC positively
had the authority, and the responsibility.
I am quoting from the language of the Supreme Court:
Patently offensive, indecent material presented over the airwaves confronts the
citizen not only in public, but also in the privacy of the home. The individual's right
to be left alone, plainly outweighs the first amendment rights of an intruder.
This is not just a forum to rally one way or the other and hope
something happens. This is a forum with a definite responsibility
with respect to Congress in enunciating the duties of the Federal
Communications Commission, which have been constitutionally followed.
I understand your opinion. That is why we invited you up here,
to hear your words and not mine. I think that the general nature
of all of this testimony of noting censorship, and first amendment
absolutism, does not pertain with respect to the broadcast media.
That is, of course, the main media that I guess you would agree to
actually sell the records, would it not be?
Mr. SNIDER. Yes. Except I would like to clarify something. I said
no authority has the right or necessary insight. I did not say you
were not able to. I said you do not have the right or I do not have
the right or the RIAA.
Also, we are talking about the airwaves as opposed to a person
going with their money to purchase an album to play in their
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