PTC Calls Out MPAA for ‘Bully’ Special Treatment

Says the Entire MPAA Ratings System Needs Immediate Reform

LOS ANGELES (April 6, 2012) – Today, the Parents Television Council is calling out the MPAA for its arbitrary and destructive decision to change the content rating for the documentary ‘Bully’ to a PG-13 rating despite the unprecedented inclusion of multiple instances of the harshest profanity. PTC also called for immediate reform of the ratings system to allow greater input from the public rather than just Hollywood insiders.

“When it comes to the MPAA’s content rating system, what was, at one point, a standard has devolved into a double-standard and now into no standard. Moving the yardstick from one ‘f-bomb’ to three essentially removes the yardstick altogether,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

“The unprecedented inclusion of numerous instances of the harshest profanity in a PG-13 film undermines the MPAA’s sole responsibility – to give accurate information to parents.  For a film marketed to 13-year old children, the use of that word more than zero times should result in an R rating and only an R rating.

“While the message of ‘Bully’ is noble, the producers’ motivation for a PG-13 rating is based solely on profit, not on any putative desire to help children.  If Harvey Weinstein truly held the interests of a teenage audience at heart and not his bottom line, he would have waived all ticket charges for the children he says he is helping.

“We have stated repeatedly that ‘Bully’ could reach its desired teenage audience by dubbing out the harshest profanity, thereby adhering to the MPAA guidelines for younger audiences.  But the producers refused, saying that the removal of any profanity ruined the sanctity of their film.  Yet now, in order to generate more box office revenue, they have reversed themselves – just not to MPAA standards. 

“This entire ratings controversy is nothing but a Trojan Horse for the longtime battle Mr. Weinstein has been waging against a content rating system that – in order to function properly – must be accurate, consistent, transparent and accountable.  That system has been weakened further by the appearance of special treatment as a result of the long-term relationship between Mr. Weinstein and MPAA president Christopher Dodd. 

“We call on the MPAA to reform their content rating system so it reflects the sense of the nation and not just the sense of Hollywood powerbrokers,” concluded Winter.