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. . .
is good and have a responsibility to society and children. And the National
PTA in the 1984 convention took this step because they were very concerned
on what their children were hearing on records and what they as a parent,
when they went to buy, had no way of knowing.
Senator RIEGLE. How do you envision, or how does the
National PTA envision the best way if standards are going to be
established. How would you see that done?
Mrs. WATERMAN. Well, the industry is going to have to
clean their own house, just to be very frank. We have asked for a voluntary
panel of the music industry that they can choose their own people to set up
their guidelines and their standards, and we would certainly work with them
in any way that we could, and we hope that this is done.
I think there has been some concern voiced here today. I listened very
intently to the artists and to the PMRC and to everyone else that has
testified, and there are obviously, and on this panel also, and there
has been obvious concern as to what this hearing is all about.
I think that we will come to a responsible solution to this.
Senator RIEGLE. So the PTA is not suggesting any kind
of a system as to how these ratings would be done, or what they would
be or what would be included or left out, but rather, that you would
like to see the recording industry and the artists sit down together and
develop their own methodology? Is that the idea?
You are not trying to put yourself in that standard-setting business?
Mrs. WATERMAN. Senator, I think to answer your question
completely, the resolution spoke very clearly to the rating, the label
that should be violence or profanity or sex or occult or drugs. The
knowing what is in the package was very important to the people of that
convention of which there were thousands.
Now, when you are saying adding, that we believe voluntarily, we are hoping
that the music industry will set up this panel, will set up their guidelines
and their standards, and that it will be pleasing to all of us who are
concerned.
Senator RIEGLE. My time has expired at this point,
Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Mrs. Waterman, for
your testimony and for your patience in waiting so long.
Mrs. WATERMAN. Thank you for the forum.
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