Rockefeller attacks TV violence, sex

WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., was showing clips at a committee meeting to make a point about TV sex and violence when a colleague asked him to turn them off.

Rockefeller was showing the clips at a meeting of the U.S. Commerce Committee, showing violent sexual scenes from cable and other broadcast programs. He was trying to generate support for legislation to curtail TV violence, The Hill reported.

The footage upset some members. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., asked that the video be turned off.

"We've seen enough," said Lautenberg who called the footage "disgusting."

Some members agreed with Lautenberg, but voiced concerns about protecting free speech. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, urged the panel to "tread a lot more softly" -- pointing out that children can download movies on other devices like computers.

Rockefeller intends to introduce legislation in July, and has acknowledged that "defining indecency" is difficult, The Hill said. Howver, he said doing nothing about it is "not an option."

Dale Kunkel, a media violence expert at the University of Arizona, attended the meeting. He said he believes exposure to excessive violence on TV is related to violent behavior in children.