Closed-caption censorship. Neil Gaiman reports that a shadowy five-member Department of Education panel has decided that many television shows shouldn't be closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired. Why? Is their judgment worse than that of the hearing?

Interestingly enough, the above Palm Beach Post link points out that one "panel member" didn't know he was on a panel; he was contacted and his views were solicited, and he was never told that his views would be used to make censorship decisions. What a bizarre story.

Here's the National Association of the Deaf's response.

Among the shows deemed unsuitable for deaf people to watch:

The Simpsons
Malcolm in the Middle
Scooby-Doo
Bewitched
I Dream of Jeannie
Law & Order
Mighty Morphing Power Rangers
NASCAR
NFL Football
Major League Baseball
NBA Basketball
PGA Golf

Comments

[Chico]

Less captioning on Bewitched means more TV screen space to stare at Elizabeth Montgomery.

Censorship is good.