Z-Pack - PMRC Letter

parents' music resource center
300 Metropolitan Square
655 Fifteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 639-4085

Mrs. Pam Howar
President

Mrs. Susan Baker
1st Vice President

Mrs. Tipper Gore
2nd Vice President

Mrs. Sally Nevius
Treasurer

Dear Mrs. Housewright

Thank you for letting us know that you, too, are alarmed by the escalation of violent and sexually explicit lyrics in today's rock music. From the many phone calls and the great volume of mail that we've received, we are gratified that so many people across the country share our concern. We are presently meeting with people in the music industry, in government, in the private sector to let them know our views and to gain their support in seeking viable solutions to this problem. We are hopeful that those in the music industry will exercise the social responsibility and self restraint that their popularity and influence warrant.

However, we need your help. We are asking that you and your friends join our MEDIA WATCH by

1. Monitoring your local radio and TV broadcasts carefully and, if offensive material is aired, writing down the objectionable words/songs/scenes, name and date of the program, and it's commercial sponsors.

2. Then by writing a letter of protest to your local station manager and the program's sponors, giving specific details of objectionable material. If you have complaints about the programming excesses on cable television, specifically MTV or music videos, write to the Executive Director of the National Cable Television Association (who carry the MTV channel) and/or the President of MTV.

3. Also, by writing to the President of the Recording Industry Association of America, who represents 85% of the recording industry, if you wish to protest a record album, its contents or jacket.

4. And by sending copies of your correspondence to the Federal Communications Commission, National Association of Broadcasters, and to your elected representatives at both the state and national level.

Even though we are focusing on rock music, we are aware that themes of violence and sexual exploitation pervade our whole society. We ask you as a concerned citizen to make your objections known in writing (see attached), whether the offensive material appears on TV, in advertisements, or in lyrics that you hear on the radio. IT's TIME TO TAKE A STAND!

Sincerely, Sandra Sharpe
PARENT'S MUSIC RESOURCE CENTER

P.S. If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to help us in our campaign, it would be greatly appreciated.

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See also:

• Z-Pack - Opening Letter
• Z-Pack - Letter to the President
• Z-Pack - Cashbox guest editorial
• Z-Pack - L.A. Times article
• Z-Pack - Variety article