Will Kids Pay the Price for Recall Failures?

WILL KIDS PAY THE PRICE FOR RECALL FAILURES
[Commentary] Ironically, at the very time when so much attention is being paid to the digital TV transition, a very large percentage of the digital televisions sold in the US over the last two years lack V-Chip 2.0 which allows upgrading the ratings software. The FCC is trying to figure out the problem. Its Enforcement Bureau and then the FCC itself are trying to come up with a solution, presumably some combination of fines and remedial action. The level of fines should be related to the remedial action each company takes. The FCC’s objective should be to fix the problem and make sure it doesn't happen again. The solution is for the manufacturers and/or retailers to come to houses and fix the defective software, or at least mail thumb drives and clear instructions to the buyers. Anything less will not solve the problem. Of course, if digital televisions were treated by their manufacturers like our office and home computers, the solution would be a snap. One could automatically download an upgrade, a “patch”, directly into the device. Consumers, especially the kids who are supposed to be protected by the V-Chip, should not have to pay the price for manufacturers not thinking ahead, or manufacturers hoping the FCC doesn’t care enough to force compliance now and in the future.
http://benton.org/node/10342