Amendment Quote by Marshall Herskovitz
“Remember: the ratings system is a voluntary infringement of First Amendment rights, an uneasy bargain between the needs of parents, the needs of artists, and the needs of large media corporations to make profits. Any time we chip away at the First Amendment, we should at least do it with some reverence.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Media ethics panel, 2018
The ratings system imposes a voluntary limitation on free speech, balancing parental concerns, artistic freedom, and corporate profit motives, demanding respect for First Amendment rights.
In simple terms: Ratings limit speech but must respect free speech.
Key Takeaway
Balance parental, artistic, and corporate interests responsibly.
Themes
media
free speech
ratings
ethics
corporate profit
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
ethical
policy
When to use this quote
- television programming
- parental guidance
- artistic production
- corporate policy
Key Concepts
First Amendment
voluntary regulation
media economics
Questions to Reflect On
- Should ratings be more transparent?
- How can we protect free speech while protecting children?
A Different Perspective
Profit motives can undermine artistic integrity.
![“[U]nder “Entertainment and the Media” there is no specific mention of any rating system. This is not to be interpreted that the Church approves of R-rated or any other inappropriate movies. It is simply a recognition that there is increasingly great risk in tying ourselves to any rating system…” quote by Cecil O. Samuelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b62/cecil-o-samuelson-42248_quote_u-nder-entertainment-and-the-media-there_925382.jpg)
![“I get ratings. If I didn't get ratings, they [media] wouldn't do it. They don't care about poll numbers, they only care about ratings.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a3/donald-trump-18_care_i-get-ratings-if-i-didn-t-get-ratings-th_3046389.jpg)
