The Parents Television Council has called out FX for the season six premiere of Sons of Anarchy, which featured a school shooting in its final minutes. The media watchdog group said it was another example that proves that customers should be able to pick and chose cable networks a la carte.
In a statement, the PTC called out scenes of simulated rape, a woman being tortured, another man being drowned in urine and, especially, a boy shooting in a school.
“What FX chose to show – a scene of a young boy murdering innocent children in a school with a semi-automatic gun – is enough of a reason for consumers to have the choice not to underwrite such horrifically violent and disturbing material,” PTC President Tim Winter said. “Think about the parents who have been personally affected by real-life school shootings – even they were forced to contribute to FX on their cable bills. This is an outrage, and the time for consumers to have real choice has come.”
The PTC said that the episode was another reason why people should be able to choose which cable networks they pay for. They are supporting the Television Consumer Freedom Act, which Senator John McCain introduced back in May.
Winter explained, “We urge Congress to take seriously the Television Consumer Freedom Act, which will allow consumers the ability to choose and pay for only the cable networks they want, and the Video CHOICE Act, which would pave the way for a choice solution. It’s time for consumers to have a real voice in what they want to pay for on their cable bills.”
Last month, they also cited the MTV VMAs, in which Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus performed wearing almost nothing, as another example of why the bill needs to be passed.
You can check out our recap of the Sons of Anarchy premiere here.
image: FX/Fox