    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 10, 1997]
    [Page 938]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the New Television Rating System
    July 10, 1997

        Two years ago, Vice President Gore and I challenged Congress and the
    television industry to give parents new tools to control the television
    children watch. We were pleased with their response. Last year, Congress
    passed legislation giving American families the V-chip, and the industry
    developed a voluntary system of ratings for television programs. Today
    these tools are being made stronger. The television industry, working
    with parents, has strengthened its original rating system by agreeing to
    assign new ratings that will better help families choose appropriate
    television programming for their children.
        When Vice President Gore asked parents to tell us how the original
    rating system was working--where it was succeeding, and where it could
    be improved--parents told us that age-based ratings are helpful, but
    that they needed to know more about the specific programming content.
    The new system gives parents more information about the images and
    language contained in programs and more power to screen out violence and
    objectionable content.
        I applaud the industry and parent groups who have worked so hard to
    reach common ground. As with any new system, we should now give this
    solution--together with the V-chip--a chance to work.