Question: Parents' Duty?
Caroline Fredrickson explained the American Civil Liberties Union's objections to close government oversight of broadcasting: Congress should reject any proposals that would allow the FCC to regulate what the public sees on television. Members of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) strongly believe that the government should not replace parents as decision makers in America's living rooms. There are some things the government does well, but deciding what is aired on television, and when, is not one of them. Parents already have many tools to protect their children, including blocking programs and channels, changing the channel, or (my personal favorite) turning off the television. . . . Our concern is that imposing standards for television programming would be unconstitutional and damage important values that define America: the right to free speech, and the right of parents to decide the upbringing of their children.
Questions
1. Can we realistically expect parents to be able to fully shield their children from indecent broadcasting?
2. Should parents do so? Explain.