Letter to the FCC

For class we were suppose to write a letter to someone about something we have learned during this term.  I chose to write to the FCC Commissioners about sexually suggestive television commercials.
Here is my letter:

FCC Commissioners,

            As a United States citizen I am hoping my concern regarding the issue of television advertisements will be handled with the seriousness it warrants by those with direct authority to bring about change.

            Lately, I have found myself offended quite often by the suggestive themes present in countless television commercials.  As time has gone on I have watched as advertisers continually push the boundaries on advertising to the point where viewers are seeing sexually explicit content just short of pornography.  I know that the FCC has regulations concerning this very issue, but they are far too vague and seem to be very loosely interpreted.  I know that the FCC encourages consumers to resolve their issues with the company whose advertisements are offensive, but I believe in this case it is the responsibility of the FCC to step up and crack down on companies who run sexually offensive advertisements.  If these companies are not getting punished for this kind of unacceptable activity then they are not going to listen to consumers who complain about the offensiveness of their advertisements. 

            These ads are being seen by children and adolescents who developmentally do not know how to process such offensive material.  These ads have the potential to negatively affect the way children view sexuality which can lead to countless other social issues.  No one wants their children viewing the blatantly sexual Carl’s Jr. commercials, but they are on numerous television channels readily accessible to anyone.

            I was particularly appalled the other day when I came across a commercial for GoDaddy.com, which featured essentially naked women.  What is most ridiculous about these commercials is that they are promoting an Internet domain registrar which has not the slightest to do with scantily clad women.

 It has gotten to the put where sex is being shamelessly used by advertisers to sell their product and it will continue to get worse unless more severe consequences are enforced.  I hope as public servants you will take your responsibility of promoting the public good seriously, and that you can see what needs to be done about blatantly sexual material in television commercials.

Thank you so much for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Sarah Burkinshaw