To prevent this Big Media alliance with Big Cable/Telco from cornering and controlling the Internet, it is time for the government to implement reasonable network neutrality oversight that protects consumers and content creators, and preserves the open Internet we enjoy today.  Listen to Stevie Converse of Free Press interview Jonathan Rintels of Creative Voices on Media Minutes.

âAll of this is based on our strong belief in free speech and free expression,ï? says Rintels. âOverregulation of the airwaves to protect children from so-called indecent content has backfired.ï?

Martin Scorseseâs The Blues: Godfathers and Sons and Steven Bochcoâs NYPD Blue â these are great television programs that the FCC has already judged indecent. Ken Burnsâs upcoming PBS documentary on World War II The War, CBSâs 9/11 documentary, the classic Civil Rights Movement documentary Eyes on the Prize, Masterpiece Theater, Roots, and more â these are shows that experts believe may now be âindecentâ under recent FCC decisions, according to the report, Big Chill: How the FCCâs Indecency Decisions Stifle Free Expression, Threaten Quality Television, and Harm Americaâs Children.

âThe results of the FCCâs campaign against broadcast indecency are clear. Much of the programming that is being censored, pushed back to a late hour, or dropped entirely by broadcasters is the very programming that Americans overwhelmingly want to see â some of the highest-quality programming available on television,ï? said Jonathan Rintels, Executive Director of the Center for Creative Voices in Media and author of the report.

âWhen the FCCâs inconsistent and confusing indecency decisions force broadcasters to censor, delay, or drop shows like Eyes on the Prize, The War, 9/11 and others, its clear that the high quality television âbabyâ is being thrown out with the indecent âbathwater,âï? added Rintels.

âMany parents want to watch this programming together with their children. By causing quality television to disappear, the FCC has taken a powerful tool out of the hands of parents who use television to open up a dialogue with their kids about controversial topics like violence, poverty, racial disparity, and cultural diversity,ï? says Peggy Charren, famed childrenâs television advocate, founder of Action for Childrenâs Television and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. âConsider how many parents watched Roots with their children and then engaged in a dialogue with them about the issues raised by that provocative program. For the FCC to deny them that opportunity â thatâs not helping kids, itâs harming kids.ï?

Based on our podcasts below, Big Chill: How the FCCâs Indecency Decisions Stifle Free Expression, Threaten Quality Television, and Harm Americaâs Children is here: Center for Creative Voices in Media: News.