The FCC collects complaints from viewers about the content that comes into their homes over the airwaves, the cable or streaming platforms, and reading through the 546 complaints lodged with the FCC over the past year from residents of Pennsylvania ― obtained through the Freedom of Information Act ― confirms that a large number agree with Minow's 1961 assertion that TV is a "vast wasteland."
The York PA Daily Record recently published a story about PA TV Viewers who sent sending compliants to the FCC. Many made sense, while some were completely incomprehensible.
Prescription drug ads attracted a large number of the complaints, sometimes for reasons that may not occur to you. Take, for instance, a pair of complaints filed about commercials for Sotyktu, a medication used to treat plaque psoriasis. One complaint, filed in October from Chesterbrook, alleges the ad “showed actual or implication man in speedo teasing character of biological minor daughter (incest) or teasing step or adopted daughter implying literal dominance of non biological daughter through literal consequence of money paid for her home (pyramid scheme of sterile or soon to be sterile male (and/or promoting inferior offspring with possible birth defects) when man character already has wife and/or girlfriend.”
Ads for prescription drugs attracted a lot of complaints. One sort of summed it all up, filed under the title, “I need this question answered.” The complaint read: “So why is tv allowed to advertise drugs and gambling during all times of the day? I see it on all the main channels (CBS, ABC, NBC, etc) pretty often. And at dinner time it's ED meds and stuff for 'bent carrot syndrome,' along with stool softeners and anything else entirely inappropriate for day-prime time. Hell I don't even want to see this trash at night! It's like visiting the worst part of town every time a channel takes a commercial break. I'd like answers as to why this is on tv. I know the real reason is money, but there should be some oversight. TV has become a cesspool.”
“Stop showing gay porn,” one complaint from South Park Township was titled. It read, “Two men kissing in a television commercial is gay soft porn. If you force people to watch gay soft porn every day, they will turn gay.”
“This is getting out of hand,” the complaint read. “Transgender commercials for MTV DRAG QUEENS on a family channel TV Land channel 44 on Spectrum this is Not in good taste at all! On CBS a new show TRACKER was on after the SUPERBOWL GAME. Started out good until 2 lesbians were laying in bed together. Putting lesbians or gays on a TV show is in again, poor taste, sickening it seems to be happening more and more since Biden's world began.”
There were also complaints about racism in commercials.
One complaint from Monroeville, stated, “I am a black man and we (black people) make up only approximately 13.4% of the US population. Why is the FCC allowing over representation of black people in commercials? This is a false narritive and in no way, shape, or form is a true representation or helpful to our country. It creates a false illusion to black people and is insulting to both white and hispanic viewers. I am a wartime veteran and I would appreciate your effort in correcting this issue and catering to ‘wokism.’”
Specific Fox News personalities also drew complaints. One viewer from Pittsburgh wrote, “On October 5th, 2023, Fox News host Greg Gutfield was advocating for a new ‘civil war’ because elections don't work. This man constantly lies and incites violence to the people who watch his program.”
Fox News wasn’t the only network to draw complaints. One viewer complained about CNN broadcasting a Trump town hall meeting, calling it “an affront to common decency” and writing that it “elevates an ordinary liar to national stage.”
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