Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 11, 1995                   TAG: 9507110067
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN.                                LENGTH: Short

CLINTON FAVORS TV CHIP TO BLOCK SEX, VIOLENCE

``I think it's a big deal,'' he told a family-values conference in the latest political volley on the emotionally charged subject.

Clinton also promised to resist GOP efforts to cut funding for public broadcasting. ``In our family, this is known as the `leave Big Bird alone' campaign,'' he said.

Seeking middle ground on a hot presidential campaign issue, Clinton voiced only muted criticism of objectionable material from the entertainment industry, suggesting there were limits to what could be done directly given First Amendment protections. ``We're going to have to have some voluntary initiatives,'' he said.

He said the ``V-chip'' legislation may be the easiest way for parents to shield their children from violent or otherwise objectionable shows.

``This is not censorship, this is parental responsibility,'' he said.

He endorsed a Senate-passed measure under which TV sets would be required to have a built-in electronic device that could block programs electronically labeled as violent or otherwise objectionable.

The cable and broadcast television industries would have to rate their programs. The rating would be encoded along with the show's signal.

Using a remote control device, parents could program the TV set not to display individual shows, entire channels or programs by time slots.

The cable, broadcast and TV-set manufacturing industries are all opposed to plan, saying the government should not make such decisions.