June 26 (LPAC) -- Senator Jay Rockefller (D-WV) chaired a highly contentious hearing today on violence in the media. Rockefeller opened the hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, attended by an overflow audience of mainly college age youth, by blasting the TV networks, saying they were "debasing our culture. For years efforts have been made to do something and nothing has been done. The entertainment industry blames the parents - that's cowardly." Addressing the millions of dollars spent on "V-chips" to cancel out televised violence, Rockefeller said, "Parents don't want more tools, they want the violence off the air."

Rockefeller then presented what he said was a five minute video taken from major network programs. The clip showed graphic rape, and disembowlment, but after 2 minutes the ranking Committtee member, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) intervened, asking that it be turned off. Rockefeller complied. Stevens then tried to calm things down saying "We have to go softer...we have to be careful not to go too far."

However, Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ) then spoke out, "We have to include video games as part of the violence. The biggest growth in entertainment is video games."

Of the five guest panelists all but one covered-up for the media. When Laurence Tribe of the Harvard Law School was introduced, Rockefeller said, "He's also a paid consultant to cable TV." Tribe then went on to say "We can't turn the key over to big brother" referring to government interference with "free speech."

Rockefeller ended the hearing directly addressing Peter Liguori, CEO of Fox Broadcasting, who had addressed the committee: "What you are saying, that the problem is the parents, is repulsive. The saddest things about this hearing, is effects on children were not discussed and that the people who know about this were not asked any questions." Rockefeller pledged that legislation will be forthcoming.