Aug 14, 2009
Attention Closed Captioning Advocates: Support New Bill, HR 3101
I wanted to let you all know about the new bill in Congress, HR 3101, that if it passes, will require captioning on the Internet. The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was introduced in Congress on June 26, 2009 by Representative Ed Markey.
If you are a supporter, it is very important to email Congress about this bill to increase its chances of survival and passage. Use https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml to contact
Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. Captioning supporters also need a similar bill introduced in the Senate, so use http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm to contact Senators.
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
Patricia J Barconey
I am hard of hearing and wear two hearing aids. I love to watch movies on television. However, I find that here it is 2009 and so many movies – especially the older ones shown – still are shown without Closed Captioning. I miss as much as 90% of the dialogue without Closed Captioning, and just get frustrated and change the channel – even though I wanted to watch the non-Closed Captioned film. I don’t understand why there is no law that states that all movies shown on television must have Closed Captioning for the hard of hearing and the deaf. The movie channels – like Turner Movie Classics could pay to have Closed Captioning added to older films – either that or don’t show them! I am sure that millions of viewers would appreciate Closed Captioning on all films. There is an Americans with Disabilities Act. Why doesn’t this cover Closed Captioning? All tv sets now have to have CC, but what good is that if movies (and tv shows) still don’t have it?
Patricia Barconey
Ephrata, PA
Oct 26th, 2009
Joanna
Hi Patricia,
I am sorry about your experience with the lack of closed captioning on some of the programming you are watching. The FCC DOES require closed captioning, so you have the right to file a complaint. You can file a complaint online here: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
Also, for a review on what the actual law is in regard to CC, you can see it on the FCC website here: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/closedcaption.html
Since 2008 75% of programming that was shown before 1998 still does need to be closed captioned! You need to report your findings of programming that is not closed captioned so the station closed captions at least 75% of the their old programming. If a lot of your programming is not closed captioning, it could be a problem with your TV/Cable Box set-up and this is something you should look into to ensure that you are able to view all programming with closed captions.
Oct 28th, 2009
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