Murphy Brown controversy
The "Murphy Brown controversy" centers around an episode of the popular sitcom "Murphy Brown," which aired in 1992. In this episode, the main character, played by Candice Bergen, chooses to give birth to a child as an unmarried woman, sparking significant backlash from conservative viewers and political figures. Critics, particularly from religious groups, argued that the portrayal of unwed motherhood was a negative influence on societal values, claiming it promoted immorality. Notably, then-Vice President Dan Quayle publicly condemned the show, stating that it failed to uphold traditional "family values" and contributed to a decline in American morals.
In response, Bergen and the show's creators defended the episode, characterizing the criticism as an attempt at censorship and asserting their right to free expression. They highlighted concerns about the broader implications of political figures influencing entertainment content. The controversy, while intense, subsided after a short period, highlighting the tensions between media representation and societal values during the early 1990s.
Murphy Brown controversy
Date: May 19, 1992
Place: U.S. network television
Significance: The depiction of a television sitcom character having a baby out of wedlock drew attacks from a high government official, which in turn raised fears of government censorship
From the mid-1980’s into the late 1990’s Candice Bergen played a television news reporter on the network situation comedy Murphy Brown. In an episode that aired on May 19, 1992, Bergen’s unmarried character—Brown—decided to give birth after becoming pregnant. The episode presented no hint of nudity, sexual activity, or objectionable language, but many viewers perceived its adult theme as condoning unwed parenthood. The show became the subject of serious criticism from religious conservatives, who attacked it for promoting immorality. U.S. vice president Dan Quayle—who was about to run for reelection—joined in these attacks, speaking out for these groups by castigating the show for failing to reinforce “family values” and for endorsing declining morality in America.
Bergen, the show’s producers, and the entertainment industry generally, lashed back at Quayle’s criticisms as censorship by public pressure. They accused him of fostering a chilling effect on television. Although the U.S. government did not formally try to censor television by classic prior restraint, pressure on the entertainment industry by its high officials has often been considered as having a chilling effect. Quayle defended himself by asserting that he too had a right to exercise his own right of free speech. The furor subsided after a few weeks.