Around the 1960’s, the Motion Picture Association Of America created a form of guideline, in order to protect what one saw on television and in the movies. The need for these guidelines was partially due to the increasing sex and violence that was now being shown. The original ratings consisted of just G, M, and X. However, during the 1980’s after the release of movies such as Gremlins and Indiana Jones, new ratings were developed in order to protect younger children. These ratings are still used today: G- General Audiences. The movies or TV shows with a G rating means that is adapt for children of all ages. PG- Parental Guidance. A PG rating advises a parent to be present when their child is watching a TV show or movie with this rating. PG-13- Children under the age of 13 should not be able to watch a show or movie with this rating without their parents. R- The movie is restricted for all children under the age of 17. Today, shows are also including a V rating, in order to inform one that violence is present.

When the radio started to become a popular device in the electronic world in the 1930’s, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers began to demand higher fees from stations for broadcasting music. In fact, this created a great deal of controversial between the ASCAP and broadcasters. As a result, the broadcasters initiated the Broadcast Music Incorporated, which was the organization that allowed broadcasters to create their own licensing arrangements. The Communications Act of The act that was created by Congress as one government body to deal with all broadcasting. Federal Communications Commission- Created by the Communication Act to ensure that broadcasters acted in the “public interest, convenience, and necessity” when using the public airwaves. It also has control over the electronic media in the United States. Decency Law- The federal law that prohibits obscene indecent or profane.

Once people started to realize that the violence on TV, which emerged around the 1950’s, may have been the cause and may have even influenced various violent acts, authorities began to intervene. However, it was not until the 1990’s when Senator Paul Simon initiated ethical guidelines, did violence on TV have its limits. The ethical guidelines consist of: 1.Violence should be portrayed realistically. 2. The amount and manner of violence must meet a standard of reasonableness. 3. Violence should be presented as an appropriate means to end it serves. 4. It shouldn’t encourage criminal emulation. Although the First Amendment in the United States Constitution states that we have the freedom of speech, when applied to media such as television, it has its limits. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, the term obscene applies to materials that describe sexual conduct in an offensive way and lacks values politically, literally, and scientifically. In fact, obscenity is no longer protected under the First Amendment.

Cable first emerged in the 1950’s, which was then known as “community antenna television, or rather CATV. Cable systems at first developed without federal regulation. However, as cable began to grow, broadcasters became alarmed due the fact that cable systems were carrying distant signals from local stations. As a result, the FCC took control and issued regulations for cable systems. The reason for which the FCC had the power to intervene is due to the fact that under the Communication Act, the FCC has wire and telecommunications in general under their control.

1976 Copyright Act- Act enacted by Congress, which meant that cable systems would now have to pay royalties for copyrighted programming on non-local stations they carry. Syndicated Exclusively Rule- The rule that requires cable systems not to show syndicated programs when a local station has the agreement to show that particular program. Cable Communication Policy Act of Act established by Congress, giving the right to local governments to regulate cable systems. Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act- The act established by Congress in 1992, due to complaints about cable becoming an unregulated monopoly. Although this act brought many changes in the relationship between the broadcast and cable industries through rate regulation, rate rollbacks, service standards, and proportional rates, its most important aspect is the “must carry”.

The 1990 Gaysott Act ~ This act bans both racist and religious hate speech. CSA (Conseil Superieur de l’Audiovisuel) ~ The CSA are those who are in charge in regulating television Similar to the Motion Picture Association of America, France also has ratings and limits on the movies that one is allowed to see: Tous Publics: This movie may be seen by audiences of all ages Interdit aux moin de 12 ans : This movie is not adapt for viewers under the age of 12 Interdit aux moin de 16 ans : This movie is forbidden to be viewed by those under the age of 16 Interdit aux moin de 18ans : This movie may not be viewed by those who are under the age of 18

The basic rights of communication are found in article 5 of the German Constitution. This article states that the media has the liberty to report and broadcast openly in Germany. In other words, there will be no censorship. However, it does withhold some restrictions and limits. In Germany, the act for the protection of Minorism, or rather Jugenschutzgesetz, deals with the media regarding things such as books, movies, and CDs. The BPjS is the organization that has the right to deprive the distribution of media. The Interstate Treaty on Protection of Minors in the media, forces the use of guidelines in order to protect minors from material that is not adapt for their ages. The main goal in Germany is to protect children from pornography and material that may morally endanger them.

The basic rights of communication are found in Article 21 of the Italian Constitution. Authority for the Guarantees in Communication, or rather the Autorita’ per le Garanzie nelle Communicazioni, has the power to control and regulate broadcasting. The Code of Self Regulation, or rather il Codice di Autodisciplina, is the code that gives one the power to control advertising. Basic fundamental rules of this code include no vulgar, violent, or misleading messages, and one must respect religious and moral beliefs. In Italy, they have established the Regulation Code of Conduct “Internet and Children”. The main goal of this is to protect minors from inappropriate content, while striving people to use the Internet in a correct way.

In article 20 of the Spanish Constitution, one may find the basic rights of the media Ley Fraga- This law controlled and limited the liberalization of the freedom of press. Franco’s Ministry of Information and Tourism- A censoring process, which deprived journalists to publish their works, without the permission of the Ministry first. Constitution of The Spanish Constitution had an essential role in the development of press laws, due to the fact that it granted the rights for an individual to view their opinion, or rather the rights to a free press.