FTC SLAPS MUSIC ON THE WRIST

As expected, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said that the movie and electronic game industries have "made some progress" in reducing the marketing of violent entertainment to children, but that the music industry had not implemented any changes.

Last September, the agency criticized Hollywood, video game manufacturers and the music industry for marketing violent content to minors. In its follow-up report, issued today, the FTC concluded studios and game manufacturers have done their parts in limiting advertising in popular teen media and provided rating information in their ads.

FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky said the report proves that "the motion picture and electronic game industries have improved and enhanced the self-regulation of their marketing practices," before adding, "But I can still buy an Eminem record in Toys R Us."

In the September report, the FTC said its ability to crack down on the advertising of violent movies, games and music to children could raise "significant and unsettled First Amendment issues." The finding warned the entertainment industry that the agency might bring deceptive-marketing charges against companies that refused to adhere to voluntary age-specific rating and advertising guidelines. It also said industry self-regulation is the best and quickest way to deal with this issue.

RIAA President/CEO Hilary Rosen responded that the company needs to do a better job of following its own guidelines. "It’s important to note that we do have guidelines in place and that they are overwhelmingly supported by parents. In fact, according to the FTC itself, 75% of all parents support the Parental Advisory program."

Rosen went on to say that the RIAA had already established two steps to improve their self-regulated ratings system, establishing policies to include the parental advisory label on print advertisements for the recordings and establishing uniform guidelines urging online retail partners to prominently display the label for all "stickered" products.

"Unfortunately, the FTC report followed too quickly on the heels of our implementation of these new efforts," she concluded. "In addition, we’ve authorized Eminem to get his mouth washed out with soap whenever he says a bad word."

See our own Simon Glickman’s commentary in tomorrow morning's hitsdailydouble.com for more.