S13810 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 19, 1995 the period of 1992 to 1996, the program The motion to lay on the table was block programming and a rating sys- averaged $54.8 million a year, which is agreed to tem for programming are not nec- 3.5 times what it was in the previous The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- essary. period. ator from North Dakota. Mr. President, the U.S. News & World As we have noted, the program last f Report’s review of fall TV program- year appears to be in the neighborhood ming suggests otherwise. It is regret- PRIME TIME TELEVISION—THE of $120 million. CRS says $119.5 million table that the networks are dem- NEW FALL TV PROGRAM LINEUP is their estimate. That is not a final- onstrating such disregard for the wish- ized figure. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would es of American families. The UCLA Mr. President, the other point that I like to bring the attention of the Sen- Center for Communications Policy’s think is important, that the real cost ate an article entitled ‘‘Sex and Vio- Network Violence Study released ear- of this program is not what it costs the lence on TV’’ from the most recent lier today confirms some of these con- taxpayers, which is significant and issue of U.S. News & World Report— tinuing concerns regarding violent pro- growing dramatically. It is what it September 11, 1995. The article reviews gramming. The UCLA study points out costs the consumers of America, which television network programming for that while some programming shows CRS indicates may be in the neighbor- the upcoming fall TV season. I am par- improvement in the overall reduction hood of $300 million to $500 million a ticularly troubled by the direction of of violence, the study identified serious year. the networks. The lead in the article problems regarding the level of vio- It is clear this is an area that merits describes the season as ‘‘to hell with lence in theatrical films on television, reform. I appreciate my colleagues kids—that must be the motto of the on-air promotions, children’s television pointing out the proper role of the au- new fall TV season.’’ The article sug- and the lack of parental advisories. I thorizing committee here. I hope we gests that the family viewing hour— urge the American public to let their will make progress on it. Since we have the 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. period—is dead, and Senators and Members of the House of reached agreement on the revised that sex, vulgarity and violence rules Representatives know their views on amendment, I believe Members will be prime time. programming for the upcoming fall TV comfortable in voting on this by voice. Tom Shales in his review this week- season, and to express strong support A rollcall vote will not be necessary. end of fall television network program- for the v-chip legislation when it is Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, if the ming in the Washington Post makes considered by the House-Senate Con- Senator would yield for a response, the similar observations. He remarked, ference on the telecommunications amendment now is acceptable, I am ‘‘vulgarity is on the rise. Sitcom writ- bill. I ask unanimous consent Mr. told, on both sides of the aisle. ers make big bucks coming up with President, that the text of the article I understand, too, that the yeas and cheap laughs. Buried in the dust of from the U.S. News & World Report be nays had been ordered but that we can competition is the old family viewing printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD vitiate the yeas and nays and no roll- concept that made the 8 p.m. hour—7 at the conclusion of my remarks. call vote would be necessary. p.m. on Sundays—a haven from adult The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without If there is no objection, I ask unani- themes and language.’’ objection, it is so ordered. mous consent that the yeas and nays As my colleagues are aware, earlier (See exhibit 1.) be vitiated. this summer, the Senate and House of Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I just The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Representatives debated at length the want to conclude by saying the evi- objection, it is so ordered. issue of television violence as part of dence is, really, overwhelming. I have Mr. COCHRAN. I suggest to Senators the telecommunications bill, S. 652 and been working on this issue for 5 years. who have time under the agreement if H.R. 1555. Both the House and Senate I have put together a national coali- we yield back all time we can vote on bills include provisions requiring that tion that involves church groups, law the amendment on a voice vote. new television sets be equipped with enforcement, all of the children’s advo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- technology to permit parents to block cacy groups, the principals of America, ator from Colorado. television programming with violent, the teachers, the National Education Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I yield sexual or other objectionable content. Association, group after group after such time as I have. The measure also encourages the devel- Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I yield group who have said, ‘‘Enough is opment of a voluntary rating system back what time I have. enough. Let us reduce the mindless, re- by the television industry, a system The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time petitive violence that is on television. that would enable parents to make in- having been yielded back, and no one Let us reduce that objectionable sexual formed decisions about television view- wishing to speak on this amendment, content. Let us have television realize ing for their children. the question now occurs on the Brown the promise that it offers the American Mr. President, with all the attention amendment, No. 2688, as modified, to people, to uplift, to educate, to in- focused on television violence over the the committee amendment on page 83, form.’’ That is what our society des- past few months—including a recent line 4 of the bill. perately needs. pledge by my distinguished colleague The question is on agreeing to the And over and over the networks have senator ROBERT DOLE to clean up tele- amendment. told us, ‘‘Be patient, just wait. We are The amendment (No. 2688), as modi- vision and movies—it is astonishing going to act.’’ fied, was agreed to. that television networks are promoting Now, we have the fall schedule and Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I move a fall TV season that demonstrates so we can see how hollow those promises to reconsider the vote. much disregard for the wishes of Amer- are. Over and over we have been told, Mr. CONRAD. I move to lay that mo- ican families and the clear majority of ‘‘We are going to do better. We are tion on the table. the House and Senate. American people going to reduce the level of violence. The motion to lay on the table was want television networks to develop We are going to reduce other objection- agreed to. programming with considerably less vi- able content.’’ VOTE ON COMMITTEE AMENDMENT, ON PAGE 83, olence, sexual and indecent content. Mr. President, they have not kept LINE 4 THROUGH LINE 2, PAGE 84, AS AMENDED The new fall television schedule is a the promise. I call on my colleagues to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tragedy. stand fast. We passed here, by 73 to 26, question now occurs on the committee Time and time again, I, and members the ‘‘choice chips’’ that will permit amendment, as amended. of the Citizens Task Force on Tele- parents to decide what their children The committee amendment, as vision Violence have been told by the are exposed to. That is the appropriate amended, was agreed to. media that Government intervention response. Mr. COCHRAN. I move to reconsider to reduce violent and objectionable tel- I, once again, call on the networks to the vote by which the committee evision programming is not necessary. take action to keep their promises and, amendment was agreed to. We were assured that the media will hopefully, to support this legislation Mr. CONRAD. I move to lay that mo- act responsibly. The networks argue that will provide ‘‘choice chips’’ in new tion on the table. that the technology for parents to television sets so parents can choose;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:55 May 28, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA15\1995_F~1\S19SE5.REC S19SE5 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS September 19, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S13811 so parents can decide what their chil- says of a blind date: ‘‘In case she’s a dog, I Hollywood isn’t convinced that media dren are exposed to. can fake a heart attack.’’ Ward’s study will mayhem inspires the real thing. ‘‘When I was appear in the October Journal of Youth and little, I went to the movies every week and EXHIBIT 1 Adolescence. saw violent cartoons and two or three West- [From U.S. News & World Report, September Then there’s soap-opera sex, talk-show sex erns in which the entire Sioux nation was 11, 1995] chatter, sex crimes on the news—how do kids massacred by the cavalry,’’ recalls Steven SEX AND VIOLENCE ON TV process all that? Little academic work has Bochco, creator of ‘‘NYPD Blue.’’ ‘‘I never (By Marc Silver) been done in this area. Yet, researchers are had a question that what I was watching was moving ahead gingerly, and certain conclu- The family hour is gone. There’s still a make-believe, because I was raised by a fam- sions are emerging. In a study of how ily that gave me a moral compass.’’ splattering of guts in prime time, but the middleclass teenage girls react to sex in the On the other side of the debate stand 1,000- story of the fall lineup is the rise of sex. Will media, Jane Brown, a professor in the school plus studies establishing links between TV the networks ever wise up? of journalism and mass communications at violence and the way people behave in real To hell with kids—that must be the motto the University of North Carolina at Chapel life. In a 1970 study at Pennsylvania State of the new fall TV season. You want proof? Hill, identified three types of viewers: sexu- Look at the network lineups. Many of the ally inexperienced teens who find the whole University, psychologist Aletha Huston and wholesome sitcoms that once ruled the 8 thing ‘‘disgusting’’: ‘‘intrigued’’ girls who a colleague regularly showed cartoons of p.m.-to-9 p.m. hour have gone to the TV ‘‘suck it up,’’ buying into the TV sex fan- fist-flying superheroes to one group of 4- graveyard, replaced by racier fare like tasy, and ‘‘critics,’’ who tear irresponsible year-olds and bland fare to another. Among ‘‘Cybill’’ and ‘‘Roseanne.’’ As a Wall Street sexual messages to shreds. ‘‘but the media kids in both groups known to be above aver- Journal news story put it in a recent head- are so compelling and so filled with sex, it’s age in aggressive behavior, those who saw line, ‘‘It’s 8 p.m. Your Kids Are Watching hard for any kid, even a critic, to resist,’’ the action heroes were more likely to hit and Sex on TV.’’ says Brown. ‘‘I think of the media as our throw things after watching. Nor do the ef- Vulgarity also rules in the first hour of true sex educators.’’ fects of TV violence fade after childhood. prime time. In ‘‘Bless This House,’’ an 8 p.m. Kids agree. This year, Children Now, an Psychologist Leonard Eron of the University CBS show starring shock comic Andrew Clay Oakland, Calif., advocacy group, polled 750 of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research as a blue-collar dad, the mom accuses her 12- children ages 10 to 16. Six out of 10 said sex has tracked 650 New York children from 1960 year-old daughter of ‘‘spend[ing] all morning on TV sways kids to have sex at too young to the present, looking at viewing habits and staring at your little hooters.’’ Chatting an age. Some shows to promote teenage ab- behavior. Those who watched the most vio- with a promiscuous chum who’s said to be so stinence or conversations about the con- lent television as youngsters grew up to en- eager for sex that she’d ‘‘do it on the coffee sequences of sex, but that’s the exception. gage in the most aggressive behavior as table,’’ the mother wonders, ‘‘My God, don’t One suggestion endorsed by Douglas adults, from spouse abuse to drunk driving. you ever get your period?’’ Besharov, a scholar at the conservative-lean- The flaw in Bochco’s argument, Eron says, Say goodbye to the ‘‘family hour,’’ the 8 ing American Enterprise Institute: Force TV is that not all homes have a moral compass. p.m.-to-9 p.m. period ABC, CBS and NBC honchos to show their products to their Besides, no one’s saying that all violence is once reserved for you and the kids, and say spouses, kids and parents. inspired by television. One estimate, based hello to the Fox in the henhouse. The suc- Murder at 8 p.m.—Violence also is barging on an analysis of 275 studies by George Com- cess of sexually frank programs like the Fox into the early evening this fall. Fox’s stock, S. I. Newshouse professor of public network’s ‘‘Beverly Hills 90210’’ at 8 p.m. has ‘‘Space: Above and Beyond,’’ a 7 p.m. sci-fi communication at Syracuse University, is uncorked a wave of me-tooism in the quest spatterthon, features flamethrowers, stun that perhaps 10 percent of antisocial and ille- for a young (but not too young), hip and guns and, for nostalgia buffs, a crowbar and gal acts can be linked to TV. ‘‘But wouldn’t urban audience. As Alan Sternfeld, an ABC a noose of chains. ‘‘John Grisham’s The Cli- it be great if we could reduce the occurrence senior vice president, says of shifting ‘‘Rose- ent,’’ an 8 p.m. CBS drama, serves up two of violence in this nation by 10 percent?’’ anne’’ and ‘‘Ellen’’ to 8 p.m.: ‘‘We get reim- corpses and two bloody, on-screen murders in asks Eron. bursed by advertisers when we deliver adults the first 15 minutes. That’s more grist for Family fare?—Fans of family TV won’t 18 to 49.’’ politicians on the warpath about TV vio- find much to cheer about in the fall 1995 sea- Despite the outcry over TV violence this lence. son. ‘‘More channels doesn’t mean more year, it is the rise of sex on TV that is the The ‘‘V-chip’’ is currently a favorite solu- choices,’’ says Kathryn Montgomery of the real story of the fall lineup. Some media tion. Both houses of Congress have supported Center for Media Education, an advocacy critics are pointing to moralistic plots on legislation requiring that new TV sets come group in Washington, D.C. In fact, one of the shows like ‘‘ER,’’ ‘‘Roseanne’’ and with a chip enabling parents to block violent best family dramas on television, CBS’s ‘‘Seinfeld’’ as evidence that network TV is programs. The technology is a snap. Decid- ‘‘Christy’’ was canceled this spring despite a becoming as wholesome and earnest as The ing which shows deserve a ‘‘V’’ for violence slew of awards. ‘‘Christy,’’ the story of a Little Engine That Could. But that’s just a is the problem. The networks aren’t eager to young teacher in backwoods Tennessee in small part of what’s happening in prime cooperate. A government committee raises 1912, had superb writing and acting—and time. the specter of censorship, along with thorny lovely lessons about life with nary an ounce ‘‘A lot of Hollywood says, ‘If you criticize questions—for example, would violence in of schmaltz or sex, violence or swearing. The us about violence, then let’s have some good, ‘‘M*A*S*H’’ be in the same category as audience of about 10 million weekly viewers wholesome sex at 8 p.m.,’’’ says Lionel shootings in ‘‘The Untouchables’’? In any event, the V-chip is a few years was ‘‘fairly substantial and intensely loyal,’’ Chetwynd, a prominent writer, director and away. In the interim, children will see thou- says David Poltrack, executive vice presi- producer who has worked in TV for 20 years. sands of violent acts on TV. A study by the dent of research and planning for CBS. But ‘‘The idea that family viewing includes some American Psychological Association figures the young adults whom advertisers crave sense of sexual propriety doesn’t seem to that the typical child, watching 27 hours of weren’t watching in force, so ‘‘Christy’’ got have sunk into the Hollywood community.’’ TV a week, will view 8,000 murders and the ax. Reruns will air on the Family Chan- Chetwynd sees a defensive reaction from 100,000 acts of violence from age 3 to age 12. nel on Saturdays at 7 p.m. starting in Octo- his colleagues. They complain that they’re (Of course, that wouldn’t apply to fans of ber. an easy target, and also believe that only ‘‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’’ or sitcom Since most new network shows weren’t de- someone on the far right could possibly be viewers.) upset by sex on TV. But that’s not so. Plenty signed with a family audience in mind, War- An upcoming report by the UCLA Center ner Bros. new WB network is trying to fill of ‘‘lifestyle conservatives’’—a term coined for Communication Policy sees some im- the 8 to 9 p.m. void with ‘‘family friendly’’ by film critic Michael Medved—are fed-up provements on the TV-violence front. ‘‘The fare. On the menu this fall: a fairly clever viewers despite their moderate or liberal po- networks know what the public is looking carton called ‘‘Steven Speilberg Presents litical views. for,’’ says Jeffrey Cole, director of the cen- Pinky & the Brain’’ on Sundays at 7 p.m., Those lifestyle conservatives have plenty ter, which was hired by the networks to con- about a smart lab rat trying to take over the to grouse about. A groundbreaking study by duct what is arguably the most thorough re- world, and supposedly wholesome sitcoms Monique Ward, a postdoctoral fellow in edu- view ever of violence in prime-time media. that are, in fact, generally mediocre and oc- cation at the University of California at Los Looking at nearly 3,000 hours of television, casionally offensive. In ‘‘Kirk,’’ the lame Angeles, tracks and analyzes sexual content the report concludes the overall level of vio- tale of an older brother who assumes custody in the 1992–93 prime-time shows most popular lence is dropping. among youngsters 2 to 12 and 12 to 17. On av- Bloody promos.—But gratuitous violence is of three siblings, the younger brother brags erage, 29 percent of all interactions involved on the rise. ‘‘All violence is not equal,’’ says of peeping into a nearby apartment and see- sex talk of some kind. ‘‘Blossom’’ at 58 per- Cole. ‘‘Context is everything, and in some in- ing a beautiful woman in a ‘‘Wonderbra and cent and ‘‘Martin’’ at 49 percent led the stances, violence is unwarranted and not nothing else.’’ Turns out the gal is a guy, pack. Sex is most often depicted as a com- helpful to the plot. Some movies and made- even though he has ‘‘girl things.’’ petition, a way to define masculinity and an for-TV movies about crime are just vehicles Raunchy family fare is nothing new. In an ‘‘exciting amusement for people of all ages,’’ for violence.’’ Promos for violent shows are episode of CBS’s ‘‘The Nanny,’’ a returning Ward found. Looks are everything. In an epi- especially prone to ‘‘condensed violence’’ show that pitches itself to kids with promos sode of ‘‘Blossom,’’ a teenager’s grandfather with no context. during cartoons, the nanny comes home

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:55 May 28, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA15\1995_F~1\S19SE5.REC S19SE5 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S13812 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 19, 1995 drunk and mistakenly stumbles into bed 1. Rethink your image of TV.—Newton capture for advertisers,’’ said Federal Com- with her cold-ridden boss. The next day, nei- Minow, former chairman of the Federal Com- munications Commission Chairman Reed ther can recall if they had sex. ‘‘We try to do munications Commission, suggests imag- Hundt in a recent speech. a sophisticated 8 p.m. show,’’ says ‘‘Nanny’’ ining a stranger in your house blathering on Children need an advocate.—Federal courts Co-executive Producer Diane Wilk. ‘‘We to you and your children about sex and vio- have already recognized that government wouldn’t want to put anything on the air we lence all day long. No one dares interrupt or has a role in protecting kids’ interests that wouldn’t want our children to see.’’ Counters tell the stranger to shut up or get out. That extends beyond the constitutional protec- Debra Haffner, president of the Sexuality In- stranger is your TV set. tions of free speech. One recent decision af- formation and Education Council of the 2. Keep a diary.—Ask your kids how much firmed that role when it upheld the FCC’s United States: ‘‘I wouldn’t let my 10-year-old TV they think they watch. Then have them regulations restricting ‘‘indecent’’ program- daughter watch. ‘The Nanny’—or practically write down everything they watch for a ming to certain hours. any other prime-time show—without me, so week. Parents might do the same. Both gen- Broadcasters cut corners.—The children’s I can discuss the sexual messages with her.’’ erations may be shocked by the results. A Television Act vaguely defines educational Smart TV.—On Saturday mornings, net- reasonable goal for kids: two hours a day. as furthering ‘‘the positive development of work cynicism is symbolized by ABC’s can- Several primers help with this and other the child in any respect.’’ Broadcasters love ning of ‘‘Cro,’’ one of the few genuinely edu- steps: The Smart Parent’s Guide to Kids’ TV by that loophole. The Center for Media Edu- cational cartoons around. ‘‘Cro’’ wasn’t the Milton Chen (KQED Books, 1994, $8.95); ‘‘Tak- cation says some station license renewal ap- greatest show ever produced by the Chil- ing Charge of Your TV,’’ from the National plications have listed cartoons like ‘‘Casper’’ dren’s Television Workshop, creators of PTA and the cable-television industry (free and ‘‘GI Joe’’ as educational. The definition ‘‘Sesame Street.’’ But it managed to tuck copies from 800–743–5355 or http:// of the word educational must be firmed up so science lessons into the adventures of a pre- www.widmeyer.com/ncta/home.htm on the that shows airing prior to 7 a.m. should not historic tribe and did win its time slot last Internet); and guides from the Center for qualify and local stations are required to air season. ABC says the show ‘‘underper- Media Literacy (call 800–226–9494 for a free a certain number of hours per week. formed.’’ As ‘‘Cro’’ bowed out, an animated catalog). Threats of regulation bring results.—When version of the movie Dumb and Dumber joined 3. Be choosy.—You wouldn’t stroll into a presidents threaten to regulate the tele- ABC’s Saturday lineup. ‘‘This is beyond library and pick up the first book, and you vision industry, more educational shows are irony,’’ says Reed Hundt, chairman of the shouldn’t just turn on the TV and watch produced for children. Former ABC chil- Federal Communications Commission. whatever’s on. Media literacy mavens sug- dren’s television chief Squire Rushnell has ‘‘ ‘Dumb and Dumber’ is a description of this gest choosing a week’s worth of programs in charted the relationship: Richard Nixon and decision, not just a title.’’ advance. Sorry, no channel surfing. Gerald Ford both advocated that there PBS still has a fine roster of educational 4. Watch with them.—Unless parents are should be more educational children’s pro- fare. But ‘‘Ghostwriter,’’ a popular show for confident that a show is safe for youngsters gramming or else the government would in- ages 6 to 11 that stresses reading skills in the (rarely the case these days), they should sist on it. As a result, the networks averaged mysteries it weaves, will have no new epi- watch with their kids, then talk about con- almost 10 hours of such programming per sodes, just reruns. Corporate money dried up troversial content. Sample queries: ‘‘Why week by 1975. By the end of Jimmy Carter’s for the series, and two commercial networks was that the lead story on the news?’’ ‘‘Could term, in 1980, the total was up to 111⁄4 hours. weren’t interested in new episodes for Satur- a cop really be back at work a week after By 1990, after Ronald Reagan’s tenure, it day mornings. ‘‘Wishbone,’’ a new PBS daily being shot in the chest?’’ ‘‘When the star of dropped to 13⁄4 hours. (Broadcasters dispute series, debuting October 9 and aimed at the the sitcom decided to have sex with a woman Rushnell’s counting methods.) same age group, is a strong breed. The he just met, should she have suggested that Con: eponymous star is a terrier who imagines he use a condom?’’ While there is industry support for the himself in literary works like Romeo and Ju- 5. Just say no.—And also why—which Children’s Television Act, the free market liet. The dog is appealing, yet a purist might means you first need to watch the series in does a good job of creating quality shows wonder if this is the best way to introduce question. ‘‘My daughter, who’s 11, wanted to without government edicts. kids to great literature. see ‘Married . . . With Children,’’’ says Strict regulations violate free speech.— But ‘‘Wishbone’’ is a gem compared with Karen Jaffe of Kidsnet, a children’s media re- When government tells broadcasters how Disney’s new, allegedly educational syn- source center in Washington, D.C. ‘‘I said no. much children’s educational television they dicated series ‘‘Sing Me a Story: With I don’t like the way the parents talk to the should produce and what time slots they Belle.’’ To keep costs down, Disney is recy- kids or the kids talk to the parents.’’ should use for such programs, the First cling old cartoons with new didactic voice- 6. Media literacy isn’t a cure-all.—No child Amendment rights of those broadcasters are overs. In one episode, the lesson is: Friends can be immunized against all the bad stuff violated. ‘‘It takes away the discretion of the are good, friends are good, friends are good. on TV. So parents (and children) need to broadcasters,’’ says Jeff Baumann, general The live-action host is Belle, star of Beauty make their objections known. Letters to the counsel for the National Association of and the Beast. local station, with a copy to the local news- Broadcasters. Nonetheless, Disney could be the salvation papers and the FCC, can carry weight, espe- Government cannot make children watch of family-friendly television when it takes cially if you use the words feared by TV ex- ‘‘educational programming.’’—If TV pro- over ABC. Dean Valentine, president of Walt ecutives: ‘‘failing to serve the public inter- ducers have to scramble to produce edu- Disney Television and Television Animation, est’’ and ‘‘doesn’t deserve to have its license cational shows to fulfill a requirement, the predicts the glut of adult-oriented 8 p.m. renewed.’’ result will be a spate of mediocre programs shows will provide an opening for something DOES KIDS’ TV NEED FIXING? that won’t capture the imagination of chil- different. ‘‘In the next year or two, the hit dren. Officials are debating whether to toughen shows will be family programs from Disney Broadcasters have responded to the act.— the Children’s Television Act: Should they at 8 p.m.,’’ he says. FCC Commissioner Rachelle Chong points require stations to air more quality kids’ Parents don’t have to just sit and wait for out that since the act took effect, children’s programming? better TV. Public outrage can play a role in educational fare has increased from about The Children’s Television Act is either the reforming the media—that’s why Calvin one hour per week to three hours on average. last best hope for children’s programs or an Klein decided last week to pull controversial She believes that broadcasters are getting irksome symbol of how government meddles ads for jeans depicting young people in var- the message about educational fare and where it shouldn’t. Enacted in October 1990, ious stages of undress. Then again, few have plans to follow up with broadcasters who the act requires local stations to meet the lost money being crass in the vast waste- promise her that the trend will improve. ‘‘educational and informational needs of land. Quantitative guidelines should be ‘‘our last children’’ to renew their licenses. The act’s resort.’’ A GUIDE TO MEDIA LITERACY—WHAT TV-SAVVY supporters want to strengthen its terms by The free market works.—Cable stations PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP THEIR KIDS requiring, among other things, that a spe- like the Disney Channel, the Learning Chan- As TV gets wilder and wilder, more parents cific number of hours be devoted to chil- nel and Nickelodeon and several satellite are opting to junk television altogether. dren’s programming; its critics say Uncle and online services have all come into being Those not ready for this drastic step can find Sam has no business regulating a local sta- to serve children (though 36 percent of Amer- solace in media literacy—the art of tion’s schedule. ican homes do not have cable). With new deconstructing television. Schools in Canada Pro: players entering the entertainment business, have taught media literacy for years, ex- Without government intervention, the tel- the choices for children will only increase. plaining to students that programs exist to evision industry will not produce enough ‘‘If there’s a program niche there, the mar- deliver an audience to advertisers, that sex quality children’s programming. ketplace will find it,’’ says Ben Tucker, and violence sell and that TV news isn’t all Broadcasters must serve the public.—They president of Retlaw Broadcasting and chair- the news that’s fit to air—it’s more likely use spectra owned by the public and it’s only man of government relations for the CBS af- the news that gets the best ratings. Amer- right that their work benefit the public in- filiate’s advisory board. ican schools are just beginning to catch up. terest. ‘‘The law requires that broadcasters Here are six key precepts for a crash course uphold public-interest standards regardless The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- at home. of the share of 18-to-49-year-olds that they ator from Connecticut.

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