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Television Violencence
PHOTOCOPY
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The Politics of Change: Roots and Resistance
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U.S. Representative Tim Penny, MN
Jonathan Rauch, Contribusing Editor, National Journal
Bill Schneider, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
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Roundtable I
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Fred Siegel, Professor. Cooper Union
Kathleen Sylvester, PPI Vice President for Domestic Policy
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13
Saturday, December 4, 1993 (continued)
10:30 a.m. . 11:30 a.m.
Roundtable IV
New Democrats Fighting for Change
Morley Winograd, Los Angeles DLC Chair, Moderator
11:30 a.m. . Noon
Closing Ceremonies
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Field Workshops
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Session I
Kansas Room
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Wisconsin Room
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Field Workshops
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Session III
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Adjourn
Clinton Presidential Records
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PUBLISHED
BY
CONGRESSIONAL
QUARTERLY
INC.
TV Violence
Will Hollywood tone it down - or face regulation?
HE AVERAGE AMERICAN CHILD WATCHES 8,000
T
murders and 100,000 acts of violence before
finishing elementary school - thanks to the miracle
of television. Suggestions of a link between
make-believe TV violence and aggression in real life have
been raised since television's formative years in the 1950s -
and always dismissed by the TV industry. But recently the
three major networks signed a first-ever joint statement
N
THIS ISSUE
S
outlining practices aimed at reducing violence, and the cable,
THE ISSUES.
167
video and film industries are showing signs of cooperating.
D
BACKGROUND
174
E
CHRONOLOGY
175
Some in Congress are encouraged and maintain hopes that
CURRENT SITUATION
180
change will come about voluntarily, without the need for
AT ISSUE
181
federal regulation. But anti-violence activists and scholars of
OUTLOOK
183
television accuse the industry of merely paying lip service to
BIBLIOGRAPHY
185
the problem.
THE NEXT STEP
186
C
March 26, 1993 Volume 3, No. 12 165-188
Formerly Editorial Research Reports
Remarks of Senator Paul Simon
To the National Press Club
*
Violence on Television *
Washington, D.C.
September 16, 1993
There is good news, bad news and much uncertainty as we face the problem
of glamorized television violence.
The good news is that at the top level of the industry, there are some key
leaders who acknowledge the reality that entertainment television violence adds to
violence in our society; it is one of the causes of crime, and other anti-social behavior.
Fall broadcast programming will be less violent. That does not apply to reruns,
and will apply only marginally to cable, but the fare that most Americans view will be
somewhat better, though the docudramas apparently will continue their present
unhappy path.
The agreement to have parental advisories is helpful, beyond the obvious
assistance to parents. Advertisers generally don't buy programs that have these
advisories, SO their reluctance to purchase violent programs will be a modest but
welcome pocketbook effect.
The good news is also the attention paid to the issue by the print media. 1 am
encouraged when TV Guide, for example, publishes an article by Jane Pauley which
begins: "So what do you say when a little girl turns from the television set and asks:
'Was he sticking a knife in her, Mommy?' It seemed perfectly clear that he was, so
what my daughter really wanted to know was, "Why?"
The bad news is that the majority of those who speak out from the television
and film industry still do not acknowledge the tie-in between television entertainment
[P. 1/MORE]
violence and its negative effects on society. Even editorial writers are often unaware
of the research. One of the reasons is obvious: Television has not covered the
statements of the Surgeon General on television violence with the same thoroughness
as it has similar statements on the cigarette threat. The fact that the National Institute
of Mental Health twice has warned about this problem is almost unknown. Research
on this issue is overwhelming and points in one direction. There have been, at last
count, 2,000 studies and reports, many of which are substantial, and in different ways
they all deliver the same message, that glorified violence on the TV screen harms our
society.
As early as 1969 a national commission headed by Milton Eisenhower warned:
"We are deeply troubled by the television's constant portrayal of violence. [It
is]
pandering to a public preoccupation with violence that television itself has helped to
generate." In 1969 research was limited, but today research is solid and unquestioned
by any serious scholar.
The bad news is that in my August 2nd speech in Los Angeles I challenged at
least a few in the industry to occasionally broadcast a simple message: "Warning:
Watching too much television violence may be harmful." No major public health
problem has been so studiously ignored by the TV industry as this one. I am
unaware of any response to this challenge, but I will send a letter to the television
stations and cable systems of the nation urging that at least once a day, this public
service warning should be voluntarily aired.
I understand why people in the tobacco industry do not want to acknowledge
the harm that cigarettes do, and I understand why people in the television and
entertainment industry do not want to acknowledge the harm that glamorized violence
on television does, but those of us who do not have a financial stake in the industry
must speak out forcefully.
[P. 2/MORE]
Something is wrong when a leading TV creator tells U.S. News: "There's more
violence on the 5 o'clock news than anything you'll see on the networks during prime
time." What he fails to realize is that violence on the news is sometimes excessive but
does not glamorize violence. When we see what is happening in Bosnia it is grim;
when someone in Washington kills someone else, we see relatives crying. But what
George Gerbner calls "happy violence" occurs on entertainment TV. Death is quick
and certain and painless and rarely is there a wife or mother on the scene grieving.
On the news, violence is a grim, illogical way to solve problems. On entertainment
television, violence is a logical means of eliminating problems.
Something is wrong when a widely known children's program is produced in
two versions: the violent one for the United States and the non-violent one for
distribution in the other nations of the world. When a spokesperson for the show was
asked about that by the Christian Science Monitor, she replied that there is no
objection to the violence in the United States, and by implication that they feel it adds
to its salability here, while other nations would not tolerate that. "At home, we don't
get many objections to violence in our shows," she said. "American kids are used to
it. But abroad, it's a very different story. The BBC in Britain wouldn't buy [it] unless
they could edit out some of the violence. It's that version that we sold to the rest of
the world. Otherwise [it] wouldn't have done nearly as well."
The good news is that three major polls show that the overwhelming
percentage of the public recognizes the tie-in between television entertainment
violence and crime. It is of interest that the higher the level of education of the person
polled, the greater the recognition of the problem.
The good news is that Electronic Media polled 100 television station managers
in all regions of the country and all market sizes and 74 percent of them said television
is too violent. And when I speak to cable outlet managers, the reaction is the same;
they are often ashamed of the product they sel!.
[P. 3/MORE]
Also of interest, and perhaps of significance, is the Nickelodeon survey of
young people ages eight to 12 years old, which found that 80 percent said there is
too much violence on television; 91 percent in this age group said that when they saw
violence happening to real people on television it bothered them, causing them to
worry what might happen to them or their families; and 87 percent favored warnings at
the beginning of a television show that has violence in it.
The bad news is that there is still too much finger-pointing about who is
responsible for television violence, and crime, and too little concrete action.
Broadcasting blames cable which blames the movies. Executives say they use what
producers give them; producers blame the screen writers; and the screen writers say
they script what they have been instructed to write. And then they all point the finger
at others. Too many people in the TV industry say, "Why don't you do something
about poverty?"; or "Why don't you do something about guns?" And of course they
are right that we should tackle these things, and we have ducked. But they sound too
much like the National Rifle Association leaders who blame everyone else for the
cause of crime. That they're all in this grimy business together is illustrated by the
TEC-9, the semi-automatic pistol used to kill eight people and wound six in San
Francisco. Mike Solo, marketing and sales director at the Intratec gun plant in Miami,
which makes the TEC-9, said they weren't selling until they were used in a television
series, and then sales shot up.
The bad news is that extreme conduct invites extreme response, and when
people in the industry deny the reality of the connection between entertainment
television and crime, then some of my coileagues in Congress say that the only
answer is legisiation, and some of the legislation under consideration goes too far.
Lawmakers should be cautious about entering the field of content, but television
moguls, who worship the dollar more than responsibility to society, invite legislative
solutions.
[P. 4/MORE]
What is clear is that on broadcast programming this fall, there will be an
improvement. My concern is that this improvement may be temporary, that a year
from now we will face the same problems. That is why I strongly favor an
independent monitoring committee that reports once a year to the public in specific
terms about what the individual broadcast and cable networks are doing in presenting
glamorized violence, on what is happening in the hours when children are most likely
to watch, about what is happening with promos filled with violence. This is not a Hays
Commission that pre-censors, but a body that reports the facts, after viewing, to the
public. After initially reacting negatively to the idea, some leaders in the industry are
now discussing this seriously. I hope they act favorably, and let me add that the
committee established has to be of a such stature that its independence is not
questioned.
Recently I talked on the telephone with the chief executive officer of one of the
major networks. He told me, "Last night, I saw a movie given a four-star review by a
major newspaper. There must have been 50 people shot up in the movie. And I'll bet
it will be on Home Box Office or Showtime soon."
Or, he might have added, on one of the broadcast networks.
There are many causes for violence in our society, and we are doing an
inadequate job in dealing with most of them, including television violence.
If this industry does the right thing, we will continue to inch toward more
responsible conduct. I want that trend to continue. If we do, the statistical data on
crimes of violence will not suddenly plunge, but in 15 years we will have a society
measurably less violent.
[P. 5/-30-]
Remarks of Senator Paul Simon
To the Television/Film Meeting on TV Violence
Los Angeles
August 2, 1993
[EMBARGOED Until 12 Noon P.D.T.]
I am grateful to those who have convened this unprecedented session. You have an
opportunity to make a significant contribution to a better nation and world, trite as that sounds.
Many across this country are aware of this meeting, and a considerable portion of them are
hoping that a marked reduction in the video violence transported into their homes will follow. They are
entitled to some progress.
No one suggests that there should be no violence on television. A film on the Civil War is
likely to have violence. But there should be less violence on the screen and, more important, it should
not be glamorized. No one suggests that television violence is the sole cause of crime in our society.
We have, as a people and government, ducked the problems of handgun proliferation and that of
other weapons; we concentrate the poor into our central cities and then ignore their problems. To
deal with drug abuse, rather than placing a heavy emphasis on education and treatment, we choose
to spend billions on more and more prisons. We now have a higher number incarcerated than any
nation and a higher percentage of our population in jails and prisons than any nation -- and the crime
rate has escalated, not declined. Other reasons for crime could be mentioned. But one of the causes
is violence on the entertainment screen. Television, like political leaders, can appeal to the best in
each of us or to our worst impulses and weaknesses.
Ted Turner recently told a House subcommittee: "As a parent with five children, I don't need
experts to tell me that the amount of violence on television today, and its increasingly graphic
portrayal, can be harmful to children." Of this gathering, he showed pessimism: "Unless you keep the
gun pointed at their heads, all you'll get is mumbly, mealy-mouthed BS. They just hope the subject
will go away." On this conclusion, I hope you will prove him wrong.
In the magazine Mother Jones, Carl Cannon writes: "Actors and producers seem to be
constantly speaking out for noble causes
But in the one area over which they have control the
excessive violence in the entertainment industry -- Hollywood activists remain silent.
The liberals in
Hollywood don't act like progressive thinkers; they act like the National Rifle Association: Guns don't
kill people, people kill people. We don't cause violence in the world, we just reflect it."
Here are a few basic questions, and then I shall make seven recommendations to you.
Is television violence harmful?
When we watch a news program from Bosnia showing the tragedy of violence, we understand
the pain, the anguish and the senselessness of violence. When we watch entertainment violence, in
the majority of cases, it is sanitized and made attractive. On entertainment television our heroes and
heroines, with whom we identify, do not suffer and die. In fact, our heroes and heroines are often
portrayed as justified perpetrators of violence. When death occurs, it is usually quick and clean. No
relatives with tears are seen at the side of the victim. And just as 30 seconds of attractive portrayal of
a bar of soap sells soap, and 30 seconds of the attractive portrayal of a car sells that car, 25 minutes
of the attractive portrayal of violence sells violence.
[P.1/MORE]
Jack Valenti is convening meetings of various branches of the movie industry, and I am
hopeful for positive results there.
In all these cases, more needs to be done.
In some ways, cable presents greater problems with violence than broadcast, and the
agreement by the majors among cable to have the message of caution is welcomed, as is their hiring
of George Gerbner to monitor their activities.
Is censorship the answer?
I am, in the words of George Bush, "a card-carrying member of the ACLU." Few nations have
as little regulation of their television and movies as we do. I want to maintain that freedom. I want our
creative community to flourish. So far, no member of the House or Senate has introduced legislation
suggesting formal, general censorship, but many ideas short of that have been floated, including
Congressman Ed Markey's chip suggestion to permit parents to prevent violent programs;
Congressman Joe Kennedy's idea for a 1-800 number to the FCC that people could call to make a
record of complaints on violence, to be considered when a station seeks re-licensing; Senator Byron
Dorgan's and Congressman Dick Durbin's suggestion that the FCC calculate incidents of violence and
then regularly report to the public on which programs are the most violent, and who the sponsors are;
Senator Dave Durenberger's bill would require visual and sound warnings on programs that are violent
or which involve unsafe gun practices; Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Charles Schumer each
has legislation drafted concerned with television violence, which they may introduce; Senator Kent
Conrad has initiated a petition drive on the issue; two Senators suggested to me that sponsors not be
permitted to deduct for advertising on programs that the FCC deems violent. Others favor more
extreme measures.
All or none of these may pass. I can tell you that none of the sponsors of these initiatives is
losing votes back home with these ideas.
Non-lawmakers have made suggestions varying from strict censorship to the proposal that a
television station must demonstrate what it is doing in its programming to discourage violence to get
its license renewed. Whether or not these proposals become law rests, in large measure, with the
decision-makers in this room. When you have Senators from Howard Metzenbaum to Jesse Helms --
and that covers a pretty broad spectrum -- saying that something has to happen to change things, the
message should be clear. The July 18th Washington Post carries a lengthy article by staff writer
Megan Rosenfeld, with the heading: "And Now, A Word From A Mother," and the subhead: "Forget
the First Amendment. When It Comes to TV Violence, All I Care About Is Protecting My Kids."
Aren't the columnists right who suggest that the actions up to this point are simply public
relations, that the industry isn't treating this problem seriously?
The answer is no. It is true that we have been through this exercise before. In 1954 Senator
Robert Hendrickson held hearings on the subject of television and juvenile delinquency. In 1961
Senator Thomas Dodd held hearings on television violence and received assurance that change
would occur. Early in 1974, the Screen Actors Guild adopted a strong resolution calling for change,
describing the "degree of violence in television programming [as].
excessive."
Senator
John
Pastore followed with hearings on the subject. Some assurance of action followed each set of
hearings. And after a short period, violence on the screen escalated.
All of this feeds the appetite of the doubters. When I was a young reporter, the great vice of
journalism was whiskey. My first newspaper boss kept a fifth of whiskey in the top drawer of his desk.
He opened the drawer frequently. The whiskey of today is cynicism. For every reason they give me
for cynicism, I can give them 10 more. The cynics aren't going to build a better society. However,
[P.3/MORE]
This is no longer theory. The evidence that television violence does harm is now just as
overwhelming as the evidence that cigarettes do harm. Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith of Harvard,
commenting on the harmful effects of television violence, noted: "No one is immune. Some are more
susceptible than others, children most of all." As recently as July 23, a Harvard publication quoted
developmental psychologist Ron Slaby: Television violence has significantly contributed to the
violence in American society."
The National Institute of Mental Health has twice warned us about the harmful effects, as have
more than 85 additional substantial studies. The American Medical Association calls television
violence an environmental hazard. The most recent study I have seen, from the Department of
Psychiatry of Pennsylvania State University, showed, once again, child behavioral problems associated
with watching violence on television.
But, you say, the people in the industry are decent people who are good parents and
grandparents. They wouldn't do anything to harm society.
Unfortunately, that description also applies to the people who manufacture cigarettes and
nuclear bombs and handguns. Sometimes people on the outside, with no financial stake, have to call
attention to the harm that can occur.
Isn't the television/film industry simply reflecting reality?
That is partially true, but you also are shaping reality by sometimes glamorizing violence.
Television also gives the impression that the person to be feared for violence is the stranger, when the
reality is that a family member or an acquaintance is much more likely to commit the violent act.
Television portrays the single woman at great risk, but the reality is that the married woman is at
greater risk. Urban children and urban teen-agers are too often portrayed negatively, and sometimes
they live up to the expectations television creates. The industry should have a higher and more noble
calling than simply reflecting reality, even if that argument were completely valid. You should improve
reality. The industry should be a beacon for the nation, not simply a mirror.
Isn't the industry responding to the anti-trust exemption that Congressman Dan Glickman and
I sponsored and which is now law?
Yes and no.
The broadcast networks have adopted joint standards, which are good but very subjective.
What is "gratuitous violence?" Compared to the British standards, for example, they are not strong.
But I sense what does give them meaning is a willingness to face the problem and a commitment -- at
least by some -- to make these standards meaningful.
The agreement for a warning to parents is helpful and takes on added significance when you
understand that generally advertisers are not eager to buy on programs with warnings. That gives
this commitment greater meaning than is immediately apparent.
The Association of Independent Television Stations has created a set of guidelines on violent
material and is encouraging its members to agree with these standards.
Network affiliates have not been significantly involved up to this point, but their participation is
important because they are responsible for programming shown from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. when many
children watch television.
Syndication is a total question mark. The "reality-based" shows can do real harm.
[P.2/MORE]
there is legitimate reason for questioning whether we are not just going through the same motions
again.
Two things have changed:
First, while many had intuitive belief that violence on television caused harm, the research was
slim. There were warnings, however. The late Norman Cousins, who lived near where we meet, wrote
in the Saturday Review in 1959: The TV operators make all sorts of claims about the power of their
medium to sell all sorts of goods. They boast about the ease with which they dominate the fashions
of teenagers just by having TV stars dress in a certain way. Yet they see no cause-and-effect
relationship between what they show on the screen and the increasing addiction of young people to
cheap violence." About this same time, the nation's most widely-read columnist, Walter Lippmann,
wrote: "Can there be any real doubt that there is a close connection between the suddenness of the
increase in sadistic crimes and the new vogue of sadism among the mass media of entertainment. A
continual exposure of a generation to the commercial exploitation of the enjoyment of violence and
cruelty is one way to corrode the foundations of a civilized society. For my part, believing as I do in
freedom of speech and thought, I see no objection in principle to censorship of the mass
entertainment
Until some more refined way is worked out of controlling this evil thing, the risks to
our liberties are, I believe, decidedly less than the risks of unmanageable violence."
At the 1961 Congressional hearings, Frank Stanton of CBS could honestly testify: The
research that has been conducted in this field is limited in its scope, is inconclusive in its findings."
And Grace Johnson of ABC, in the same hearing, said that an emotionally disturbed child may "drain
off
elements in his behavior which cause that disturbance" by watching violence on television. At
that time, there was limited research showing harm, about like the early research on cigarette
smoking. Many people intuitively thought smoking cigarettes did harm, but the evidence had not
accumulated. Now it has accumulated, both for violence on television and for cigarette smoking. I
know of no serious student of television violence who questions the validity of the massive evidence.
The second difference from the early period is the seriousness with which at least part of the
industry is addressing the question. Considerable time is being devoted to the subject, not only at
the lower staff levels, but by top officials. Television executives are speaking candidly about the
problem. There is almost no denial or semi-denial. Constructive steps are being taken. One network
chief executive told me a few weeks ago that he decided to cancel a movie for which he had paid a
good price, because he felt it was too violent. There is a changed attitude on the part of at least
some key decision-makers.
But what needs to be done?
Let me make seven suggestions.
1. There should be recognition by the creative community that self-restraint is essential for a
democracy to function.
Here is an analogy from the political arena. When John F. Kennedy barely defeated Richard
Nixon, Nixon could have gone on television proclaiming what harm would come to the nation with
Kennedy as President, asking people to turn to the streets with peaceful protest. He did not. While
he did not feel like congratulating John F. Kennedy, he did it, and we had a peaceful transition from
one administration and political party to another in the world's most powerful nation. When Richard
Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey, the same thing happened. Both Richard Nixon and Hubert
Humphrey recognized that for a democracy to function effectively, it is unwise to exercise freedom to
its extreme.
In Ken Auletta's recent article in the New Yorker he tells of approaching those who produce
[P.4/MORE]
and asking what violent or shocking stunt wouldn't they put on the screen to make money. He refers
to the embarrassed pause he often received when he asked that question.
In response to a Los Angeles Times editorial titled, Televised Violence Can Have Violent
Consequences; Does Anyone Care?", one reader who monitored standards for a network wrote: "I
wept on occasion with the inadequacy of my role as we were forced to accept so much violence just
to maintain viewers' enthusiasm for the program so they wouldn't switch channels." In his book,
Hollywood VS. America, Michael Medved quotes Director Alan J. Pakula: "Movie violence is like eating
salt. The more you eat, the more you need to eat to taste it. People are becoming immune to the
effects: The death counts have quadrupled, the blast power is increasing by the megaton, and
they're becoming deaf to it. They've developed an insatiability for raw sensation." We have spawned
an arms race on American television and, like every arms race, no one wins.
I am told that the English word "obscene" comes from two Greek words, "a skene," which
means off stage. In the ancient Greek theater, any violent act occurred off stage, and a third party
recounted the violence and then interpreted the meaning for the audience, remarkably like the British
Code of Standards for television: "People should be permitted to die in private and only in the rarest
circumstances should broadcasting dwell on the moment of death itself."
The creative community gathered here needs to exercise its freedom with wisdom, with a
sense of public responsibility and with good taste. As FCC Commissioner Ervin Duggan observes:
"The public interest is not merely what interests the public." The best way to protect your industry
from the dangerous and heavy hand of government is to exercise self-restraint. The gauge of whether
we are a civilized society is not to what extremes we can indulge ourselves.
2. The entire industry needs to be involved.
That means broadcasters, cable, independents, syndicators and the movies. What is
somewhat disheartening is the finger-pointing that now takes place. Broadcasters say the real culprit
is cable, and the other way around. Both blame the movies they get. The producers and directors
blame the writers, and the writers say they produce what the networks and cable demand. I am not
interested in assigning blame, but getting action. The finger-pointing all has some legitimacy and
some illegitimacy, but it should not become an excuse for inaction. Chief executives in all parts of the
industry must be exactly what their title implies, chief executives. Just as a publisher or editor of a
newspaper has to take the responsibility for what appears in that publication, so chief executives must
assert their responsibilities in the television and film industries.
If it becomes obvious that one branch of your industry loves money more than responsibility,
that will not go unnoticed in Washington.
3. In some way, we need to be assured of continuity of concern and effort.
The question I cannot answer is: Can you be certain that the present interest in this subject
will continue? The current concerns by industry leaders, whatever their motivation, is genuine.
Buttressing that is not only the congressional effort, but the Times-Mirror poll that shows 80 percent of
the public today believes that television violence is harmful compared to 64 percent ten years ago,
and 47 percent describe it as "very harmful" compared to 25 percent ten years ago. The poll showed
that the higher the level of education, the greater the concern. The Gannett chain's Sunday
supplement, USA Weekend, did a survey of its readers and had similar results. Ninety-six percent
said that television violence does not reflect reality but glorifies violence. Seventy percent said they
noticed a change in their children's behavior after watching a violent television show or cartoon.
Several chief executives of major American corporations have told me recently that they are
asking their public relations people to avoid advertising on programs that glamorize violence.
[P.5/MORE]
Some type of ongoing monitoring of the status of television violence is needed, and 1 would
prefer that the federal government not be involved. If those gathered here would form a committee of
respected citizens perhaps called the Advisory Office on Television Violence -- who would employ a
small staff, headed by someone who has an understanding of the field, and that committee would
report to the American people annually, in specifics, it would indicate a desire to sustain better
programming. Those specifics should let us know whether glamorized violence is increasing or
decreasing, on each of the broadcast and cable networks, whether there is an attempt to avoid the
time periods when children are more likely to observe. They should tell us what is happening with the
independents, affiliates, syndication and with the entire industry. They would play an advisory role to
the industry, when requested. The person heading the effort should be someone like Walter Cronkite,
John Chancellor or Newton Minow. The Committee could also develop a set of standards by which
they will judge both broadcasting and cable, standards that are less subjective than those adopted by
the four broadcast networks. These new standards could be guideposts for all elements of the
industry, as well as for advertisers and the public. Without some type of monitoring, the lure of profits
will entice those less responsible to abuse their privilege. The industry needs encouragement to a
higher sense of responsibility and good taste than the financial bottom line.
The interest in dealing effectively with this issue must be sustained. And, let me add, it will be
sustained. Either you will initiate the effort for such a monitoring office, or those outside the industry
will do it. I started in this effort as a somewhat lonely voice in Congress, but I now find many of my
colleagues want to go much further than is healthy for a free society. My request of the television and
film industries to accept some responsibility is not an assault on the First Amendment, but if within the
industry you do not exercise self-restraint, neither will many of those who are concerned. Extremes in
behavior invite extremes in response. The surest solution is governmental intervention, but it is also
the most dangerous.
4. Glamorized violence should be avoided, the harsh realities of violence must be portrayed,
and non-violent problem-solving should be encouraged.
Howard Stringer of CBS has correctly observed: "If you argue that we have no moral
responsibility to sustain values, then perhaps we have an artistic responsibility. Death stings, pain
hurts, loss devastates, fear terrifies. If we still insist that television merely mirrors reality, then let us
reflect our reality more skillfully and honestly. Murder, even fighting, is not poetic or balletic. It is ugly
and clumsy. Violence is vile."
The television/movie industry can play a positive role and should. The harmful effect of
choosing the violent alternative to problem-solving should be conveyed and too rarely is.
One intensive study covering 22 years shows first, that the greatest single indicator of violent
behavior at age 30 -- more than other indicators, such as economic status, broken home, low IQ, or
race -- is the amount of television watched at age eight; second, that television viewers will exaggerate
the likelihood that they will become victims and are more likely to isolate themselves, not walking the
streets as much and, in the words of criminologist James Q. Wilson, "excessive fear of crime
contributes to crime;" third, there is the "bystander effect" to violence, a callousness to it because
viewers have been hardened through viewing.
But one more important fourth effect: There is an increased appetite for violence, both as an
answer to problems and as entertainment. "Make my day" is a phrase that gets used by children and
a President. Its message is clear: Give me the pleasure of a violent response. When small children
laugh at violent action in a cartoon, they are being taught the wrong thing by the powerful teacher
called television.
The positive message needs to be delivered that violence brings no pleasure. Stories should
develop constructive alternatives to violence. In hundreds of schools around the nation there are
[P.6/MORE]
"peer mediators," students assigned to listen to both sides in an encounter between two other
students, to work out peaceful resolution of a conflict. It works. Including that reality in a story, as
well as other efforts at avoiding violence through peaceful alternatives, needs to be on public display
much more. Really creative writers can make it work. And violent alternatives need to be
deglamorized.
5. Violent promos should be eliminated or reduced, and certainly avoided when children are
most likely to be watching.
Some of the worst moments on television are during the 30-second promotion pieces. The
most dramatic part of the movie or feature hopes to captivate an audience. It requires more creativity
to get that audience without offending or harming it, and this industry is fully capable of doing that.
Ted Harbert of ABC is quoted in the New Yorker: "[Three-year-old] Emily's entrance into the
world totally changed the way I look at television. I have a massive problem now with violence on
television
If a promo comes on that I would never let her sit there and watch, or if something
comes on that is violent
and this look of bewilderment comes across her face -- "What is that man
doing, Daddy?' -- I don't have a very good answer."
6. The medium must be used to help educate the nation about the harmful effects of
television violence.
Cigarette smoking did not experience its dramatic drop because of a Surgeon General's
statement. That statement received extensive coverage in television shows and in public service
announcements.
When the Surgeon General warns us about the harmful effects of television violence, the
industry is audibly silent. That should change. There is no similar heavily documented threat to
public health which television has so studiously ignored.
Parents should know more clearly that it is not just their instinct that says entertainment
violence is harmful, but solid research. Something more than a brief mention in the evening news or
two minutes on a morning show is needed. I would like to see "60 Minutes," "Prime Time" and their
counterparts give viewers greater depth of understanding on this issue.
By doing this you can help create the market for less violent entertainment. Then bright
executives can also anticipate a growth in that type of market. I would also like to see one of the
broadcast networks and one major cable company put together a creative team to explore ways of
marketing less violent programming. And which will be the first network or cable company to
occasionally bring this simple message: "Watching too much violence on television may be harmful to
your children's health?" Who will be the first with an educational film for schools that points out the
dangers of glamorized television violence?
Organizations like the PTA, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education
Association can buttress such an effort with public education campaigns that urge viewership of
television that plays a positive role.
7. Recognize more clearly the international dimensions of your product.
This is a complex area. Unfortunately, violence is easy to translate into any language. In
contrast, comedy is not. Sixty-four percent of New Zealand's entertainment television comes from the
United States, but the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation has called for a reduction in the
number of U.S. television programs. Their survey concluded that U.S. television shows are three times
more violent than those of other countries. One major U.S. children's program has two versions: The
[P.7/MORE]
violent one for consumption in the United States and the non-violent one for all other nations. The
spokesperson for the program told the Christian Science Monitor: "At home, we don't get many
objections to violence on our shows. American kids are used to it. But abroad, it's a different story.
The BBC wouldn't buy [it] unless they could edit out some of the violence. It's that version that we
sold to the rest of the world. Otherwise [it] wouldn't have done nearly as well."
Ideas -- good and bad -- are hard to retain within national borders. I know of no research to
support the assumption by Meg Greenfield of Newsweek that violence on television also causes us to
be more receptive to violent answers to international problems. But without any research, my instinct
tells me she is correct. And that same message is conveyed to citizens of other nations.
Before he stepped down as Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney told me in a phone
conversation that while the United States is reducing the physical harm done to Canada through acid
rain, the harm done to that nation's minds through violence on television is a real concern. Canada's
Communications Minister has called television violence an international problem that requires an
international response. The revulsion in many nations to parts of the American culture is not a
reaction to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or to Isaac Stern or to Van Cliburn, nor is it in response
to our finer movies or television shows. We should ask ourselves what message we wish to send to
other nations.
All of these things are easy to say for an outsider who does not understand all of your
problems. But I do understand our culture. I do know the mood of the electorate and of my
colleagues in government.
I also know what you have contributed to our culture in many positive ways, including making
us one nation as we never were before your medium took its place of dominance, as well as
spreading the word about the desirability of democracy to those who do not have it. I know what you
contribute to our economy and to our balance of trade.
I also know that you have in your hands a tool that is unprecedented in the history of
humanity in its power. You have helped move the nation away from smoking cigarettes, and by being
more sensitive on issues of race, you ended the "Amos and Andy" era in film and conversation. You
can use television's power for good or ill, and I am here today urging you, in the words of Abraham
Lincoln, to use that instrument to "appeal to the better angels of our nature" to aid all of humanity.
#####
CONTACT: David Carle or Christopher Ryan, 202-224-7115 or 202-224-7023
[P.8/-30-]
news from
EMBARGOED Until 12 Noon P.D.T.
PAUL SIMON
Mon., Aug. 2, 1993
CONTACT: David Carle
Christopher Ryan
202/224-7115 or 202/224-7023
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
Simon Lays 7-Point Guide At Industry's Door
To Control TV Violence 'Arms Race'
And Avert Dangers of Censorship
Proposes Industry Monitoring Group
LOS ANGELES (Aug. 2) -- In his keynote address to an unprecedented industry-wide
conference on TV violence, Sen. Paul Simon Monday defined its harm, credited industry leaders for
fledgling steps to control it, and put the responsibility for solving the problem and thwarting calls for
censorship on the industry itself in a seven-point message of new proposals, featuring an industry
monitoring group to track progress in scaling back glamorized violence.
He pledged continued support for self-regulation as his favored approach but warned that
Congress and the public are growing restless for greater progress. "When you have senators from
Howard Metzenbaum to Jesse Helms saying that something has to happen to change things, the
message should be clear,* he cautioned.
Simon, D-III., for eight years Congress' leading advocate for reduced violence levels on
television, is author of the Television Violence Act of 1990, a three-year antitrust exemption that allows
joint industry steps to voluntarily limit on-air violence. The law, which expires Dec. 1st, has been used
by the broadcast and cable networks to develop and adopt the voluntary Advance Parental Advisory
plan to warn parents about violent programs and to list those programs before they air. ABC, CBS
and NBC also have used the law to adopt their first-ever joint standards on violence. The Simon law
also enabled industry leaders to organize Monday's unparalleled conference.
Addressing the Industry-Wide Leadership Conference on Violence in Television Programming,
Simon said, "We have spawned an arms race on American television and, like every arms race, no
one wins." He outlined seven suggestions to promote industry self-regulation on violence issues:
1) Self-restraint by television and film makers. The gauge of whether we are a civilized society is not
to what extremes we can indulge ourselves," he said. "The best way to protect your industry from the
dangerous and heavy hand of government is to exercise self-restraint."
2) Involve the entire industry. He asked the industry's diverse segments to overcome the temptations
of finger-pointing and urged chief executives to assert their responsibility to limit screen violence.
3) Creation of an industry-wide monitoring group to assure continuity and effort. Simon proposed
creation of an Advisory Office on Television Violence, commissioned and funded by the industry,
headed by a committee of respected citizens with knowledge of the industry and with public
credibility, to monitor the industry's handling of television violence issues. He calls for annual tracking
reports and assessments of the exposure of children to violent programs and suggests the office also
broker development of uniform industry standards on violence.
4) De-glamorize violence. He said glamorized violence feeds "an increased appetite for violence," and
he promoted instead honest depictions of violence and of alternatives to violence.
5) Eliminate or reduce violent promotional ads, which he termed, "some of the worst moments on
television."
6) Use TV to inform the public about harm done by glamorized violence, as it did about tobacco use.
Urging "positive solutions," Simon suggests creative teams to explore marketing less-violent
programming, and public education campaigns with child advocacy groups.
7) Scale back exports of violent programs. He said merging production for domestic and world
markets would reward the industry financially and improve "the message we send to other nations.*
"Television, like political leaders, can appeal to the best in each of us or to our worst impulses
and weaknesses," he said, also quoting Lincoln to call on the industry to "appeal to the better angels
of our nature."
-30-
PAUL SIMON
(
TEES
ILLINOIS
LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES
JUDICIARY
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
United States Senate
BUDGET
INDIAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON. DC 20510-1302
Background on Television Violence
Joint efforts such as the Advance Parental Advisory Plan and
the industrywide conference on television violence in Los
Angeles are enabled by the Television Violence Act, which
waives antitrust laws for three years to allow self-regulation by
the television and film industries in addressing TV violence. The
Simon law was enacted in 1990 and expires on Dec. 1.
Contact: David Carle, 202-224-7115
462 DIRKSEN BUILDING
230 S. DEARBORN
3 WEST OLD CAPITOL PLAZA
250 WEST CHERRY
WASHINGTON DC 20510-1302
KLUCZYNSKI BLDG. 38TH FLOOR
SUITE 1
ROOM 115-B
202/224-2152
CHICAGO. IL 60604
SPRINGFIELD. IL 62701
CARBONDALE, IL 62901
TDD. 202/224-5469
312/353-4952
217/492-4960
618/457-3653
TDD: 312/786-0308
TDD: 217/544-7524
SIMON TELEVISION VIOLENCE LAW
ENACTED DECEMBER 1990
TITLE V-TELEVISION PROGRAM
Television
Program
IMPROVEMENT
Improvement
Act of 1990
SEC. 501. TELEVISION PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT.
47 USC 303c
(a) SHORT TITLE.-This section may be cited as the "Television
Program Improvement Act of 1990".
(b) DEFINITIONS.-For purposes of this section-
(1) the term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given it in
subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C.
12(a)), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal
Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such
section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition;
(2) the term "person in the television industry" means a
television network, any entity which produces programming
(including theatrical motion pictures) for telecasting or telecasts
programming, the National Cable Television Association, the
Association of Independent Television Stations, Incorporated,
the National Association of Broadcasters, the Motion Picture
Association of America, the Community Antenna Television
Association, and each of the retworks' affiliate organizations,
and shall include any individual acting on behalf of such
person; and
(3) the term "telecast" means-
(A) to broadcast by a television broadcast station; or
(B) to transmit by a cable television system or a satellite
television distribution service.
(c) EXEMPTION.-The antitrust laws shall not apply to any joint
discussion, consideration, review, action, or agreement by or among
persons in the television industry for the purpose of, and limited to,
developing and disseminating voluntary guidelines designed to
alleviate the negative impact of violence in telecast material.
(d) LIMITATIONS.-(1) The exemption provided in subsection (c)
shall not apply to any joint discussion, consideration, review, action,
or agreement which results in a boycott of any person.
104 STAT. 5128
PUBLIC LAW 101-650-DEC. 1, 1990
(2) The exemption provided in subsection (c) shall apply only to
any joint discussion, consideration, review, action, or agreement
engaged in only during the 3-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this section.
Office of Sen. Paul Simon, D-III.
Television Violence:
A Recent Chronology
DECEMBER 1, 1990: President George Bush signs Sen. Paul Simon's Television
Violence Act, exempting the television industry from federal antitrust limits for three
years to allow industry self-regulation to scale back depictions of violence in
entertainment programs through development of common standards affecting content.
The law covers broadcasters, the cable industry, Hollywood and others.
JUNE 30, 1992: Midway through the three-year Television Violence Act, in an address
on the floor of the United States Senate, Simon faults the television industry for its
inaction under the law. Simon suggests, the industry seems to be in a test-pattern,
hoping the law will lapse before the public notices."
DECEMBER 11,1992: Sen. Paul Simon announces first joint standards for the depiction
of violence in television programs on behalf of ABC, CBS and NBC. It 1 the first
substantial use of the Television Violence Act and will affect programming on the
networks beginning with the 1993-94 television season.
MAY 12, 1993: Sen. David Durenberger, R-Minn., introduces the Children's Television
Violence Protection Act of 1993 in the United States Senate. The bill would require
both television broadcast licensees and cable operators to notify viewers through the use
of a video and audio warning label that certain programming may contain violence or
unsafe gun practices and may adversely affect the mental or physical health of a child.
The bill is designed to assist parents and other adults in making responsible and informed
decisions about the programming children should watch.
MAY 12, 1993: The House Energy and Commerce telecommunications subcommittee
holds a hearing to coincide with the May sweeps period.
MAY 18, 1993: Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Rep. Richard Durbin, D-III., introduce
legislation to require the Federal Communications Commission to compile quarterly
reports on television violence. The reports would list programs containing the most acts
of violence and the companies purchasing advertising on such programs.
MAY 21, 1993: Simon convenes Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the
Constitution for a hearing on television violence which features for the first time
executives from the broadcast and cable segments of the television industry who
acknowledge that they are 'part of the problem of violence in American society.' They
release their fall 1993 programming schedules.
Thomas Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Capital Cities/ABC says "the increased
sensitivity of the American people to depictions of violence on television has led us to be
more sensitive in ordering shows for our new schedules."
Howard Stringer, president, CBS Broadcast Group, says: "We are guests in the living
rooms of America, so our personal values should be the most useful litmus test of taste
and the surest guide to decency and sensitivity."
George Vradenburg, executive vice president of Fox, Inc., the newest over-the-air
television broadcast services, suggests: "The hypothesis that televising certain kinds of
violent behavior may, in turn, affect public behaviors and attitudes is, to be, quite
plausible; and repetition of violence on television, one reasonably fears, can desensitize
us to violence in society."
JUNE 7, 1993: Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., announces formation of the Citizens Task
Force on TV Violence and launches a national petition drive to reduce TV violence.
Groups participating in the drive include the International Association of Chiefs of
Police, the National PTA, American Medical Association, National Foundation to
Improve Television, Americans for Responsible Television, National Council for
Children's TV and Media, American Psychological Association, American Academy of
Pediatrics, National Council of Churches, American Psychiatric Association, American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, American Nurses Association -
American Academy of Nursing, National Association of Elementary School Principals,
Alliance Against Violence in Entertainment for Children, the National Association of
Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Social Workers. Signatures
acquired during the petition drive will be presented to television, cable and movie
executives at a meeting August 2nd in Los Angeles by Conrad.
JUNE 8, 1993: Simon continues oversight hearings on use of the Television Violence
Act. Studio executives testify about Hollywood's contributions to television violence and
are asked what their industry intends to do about it.
The president of the leading manufacturer of television programming in Hollywood,
Leslie Moonves of Lorimar Television (with 33 pilots in 1992-1993 alone), explains the
entertainment industry is an extraordinarily collaborative business involving the studios,
the writers, the networks and advertisers. Each represents a vital component of the
industry and working together, can improve programming offered to American
households.
Stephen Palley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of King World
Productions, one of the nation's leading syndicators of first-run original television
programming, concludes "The American public has, through its viewing preferences and
habits, made clear that gratuitous or excessive violence on television programs is
unacceptable. As corporate and individual citizens with families, we share that judgment;
and we - and the television stations which air our shows -- exercise our editorial
discretion consistent with that principle."
JUNE 24, 1993: The House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee holds its
second hearing. Ted Turner, chairman of Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc., says he is
convinced that TV violence is a direct cause of the street violence that he says makes
U.S. society "by far the most violent on earth." Turner says his company and
broadcasters airing violent programs are guilty of "murder." Turner contends that if the
entertainment industry fails to voluntarily cut violent programming, Congress should write
its own anti-violence statute and "ram it down their throats." Turner contends "television
violence is the single most significant factor contributing to violence in America."
JUNE 30, 1993: Sen Paul Simon convenes news conference with Rep. Edward Market
and executives from NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox, and Jack Valenti to announce the
implementation by the networks of the advance parental advisory plan for the next two
years. Beginning with their programming this fall, the networks will label violence-prone
shows with an eight-word advisory: "Due to some violent content, parental discretion
advised."
Each network will decide for itself when to issue the advisory. It will run at the
beginning of the program and during commercial breaks, and also will be included in
advertising and promotional material for the program as well as being offered to
newspapers and magazines that print television schedules.
Simon calls the parental warning label "a significant step in the direction of assuring that
a powerful medium can be a force for good in our society."
JULY 1, 1993: A House Energy and Commerce telecommunications subcommittee
hearing examines the parental warning program. Some lawmakers suggest the warnings
need to be accompanied by technology enabling parents to block certain shows they
deem unsuitable for children. The latest technological development to accomplish this is
the so-called v-chip, a concept envisioned by Rep. Markey, which could be inserted into
new tv sets.
MPAA president Jack Valenti says that as configured, the v-chip would encourage
parents to block all violent programs without proper consideration. "I'm opposed to
indictment without appraisal," he tells the panel. "Parental discretion means it ought to
be done individually."
JULY 29, 1993: The National Cable Television Association announces that 15 cable
networks will join broadcast networks in implementing the Advance Parental Advisory
program for violent programs.
-30-
Los Angeles Times
TELEVISION
7-18-93
Caging the Beast, Continued
Are the networks serious about curbing violence? An upcoming meeting looms as a key test, as a wary Congress awaits action
By DANIEL CERONE
industry will att down in a room, a rather
through Capitol Hill with all the speed and
and violence." A Times Mirror survey
public room. and look for solutions to
momentum of an avalanche.
Dubsequently found that 80% of Americans
E
ver since Sen. Paul Simon (D-m.)
violence. Easy and facile solutions might
Although violence in news and sports is
believe TV violence IS harmful to society.
turned on a hotel television set in
not be the best ones."
also of concern. the main assault has been
and 72% believe there is too much violence
1985 and saw a movie in which a body
That attitude riles industry critics. "T've
on gratuitous, glorified maybem in enter-
in entertainment programming
being dismembered with a chain saw,
just lost all patience, and I think ever, cody
tainment programming-TV movies. the-
. In May. a wave of Democratic poliu-
he has been on a personal crusade to clean
else has too." said Rep. John Bryant
atrical movies and reality-based crime
clans convened a dramatic series of
up violence on television. For several years
(D-Tex.). -I don't know why everyone
series-that portray people using force to
gressional hearings on the subject. They
he compled mountains of research to give
wants to spend the day in a group grope
deal with crises. In the last eight months.
were backed by three decades of volumn-
weight to his urgent measage: that the
discussing a subject that's obvious to ev.
the attacks have become relentless:
nous research indicating that TV violence
alarming rise of violence in society can be
erybody already."
. in November, President-elect Clinton
iseds to more aggressive behavior -
y linked to the rise of violence on
said in a TV Guide interview that be was
viewers, plus new studies citing a rise ID
television.
1 there was ever an industry in need of a
"mortified" by some of what as shown on
violence on television today. During
of
In December. 1990. Simon used his
quick fix, this is a. Controversy over the
television and that Hollywood should take
the hearings. acting Federal Communica-
information to persuade lawmakers in
effect of TV violence has snowballed
the lead in "deglamorizing mindless sex
tions Commission Chairman James Quello
Washington to pass what amounted to a
voiced his support for imposing strict
challenge-signed into law by President
an when programs with violence could be
Bush-giving the TV industry
shown.
years to clean up its act. or else have
. Last month. 19 major organizations.
the government step in and do IL
including the National PTA. the American
After 2½ years of virtual silence, Holly-
Medical Assn. and the National Council of
is suddenly responding to what
Churches. formed a letter-writing Citizens
Task Force to combat TV violence.
says.
The top brass at CBS. ABC. NBC and Fox
All the while. a growing number of bills
to Washington last month and an-
have been introduced that-if enacted-
that beginning this fall. the
stem likely to pit Hollywood against
or vorks will voluntarily attach parental-
Washington in a monumental battle
ad: aory labels to TV series and movie.
First Amendment rights.
that contain what the networks deem to be
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).
a high level of violence.
chairman of the telecommunications
finance subcommittee of the House
in two weeks. an unprecedented
meeting of media minds will take
and Commerce Committee. has proposed a
in Los Angeles when key members of
TV-ratings system similar to the one
the broadcast and cable TV industries set
by theatrical movies and a government-
mandated device on new TV asts that
down together in a daylong conference.
would let parents lock OUR violent pro-
organized by the National Council for
gramming. Other anti-violence bills
to
Families & Television. or NCFT. to explore
toughen the license-renewal process for
the effect of violent TV programming on
TV stations. to remove tax breaks for
society-especially children.
advertisers and to issue a quarterly "vio-
Coming in the wake of highly charged
sence report card" to shame the program-
congressional hearings on TV violence-
mers and advertisers behind violent
which cable magul Ted Turner
Tm trying to make 11 a health
bested even the harshest congressional
said Rep. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.).
critic by referring to himself and other TV
who authored a ball calling for a presiden-
programmers as murderers-and with the
tini commission to seek solutions to the
end deadline set by Simon's bill only
problem. -1 think we're at the stage
months away. the AUE. 2 conference has
cigarettes were 30 years ago-before the
taken on nearly epic significance. The
surgeon general issued his study but when
networks' warning label has served only to
there were private studies that started to
greater attention on the meeting.
show quite conclusively that smoking
the Lag is aimed at identifying vio-
bad for you."
lence. not reducing IL, as the critics insist is
necessary.
W
hat Simon essentially had in
But conflicting expectations seem certain
with his 1990 Television Violence
to undermine any chance of accord.
Act-which granted the programmers and
For Simon and other lawmakers who
producers immunity from federal anutrust
have been waiting for the industry to act
prosecution so they could meet voluntarily
the law was passed in 1990. the
and devise a plan to self-regulate
conference represents the end of one phase
industry-was a temporary cease-fire be-
in a battle against TV violence that has
waged in some form almost since the
FOR
tween the network. cat' and syndication
competitors to hammer out an agreement.
medium's inception. Many express a desire
right down to what kind of violence could
to see some concrete plan of action emerge.
be portrayed on the screen.
For Hollywood. however. the conference is
The net vorks' first response to Congress
only a beginning step in defining the
came last December. when. in an unusual
problem and the industry's role in IL
joint letter to Simon. ABC. CBS and NBC
"I'm concerned that an unfair burden
agreed to issue a uniform set of guidelines
may be placed on this conference by
for the depiction of violence and LO convene
expecting to find the magic pill in one day."
an industry wide conference about the sub.
said Bill Allen. president of MTM Televi-
jeel When the 15-point set of standards
sion and vice chairman of the nonprofit
was released-including "all depictions of
NCFT. "This is the first time the entire TV
JULIETTE BORDA Per The Tunes
Please see Page 74
VISION
Violence
The NCFT has been putting on
annual TV conferences for 15
years. usually small. two-day re-
Continued from Page 3
treats in Santa Barbara to sensitize
violence should be relevant and
the 100 or so producers, writers
0
necessary to the development of
and network executives in attend-
character, or to the advancement
ance on how to responsibly portray
of theme or plot" and "depictions of
such subjects as health. education
violence may not be used to shock
and drug abuse.
or stimulate the audience"-critics
This year. network executives
quickly dismissed them because
asked the organization to inde-
they contained no notable differ-
pendently organize a meeting on
ences from the standards already
violence. The program was com-
in place at each network.
pressed to one day to accommodate
Similarly. last month's press
the nearly 500 members of the
conference announcing an experi-
broadcasting. cable. production and
mental. two-year "advance parent
distribution communities who are
advisory plan" failed to impress the
expected to attend.
critics. The advisories will run
"The essential goal of the vio-
before and during entertainment
lence conference is to educate
programs whose "violent content is
people about ways in which vio-
unexpected, graphic or pervasive"
lence on television is being per-
to help parents make informed
celved by viewers and the impact
decisions about what to let their
that It's having on viewers." said
children watch Politicians and ac-
Geoff Cowan. a public-interest
tivist groups say the networks are
lawyer and lecturer on mass media
simply using the labels to abandon
and law at UCLA who also serves
their responsibility as caretakers of
as a vice chairman of the NCFT.
the public airwaves by tossing the
The first morning session at the
problem back to parents. rather
Beverly Hilton Hotel will call on
than addressing it through pro-
academics and researchers to ex-
gramming
plain their studies, to be followed
The networks have made noises
by another morning session to
in the past about dealing with this
focus on the effects of TV violence
violence problem." Rep. Ron Wy-
on children. The afternoon session
den (D-Ore.) said with a sigh. "If
will be a sort of Socratic dialogue
you look at the history of this issue,
between TV industry leaders and
you will see that Congress would
anti-violence activists. For the
focus and the networks would
first time, the press has been
respond with rhetoric. But I don't
invited to cover the conference
think anyone is going to be fooled
Cowan hopes the meetings will
this time. It's got to be more than
serve a dual purpose by guiding
some catchy oratory at a press
network executives in what kind of
conference."
projects they order into production.
After the cool reception of the
while suggesting ways for the
parentel-advisory labels, the Aug.
creative community to avoid
2 conference has become what
showing gratuitous violence. Cow
might be the last chance for Holly-
an agrees that having a set of
wood to show Washington its com-
milment before Simon's grace pe-
standards simply isn't enough
riod runs out in December.
"That's not the real problem." he
"I think the networks figure that
said. "Standards and practices (de
the attention span of Congress is
partments) tell you what to keep
short. that this issue has been
out of a movie once you've ordered
battered around for 30 to 40 years.
a movie about a murder. They can
that if they can fly by this period
all agree what to keep out of the
with fairly minimal or modest
Amy Fisher story. but there is still
steps, then Congress will go away
a problem that all three (major)
and think about something else."
networks ordered the Amy Fisher
Wyden said. "My own sense is that
story.
this is the time. The public is up in
"A lot of great human themes
arms. Congress has extended the
deal with violence. The problem
olive branch. Now it's time for the
with movies for television is not
networks and broadcast people to
that they have some violence in
show they're serious."
them. but the themes are themes of
current perversity. rather than
B
ut the networks maintain that
themes of great human impor-
they have already demon-
tance. I don't think we would have
strated their seriousness by ar-
people in Washington, or in their
ranging this conference to raise
homes throughout America. com-
awareness, by agreeing to affix
plaining about violence in 'Roots'
labels where necessary and by
or 'Holocaust' or "Winds of War
affirming in general their intention
even though they have significant
to "eliminate inappropriate depic-
violence."
tions of violence." They say they
MTM President Allen says it is
are not planning any more joint
unrealistic to expect that solutions
actions to address the subject be-
can be found to such vexing prob-
fore or even after the meeting-
lems in a day. "People may come
although they have not completely
up with very interesting ideas at
closed the door to the possibility.
this conference, which will require
"We can't say nothing will happen
some thought and refinement." he
after the conference." said a senior
argues. "Television 18 created by a
executive at one of the networks.
creative process of thought and
"Someone may have an idea at the
refinement. and that's how I expect
conference that's so brilliant
this problem to be dealt with-in-
but that's not the idea behind the
stead of hoping that by 5 p.m. at
conference.
Please see Page 76
Violence
said Rosalyn Weinman. vice prest-
As part of an action plan that
dent of broadcast standards for
includes participating in the Aug 2
NBC.
conference. cable networks have
Continued from Page 74
For instance, NBC recently cre.
agreed to develop their own sets of
ated two different versions of a
the close of the conference we can
Internal standards by the end of
hand out the answer.'
promo for the theatrical movie
the year. A study commissioned by
David Grant. executive vice
"Mobsters"-a tame version for
the National Cable Television
president of business operations for
the early evening and a more
Assn. concluded in January that
Fox. has a lot of questions he would
graphic one for late at night And
"when all kinds of dramatic pro-
like answered at the meeting:
even though a movie about a
grams are taken into account. the
"What happens to kids when they
substitute teacher killing students
level of violence on cable-originat-
watch violent programs? is there a
would deliver huge ratings, Wein-
ed programming is about the same
difference between action and vio-
man said. NBC not long ago reject-
as the violence on broadcast net-
lence? Is the impact on people the
ad that exact movie pitch. which
work programming."
same when a robot blows up as
was picked up later as a feature
when a person is shot? 1 want to
film
know those things.
T
the critics, however, that's
"We have been much more care-
too tittle, too late. So too may be
"Violence in dramatic works has
ful and sensitive to the (violence)
the conference.
been around forever." explained
tasue." she said. "There have been
"I think the underlying reason
Grant. who says he is making
a lot of discussions about how to
for this meeting is to call the dogs
attendance mandatory for many
filter n down to the program level.
off, to get the government off their
Fox executives. "What we need to
And we ourselves are trying to do
back. to go through the motions of
do is meld our responsibility with
this in a thoughtful way. and not in
pleasing Sen. Simon," said Terry
our sense of dramatic creation. and
a knee-jerk reaction."
Rakolta, founder of Americans for
not go nuts one way or another."
Responsible TV. a grass-roots or-
The networks have maintained
1 nothing else comes out of the
ganization that claims 200,000
for the most part that they do not
NCFT conference, all agree that
members. Rakolta. who advocates
show excessive violence-which is
there clearly needs to be a better
benning violent programs between
why the new parental-advisory
definition of violence If Washing-
4 and 9 p.m. will be a panelist at
"warnings are not expected to be
ton and Hollywood are ever going
the conference.
seen much in their fall program-
to come together.
She sees the whole NCFT event
ming. Most of their weekly series
A recent study by George Gerb-
as a smoke screen: "There is a
are benign comedies, executives
ner. a professor at the University
valied threat of government inter-
point out. and their standards de-
of Pennsylvania's Annenberg
vention if they don't come up with
partments edit inappropriate mate-
School for Communication, found
something soon."
nal from drama series and movies.
that the average 16-year-old in
And what if the industry can't.
So the networks seem to be
America has watched 200,000 acts
or won't come up with a satisfac-
approaching the conference wan-
of violence on TV. including 33,000
tory solution for the lawmakers?
ly. They resoundingly reject the
murders. The study said that Sat-
The conference is a useful dis-
concept of a ratings system or any
urday morning cartoons are among
cussion, but I honestly don't have
plan that would dictate what they
the worst offenders.
high hopes that the industry.
can or can't put on the screen.
For that reason. Geraldine Lay-
whose behavior is fueled by the
"The decr -making process is
bourne, president of the children's
competitive juices to win ratings.
subjective. and in a free. democrat-
cable channel Nickelodeon, has a
will ever be able to resist the more
ie society needs to remain so." said
problem with studies that attempt
sensational, more violent television
Beth Bressan, vice president of the
to quantify violence. She recalls
programming." said Sen. Byron L
CBS Broadcast Group. The pro-
her network once being cited for
Dorgan (D-N.D.). He is one of
gess is also a creative one. To be too
excessive violence in "You Can't
several lawmakers who expressed
mechanistic in our approach will
Do That on Television." a slapstick
a clear intention to no ahead and
only inhibit creativity and stop
series for kids.
press legal solutions if the NCFT
diverse programming."
"They said we had the same
conference does not yield a firm
Christine Hikawa. vice president
number of violent acts as a movie
plan of action.
of standards and practices at ABC,
of the week that had decapita-
7 think it's likely that some
believes the networks have be-
tions." said Laybourne. who is also
legislation will move." be said.
come scapegoats. "Because people
a panelist at the conference. "They
Bob Peck, a legal counselor for
are very concerned with violence
counted a pie in the lace the same
the American Civil Liberties Un-
in society, as we are, we think
as a decapitation. To me, it was so
there's a greater perception of
ludicrous." Gerbner's "Violence
ton, said that any federal legisla-
violence on TV," she said.
Index" defines violence as any
tion attempting to govern the air-
waves won't wash. "It can't,
In addition. Hikawa believes the
"clear-cut and overt episodes of
physical violence-burting or hill-
constitutionally." be said. "As soon
growth of cable television has
added to that perception. There
ing or the threat of hurting and/or
M they say what people can say.
appears to be more violence on TV
killing-tn any context"
read or see through their television
because now there are 36 channels
Another key function the con-
sets, then they're engaging in cen-
sorship. which the First Amend-
to choose from." she explained
ference may serve is to pull to-
ment clearly protects against."
"Quite frankly. the networks have
gether the broadcast and cable
The Federal Communications
less violence than ever before."
communities So far. the cable
Commission has a regulation pro-
According to Sen Simon. how.
programmers have remained
hibiting radio and TV stations from
ever. many TV executives have
largely unscathed because cable is
broadcasting sexually explicit,
privately acknowledged to him
an unregulated service that people
indecent programming between
over the years that too much
pay to bring into their homes.
6 a.m. and 8 p.m. when children
violence is coming out of the tube.
whereas broadcasters are licensed
are likely to be in the audience. and
The dilemma is that violence often
by the federal government to use
means ratings. and if network pro-
the public airwaves.
there has been talk of creating
grammers lose their guts-both on
"Right now there are not very
similar legislation for violent pro-
gramming But Peck said even the
screen and off-then other net-
many cable entities out there using
indecency ruling has been tough to
works. syndicators or cable servic-
any standards or guidelines."
enforce in court.
es will hold the competitive edge.
sniped CBS' Bressan. "When there
"The fact of the matter remains
TV producers. in turn. say they
are so many cable outlets out there
that the most powerful restraint on
make violent programs because
saying. in effect, 'Come watch us
television programming remains
that's what the networks order.
because we do not self-regulate.'
the viewers." he said "What they
The networks have been much
how much of the television land-
will watch and won't watch has
more cautious in recent months as
scape IS really going to change? It's
more effect than anything that
a result of the heightened focus on
very unfair LO say the networks
Washington will pass."
violence. they're simply not gel.
should do more when the networks
jing credit for the behind-the-
are the only ones who have done
Daniel Cerone is a Times stuff
scenes decisions they're making
anything to date.'
writer
70 SL NDAY. JULY 18. 199)
Thu Jul 29 1993 7:06:51 pm p. 1
13 REU 07-29-93 15:49 EST 89 Lines. Copyright 1993. All rights reserved.
AM-TELEVISION-VIOLENCE (SCHEDULED)
TELEVISION 'SUMMIT' WILL SPOTLIGHT VIOLENCE ON SMALL SCREEN
By Michael Miller
LOS ANGELES (Reuter) - Key members of the four major
television networks and representatives of the cable industry
will meet in an unprecedented media summit to explore the
effects of TV violence on society, particularly children.
The conference, to be held Monday in Los Angeles, comes
under mounting pressure from Washington for the industry to
tone down violence on a voluntary basis, or be forced to do so
by a welter of legislation waiting in the wings on Capitol
Hill.
In December 1990, then-President Bush signed into law
Democratic Sen. Paul Simon's Television Violence Act which, in
effect, gave the television industry three years to clean up
its act, or have the government do it.
With the December 1993 deadline fast approaching, the four
networks, ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, announced last month a
voluntary parental advisory which they would attach to programs
containing violent scenes so parents could use their discretion
as to whether those programs should be seen by their children.
Monday's conference, which will be attended by academics and
public watchdog groups critical of the industry's efforts to
clean up its act, as well as by writers, producers and
television executives, is E. pected to focus, at least in part,
on the new advisories, which will be introduced in the Fall
season.
Simon, one of the television industry's most powerful
critics, who will address Monday's conference, said of the
survey: ' `We hope it is a hint of things to come.''
The 1990 Television Violence Act which he drafted granted
television programmers and producers immunity from Federal
antitrust prosecution for three years so they could meet
voluntarily and devise a plan to self-regulate their industry.
It was seen as a temporary cease-fire between the network,
cable and syndication competitors in order for them to reach an
agreement on how the industry should be run, including how much
violence could be portrayed on television.
Critics of the advisory system drawn up in June by the
networks argue the industry is merely paying lip service to
nationwide concerns over gratuitous scenes of sex and violence.
They also argue that `parental empowerment, as the
networks describe the advisories, merely transfers the
responsibility from the networks to parents, and that the
networks have no intention of reducing violent programming.
I anticipate a lively discussion, said Geoffrey Cowan, a
vice president of the National Council for Families and
Television, an education body that organized the conference.
Although critics of the conference have said it cannot
Thu Jul 29 1993 7:06:51 pm p. 2
succeed in reducing TV violence in just one day, Cowan, a
lawyer, Emmy Award-winning movie producer and lecturer in
communications at the University of California at Los Angeles,
disagreed.
This conference will have an impact. It will have
succeeded if it makes the people in this industry that much
more knowledgeable about the ways in which programming has an
impact on society and what they can do about it,'' he said.
The industry received a boost earlier this week with the
release of a study by the University of Pennsylvania showing
that the frequency of violen. scenes on television was now
about 50 percent less than before 1990.
Cowan, who won an Emmy last year for Best Prime Time
Programming for Children for his made-for-TV movie ``Mark Twain
and Me,'' said he believed Monday's conference would not only
result in even less violence but it may encourage the industry
to be more concerned with themes that tend to reduce violence.
But others remain skeptical. Democratic Rep. John Bryant of
Texas, in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, said
he had lost all patience with the television industry over its
inaction on reducing violence.
``I don't know why everyone wants to spend the day (Monday)
in a group grope discussing a subject that's obvious to
everyone already," he said.
In November last year then President-elect Clinton also put
the spotlight on television violence, decla ng in an interview
with TV Guide that he was ``mortified'' by what was being shown
on TV and calling on Hollywood to take the lead in
deglamorizing mindless sex and violence.'
Although the industry established a uniform, 15-point set of
guidelines on violence a month after Clinton's interview,
critics have been quick to point out they are no different to
the in-house guidelines already in place at each network and do
not advocate a reduction in violence.
REUTER
Washington Post
7-30-93
Cable to Air
Violence
Cable Adopts
work has occasionally aired warnings in the past,
Warnings
she said.
The USA Network has carried advisories
warning of mature subject matter or adult situa-
15 Networks Agree
Advisory
tions for about 10 years but has never had a vio-
lence warning, according to spokesman Dan
To Parental Advisory
Martinsen. He said no programs have yet been
designated to carry the new advisory.
CABLE. From GI
Peggy Binzel, director of government affairs
they can to head off any congressional restric-
for Turner Broadcasting, said although her net-
By Ellen Edwards
tions. They are particularly afraid that Congress
work edits movies "heavily" for violence, some
Washington Post Staff Writer
might require a "V-chip," a device within a TV
might still merit the warning. She cited some
The major players in cable televi-
that parents could activate to blank out any pro-
Clint Eastwood movies as an example.
following the lead of the broad-
grams that the networks coded as violent.
"Pretty 800 labels will get so ubiquitous that
networks, yesterday agreed to
The cole label, identical to what the broad-
we will pay as I ttle attention to them as we do to
air a warning to parents on violent
cast networks have adopted, will say: "Due to
the warnings on tobacco advertising," said Peggy
programs.
some violent content, parental discretion ad-
Charren, founder of the watchdog group Action
Fifteen networks-including
vised." Networks are free to go beyond this basic
for Children's Television, who has criticized la-
HBO, Showtime, USA, the Disney
language: HBO, for one, is likely to make its ad-
beling as ineffective.
Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, A&E,
visories more explicit, perhaps describing the
Cable has long been viewed as a worse offend-
the Discovery Channel and the
acts of violence.
er in airing violent programs than broadcast tele-
Turner Entertainment Networks-
Like movie ratings, the label is an attempt at
vision. A recent study commissioned by the Na-
accepted the advisory, which could
self-regulation by an industry that has come un-
tional Cable Television Association showed that
be applied to anything shown on ta-
der widespread criticism in the last several
to be true for cable-originated dramatic pro-
ble, including movies. The criteria
months, especially after the unusually bloody
grams, but not for children's shows.
determining what is violent will
May ratings sweeps.
The study excluded any programs or movies
be left up to each network.
In fact, its effect may be very limited. Many of
that were not made specifically for cable, such as
While the agreement was en-
the cable networks already air a variety of dis-
feature-length movies, which are often consider-
dorsed by Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.),
claimers. HBO and Showtime, for example, show
ably more violent than other fare and are the sta-
of Capitol Hill's most vocal crit-
the Motion Picture Association of America rat-
ple of some cable networks. The study was done
ics of television violence, he said in a
ings for feature movies, as well as advisories for
by George Gerbner of the University of Pennsyl-
statement that "labeling violence is
sex, violence and language. HBO has carried dis-
vania's Annenberg School for Communication.
more of a bandage than a real cure.
claimers for 15 years, said spokesman Quentin
Lipscomb said the cable networks were not in-
The best solution still is to reduce
Schaffer. He said the spy movie "Blue Ice," which
vited to join the broadcast networks when they
the overall levels of violence on tele-
will air this fall, would carry a disclaimer, as does
made their original announcement, though they
vision."
the Tales From the Crypt" anthology.
were encouraged to do so afterward. He said he
The action, announced by the Na-
On Showtime, the film noir series "Fallen An-
thought that because cable has aired advisories
tional Cable Television Association,
gels," which begins Sunday night, will carry a
for years, "a number of the broadcasters felt
comes just days before an industry-
"mature advisory," said McAdory Lipscomb Jr.,
they had to catch up with cable in informing their
wide conference on television vio-
senior vice president for corporate affairs.
viewers."
lence to be held in Los Angeles.
MTV spokesman Carole Robinson said every
Representatives of cable companies have been
"You want to come in with some-
video submitted for airing is reviewed by a stan-
meeting under the Television Violence Act,
thing concrete agreed upon," said
dards committee, and "gratuitous violence is not
sponsored by Simon, which waived antitrust laws
cable spokesman.
something you would see on MTV." The net-
to permit discussions on the subject.
The networks and the producers
of television programs are doing all
See CABLE, G6. Col 1
news from
July 29 - Aug. 5, 1993
PAUL SIMON
CONTACT: David Carle
202-224-7115
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
Simon Welcomes Cable Plan
for Advance Parental Advisories on TV Violence
Sen. Paul Simon has endorsed the decision by 15 cable networks
to adopt the Advance Parental Advisory Plan to forewarn viewers about
violent programs.
"I welcome this move and commend the decision-makers at the
cable networks who have made this a priority," said Simon, D-III.
"Informing viewers with these messages is a step forward, but labeling
violence is more of a bandage than a real cure. The best solution still is
to reduce the overall levels of violence on television."
The 15 cable networks announced July 29 that they will join the
program, which includes advisory messages that will accompany
especially violent programs and the commitment to provide advance
listings of shows with advisory messages. According to officials at the
participating networks, they will apply the review process to all programs.
The networks are: Arts and Entertainment, USA Networks, TNT,
Showtime, Nickelodeon, Nick-at-Nite, Comedy Central, The Disney
Channel, The Family Channel, Home Box Office, Lifetime, The Discovery
Channel, The Learning Channel, MTV Networks, and the (additional)
Turner Entertainment Networks.
The announcement came on the eve of the unprecedented
industrywide conference on television violence set for Monday, Aug. 2, in
Los Angeles. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC announced the advisory plan on
June 30. The system - and the industrywide conference - are made
possible under the Television Violence Act, which waives antitrust laws
for three years to permit joint industry efforts to curb television violence.
Simon is the author of the law, which expires Dec. 1, and was invited to
offer the keynote speech to the conference.
-30-
news from
July 28 - Aug. 4, 1993
PAUL SIMON
CONTACT: David Carle
202-224-7115
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
Simon: New TV Violence Data
Offered 'Hint of Change'
On Eve of Industrywide Conference
A new report showing a slight dip in prime time TV violence added "cautious
optimism" to efforts to address the issue on the eve of an unprecedented industrywide
conference on the subject, Sen. Paul Simon said July 28.
The report, compiled by a team led by Dr. George Gerbner of the University of
Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, tracks violence on three
broadcast networks for three viewing seasons, including the current season. Gerbner
has documented violence on television longer than any other researcher.
Gerbner credits some of the decline to the Television Violence Act, a three-year
waiver of antitrust laws to allow joint efforts by the television Industry to reduce
violence on television. Simon, D-m., authored the law and is its chief Senate sponsor;
chief House sponsor of the law is Rep. Dan Glickman, D-Kan. The broadcast
networks used the Simon law last December to develop and implement their first joint
standards on violence and was used again June 30 for a system of advance parental
advisory messages that ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will initiate this fall for violent
programs. The law also made possible the Aug. 2nd industrywide meeting.
"This report brings us back to the basic issue: There is too much violence
overall on television," said Simon. "Labeling will be helpful to a degree. But the real
answer is to reduce the levels of violence on television. For that, self-regulation - not
government censorship - is the best solution. In the final months of the Television
Violence Act. the broadcast networks have taken Initiative and accepted responsibility
that remains lacking among others in the industry, up to now, cable in particular.
"On the eve of the conference, it's now possible to speculate that the era of
Indifference may be ending," Simon continued. "The Industry is getti: ; the message
from the public, from the research community and from the Congress that television
violence contributes to violence in our society. 1 take this modest decline as a hopeful
sign and as a hint of the lasting change we hope to eventually see on this problem.
"There's nothing fundamentally new in these figures. Just the hint of change.
But, for the first time, we have reason to hope that the next survey will be significantly
different. On the basis of the steps that already have been taken, my guess is that
these numbers a year from now will be noticeably better, for the new fall season on
the broadcast networks," he said. "We should not expect dramatic, overnight
solutions. A large industry, like a ship, has to slow down before it changes course.
"Three years ago, we urged the Industry to use this window of opportunity for
self-regulation under the Television Violence Act," said Simon. "For the first two years,
we saw very little acceptance of responsibility for self-regulation. But we've now come
farther in six months than in the previous six years of working on this issue. As we
head into this conference, I'm hopeful; but I'm cautiously hopeful. We shouldn't hope
for too much from this conference, but we also should not hope for too little."
-30-
PENN NEWS
For Immediate release
Contact: Klrby F. Smith
July 28, 1983
(215) 898-4820 (office)
(215) 649-5734 (home)
TELEVISION VIOLENCE ACT HAS MADE AN IMPACT:
PENN STUDY FINDS VIOLENCE HAS DECLINED
ON MAJOR NETWORK DRAMATIC SHOWS
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Television Violance Act, passed by Congress in 1990 and due to
expire December 1 of this year, seems to have made a dent in the high levels of violence in major
network dramatic programs. The Act exempts broadcasters and cable operators from antitrust action for
the purpose of joint Industry efforts to reduce violence.
The Cultural Indicators research team at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for
Communication released today its falest Violence Index, which shows that prime-time dramatic program
violence dipped in the 1969-90 season and, despite some fluotuation, has remained below its 20-year
average. Saturday moming children's programs became somewhat less violent only last year.
"Beyond these numbers are the lessons of the kind of violence discharged into the cultural
environment," said George Gerbner, leader of the Cultural Indicators research team releasing the study.
"Most of this is "happy violence', which teaches that cool and painless mayhem leads to a happy ending.
This is not an expression of creative freedom but of marketing formulas Imposed on producers," said
Garbner.
The report is an update of the Violence Profile released periodically since 1967. E finds that 65
percent of prime-time fictional dramatic programs and nearty half of their casts are still Involved in
violence. But the frequency of violent sosnes per hour is about half of what It had been before 1990. The
Violence Index, a composite of several measures of violence developed for comparative purposes, shows
a slight decline since 1990.
Saturday morning children's programs, traditionally the most violent, saw a slower, uneven
decline. More than 9 out of 10 programs and 8 out of 10 characters are still Involved in violence. But
while children's programs in 1990 were saturated with a record high of 32 violent scenes per hour, by
1992-93 that rate declined to 18 violent scenes per hour. AI measures of violence, however, did not
share in the decline, and the current Violence Index is slightly higher than last years.
Another study conducted by the Penn researchers focused on violence in cable-originated
programs (those produced by cable networks rather than all programs carried by them) for the 1990-91
season. Cable-originated children's programs had substantially less violence than children's programs
broadcast on the networks. On the other hand, cable-originated general programming and particularly
action programs were more violent than similar programs broadcast on the networks.
in all of these studies violence was defined as overt physical action that hurts or kils, or threatens
to do so. A violent scene was defined as continuous violent action among the same characters. Trained
coders analyzed week-long videotaped samples of each seasor's
dramatic programs.
The Violence Profile also Includes results of the investigation of the consequences of long-term
exposure to violsnce-laden television. The results show that heavy viewers are more Maly than
comparable groups of light viewers to express feelings of living in a mean world, and the inclination to act
accordingly. "Thet of course affects different groups in different ways," commented George Gerbner.
"Violence is a demonstration of power. It shows who can get away with what against whom. R means
power for some and vulnerability for others. That is its most pervasive and Invidious leason."
The Cultural Indicators research project consists of monitoring network television programs and
determining their contributions to viewer perceptions of social reality. a is broadly based and designed to
collect observations on the role and functions of many aspects of life presented on television, Including
health-raisted behaviors, women and minorities, violence, religion, science, aging, disability, aducation,
children and adolescents. A comprehensive report of the last 20 years is expected in early 1994.
Collaborating with Gerbrier in the Cultural Indicators project are Michael Morgan of the University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Nancy Signorielli of the University of Delaware. Cynthia Kandra and
Nojat Ozyegin assisted in the preparation of the report.
The Cultural Indicators research project began in 1967-68 with a study for the National
Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. it continued under the sponsorship of the
Surgeon General's Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior, the National institute
of Mental Health, The White House Office of Telecommunications Policy, the American Medical
Association, the U.S. Administration on Aging, the National Science Foundation, the W. Alton Jones
Foundation, the Screen Actors' Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the
National Cable Television Association, the Tumer Broadcasting System, the U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights, the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the
U.S. Public Health Service.
-
Note to print and broadcast lou mallats: For a copy of the Violence Profile report, please call George
Gerbner (Annenberg School) at (215) 696-6776 or Kirby F. Smith (News and Public Affairs) at (215) 898-
4820.
Figure 1: Violence Index of Television Networks Prime Time and
350
Saturday Merning Dramatic Programs (1973 1: 1993)
300
Saturday Morning
250
200
150
100
Prime Time
50
1973-74
(874-75
1875-78
1976-77
1677-78
1878-70
1670-60
1860-01
1951-22
CO-SUB
1003-04
1864-85
1865-00
1866-67
1987-88
1960-80
1995-00
1000-01
1991-92
1992-53
TABLE 1: VIOLENCE IN
TELEVISION NETWORKS PRIME-TIME DRAMATIC PROGRAMS
(1973 - 1993)
Percent
Visient
Duration
Samples
af,progs
Stemes
afrid.
Characters
Violence
Season
Proma
Hrs
Chars
with vici.
per hr.
rela/ar.
av
5K
bades
1973-74
62
56.5
214
59.7
4.9
2.3
41.1
12.1
131.6
1974-75
se
60.0
224
77.6
5.5
2.0
58.5
20.5
178.8
1975-76
66
61.0
238
69.7
5.9
2.3
54.2
13.4
160.1
1976-77
61
58.5
172
80.3
5.8
3.3
67.4
12.2
182.8
1977-78
60
62.4
210
66.2
5.9
2.3
53.8
9.0
151.8
1978-79
63
63.0
191
74.6
4.5
1.5
52.9
7.9
153.5
1979-80
"
60.7
210
70.3
5.7
2.6
53.7
6.9
153.0
1980-81
64
59.2
229
73.4
5.7
2.5
50.7
4.8
150.9
1981-82
65
57.8
216
80.0
5.9
2.5
50.0
5.6
158.0
1982-83
77
50.6
247
$3.6
4.6
2.3
48.2
6.5
134.7
1983-84
63
58.8
195
73.0
4.8
2.9
53.3
9.7
154.4
1984-85
65
60.0
221
78.5
6.9
3.3
63.3
12.7
101.1
1985-86
67
61.5
217
79.1
6.8
2.6
58.5
11.1
175.0
1986-87
67
61.5
178
71.6
5.2
1.7
47.2
12.9
151.5
1987-88
75
63.3
188
74.7
5.1
1.6
58.0
7.4
158.9
1988-89
77
65.0
195
74.0
6.2
2.3
53.3
10.3
160.4
1989-90
69
56.3
174
56.5
4.7
1.1
40.2
10.9
124.8
1990-91
54
45.0
159
76.1
4.0
1.6
47.2
5.7
141.8
1991-92
61
50.5
166
62.3
5.1
1.8
49.4
11.4
141.6
1992-93
60
50.0
147
65.0
2.9
1.3
65.6
6.1
127.2
1973-93
1,306
1,173
3,999
71.2
5.3
2.2
52.3
9.9
153.7
Pgms: Number of programs
Hrs:
Number of program hours analyzed
Chars: Number of leading charasters
ev:
Percent of major characters involved in violance
EX:
Parment of major characters involved in killing
Violence Indax (VI)=
yet of progs with viol. + 2*(Violext par pgm) + *(Violent sounes per hr.) + " + us
TABLE 5: VIOLENCE IN
TELEVISION NETWORKS SATURDAY MORNING DRAMATIC PROGRAMS
(1973 - 1993)
Percent
Violent
Duration
Samples
of progs
Scenes
of viol
Characters
Violence
Season
Pgems
Hrs
Chars
with visi.
per hr.
min/hr.
%V
SK
Index
1973-74
37
18.7
145
94.5
13.2
3.4
77.2
0.7
212.2
1974-75
38
16.0
122
92.1
12.1
3.5
64.8
0.8
192.2
1975-76
45
16.3
126
91.1
16.3
4.6
84.9
0.9
221.1
1976-77
49
15.1
118
100.0
22.4
4.9
85.6
2.5
246.7
1977-78
53
16.5
145
90.6
15.5
4.0
77.2
0.0
208.8
1978-79
48
14.3
107
97.9
25.0
5.5
86.0
0.0
248.9
1979-80
62
16.5
163
91.9
17.2
3.4
74.8
0.0
210.3
1980-81
66
15.1
165
97.0
25.9
4.9
89.7
1.2
254.1
1981-82
69
13.5
186
91.3
30.9
6.1
83.9
0.0
249.2
1982-83
44
10.1
120
97.7
30.3
5.9
93.3
0.8
266.3
1983-04
54
13.7
142
92.6
25.5
6.0
80.3
0.0
237.0
1984-85
55
14.8
145
98.2
27.3
5.9
89.7
2.1
259.3
1985-86
53
15.3
149
92.5
21.3
3.2
75.8
0.7
223.9
1986-97
38
11.6
98
92.1
25.1
3.2
72.4
4.1
236.1
1987-88
36
13.3
85
100.0
25.5
4.8
72.9
0.0
242.7
1988-89
31
10.5
76
87.1
25.5
2.2
76.3
0.0
231.7
1990-91
60
9.7
90
82.5
32.0
3.9
78.9
3.3
244.4
1991-92
43
10.7
88
76.7
26.2
4.1
69.3
3.4
214.8
1992-93
31
10.5
63
90.3
17.9
3.3
51.0
0.0
219.2
1973-93
892
262
2,334
92.4
23.0
4.4
79.7
1.1
230.7
Pgas:
Number of programs
Hrs:
Number of program hours analysed
Chars: Number of leading characters
IV:
Percent of major characters involved in violence
UK:
Percent of major characters involved in killing
Violance Index (VI)=
Pet of progr with viol. + 2. (Violemt scenes par you) + 1*(Violent 500345 par hr.) + " + «
USA TODAY July 27, 1993
ABC hot line
tips off sensitive
subject matter
By Donna Gable
USA TODAY
Beginning Sunday, viewers
can call an 800 number to find
out what ABC shows they may
want to click off.
ABC's Advisory Hotline, 800-
213-6222, will be updated twice
a week with the title, air date
and summary of ABC prime-
time programs with sensitive
subject matter.
The network unvelled the
hot line Monday, a week be-
fore the industry hosts a meet-
ing on TV violence. The issue
has dominated the fall press
tour ongoing in Los Angeles.
Monday, ABC Entertain-
ment President Ted Harbert
told critics that his network's
movies will be less violent this
season. While be defended last
May's violent Murder in the
Heartland, about serial killer
Charles Starkweather, "If that
movie came to me tomorrow, I
don't think I'd pick it up."
Not that ABC will shy away
from murder stories, "but
we've got to find a different
way to do them."
ABC's new adult drama
NYPD Blue will not have a vio-
lence warning, but this adviso-
ry: "This police drama con-
tains adult language and
scenes of partial a View-
er discretion is advised."
Sen. Paul Simon, D-III., sees
the hot line as "another step" in
the war against TV violence.
And while labeling is help-
ful, "The best solution, still, is to
scale down the overall levels of
violence."
THE BASHINGTON POST
I.
AS
years ending next December au they
While some anti-violence activist.
Networks Acknowledge Effect of TV Violence
could jointly develop a way to deal
said the advisory label was a meager
with violence. Last December the
effort to deal with televised blood
networks agreed to some joint "prin-
lust, industry executives were also
TV VIOLENCE. From AI
Movies and other prime-time series
sated viewing audience will click
low a viewer to block out certain
ciples on the depiction of violence,"
criticued by Hollywood producers.
will be labeled on a case-by-case be
dependent stations or first-run sym-
their sets off? 'It's all subjective,"
programs to prevent children from
but that was not enough. At a hear-
They say the warning label could be
dicators, which attract about 40 per-
sis. The show Top Cops" has been
Valenti noted.
watching them. The warning label,
ing this past May, Sea. Howard
the first step toward censorship and
cent of the audience. "We urge the
canceled in part because of concerns
We don't want to turn the vast
which should be published in pro-
Metsenbaum (D-Ohio) warned the
render the networks less competi-
entire entertainment industry to fol-
about violence, said CBS's Howard
wasteland into the dull wasteland,"
gramming guides In advance of the
same panel of network presidents
tive against the no-holds-barred ca-
low our lead," said Warren: Little-
Stranger. Athletic events, news and
said Stringer, who seemed the most
shows' aur dates, would make it pos-
that 7 you just do nothing, and if
bie industry.
field, president of NBC Entertain-
children's programming are not COD-
sheptical of the five executives at
suble for a parent (at least a techno-
you just tell us you're doing some-
Markey said the warning system
ment. Ted Turner, head of Turner
sidered necessary to label, the net-
the press conference. "When anyone
logically literate one) to ait down on
thing while giving us the May
was "admittedly crude," but, coupled
Broadcasting. has agreed to join the
work executives said.
starts talking about the next step, I
a Sunday afternoon and block out all
sweeps we're going to come
with the V-chip blocking system,
warning trial. A television success
The networks expect to lose mon-
start to get nervous. h is the nature
the programs in the coming week
down harder on you then you would
would "empower" parents to reduce
conference has been scheduled for
ey as a result of the warning label,
of violence and the absence of capse-
that alse did not want her children to
like INS to da."
the number of violent acts chidren
ANE 2 in Los Angeles to discuss the
the executives and, because adver-
quences that we are concerned
watch. Markey will be holding a
That day the executives had
are exposed to He noted that in
I
tisers may be any of shows labeled
about. We have, in effect, deperson-
hearing at 9 this morning in the Ray-
shown up with their new fall sched-
both the 1950s and 1960a. hearings
More than 3,000 studies have
I
alised violence. There is as grief, no
burn Building to examine this tech-
ulss, which appear to include fewer
had been convened to examine take-
been conducted in the past four do-
The hey questions that may be as
remores, no feelings. That's the kind
mology, which is currently available
shows that depend on shooting and
vision violence, and that "once the
cades, showing a consistent correls-
swered during the two-year warning
that sends a manage to children
but not required, as well as the
slashing, and acknowledged that
hot flare of congressional attention
tion between "viewing violence and
label trial are: What is gratuitous wi-
that it's okay."
warning label initiative.
some of the offerings during the
turns elsewhere, violence in televi-
aggressive behavior," according to a
cleace, and how is it eliminated-or
The "next step," according to
The TV Violence Act, sponsored
May ratings sweep-such as "Mur-
son tends to increase." Nonetheless,
recent American Psychological As
at least reduced-without making
Markey, is the easy availability of
by Sea. Simon, exempted the net-
der in the Heartland" and "Ambush
be has high hopes for this instiative.
societion (APA) report. By the time
the shows so horing that the thrill-
the so-called "V-Chip" that would at
works from antitrust laws for three
in Waco"-were less than great art.
Ta an optimest," be said.
a child has finished elementary
school, be will have seen 8,000 -
-ders and 100,000 acts of violence,
the APA astimated. b addition to
behavior, children also
develop increased fouchdness of be-
coming a victim and became more
Callons about violence directed at
others, and a recent report by 8
Researcher. For years the entertain-
ment industry maintained that the
content of movies and television re-
flacts society more than it influences
it. Sea. Paul Simon (D-III.) has
worked for eight years to get the
networks to acknowledge that "nap-
Warning: TV Violence Is Harmful, Networks Concede
propriate" violence is bad.
MPAA President Jack Valenti said
By Megan Rosenfeld
preas conference
Cerday with the
ders, assaults and illegal weapon
dustry source. the notice will appear
at yesterday's press conference that
heads of CBS, NBC. ABC. Fox Tele-
sales in this country. The networks
before a program begins, during the
Washington Pet - -
the film and television "creative
VISION and the Motion Picture Asso-
came up with the advisory label as
midpoint station break and on pro-
community" would address violence
la announcing yesterday that no-
cistion of America (MPAA). For the
an alternative to a rating system
motional material. Each network's
in a series of small meetings with
lent televasion programs will be is
last 40 years the debate has been
samilar to that followed by the mo-
"standards" department wall decide
the producers, writers and directors
beled with a parental advisory, heads
whether violence on television af-
tion picture industry. or to monitor-
independently which shows to label.
who develop programs. The goal
of the four major networks and the
feets antisocial behavior. Today we
ing by the Federal Communications
The only other measure the net-
would be not just a reduction in vio-
motion picture association acknowl-
Commission.
works announced was a series of
put an end to that debate."
lence that dad not add to the drama,
edged a point they had long disput-
Facing continued pressure from
The warning label unveiled yes-
meetings organized by the MPAA to
or violence committed without con-
ed-that gratustous and glamorized
Congress and anti-violence lobbying
terday says simply "Due to some vio-
raise consciousness among the peo-
sequence, but what Littlefield called
maybem on television affects view-
lent content, parental discretion ad-
pie who create programs.
a "proactive" message about vio-
groups, the network beads have
lence in society.
era.
gradually conceded over the past
vised." Hammered out with at least
The agreement to label is for a
We have done this before," said
"This is the dawning of a new
year that the research may be cor-
15 revisions ID a senes of meetings
two-year "triat" and does not cur-
era," said Rep. Edward Markey (D-
rect-that television could be a fac-
and conference calls dunng the past
rently include the cable industry. 111-
Valenti. Four years ago we did it
Mass.) at an unusual Capitol Hall
seven weeks, according to one Mr
See TV VIOLENCE. A9, Col 1
with the use of drugs and with the
tor in the dramatic increase WI mur-
exhibition of smoking and alcohol
consumption. We did it in the depic-
bon of minorities. and in furthering
the designated driver theme. and in
promoting the use of seal belts in
the story
Valenti said later that "even if
there 13 only a possibility of a con-
Wall Street Journal July 1, 1993
Networks' Plan for TV Program Warnings May Backfire
In trying to mollify Washington and
ADVERTISING/BY Keven COLDUAN
But It appears that the call to hall
counter criticism of television's preoccupa-
(km with kunplay and other violence. the
violence on prime-time television comes
networks may have only shot themselves
By doing that. the networks have
sure that Mr. Littlefield is prophetic. "We
mostly from politicians and pressure
in the foot.
handed skittish advertisers a ready-made
will go after any advertiser appearing in a
groups. such as Ms. Rakolta's. rather than
The four major broadcast networks'
excuse to forgo buying network time. some
show that has a violence disclaimer." she
from a massive, grass-roots outcry. "I
new pact to step up program warnings on
Industry executives maintain. It would
declares, "and target that advertiser with
haven't picked up a mass public move-
violent content may
make it tougher for some sponsors to
a consumer boycott."
ment." says Bill Barrett, executive vice
temporarily stave
stick with a show that has been labeled by
Such boycotts have failed in the past.
president of SFM Media Corp., a media
off government in-
its own network as violent - even If the
And Ms. Rakolta refuses to differentiate
buying service.
tervention. But it
advertiser were otherwise willing. And
between gratuitous violence and well-
Instead. many viewers simply voice
also threatens to en-
rather than help parents keep their kids
made programs whose violent scenes may
their displeasure by turning the dial or
courage advertisers
away from violent content, such warnings
be important to plot or message. In fact.
shutting the television set off entirely. For
to pull out of risky
might unintentionally encourage kids to be
she says the new disclaimer will make It
example, ABC's violent miniseries "Mur-
programming. and
sure to tune in.
easier to target sponsors. "Advertisers will
der in the Heartland." which ran in spring.
It hasn't silenced
"Make no mistake about 18. this is going
no longer be able to claim ignorance on
based on a killing spree in the 1950s by a
the critics who prod-
to cost us money. says Warren Littlefleld,
what kind of shows they are buying."
young couple, drew poor ratings and,
ded them into the new approach.
president of NBC Entertainment. a unit of
Ms. Rakolts adds that even the dis-
according to a network official. cost Capt-
CBS, ABC. NBC and News Corp.'s Fox
General Electric. "There is a soft advertis-
claimer pact amounts to "too little. too
tal Citles/ABC about $2 million in lost ad
joined congressional critics yesterday in
ing market. and anyone looking for an
late. It gives children a road map to the
revenue because of skittish sponsors.
announcing the new warnings, which will
excuse to get out of a movie or special has
violent material." She complains: "The
Prime time has been a som what
signal a particularly violent miniseries or
just been handed that excuse by the net-
networks are placing all responsibility
gentler place this past TV season (dnd
made-for-television movie riddled with
works. There is going to be an adverse
back in the parents' hands." And what's
promises to be even mushier come Septem-
gunfire and bodies by Issuing a simple
financial impact from advertisers."
wrong with that? Parents can't be around
ber, with a gaggle of family-oriented situa-
alert: "Due to some violent content, paren-
Terry Rakolta, founder of Americans
all the time to monitor what the this are
tion comedies). But It wasn't without its
tal discretion advised."
for Responsible Television, vows to make
watching. she says.
Please Turn to Page B2, Column 3
Translation: Instead of cutting out vio-
the full range of the human condition."
matic conflict and realistic portrayal of
higher. more sophisticated level of dra-
such bland fare that It would forsake a
demns advertiser-supported supported television to
process that, while well-intended. con-
excitement. We cannot participate in a
television to become barren of dramatic
stand that we cannot allow broadcast
"It is relevant and important to under-
ment yesterday the four networks said:
programming fare. Indeed. in a joint state.
If they simply crank out mealy-mouthed
Ultimately. the networks may do worse
riveting plots. mane 8 if
series "Hill Street Blues" that was ger.
pushed envelope the on violence - 19N0s in
is gratuitous. Mr. Bochco. for instance,
Not all violence on television, of course,
('M II uses BRAD
beycott - although she admits she hasn't
of that show are destined for & consumer
television. (Ms. Rakolts says that sponsors
limits on sex and violence on broadcast
"N.Y.P.D. Blue." promises to push the
from ABC. Mr. Dochco's new series,
sion. Although be didn't get to al freedom
duce an R-rated series for network televi-
Steven Bochico has said he wants to pro-
That is one reason veteran producer
strained breadcast competition.
cable systems right next to more re-
course, has audity and violence on some
cable and other rivals. Pay cable. of
It continues to suffer audience erosion to
Network television is in a tough bind as
headquarters in the Texas town.
by federal agents on a religious cult's
sustained violence when it showed the raid
the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco," had
chair and executed. NBC's miniseries, "In
saw the killer strapped into the electric
not only showed shootings. but viewers
man's eyes. "Murder in the Heartland"
Palms." Angle Dickinson gouged out a
in ABC's recent miniseries "Wild
share of shocking violence.
Continued Prom Page BI
Could Backfire on the Networks
ADVERTISING
death.
life.
backlash.
brothers allegedly shotgun their paren
of the real-life movie: two ambil
series The Menendez Murders. The
Scheduled for this fall: the CBS r.
sure to stay put. as does violence in
But violence on television seems I
something the producers agreed with
Rangers" to de-emphasize the viole
the Chuck Norris series "Walker. T
violence. CBS recently asked produce
The networks indeed me be killin
viewers. he says.
the chance to be seen by million
ml SMOUS uo aq 01 Juijo
buyer's market and sponsors aren't
says. Television advertising is n.
attract thrill seekers of controversy
highly rated. if violent. show. "This
may want to cash in on what could
as "reverse magnetism" (or sponsors
what Mr. Barrett of SFM Media desc
Further. the disclaimer won't
concerned about violence and pote
buying division. "A lot of advertiser:
vice president at ad agency Bozell's n
place ads. says Steve Sternberg. 51
proceed "more cautiously" in where
That practice will force advertise
warn viewers about it.
lence allogether. the networks will $1
TVProgram WarningSyster
TELEVISION
TIME Magazine Aug. 2, 1993
The Networks Run For
To avoid a warning label,
violent shows are getting
toned down-or dropped
By RICHARD ZOGLIN
RODUCER JOHN LANGLEY WAS
P
screening a rough cut of his new
Fox network show Cop Files a
7
couple of weeks ago, and he
wasn't happy. In one scene, a
female police officer surprises a burgiary
suspect in a warehouse; be attacks her
savagely. then she shoots him in self-
defense. When Fox censors objected to the
violence, Langley was forced to make
drastic excisions. "It was absurd." be
says. "The pressure was on us to de-
emphasize the attack, so you wound up
showing her shooting him without any
motivation." Langley, like many others in
Hollywood, knows the reason for this out-
break of squeamishness: the networks
have suddenly got religion on the subject
of violence.
After several rounds of congressional
hearings that aired concerns about vio-
lence on TV. the four networks last month
announced a joint response. Starting
in September, they will attach a warning
label-DUE TO SOME VIOLENT CONTENT,
PARENTAL DISCRETION ADVISED-to shows
with high levels of mayhem. Over the past
two weeks, network executives have
trooped before junketing TV journalists in
Los Angeles to stress their concerns about
violence-and assert that they aren't the
only ones to blame. Next Monday a heavy-
weight lineup of TV producers, network
executives and other industry bigwigs
will meet to explore the violence issue at a
daylong "summit conference" sponsored
by the National Council for Families and
Television.
Initial reaction to the networks' label-
ing plan was predictably skeptical. Critics,
from conservative watchdog Terry Ra-
kolta to earnest newspaper columnists.
complained that the warning label was a
cop-out, a Band-Aid solution that would
not reduce violence but wou! simply
point out more clearly where to find it. But
as production for the new season gets un-
der way, the impact of the new label is
shaping up as substantial, maybe even
crippling. The Clean Up Your Network
Blasting away in NBC'S Ambush in Waco
with rear audity, relatively
rough language ("You pissy
Little bitch"), and some strong
or Cover
violence. In the face of affiliate
discomfort-roughly a third of
ABC station executives polled
at a recent network meeting
said they might not run the
show-Bochco said be would
campaign may help make TV safer for
consider making some
kids, but it will almost certainly make net-
changes: "T'm trying to be sen-
work programming even blander than it
sitive to the concerns without
already is.
compromising the show."
The irony of the current outery is that
The anti-violence cam-
it comes at a time when violence on the
paign may have an even great-
networks is at a low ebb. Five, 10 or 15
er impact in the shows that
years ago, the prime-time schedules were
viewers won't see. All three
packed with turbulent crime shows like
networks have said they will
The A-Team, Miami Vice, Hunter and Hill
back off from their overzeal-
Street Blues. These have all but disap-
ous pursuit of true-crime mov-
peared, replaced by sitcoms, magazine
les of the week. ABC, which
shows and "soft" dramas like LA. Law
David Caruso and Dennis Franz of NYPD Blue
drew fire for its two-parter in
and Northern Exposure. Violence is largely
May about 1950s mass mur-
confined to a few reality shows, Cops,
ing these advertisers support violence."
derer Charles Starkweather, has turned
America's Most Wanted, and true-crime TV
Producers are justifiably worried
down a proposed TV movie about 1960s
movies-which are abundant but whose
about the chilling effect this could have on
mass murderer Richard Speck. Critics
violence looks positively prim beside the
provocative programming. "Once you get
may cheer at the demise of this tawdry
brutality of any Lethal Weapon sequel or
advertising redlining. you'll have a debili-
TV-movie crime wave, but good films may
Schwarzenegger extravaganza.
tating effect on some of TV's most power-
get hurt in the process. ABC had planned to
Still, faced with public concern about
ful dramas," says Dick Wolf, executive
air the explosively violent (and Oscar-win-
the effect TV violence might be having on
producer of NBC's Law & Order. "When
ning) film Goodfellas this season, complete
young viewers, the networks have vowed
Law & Order started, we did episodes on
with an introduction by director Martin
to scrub their houses even cleaner. The la-
subjects like abortion-clinic bombings. In
Scorsese in which be asserts the film is
bel Itself may turn out to be sparingly
this current environment, I don't know if
not a giorification of violence. In the cur-
used. Network officials say few, if any, of
those would ever Lave gotten made." The
rent climate, the network has decided to
their regular series will be so branded;
network standards-and-practices depart-
pull the film from this season's schedule.
only Steven Bochco's racy new cop show
ments are already increasing their vigi-
Meanwhile, network executives are
for ABC, NYPD Blue, has been singled out
lance. "We're used to dealing with Stan-
complaining loudly about being made
as likely to get a weekly warning. In gener-
dards & Practices on a daily basis in terms
scapegoats for a larger problem in society.
al, the label will be applied on a case-by-
of language and violence," says Langley of
"The TV networks are 1 lot easier target
case basis to certain TV movies and indi-
Cop Files. "But they've become even more
than the National Rifle Association," notes
vidual episodes of regular series.
cautious recently." ABC Entertainment
CBS Entertainment president Jeff Sa-
The real question is whether a "V" la-
chief Ted Harbert, speaking to affiliates in
gansky. He and others point out that most
bel-like an R or NC-17 rating for feature
June, promised that the network would
TV violence is found not on the networks
films-will become a stigma to be avoided
"work to keep the violence to the absolute
but on syndicated shows like The Untouch-
at almost all costs. The fear is that adver-
minimum" this fall. George Vradenburg
ables and Highlander, and on cable chan-
tisers, always skittish about controversial
3d, executive vice president of Fox Inc.,
neis, which are still free to air whatever
they want. Not to mention video games,
rented movies-and, of course, real life.
"Advertisers will be lemming-like
"There's nothing more violent than
watching the 11 o'clock news at night, and
in their avoidance of programs.
nothing more toxic," contends Peter Gu-
ber, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertain-
ment. "Baby Falls Out of Window! Tune in
at II! We have to apply the same stan-
programs that might inspire a letter-writ-
VOWS "increased attention not only to the
dards to all visual images-not just what
ing campaign or an advertiser boycott, will
depiction of violence but also to whether
we call entertainment, but news, informa-
be scared off by any show that carries the
there are appropriate ways to resolve con-
tion and reality-based programs."
label. Madison Avenue veterans think they
flicts without using violence." One CBS
The controversy over whether TV vio-
will. "Advertisers will be lemming-like in
show has already been affected: Walker,
lence truly affects the way people act will
their avoidance of these programs," says
Texas Ranger. a western starring Chuck
continue to roll, with little chance of being
Gene DeWitt, president of his own New
Norris that premiered in the spring, will
resolved conclusively. For now, however,
York City media management firm, "be-
be less violent when it returns to the fall
those alarmed by violence have the upper
cause advertising on them will just be ask-
schedule, network programmers say.
hand. Until viewers raise new alarms by
ing for trouble." Asserts Betsy Frank. a se-
The program drawing the most scruti-
tuning out in search of more stimulating
nior vice president of Saatchi & Saatchi:
ny is NYPD Bluegit is an admitted effort by
entertainment, network TV seems headed
"You are shining a spotlight on certain
Bochco, creator of Hill Street Blues, to do
for a dull, discreet stretch.
-Reperted by
programs and on advertisers who are sup-
network TV's first R-rated series. The pi-
Georgia Harbison/New York and Jeffrey Resamer/
porting those programs. In effect, it's say-
lot episode contains a steamy sex scene
Los Angeles
TIME. AUGUST 2. 1993
53
EDITORIAL
BY MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE VICTIMS OF TV VIOLENCE
o you despair at the sight of the youngster in a
bery, rape, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and pregnancy.
D
trance in front of the television set? You are
It is hard to avoid the judgment that TV, an acro-
not alone. With sets turned on in the inner city
nym for too violent, has become an integral part of this
for 11 hours a day, with video, pay per view and multi-
problem. Research suggests that it increases physical
plying cable channels, TV has become the closest and
aggression in children, such as getting into fights and
most constant companion for American children. It has
disrupting the play of others. Does this increase in ag-
become the nation's mom and pop, storyteller, baby
gression contribute to the explosion of criminal vio-
sitter, preacher and teacher. Our children watch an
lence? Many argue that it does. They point to studies
astonishing 5,000 hours by the first grade and 19,000
such as one demonstrating that children who watched
hours by the end of high school-more time than they
a lot of TV violence at 8 years of age have a higher
spend in class. The question more and more concern-
propensity to commit violent crime by age 30, includ-
ing parents, psychologists and public officials is this:
ing the beating of their own children.
What is all this viewing doing to them?
There are those who argue that TV
The greatest impact is on preadoles-
violence is a cathartic rather than a
cent children who do not yet have the
stimulant. Indeed, precise malign con-
capacity to gauge what is real and what
nections may be difficult to prove. But
is not. To them, TV is a report on how
common sense dictates that the effect
the world really works. There may be a
cannot be good. Some 80 percent of
comic side to it. One Indiana school
Americans feel that TV violence is
board had to issue an-advisory that
harmful to our society and that there is
there is no such thing as the Teenage
too much of it a our entertainment.
Mutant Ninja Turtles that the children
The burden of proof should fall on
had been crawling down storm drains
those who continue to promote vio-
to reach. But there is nothing amusing
lence and use it as entertainment.
about the perception children gain
The TV networks recently made a
from TV that violence is the easy solu-
concession by providing a rating sys-
tion to many problems, employed by
tem to alert viewers to impending vio-
good characters as much as bad and
lence. It is a gesture, but that is all it
always leading to a happy ending.
is. It identifies the violence but it does
The concern is that in later life, those conditioned to
not remove it. It puts the onus on the parents-and
violence will intuitively continue to regard it as exciting,
parents do have a duty to protect their children from
charismatic and effective. Consider how pervasive it is.
the brutalizing effect of nightly sluggings. But parents
By the age of 18, according to one estimate, a youngster
cannot do it all, given absences for work and for travel;
will have seen 200,000 acts of violence on TV, including
that many children watch TV in their own rooms, and
40,000 murders. TV Guide looked at 10 channels on one
that the alert system excludes cartoons, cable, videos
normal 18-hour day and found 1,846 individual acts of
and so forth.
violence-and every hour of prime time carries six to
The alert system is no more than a beginning, a rec-
eight acts of violence. Violence has become normal, the
ognition but not a resolution. The minimum next step
Pied Piper to lure the vulnerable to a darker world.
is to take advantage of the technical capacity to manu-
The youthful world has become dramatically more
facture TV sets with a computer chip that will allow
violent. Consider this piece of anecdotal evidence
parents, unilaterally, to block off programs carrying
turned up by CBS News: The seven top problems in
the V rating-just as we now mandate sets to help the
public schools in 1940 were identified by teachers
deaf. And with that should go an earnest effort by the
as talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise,
creative controllers to take the V out of much more of
running in the halls. cutting in line. dress-code
their television. It is not a happy prospect that a com-
infractions and littering. By 1980, the seven top prob-
mercial Big Brother could substitute for the Orwellian
lems had been identified as suicide. assault. rob-
Big Brother.
64
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. AUGUST 2 1993
Hollywood
TIM ROBBINS AND SUSAN SARANDON IMPLORE THE
nation to treat Haitians with AIDS more
still doth
Passing the buck
humanely. Robert Redford works for the envi-
ronment. Harry Belafonte marches against the
protest too
death penalty.
in Tinseltown
Actors and producers seem to be constantly
BY MICHAEL KRASNY
much. while
speaking out for noble causes far removed
from their lives. They seem even more vocal
and visible now that there is a Democrat in the
For seven years, Michoel Krasny
the stats on
White House. But in the one area over which
hosted e successful West Coast radio
they have control-the excessive violence in
talk show widely recognized for dis-
video violence
the entertainment industry-Hollywood
cussing serious Issues and showing
respect for cellers. Kresny left his
activists remain silent.
commercial program to move to
This summer, Washington was abuzz with
pile up.
public redio in February 1993. Many
talk about the movie Dave, in which Kevin
sew Krasny's departure from com-
Kline stars as the acting president. But every
mercial redio as symbolic of the
by Carl M.
time I saw an ad featuring Kline, the movie I
Industry trend toward sensationellsm
couldn't get out of my head was Grand Canyon.
and controversy-end away from public trust and
responsibility.
There are two scenes in it that explain much of
Mother Jones commissioned Kresny to explore
what has gone wrong in America.
the trend toward excess, particularly excess vio-
Kline's character has a friend. played by Steve
lence, in the entertainment Industry. Film end TV
Martin, who is a producer of the B-grade, violent movies that Hollywood
producers, directors, and writers claim that they
euphemistically calls "action" films. But after an armed robber shoots Mar-
want to create works of artistic and social value,
yet too often what we-and our children-see is
5 character in the leg. he has an epiphany
only blood and gora. How can we reconcile the First
"I can't make those movies any more." he decides. "I can't make another
Amendment with the cost to society of viewing such
: of art that glorifies violence and bloodshed and brutality. No more
violence? And to what extent are these individuals
exploding bodies, exploding buildings, exploding anything. I'm going to
responsible for the repercussions of their violent
make the world a better place."
movies and television shows? Krasny asked . few
A month or two later. Kline calls on Martin at his Hollywood studio to
players for their thoughts:
congratulate him on the "new direction" his career has taken.
BRIAN GRAZER, Ron Howard's partner, has
"What? Oh that," Martin says dismissively. "Fuck that. That's over. I
produced more than twenty movies. "Most of
must have been delirious for a few weeks there."
my films have been sweet-spirited: Parenthood.
He then gins up every hoary excuse for Hollywood-generated violence
Splash. My Girl. I'm proud of them. Others I'm
you've ever heard, ending with: "My movies reflect what's going on; they
not so proud of. I learned a big lesson with
don't make what's going on."
Kindergorten Cop. No one objected to the violent
This is Hollywood's last line of defense for why it shows murder and
confrontation scene, and there was no problem
with it in our focus groups. Then I showed It to
mayhem on the big screen and the little one, in prime time and early in
my five-year-old, and all of a sudden, reflexively,
the morning, to children, adolescents, and adults:
I put my nand over his eyes. I knew at that point
We don't cause violence, we just report it.
that we'd made a mistake. It was too late to cut
Four years ago, I joined the legion of writers, researchers, and parents
the scene, but I would cut k now.
who have tried to force Hollywood to confront the more disturbing truth. I
"Usually bad movies aren't hits. I don't see
wrote a series of newspaper articles on the massive body of evidence that
Freddy Krueger [Nightmare on Elm Street]
establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship between violence on tele-
movies, and I wouldn't want my kids to see
them. I don't know why people make such
vision and violence in society.
movies. They're sick."
The orchestrated response from the industry-a series of letters seeking
to discredit me-was something to behold.
BOB SHAYE, chief executive officer of New Line
Because the fact is, on
Cinema, is responsible for the Nightmare on Elm
the one issue over which
Street horror films. "There's an almost sardonic
or dour humor to Freddy Krueger [the Elm Street
they have power, the liber-
killer], especially to fantasy horror buffs. The
kids
als in Hollywood don't act
tales are useful and cautionary. They suggest that
like progressive thinkers;
evil and herm are everywhere and that we need
they act like, say, the
to be prepared. They're not intended for kids.
National Rifle Association:
"We create a product. People buy it or they
Guns don't kill people,
don't. It pains my aesthetic judgment, but I often
feel a good movie is one that makes money. My
people kill people.
interest is in entertaining people. The Killers and
We don't cause violence in
Batman? Too much for kids. 1 can draw my lines.
the world, we just reflect it.
Not everyone can."
PHOTOGRAPH BY EVERARD WILLIAMS
17
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
SAM HAMM shares screenwriting credit for
THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS INTO THE EFFECTS OF TELEVISION VIOLENCE
Batmon and Batman Returns. "It was probably a
took place in 1954. Although television was still relatively new, its extraor-
bad idea to excite small children to see Batman
dinary marketing power was already evident. The tube was teaching
Returns. The tie-in to McDonald's was the idea
of marketing people.
Americans what to buy and how to act, not only in advertisements, but in
"But I'm ambivalent about all of this. I can
dramatic shows, too.
remember being scared as a kid at horror films
Everybody from Hollywood producers to Madison Avenue ad
and developing a craving for that sort of thing,
would boast about this power-and seek to utilize it on dual tracks: to
but that's what may form imagination in a
make money and to remake society along better lines.
strong way and that's what creates narrative
Because it seemed ludicrous to assert that there was only one area-the
and Inner life. It teaches you to look for stuff
depiction of violence-where television did not influence behavior, the
that's not safe in the art you enjoy later on.
television industry came up with this theory: Watching violence is cathar-
"I'm not arguing to expose kids to Friday the
tic. A violent person might be sated by watching a murder.
13th movies or porno, but I feel there's too
The notion intrigued social scientists, and by 1956 they were studying it
much caution about what kids see. Gravitating
toward the forbidden is a natural part of grow-
in earnest. Unfortunately, watching violence turned out to be anything but
cathartic.
ing up.
"I'm dubious of stimulation and effect, wary
In the 1956 study, one dozen four-year-olds watched a "Woody Wood-
of speaking of anyone's experience but my own.
pecker" cartoon that was full of violent images. Twelve other preschoolers
I knew as a kid very clearly the distinction
watched "Little Red Hen," a peaceful cartoon. Then the children were
between real violence and cartoon or film vio-
observed. The children who watched "Woody Woodpecker" were
lence. I'm waiting for the legions of those affect-
likely to hit other children, verbally accost their classmates, break toys, be
ad by what they see to give testimony."
disruptive, and engage in destructive behavior during free play
For the next thirty years, researchers in all walks of the social sciences
VIVIENNE VERDON-ROE di-
studied the question of whether television causes violence. The results
rected the documentary film
Women For America, For The
have been stunningly conclusive.
World. m can't go to most popu-
"There is more published research on this topic than on almost any
lar movies without checking
other social issue of our time," University of Kansas Professor Aletha C.
them out with friends first,
Huston, chairwoman of the American Psychological Association's Task
because I can't physically sit
Force on Television and Society, told Congress in 1988. "Virtually all inde-
through [violent ones]. My body
pendent scholars agree that there is evidence that television can
will not allow it. People really
aggressive behavior."
ought to think about the effects.
There have been some three thousand studies of this issue-eigh -five of
They may not faint like I do, but they're getting
them major research efforts-and they all say the same thing Of the eighty-
desensitized to violence, and it contributes to
five major studies, the only one that failed to find a causal relationship
the social violence of gangs and the like.
"It's incredibly difficult when there are so few
between television violence and actual violence was paid for by NBC. When
alternatives. Teens go to movies because there's
the study was subsequently reviewed by three independent social scientists,
often nothing else for them to do, and if they
all three concluded that it actually did demonstrate a causal relationship.
are gruesome or bad movies, no one in society
Some highlights from the history of TV violence research:
seems to be saying so.
In 1973, when a town in mountainous western Canada was wired for
"I'm not an insider. I'm not living down there.
television signals, University of British Columbia researchers observed
But I know enough. It's all money. Everything's
first- and second-graders. Within two years, the incidence of hitting. bit-
money. it's horrible."
ing, and shoving increased 160 percent in those classes.
Two Chicago doctors, Leonard Eron and Rowell Huesmann, followed
RICHARD DONNER di-
the viewing habits of a group of children for twenty-two years. They found
rected the Lethal
Weapon movies, Super-
that watching violence on television is the single best predictor of violent
men, The Omen, and The
or aggressive behavior later in life, ahead of such commonly accepted fac-
Goonies, among others.
tors as parents' behavior, poverty, and race.
"If people see gratuitous
"Television violence effects youngsters of all ages, of both genders, at all
violence in any of the
socioeconomic levels and all levels of intelligence," they told Congress in
Lethal Weapon movies, I
1992. "The effect is not limited to children who are already disposed to
wonder If they've seen
being aggressive and is not restricted to this country."
the same movie. It's entertainment. That's my
Fascinated by an explosion of murder rates in the United States and
obligation. I brought social issues into the Lethal
Canada that began in 1955, after a generation of North Americans
Weopon movies, like when Danny Glover's family
come of age on television violence, University of Washington Professor
comes down on him for eating tuna, or the
Brandon Centerwall decided to see if the same phenomenon could be
'Stamp out the NRA' sign up in the LA police
observed in South Africa, where the Afrikaner-dc nated regime
station. In the last one the daughter wears a
banned television until 1975.
pro-choice T-shirt.
"You've got to prove [a connection between
He found that eight years after TV was introduced-showing mostly Hol-
film violence and real violence] to me. Movies
lywood-produced fare-South Africa's murder rate skyrocketed. His most
do provoke. I won't do gratuitous or animal vio-
telling finding was that the crime rate increased first in the white communi-
lence. We went a little too far in the first Lethal
ties. This mirrors U.S. crime statistics in the 1950s and especially points the
Weapon, but I wanted to move more after that
finger at television. because whites were the first to get it in both countries.
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
18
ILLUSTRATIONS BY BARRY BLITT
Bolder than most researchers, Cen-
toward a less real and more comic-book effect,
terwall argues flatly that without vio-
despite the great reaction we had.
By the age of
lent television programming. there
"Public trust comes into filmmaking. The
might be as many as ten thousand
filmmaker is ultimately accountable. I can
defend my own work only on personal grounds.
eighteen. the
fewer murders in the United States
If I'm a provocateur of anything, I hope it's good
each year.
emotion and humor. Censor-
In 1983, University of California,
average child
ship is in the ratings system.
San Diego, researcher David P.
k works."
Phillips wanted to see if there was a
has itnessed
correlation between televised boxing
CALLIE KHOURI won an
matches and violence in the streets of
Academy Award for her
America.
screenplay of Theime end
eighteen
Looking at crime rates after every
Louise. "I have a hard time
televised heavyweight championship
with violence just to enter-
tain, but I believe it can be
thousand
fight from 1973 to 1978, Phillips
found that the homicide rate in the
very effective In getting a
point across. I resorted to k
United States rose by an average of 11
in my film, but there was a conscience to it.
simulated
percent for approximately one week.
Thelma and Louise felt they had done something
Phillips also found that the killers
wrong, and there were big consequences-
murders on TV.
were likely to focus their aggression
including psychic consequences.
on victims similar to the losing fight-
"Outlaw movies have always been a catharsis
er: if he was white, the increased
for men, but denied to women. I was extremely
number of victims were mostly
frustrated with the literal interpretation of
white. The converse was true if the losing fighter was black.
Thelma and Louise. Doesn't anyone read any-
In 1988, researchers Daniel G. Linz and Edward Donnerstein of the
more or understand metaphor? The film was
supposed to be complex, without easy answers,
University of California, Santa Barbara, and Steven Penrod of the Universi-
and with flawed characters. I thought when
ty of Wisconsin studied the effects on young men of horror movies and
Louise shot that guy that there'd be dead
"slasher" films.
silence in the theater. That scene was written
They found that depictions of violence, not sex. are what desensitizes
carefully: it was an attempted rape, and I want-
people.
ed to make what she did wrong. And yet people
They divided male students into four groups. One group wat hed no
cheered. I was stunned."
movies, a second watched nonviolent. X-rated movies. a third watched
teenage sexual-innuendo movies, and 2 fourth watched the slasher films
LESLIE MOONVES is head of
Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th Part 2. Maniac, and Toolbox
Lorimar Studios, often called the
Murders.
fifth network, which produced
the TV movies "Jack the Ripper"
All the young men were placed on a mock jury panel and asked a series
and "Deliberate Strangers"
of questions designed to measure their empathy for an alleged female rape
(about serial killer Ted Bundy), as
victim. Those in the fourth group measured lowest in empathy for the spe-
well as shows that Moonves has
cific victim in the experiment-and for rape victims in general.
considerably more pride in, such
as "I'll Fly Away" and "Home
THE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE IS OFTEN MORE COMPELLING THAN THE SCIENTIFIC
Front." "I'd love to do another
studies. Ask any homicide cop from London to Los Angeles to Bangkok if
4'll Fly Anray,' but the corporate
television violence induces real-life violence and listen carefully to the cyn-
bosses won't let me. When you
ical, knowing laugh.
get burned with quality programming you get
Ask David McCarthy, police chief in Greenfield, Massachusetts, why
gun-shy-you feel you need to stick to the shows
nineteen-year-old Mark Branch killed himself after stabbing an eighteen-
that make money. You know what the problem
year-old female college student to death. When cops searched his room
is? Network change. Somebody like Bill Paley
[former chairman of CBS] used to say that he
they found ninety horror movies, as well as a machete and a goalie mask
didn't care If he got a twelve share, because
like those used by Jason, the grisly star of Friday the 13th.
there was a public trust and social responsibility
Ask the families of thirty-five young men who committed suicide by
to put on an 4'll Fly Anray." GE buys a network,
playing Russian roulette after seeing the movie The Deer Hunter.
and you've got a different agenda.
Ask George Gavito, a lieutenant in the Cameron County, Texas, sheriff's
"Network presidents don't keep their jobs
department, about a cult that sacrificed at least thirteen people on a ranch
based on the number of Emmy awards. Let's
west of Matamoros, Mexico. The suspects kept mentioning a 1986 movie,
face It: there is more sensation and violence be-
The Believers, about rich families who engage in ritual sacrifice. "They talk
cause it works. The movie of the week has
about it like that had something to do with changing them." Gavito
become the killer of the week story.
recalled later.
"Do we have a responsibility to our public? Of
course. I honestly don't know what to do about
Ask LAPD lieutenant Mike Melton about Angel Regino of Los Angeles.
it. How's that for an answer?"
who was picked up after a series of robberies and a murder in which he
wore 2 blue bandanna and fedora identical to those worn by Freddy: the
JOE ESZTERHAS has written the scripts for
stic anti-hero of Nightmare on Elm Street. In case anybody missed the
such major Hollywood films as Betrayal, jagged
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
r
Edge, Basic Instinct, and Sliver. His work has been
significance of his disguise, Regino told his victims that they would never
criticized as sexist and homophobic. "I don't like
forget him, because he was another Freddy Krueger.
to be a Monday morning quarterback on my
Ask Britain Home Secretary Douglas Hurd. who called for further
ic-
own work."
tions on U.S.-produced films after Michael Ryan of Hungerford committed
DAWN STEEL became
Britains worst mass murder in imitation of Rambo, massacring sixteen
the first woman to head a
ple while wearing a U.S. combat jacket and a bandoleer of ammunition.
major studio when she
Ask Sergeant John O'Malley of the New York Police Department about a
was made president of
nine-year-old boy who sprayed a Bronx office building with gunfire. The
Columbia Pictures in
boy explained to the astonished sergeant how he learned to load his Uzi-
1987. During her career,
like firearm: "I watch a lot of TV."
she has worked on such
Or ask Manteca, California, police detective Jeff Boyd about thirteen-
films as Top Gun, Beverly
year-old Juan Valdez, who, with another teenager, went to a man's
E,
Hills Cop II, Casuelties of
kicked him, stabbed him, beat him with a fireplace poker, and then choked
Wer, When Harry Met
Sally, and Look Who's Talking. She now runs her
him to death with a dog chain.
own production company. "I believe I've never
Why, Boyd wanted to know, had the boys poured salt in the victim's
made a movie in bad taste or with excessive vio-
wounds?
lence. But for profit, I've had to make movies
"Oh, I don't know," the youth replied with a shrug. "I just seen it on TV."
not from my soul. If I want to make a film for
passion, I have to make it for less money.
NUMEROUS GROUPS HAVE CALLED, OVER THE YEARS, FOR CURBING TELEVISION
"I'm more cynical about the violence in LA
violence: the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Vio-
than about violence in our business. It's un-
lence (1969), the U.S. Surgeon General (1972), the Canadian Royal C
is-
answerable whether movies reflect the culture
sion (1976). the National Institute of Mental Health (1982), the U.S. Attorney
or vice versa. I monitor my kid's movies and
General's Task Force on Family Violence (1984), the National Parents
-
won't let her see what's not appropriate for her.
There's no way you can censor any movie in this
ers Association (1987). and the American Psychological Association (1992).
country that's being made. That's our First
During that time, cable television and movie rentals have made violence
Amendment."
more readily available while at the same time pushing the envelope for net-
work TV. But even leaving aside cable and movie rentals, a study of televi-
MATT GROENING is cre-
sion programming from 1967 to 1989 showed only small ups and d
5
ator and executive pro-
in violence. with the violent acts moving from one time slot to another
ducer of the TV hit "The
the overall violence rate remaini 1g pretty steady-and pretty similar from
Simpsons." "Anytime you
network to network.
visualize something, it's
"The percent of prime-time programs using violence remains more I
difficult not to giorify It.
seven out of ten, as it has been for the entire twenty-two-year period,"
Every antiwar film is pro-
war, because its violence
researchers George Gerbner of the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg
is stylized and an audience
School for Communication and Nancy Signorielli of the University of
can be removed from it
Delaware wrote in 1990. For the past twenty-two years, they found, adults
and enjoy it. Stylistically, violence is almost
and children have been entertained by about sixteen violent acts, including
Invariably glorified, even when you have an anti-
two murders, in each evening's prime-time programming.
violent point of view. Look at Platoon. Violence is
They also discovered that the rate of violence in children's programs is
invariably used in movies and TV as punctuation,
three times the rate in prime-time shows. By the age of eighteen, the aver-
and it does have a numbing effect on people
age American child has witnessed at least eighteen thousand simulated
after a time.
murders on television.
"Most TV, most movies, really, are less perni-
By 1989, network executives were arguing that their violence was part of
clous than tedious and boring. What's bad for
kids is bad storytelling. Tell better stories."
a larger context in which bad guys get their just desserts.
"We have never put any faith in mechanical measurements, such as
BARRY DILLER, ex-chief
counting punches or gunshots," said NBC's Alan Gerson. "Action and con-
executive officer and
flict must be evaluated within each specific dramatic context."
chairman of Fox and Matt
"Our policy," added Alfred R. Schneider of ABC, makes clear that
Groening's former boss,
when violence is portrayed [on TV], it must be reasonably related to plot
now heads QVC Network.
development and character delineation."
He couldn't disagree more
Of course, what early-childhood experts could tell these executives is
with Groening about tele-
that children between the ages of four and seven simply make no connec-
vision's being mostly bad.
tion between the murder at the beginning of a half-hour show and the
"I can't imagine why he
led away in handcuffs at the end. In fact, psychologists know that very
would say that. Pound for
pound, the hour and half-hour television series
young children do not even understand death to be a permanent condit
are very good. There's a lot of junk, but much
But all of the scientific studies and reports, all of the wisdom of cops
more in the movie business, the record busi-
grief of parents have run up against Congress's quite proper fear of censor-
ness, even legitimate theater. It's snobbery to
ship. For years, Democratic Congressman Peter Rodino of New Jersey
call a show like 'Roseanne' lowbrow or vulgar.
chaired the House Judiciary Committee and looked at calls for some form
It's funny and interesting and has a good moral
of censorship with a jaundiced eye. At a hearing five years ago, Rodino told
value and tone.
witnesses that Congress must be a "protector of commerce."
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
"Well. we have children that we need to protect." replied Frank M.
"TV movies are crummy. 'Hard Copy' is a
Palumbo, a pediatrician at Georgetown University Hospital and a consul-
lying, thieving, lowlife program of hideous, cyni-
tant to the American Academy of Pediatrics. "What we have here is a toxic
cal purpose. It's not serious television. There
substance in the environment that is harmful to children."
are only a few tabloid shows, but they speak
Arnold Fege of the national PTA added, "Clearly, this committee would not
loudly.
"I think you look at society, and you see what
protect teachers who taught violence to children. Yet why would we condone
is reflected on television in terms of violent
children being exposed to a steady diet of TV violence year after year?"
action. Absolutely, [there is too much violence].
Finally there is a reason to hope for progress.
But we can be thoughtful and reasonable and
Early this summer, Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey, chair of
change that, reduce it. I think plans over the last
the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on telecommunications,
few years will help. Senator Simon's work with
said that Congress may require manufacturers to build TV sets with a
the networks will help."
computer chip so that parents could block violent programs from those
their children could select.
PHILIP KAUFMAN co-
He joins the fight waged by Senator Paul Simon, a liberal Democrat from
wrote and directed The
Wanderers, The Unbearable
Illinois. Nine years ago, Simon flipped on a hotel television set hoping to
Lightness of Being, and
catch the late news. "Instead," he has recalled many times, "I saw a man
Henry and june, and wrote
being sawed in half with a chainsaw, in living color."
and directed The Right
Simon was unsettled by the image and even more unsettled when he
Stuff. "There is a fascist
wondered what repeatedly looking at such images would do to the mind of
edge to a lot of the violence
a fourteen-year-old.
we see. I'm in favor of push-
When he found out. he called television executives, who told him that
ing the envelope, but when
violence sells and that they would be at a competitive disadvantage if they
you push it in remance or eroticism you get an
acted responsibly.
NC-17 rating. It's easier to get an R rating If you
Why not get together and adopt voluntary guidelines? Simon asked.
use senseless violence, because the ratings board
Oh, that would be a violation of antitrust law, they assured him.
is largely conservative and embraces violence
before sex."
Simon called their bluff in 1990 by pushing through Congress a law that
allowed a three-year moratorium on antitrust considerations so that the
JOSH BRAND, along with his partner, has pro-
industry could discuss ways to jointly reduce violence.
duced the TV hits "St. Elsewhere" and "North-
Halfway through that time, however, they had done nothing, and an
ern Exposure." "If something gets a high rating,
angry Simon denounced the industry on the Senate floor. With a push
say, The Amy Fisher Stor then advertisers
from some prominent industry figures, a conference was set for this
pay more money. Now, did the networks create
August 2 in Los Angeles. (See action card between pages 16 and 17.)
the audience for it, or do they pander to what
This spring, CBS broadcast group president Howard Stringer said his
the audience wanted? Is It okay to pollute the
network was looking for ways to cut back on violence in its entertainment,
emotional and spiritual environment?
"Now there are studies [that show] that vio:
because he was troubled by the cost to society of continuing business-as-
lent images don't affect people, just as the
usual.
tobacco Industry has studies showing that ciga-
"We must admit we have a responsibility." he said.
rette smoking doesn't cause cancer. And they
Jack Valenti, the powerful head of the Motion Picture Association of
use the First Amendment to evoke their rights
America, wrote to producers urging them to participate in the August 2
and get into this study versus that study, and the
conference. "I think it's more than a bunch of talk," Simon said. "I think
who thing becomes a wash, a miasma of
this conference will produce some results. 1 think the industry will adopt
moral mud. But I think that there is absolutely
some standards."
no question that the profusion of these kinds of
The federal government, of course, possesses the power to regulate the
images has a negative effect, not only on chil-
airwaves through the FCC, and Simon and others believe that this latent
dren but on human beings in general.
power to control violence-never used-has put the fear of God in the
"But regulations are dangerous, particularly
when dealing with the free expression of ideas. I
producers. He also thinks some of them are starting to feel guilty.
do believe that some of those ideas are Hike pol-
"We now have more people in jail and prison per capita than any coun-
futants, but there isn't one thing you can do. A
try that keeps records, including South Africa," Simon says. "We've spent
panaces doesn't exist."
billions putting people behind bars, and it's had no effect on the crime rate.
None. People realize there have to be other answers, and as they've looked
Although there may be no panaces, we must
around, they have settled on television as one of them."
still look for solutions. How would you resolve
Maybe Simon is right. Maybe Hollywood executives will get together
the conflict between excessive violence in -nter-
and make a difference.
tainment and the protections guaranteed under
Or maybe, like Steve Martin's character in Grand Canyon, producers and
the First Amendment?
directors from New York to Beverly Hills will wake up after Simon's
Mine to Mother Jones, 1663 Mission St., 2nd
antitrust exemption expires December 1, shake off the effects of their holi-
Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. Or fax us at
day hangovers, and when asked about their new commitment to responsi-
(415) 863-5136.
Michael Krasny is currently the host of San
ble filmmaking. answer:
Francisco radio station KQED's "Forum," a week-
"What? Oh that. Fuck that. That's over. We must have been delirious for
day talk show. Priscilla Yamin of Mother Jones
a few weeks there."
and Karen Door contributed research to these
Carl M. Cannon is the White House correspondent for the Baltimore Sun.
Interviews.
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST
news from
PAUL SIMON
December, 1992
CONTACT: David Carle
Christopher Ry
202-224-7115
202-224-7023
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
'Big Three' Television Networks
Agree on Joint TV Violence Standards
Under Simon's TV Violence Act
In a breakthrough for movement toward industry-wide efforts to reduce violence
on television, U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, D-III., Friday announced Dec., 11 that ABC, CBS
and NBC have agreed to joint standards on entertainment TV violence that will guide
programming on the networks.
The networks invoked the antitrust exemption in the two-year-old Television
Violence Act to draft and implement the standards, which draw upon their separate
existing guidelines. The Television Violence Act, authored by Simon, exempts the
television industry from antitrust limits to allow industry self-regulation to scale back
depictions of violence in entertainment programs, through development of common
standards. The law covers broadcasters, the cable industry and those who produce
TV programs. Simon cites the "overwhelming" body of research that shows excessive
violence on TV harms children and contributes to real-life violence in society.
Simon also announced that the three networks will convene an industry-wide
conference on TV violence in Los Angeles next year to discuss further steps, and that
Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, has agreed to
participate. The networks say their joint standards are an attempt "to break this
stalemate" over Industry use of the Simon laws before the clock runs out on the
antitrust exemption in December, 1993.
-30-
STANDARDS FOR THE DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE
IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS
ISSUED BY ABC, CBS and NBC
DECEMBER 1992
Preface
The following Standards for the Depiction of Violence in
Television Programs are issued jointly by the ABC, CBS and NBC
Television Networks under the Antitrust exemption granted by the
Television Violence Act of 1990.
Each Network has long been committed to presenting
television viewers with a broad spectrum of entertainment and
information programming. Each Network maintains its own extensive
published broadcast standards governing acceptability of both
program (including on-air promotion) and commercial materials.
These new joint standards are consistent with each of the
Network's long-standing preexisting policies on violence. At the
same time they are set forth in a more detailed and explanatory
manner to reflect the experience gained under the preexisting
policies. While adopting and subscribing to these joint
Standards, each Network will continue the tradition of individual
review of material, which will necessitate independent judgments
on a program-by-program basis.
The standards are not intended to inhibit the work of producers,
directors or writers or to impede the creative process. They are
intended to proscribe gratuitous or excessive portrayals of
violence.
In principle, each of the ABC, CBS and NBC Television Networks is
committed to presenting programs which portray the human
condition, which may include the depiction of violence as a
component. The following Standards For The Depiction of Violence
In Television Programs will provide the framework within which the
acceptability of content will be determined by each Network in the
exercise of its own judgment.
STANDARDS FOR DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS
These written standards cannot cover every situation and must,
therefore, be worded broadly. Mereover, the Standards must be
considered against the creative context, character and tone of
each individual program. Each scene should be evaluated on its
own merits with due consideration for its creative integrity.
1)
Conflict and strife are the essence of drama and
conflict often results in physical or psychological
violence. However, all depictions of violence should be
relevant and necessary to the development of character,
DI to the advancement of theme or plot.
2)
Gratuitous or excessive depictions of violence, (or
redundant violence shown solely for its own sake), are
not acceptable.
3)
Programs should not depict violence as glamorous, nor as
an acceptable solution to human conflict.
4)
Depictions of violence may not be used to shock or
stimulate the audience.
5)
Scenes showing excessive gore, pain or physical
suffering are not acceptable.
6) The intensity and frequency of the use of force, and
other factors relating to the manner of its portrayal,
should be measured under a standard of reasonableness so
that the program, on the whole, is appropriate for a
home viewing medium.
7)
Scenes which may be instructive in nature, 0.9.1 which
depict in an initable manner, the use of harmful devices
or weapons, describe readily usable techniques for the
commission of crimes, or show replicable methods for the
evasion of detection or apprehension, should be avoided.
Similarly, ingenious, unique or otherwise unfamiliar
methods of inflicting pain or injury are unacceptable 1f
easily capable of initation.
8)
Realistic depictions of violence should also portray, in
human terms, the consequences of that violence to its
victims and its perpetrators. Callousness or
indifference to suffering experienced by victims of
violence should be avoided.
9)
Exceptional care must be taken in stories or scenes
where children are victims of, or are threatened by acts
of violence (physical, psychological or verbal).
10) The portrayal of dangerous behavior which would invite
imitation by children, including portrayals of the use
of weapons or implements readily accessible to this
impressionable group, should be avoided.
11) Realistic portrayals of violence as well as scenes,
images or events which are unduly frightening or
distressing to children should not be included in any
program specifically designed for that audience.
12) The use of real animals shall conform to accepted
standards of humane treatment. Fictionalized portrayals
of abusive treatment should be strictly limited to the
legitimate requirements of plot development.
13) Extreme caution must be exercised in any themes, plots
or scenes which mix sex and violence. Rape and other
sexual assaults are violent, not erotic, behavior.
14) The scheduling of any program, commercial or promotional
material, including those containing violent depictions,
should take into consideration the nature of the
program, its content and the likely composition of the
intended audience.
15) Certain exceptions to the foregoing may be acceptable,
as in the presentation of material whose overall theme
is clearly and unambiguously anti-violent.
AN INTERNATIONAL DAILY NEWSPAPER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUSI 26, 1992
504 ($1.00 CANADIAN)
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Senator Lights Fire Under TV Industry Over Violence
the American people are not go-
cial legislation, which passed, giv-
cus, and NIC. Julie Hoover, MR
The rable industry's response I'
ing to simply sit by and say, 'Well,
ing them a three-year exemption
ABC apukawoman, make "They
Sensior Simon's will was to COMIT
By Louise Sweeney
w they're not going to regulate
from such laws.
agreed to agree, and are new in
minimum a stady by Dr. George
of
the
Science
Manutes
themselves, we're just not going
A year and a half later, be is
the process of trying to draft Lan-
Gerbner, one of the foremont ex-
ION
to do anything about n.° I think
atill waiting to are what the met-
guage which will be adited and
perts OR television violence." She
there is guing to be a demand for
works are going to do. He has
circulated actively. They're
says they hope to be able to share
T
ELEVISION violence, king
some type of action. And I think
heard that they have had two
hoping to reach conclusions in
the results of the survey with Sea-
a without staphe of industry
we have to be very careful in this
meetings in the last year and a
the next couple of months.
alor Simon this fall.
programmang. has begun
field because we don't want viula-
half. The most record one was
"They're working on trying to
National Association of Broad-
again as a subject of pub-
tions of the first aniendment."
July 24. An ABC source con-
create some statements of princi-
canters spokesman Doug Wills
11. congressional concern.
When Simon began his study
Armed that meeting, saying that u
ple," she maki. "We the networks]
anys his organization held meet.
This nirks TV Gunde, the na-
of TV violence, he asked industry
included representatives of ABC,
already have departments of stan-
legs on the subject starting in
nonal magazine covering the in-
representatives to work together
dards and practices, which review
June 1990.
dose contains a section devoted
to curb that violence. He started
every program before is goes out
"Our broad statement of prin-
1.. volene on the tube.
his campaign after being horri-
over the air. We don't Me this
riples is a document saying Tha
Healther Borden. a spokeswonnan
fied by a feature film on TV of a
kind of standards and practices
tuitous sex and violence do 1114
1..1 the magazine, mays is did its
chain-saw maxsacre.
review evident anywhere on
belong on television." That's all
study of volence our 10 sta-
He told industry spokesmen
cable."
that we can to without COME chal
Lotts ⑉ the Washington area,
that there had been over 100
Simon anys: "My hope in that
lenges on anternet."
at with a symposium of
studies of the relationship be-
both the networks as well as the
As to M ratings system with a V
and IN running the results
tween violence INI TV and visa-
independents neal cuble will july
for violent programs. Sumon
11.. 1112 2328 issue.
know in security, that HS, of them
attentions III this that stearly INM'
Congress doesn't have the
l'assl Sumon (1) of Illunois.
were substantial, and that both
of the alternatives are MMM* kisul of
In institute is ratings system. Basel
... the Television Violence
the general and the lund-
Federal Communications Conn.
Hur industry could begin " with
contraged by the satura-
late of Mental Health had issued
minion action.
volumary standards." They ........
11 volone ⑉ n that be is
studies on M - funding violence on
The HIC does have a great
draw age NM is code ⑉ -18 hours
talking calling for bearnigs
TV is causing violence in society.
deal of power INIT unlividual Na-
In says
The subject "Mi may very well
Industry representatives told
them the threat of relieving ink.
The problem is " of will
Lave .1 heaning after the first of
him they couldn't ,to anything
vidued difiliates of their beenses,
WILL We need the CEOs of 1111
the yo.68 this subcommattee INI
about n because to Key Logether
fur Instruct
and NIH' and CBS saying III their
constitutional rights would ludel
and establish standards would
SENADOR SIMON: 110's entraged about
Ensumber, spokeswoman
people "Iet"s In: responsible 186
such a hearing.
violate the antitrust laws. UA.
violence on TV and throusens 10
for the National Cable TV Associ-
let's KCI together and estable
Senator Sumon says: 1 think
daunted, be then introduced spe-
hold hearings in 1991
atton, says u Sames already actions:
binds Mandards.
Newsday August 21, 1989
VIEWPOINTS
at Association of Breadcasters
By Paul Simon
Coming Soon: An Act
television code on antitrust
CHECKED INTO 8 motel
grounds The NAB settled the
reem late one night a few
case 5 1982 and scrapped the on.
years age ofter a long day of
That Should Reduce
tire and learning additional anti-
in Illinois. I flipped
trust suite based on other portions
on the TV Bel, hoping to
of the code. This change. coupied
earch the late news. Instead. I saw
with added competitive pressures
in actor being sawed in half with
a chain saw, in vivid color.
Television Violence
on breadcasters. has spaired an
"arms race" in TV violence from
The scene unsettled me that
which none will retrest for (ear of
right I wondered what ie would
losing retings points. As in all
- to a 10-year-old or to a 14-year-old.
children, new 13. was what they had watched on
arres reces. the public 13 the learr.
When I returned to Washington I saked my
televance when they were eight - not what their
I wondered why we couldn't give the industry a
staff to gether studies on selevision valence.
families did. not what their social class was not any
limited exemption from the anutrum laws - it
They discovered nearly 3,000 scholarly articles
of the other things that were measured.
could salve the problem itself. As a bfelong onl
and studies.
By age 16. the average American child has BEER
libertanan. I found the antitrust approach particu-
As I dug deeper I found, first 0 remarkable
200,000 acts of violence - TV. Including 33,000
larty attractive. All the more so because I set on the
consensus IR several research fields about the
murders. The audience under 16 numbers about so
Senate Judiciary Committee, which overnous the
harm EXERENVE TV violence does to children and
million. If even one-tenth of one percent are
antitrust lews.
adults: areand. confirmation that U.S. televison
harmed. we are nondiessly impressing 50,000 young
Mest - the industry continue to deny TV -
is more violent than ever before and may be the
people with this gratuitieus electronic meybers.
lease - a problem at all Irenumily. they claim that
most violent of any industrialised analy, and
As 1 dignoted theme findings I began to ask my
26 minutes of expesure to visiones has no uspact.
shird self-regulation net long age - an
accepted practice in the American salon-
aion industry. but today it to illegal.
in the 1950s. when television violence was
tame compared with that asen today, pay.
chologists tended toward a theory that n had
.8 eachartic effect that reduced viewers' ag-
gramme behavior. Researchers today find no
date to support that theory. but find abus-
dont evidence of its harmful effects. The -
search generally identifies three problems
connomed with TV visiones: Children may
become I sensitive to the pain and ouffer-
ing of others: they may become more Anrful
of the world around them: and they may be
more likely to behave in aggrements or harm-
ful ways toward others.
The American Academy of Podictrics Sinds
"repacted expecure to televised violence pro-
motor a predivity to violence and a pessive
susponse w its practice." in 1982. U.S. Sur-
goon General C. Everst: Keep reported a
relationship between vira.
ing violence and aggrement behavior after
asking the National Institute of Months
Health to review the meable body of research.
Date published in the New England down
nal of Medicine shows graphic depintions of
suiside - talevision are often followed by a
- Loves
dramatic rise in teem suimides. Thirty-five
boys and young men between the ages of 8 and 31
self this question: to a free society Who ours -
while 30 nameds of experure to a remmercial has
hilled themselves playing Ruman souletse while
one that chuns government consership and has a
great impact. The obview answer - that televeren
waiteting B acone from The Door Hunter.' which
commercial televasion industry - powerlson to
smile - whether a politional product. or snop. -
they had peen on television. And after . tolevised
protect Stack and the children from the harm
depiction of the New Redieve paul hall rape -
I
shows. a 12-year-old boy ammuland a 10-year-old
associd by commaive TV violenes?
in writing the bill 1 wanted to forus on enter-
girl on a pool table.
After disminations with television pulicy makers
assiment programing only. - I wrote report -
Researchers had a undque before-and-after -
and visits to the newerks' divisions of standards
grage and breats a legislative history malung alear
inz opportunity when TV care to 8 small Canadi-
and practions, I answered that question with the
that the examption as not named as the content of
an community that had never bad n before. They
Television Violence
news programs. One
reand verbal and phyment aggression ruse among
ACL which 1 surport will
reason is that
primary school children after television homme a
seen clear the Con-
part of the town's We.
great. The ЫШ gives the
'Is a free society like ours
tainment progra
tend to gienty visionam.
A anudy begun on . group of 8-year-olds and
tolevision industry the
while news programs
pursued for 10 years by Dectors Leonard Eron and
I ! I
Rewall Hussmann of the University of Illinois tried
powerless to protect itself
do ROL
the antitruct laws n
Like our politimans.
so identify all GRANDS of aggression in childhood:
mouds to legally develop
and its children?'
television can appeal to
child-rearmg proctions s the family. neighborhood
I I I
the been in - or to
experience and other factors. At the and of the 10
television violence. 1
work INSURANCE Tes of-
years. the single best prodictor of varience - these
first began exploring
sen. television today -
this approach when a network executive streased
contributing to a tide of violence. A demecratic.
in one meeting that he and his counterparie
pluraustic security can and ways to protect
Sm. Paw Suman (D-III.) w 6
couldn't even most to discuss an industry-inde up-
against surversive televised matense It's time for
former adver and publisher
preach to the problem because the laws
Like television insustry to (orge a partnership with
- has .
prohibit n Has cornent intrigued me.
America a families to acale back the sunesphere of
solumn for 41 yrs
The Justice Department filed a case in 1979
malence that w erupung in our on
challenging the advertising sections of the Nation.
our Main Streets. even is our scheelyards.
Newsday
12
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Tuesday. May 4.
MEDIA
Critics Zero In on TV Violence
There are top people in the
stations found no fewer than 100
told the Schroder/Variety sympo-
Senstor Simon sees an
television business who are
violent scenes per hour. One-third
By Fred Hillt
shum: 7 am an implacable for of
sistency in the public's
sharply sware not only of the
of the violence involved We
consorship by any group, self-ap-
when it comes to violence on TV
Special - The - -
prevalence of violence and the
threatening assoults. During an
pointed or elected or otherwise.
"It's the same inconsistency
TOBE
growing objections to K, but also
18-hour span, the survey noted
We BRANK not tell creative people
in the Senate," he says. The pub-
of the Impact k has on viewers,
1,846 individual acts of violence.
how to tall their stories."
lic wants lower taxes, but
T
ELEVISION violence the
particularly young ones. Unbri-
The American Psychological
The creative process, Valent/
services and the elimination of
gratuitous,
graphically
died violence has become an into-
Association estimates that the BY-
pointed OUR, % so fraglie, 80 -
the deficit. The same thing with
ugly, often andistic kind
goal part not only of action
orage youngster will see 8,000
by shattered. I would " to direct
violence: The public objects to K,
is under attack, and TV broad-
drama, but also of the cartoon
murders and 100,000 acts of bru-
a creative person to soften a no
and yet a is somehow fascinated
casters are paying close and even
fare for the very young.
sality by the time be or the fin-
lant scene and still get the same
by
anxious attention.
Children's shows are fre-
tahes elementary school. The M-
kind of impact."
James Quello, the temporary
A meeting of top amocutives in
quently interrupted by commer-
sociation
Sinds
a
chairman of the Federal Commu-
the movie. broadcast-TV, and a
clais featuring violence and bru-
correistion
between
TV
violence
Public
awareness
nications Commission,
bie industries to planned for Au-
tality in trailers for forth-
Senator Simon, unlike
warned that an aroused viewing
gust in Los Angeles to examine
coming adult action movies.
others who favor a stronger
public might ask Congress to leg.
the Issue and the steps that might
There to a cyniclem in
appreach - Y self-ruguia-
Inlate against excessive violance.
be taken to at least partially -
this society, and k in hard to
tion doem't work, let's leg.
Outspoken Sen. Robert Byrd
solve M.
believe that we may not
inluse" would prefer Delevi-
of West Virginia has indicated the
Last December, seeking to
have had some role in ","
sion cleaned its own house.
k could eventually be considered
defuse the avalanche of criticism,
said Howard Burtinger, prosi-
9 don't want to get into the
a violation of the public trust on
the networks agreed on a surnber
dent of the cas Broadcast
delicate First Amendment
the part of the networks.
of vaguely worded standards aim-
Group, at a recent Industry
area," be eays. "Ideally. we
k is precisely this throat of
ing to an down on violence and
conference cabed by Wer-
can solve the problem with
consorahip that worries men Silce
on scenes that "depict violence as
their Schroder and Variety,
OUR the heavy hand of gov.
Valenti and others who look
glamorous."
the trade publication
emment, without setting a
en Hollywood's long and
"N CBS, we are going to
precedent which we may re-
struggle against it. The
Self-regulation urged
become much tougher on #
you Inter."
don't dery that they have the to
The Hollywood conference has
elence in our Insup this
The American public is
gal means to do something
been called at the Instigation of
fall." be said. * is the chill
sharpty aware of the nega-
the abundance of violence on the
Sen. Paul Simon (D) of Illinois,
of violence that worries me,
live influence of violence on
atc. They can act under Senator St-
who has been in the forefront of
not 60 much the physical ac-
television. A recent Times
mon's TV Violence Act. -
those pounting to the growing in-
tion. k to the callousness to-
Mirror survey found that 72
log them from antitruct Member
cidence of violence on the small
volved and the role we have
percent of Americans sur-
allowing them to establish
screen (and the big one. for that
in shaping the attitudes of
vayed and there was too
snon rules. The law runs
in
matter) and urging the broadcast-
young people to their vic-
much of M on entertairement
December 1993.
ers to find some means of regular-
time. Gratuitous violence
SIMON The sension has - up - Ampust
programs; an equal percent-
ing themselves when k comes to
has to be erased from the
conformence de Las Angeles on TV.flim a
age of parents reported
US-oversons differences
the production of violent Incl-
network. We must admit our
surning off the net to protect
Katherine Malatame, who sells
dents in drama.
responsibility."
and aggressive behavior.
their children from k
Westinghouse's famous
7 have hopes, not expects-
k to the impact on the young
However, the practical success
Television executives, prefer-.
Mutant Ninja Turties series, -
tions for that meeting." Senator
that particularly concerns many
of the August conference clearly
ring not to be quoted by usme,
derecores the difference betw
Sumon sold the Monttor, "My hope
of those who have watched the
to not a foregone conclusion. Jack
acknowledge that violence exists
the United States and the
of
to that there will be a general con-
rise in the level of violence on TV
Valenti, the president of the Mo-
in TV drams programming be
the world.
service that we really do have 8
They perceive k as harmful not
tion Picture Association of Amer-
cause of the perception the M as-
"X" home, we don't -
problem that we have to deal with
only because M to seen stimulating
ice, which represents the major
tracts virwors.
objections to visience in
in a responsible way.
and encouraging aggressive acts,
Hollywood studios (who supply
They are servewhat -
shows," who says. "American
7 hope that this conference
but also because the steady drum-
the YES majority of our television
simistic at the prospects for a -
are used to a But abrued. It's a
will create a general atmomphere
best of on-air violence threatens
programs), sees a "political prob-
riows direinution of en-ecreen vio-
very different story. The
in
that recognizes, on the part of all
to descruitive youngsters to the
lan," but expresses the hope that
lance precisaly because of the
Britain wouldn't buy the Turties
the people who have such Influ-
pain of those on whom k to -
the movie industry can tackle no-
commercial aspects of K at 0 time
apleas they could adk out
of
once on the public, that there to a
flicted, and k diminishes their
lence "as we did eartier in the case
when the networks are having
the violence.
responsibility to move away from
sense of reality and responsibility.
of drugs and alcohol on the
trouble financially The networks
T's that version that we sold
the pattern of violence that we
A survey run in Washington
screen."
will just pay the necessary up ser-
to the THE of the world. Otherwise
have."
last year by TV Guide on 10 local
At the same time, Mr Valenti
vice," observed one.
the Turties wouldn't have
nearty as well."
Americans frequently adit pro-
grame for export to accommodate
the International distaste for -
lance. "Over there they
of
but are quite willing to accept SEX
on TV We are the exact
observes Brian Lacy, who markets
the Zodiec company's
series.
While there are objections to
violence in entertainment
a occurs more often in the so-
called "reality" programs that of.
fer news footage or skillful,
totic recreations
TV news portrays violence but
does not glamonze k,"
says, "but entertainment
do just that That to where the
problem as. and that is the
we must move away from."
TV VIOLENCE RATINGS:
TV
July 17-23
BROADCASTA
TV
THE NEXT SHOWDOWN
89c
GUIDE
HOT-
Holtywood
Showdown
B
ullets will still fly. Thugs
will still kill. Fists will
crunch against noses—
as always. But this fall. fi-
nally, parents eager to
For TV
steer kids away from such
familiar if disquieting im-
ages on broadcast televi-
sion will get some long-
delayed help.
Just how much help
remains unclear. And just
VIOLENCE
why Hollywood decided
that this was the time to
lend a hand to parents is
a question worth asking.
For the first time,
Still, a startling united
front suddenly emerged
Hollywood and
last month with the an-
nouncement by ABC,
Washington are
CBS, NBC, and Fox that
beginning next season,
joining forces to
programs containing vio-
lent scenes will carry
limit the endless
warning messages in the
form of parental advi-
Bang! Pow! and
sories. TV violence won't
go away, of course. any
Slash! of television
more than printing the
Surgeon General's warn-
fare. Question is:
Clockwise from upper left
ing on every cigarette
What weapons
Scenes from "Stephen King's
package stopped all smok-
II "Murder in the Heartland"
ing. But at least viewers
will be forewarned.
will they use?
Kung Fu The Legend
Continues Total Recall
And the networks will
FBI The Untold Stories
be off the hook. Or will
By Neil Hickey
? Untouchables (above)
and THE HOJE (center)
they? The new initiative
required an unusual degree of coopera-
mounting criticism and possible Con-
tion among the competing broadcasters.
gressional legislation.
a unanimity forged by their mutual
How successfully the collaborators
recognition that TV violence does in-
defused the violence issue will be seen
deed have ill effects. and by a shared
Aug. 2. when a "summit conference" on
need to do something in the face of
π violence convenes in Los Angeles.
114.
CHERS the
A television
the
the are we're still new being not sure worked what out. the
so of a program- But
will be. to
decision facilitate
to
do
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< in
may be direction.
the right
" DATE WATSON/ARC.
THE All
The mass meeting will draw together
it down their throats." he thundered.
more than 400 broadcast and cable offi-
At hearings a few weeks earlier. Rep.
cials. program makers. legislators. aca-
Markey declared himself "discouraged"
demicians. and members of watchdog
that TV people had given only lip service
groups. who will examine all the op-
to the Television Violence Act of 1990.
tions for reducing violence. and ask
which paved the way for the networks to
some tough questions about the net-
create some tough new guidelines. In-
works' announcement.
stead. he complained. "another May
Still. it's "the dawning of a new era."
sweeps finds us mired in murder and
and a wonderful first step. according to
mayhem." Clearly: Markey said, the in-
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.). Most
dustry "has not gotten the message." To
Hollywood programmers. he points out.
prove it he cited a study by the Center for
now concur that violence in the media
Media and Public Affairs (commissioned
helps cause real violence-and are eager
by TV GUIDE for a special issue on vio-
to cooperate in devising solutions
lence last Aug. 22) that
to the problem. CBS president
Cable mogul
found more than 1800
Howard Stringer told 1000 CBS
station executives in a May speech
Ted Turner
that the medium should no longer
"deny blindly the reality of televi-
delivered
sion
violence
Death stings. pain
hurts. loss devastates. fear terri-
a furious
fies
Murder. even fighting. is not
po tic or balletic. It is ugly and
attack on his
clumsy. Violence is vile." He won a
standing ovation from his fellow
colleagues.
broadcasters.
This new and welcome urge
among TV people to reform has
not happened spontaneously. Far
from it. Leading up to the June 30
announcement and the August
conference has been an unprece-
dented string of hearings in both the
Senate and the House of Representa-
tives in which the industry has been jolt-
violent acts during one 18-hour period of
ed as never before. A parade of witness-
television.
es pummeled the medium for dragging
The floodgates were open. Violence
its feet on dealing with violence.
was suddenly the hottest subject in tele-
Dr. Leonard Eron, a psychology pro-
vision. Lawmakers and public officials of
fessor at the University of Michigan,
every stripe began checking in with
sounded a clarion call: "Ladies and gen-
schemes to bring the television industry
tlemen of the Senate." he said. "the time
to heel once and for all: Sen. Kent Con-
has come for you to act. The TV industry
rad (D-N.D.)-describing May as "one of
has demonstrated that it cannot or will
the bloodiest months in TV history"-an-
not regulate itself." Cable mogul Ted
nounced a nationwide petition drive call-
Turner delivered a furious attack on his
ing for a violence ratings system for
broadcast colleagues. Congress should
prime-time Ti: children's programs. and
forge a strict standard on violence for
movies. The expected lists of names
broadcasters and. if they resist. -ram
would be delivered to the Aug. 2 Los An-
geles meeting. Masterminding the peti-
tame a remedy. Others were concerned
non drive. Conrad said. would be a new-
because children's cartoons will not be
ly minted body called the Citizens Task
labeled. Rep. Markey said he still hoped
Force on TV Violence.
for a lock-out box that would let parents
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Rep.
block channels and programs deemed
Richard Durbin (D-III.) introduced legis-
too violent. Sen. Simon said. "We're not
lation to require the FCC to publish
suggesting no violence we're suggest-
quarterly reports listing the acts of vio-
ing no glamorization of violence." Net-
lence on prime-time. Saturday morning.
works worried that advertisers will not
and cable programming. and the names
sponsor shows-even worthy ones—
of the sponsors of those shows.
that contain the disclaimer. The New
Underlying it all was
York Times wrote off the advi-
the growing conviction
Media vio-
sories as a "mild slap." and said
the networks would still get away
lence, says
with murder. Still other critics
wondered if a V label would only
Gerbner, "has
attract unsupervised children.
So the question remains: What
become the
is different this time from all pre-
new civil-
vious occasions when Congress
and the public were up in arms
over media violence, only to have
rights issue."
promises made and them fade
from view? "It is different now,"
says George Gerbner, professor at
The Annenberg School for Com-
munication at the University of
Pennsylvania. "It's like adding
heat to a pot of water. For a long
time it seems that nothing hap-
pens, and then all of a sudden it
starts to boil-and it boils over."
among lawmakers and regulators that
Media violence, he says, has become
the government would indeed step in if
"the new civil-rights issue." After "many
the industry didn't police itself. At the
years of semi-dormancy," Gerbner says.
FCC. acting chairman James Quello said
the current interest by government and
that Congress should give his agency au-
the public was sparked by last August's
thority to regulate TV violence as "a nec-
special issue of TV GUIDE, which bore the
essary next step." And the person who
cover line. "Is TV Violence Battering Our
has been at the forefront of the anti-vio-
Kids?" and. he claims, "directly stimulat-
lence movement more than any other
ed public debate and the current series
public official. Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.).
of Congressional hearings."
hinted that if the fall TV schedules didn't
Whatever the source. it now seems
show authentic improvement. "we're go-
possible that a good-faith effort by Holly-
ing to have to look at alternatives."
wood and the networks exists-even if
Into that atmosphere came the June
forced-and that all parties may intend
30 four-network announcement on warn-
(for the first time in television's history)
ing labels. Lawmakers and activists were
to build on that foundation to help spare
generally pleased with that news. but
children-and adults-exposure to the
some felt that the advisories were too
meaner forms of media mayhem.
'V' for Violence: Ten Talking Points
T
en questions we-and many of our
local newscasts? On tabloid shows?
readers-believe the Aug. 2 TV vio-
At one extreme, showing war, crime,
lence summit must address:
or disaster is a necessary part of keep-
1. Parental advisories are a good
ing citizens informed, young or old: at
step. but what are their guidelines,
the other, "news" violence is presented
and will they be uniformly applied?
as rowdy entertainment. Who will spell
We need a full definition of TV vio-
out the difference? Should anyone try?
lence-any act of aggression, or one de-
6. Cartoons were exempted from
picted in graphic detail? What is "gratu-
advisories. Why?
itous" violence? What is violence that
It may seem silly to those of us
"glamorizes"? Until now, anonymous
brought up on Tom & Jerry. but stud-
network "standards and practices" peo-
ies have shown that "violent" cartoons
ple decided what's OK or not. Should
can adversely affect the very young.
this process now be public, spelled out?
7. How about the rest of TV? Promos
2. Not all parents can supervise
for violent shows and movies? What
their-children's viewing. What tech-
about music videos?
nology exists to help parents lock out
Again, TV GUIDE'S study showed
programs labeled violent?
these were contributors to TV violence.
Rep. Ed Markey's proposed chip in
8. VCRs are in most of our homes
TV sets would let viewers "lock out"
today. Are the present "advisories" for
programs labeled "V" for violent. Might
movies sufficient to guide parents in
this lead to rigid labeling, programming,
renting tapes for home TV viewing?
or viewing decisions-Roots lumped to-
Parents often debate whether an R-
gether with a gratuitous shoot-'em-up
rated film is a "hard R" or a "soft R," or if
series? Are there other solutions in the
a movie rated PG-13 in 1993 is the same
offing that give parents control more
as PG-13 in 1983. If TV is looking to clean
flexibly, with more information?
its house, should the movie biz, too?
8. What about cable? Some pay
9. If advertisers boycott good shows
channels show violent movies, uncut,
labeled violent, will fewer good shows
that may run around the clock.
be made? Could this have a chilling ef-
We cable viewers don't always dis-
fect on creativity and innovation?
tinguish between network, basic-cable,
Sure could. That's why we should
or even pay-cable shows; we just flip
think carefully about overly simple,
around with the remote. So do our kids,
black-and-white solutions. CBS chief
despite our best efforts. But we pay for
Howard Stringer wamed-eelf-serving-
premium cable: Should there be time-
ly but correctly-against turning a "vast
of-day restrictions, or none at all?
wasteland" into a dull wasteland."
4. What about syndicated reruns?
10. Isn't the !timate question,
In TV GUIDE'S study last year, an in-
"What can we do about the frightening
dependent station showing mostly re-
level of violence in U.S. society. rather
runs had the most violent over-the-air
than just on TV?" Should we take this
shows. Should station managers take
moment in our national life to ask not
responsibility? Should syndicators?
merely what we can take off TV, but
5. What about violence on national
what we can put ON TV to affirmatively
news? On prime-time magazines? On
help this cause?
-The Editors
CO Researcher
PUBLISHED BY CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY INC
TVViolence
will Hollywood tone it down - or face regulation?
HE AVERAGE AMERICAN CHILD WATCHES 8,000
T
murders and 100.000 acts of violence before
firishing elementary school - thanks to the miracle
of television. Suggestions of a link between
make-believe TV violence and aggression in real life have
been raised since television's formative years in the 1950s -
and always dismissed by the TV industry. But recently the
N
THIS ISSUE
three major networks signed a first-ever joint statement
S:
outlining practices aimed at reducing violence, and the cable,
THE ISSUES
167
video and film industries are showing signs of cooperating.
BACKGROUND
174
CHRONOLOGY
175
Some in Congress are encouraged and maintain hopes that
CURRENT SITUATION
180
change will come about voluntarily, without the need for
AT ISSUE
181
federal regulation. But anti-violence activists and scholars of
OUTLOOK
183
television accuse the industry of merely paying lip service to
BIBLIOGRAPHY
185
the problem.
THE NEXT STEP
186
c
March 26, 1993 Volume 3, No. 12 165-188
Formerh Editonal Research Reports
TV VIOLENCE
THE ISSUES
169
Who Are the Killers and
Researcher
Victims?
16-
Does TV violence lead 10 real
Sixty percent of male TV charac-
March 26. 1993
violence? is the television In-
iers are involved in violence.
Volume 3. No. 12
dustry adequately addressing
the problem of violence? Are
170
One Viewer's Violence Is
EDITOR
proposed cures for TV vio-
Another Viewer's Action
Sandra Stencel
lence worse than the disease?
Telen ision industry officials
MANAGING EDITOR
otten complain about the way
Thomas 1. Colin
BACKGROUND
activists measure violence.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
174
Early Concerns
Richard L Worsnop
In 1952. the first congressional
1-2
Rating Cartoons for
Violence
STAFF WRITERS
hearings were held on the im-
Charles S. Clark
Cartoons are among the most
pact of television violence on
Mary H. Cooper
volent shows on TV.
children.
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Sarah E. Merritt
177
Government Action
175
Chronology
Key events since the 1950s.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
President Johnson appoints a
Michael M. Taylor
commission to study the roots
of urban unrest. and Sen. John
176
Music Videos That Flirt
GRAPHICS
U. Pastore. D-R.I.. asks the
With Violence
Jack Auldridge
surgeon general to study the
MTV videos send out confusing
PUBLISHED BY
effects of TV violence.
messages about sex and vio-
Congressional Quarterly Inc.
lence. says a Massachusetts com-
munications professor.
CHAIRMAN
178
The '80s Explosion
Andrew Barnes
Bv the early 1980s. more than
179
Video Games and
VICE CHAIRMAN
250 advocacy groups were
working to change TV: and
Push-Button Aggression
Andrew P. Corry
new technologies had
Many Nintendo games have un-
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
changed the media landscape.
acceptable levels of violence,
Neil Skene
advocates say.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
CURRENT SITUATION
Robert W. Merry
181
At Issue
180
Pressuring the FCC
Should the television industry do
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Anti-violence advocates press
more to curb depictions of vio-
John J. Coyle
for change. even as the indus-
lence?
try plans a conference on TV
. 1993 Congressional Quanerty Inc.
violence this summer.
182
TV News: Violence Is Part of
The right to make direct - of material contained
in The 8 Researcher - strictly reserved to news-
Our World Tonight
paper. magazine. radio and televasion cleens of the
OUTLOOK
Stations know that violence
service. Others watung to quore from the reports
snares viewers.
for other than academic purposes and hrs obtain
183
What Can Be Done?
written permission
Everybody has a solution.
FOR FURTHER
Bibliographic records and abstracts included in
The New Step section of this publication are trum
from Ann Landers to activist
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Prime Time. High Violence
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COVER ART BARBARA SASSA-DANIELS
166
CQ Researcher
TV Violence
BY CHARLES S. CLARK
THE ISSUES
- bringing an array of feature-length
movies into the home. "The access
to violence is different nowadays."
says Edward Donnerstein, a professor
T
the young gunshot victim in the
of communications at the University
Boston hospital emergency room
of California-Santa Barbara. "There's
astonished his doctors. He ex-
lots of unsupervised TV-watching.
pressed surprise that his wound ac-
and households often have two TVs."
tually hurt.
Also new is a trend toward "reali-
"I thought. boy. he's really stupid.
ty-based" made-for-TV movies and
anybody knows that if you get shot it's
tabloid news and video shows ("Top
going to hurt." recalled Dr. Deborah
Cops," "Hard Copy," "A Current Af-
Prothrow-Stith. associate dean of the
fair" and "I Witness Video")
Harvard University School of Public
on actual news events, many of them
Health and author of a recent book on
involving re-enactments of real
violence. "But it dawned on me that
crimes or replays of actual violence
what he sees on television is that when
captured on tape by amateur camcor-
the superhero gets shot in the arm. he
der operators. Still other violent
uses that arm to hold onto a truck going
ages come from promotions
85 miles an hour around a corner. He
commercials for feature films. many
overcomes the driver and shoots a cou-
of them R-rated. A New York psycho-
ple of hundred people while he's at
across the country are as familiar as Ar-
therapist recently wrote in McCall's
With American children glued to
nold "The Terminator" Schwarzeneg-
magazine about how his , B
the TV for an average of 27 hours
ger taunting, "Hasta la vista, baby," or
daughter had trouble sleeping after
each week (in the inner city it's often
Clint "Dirty Harry" Eastwood growling,
she was confronted - during a
11 hours day). the American Psy-
"Make my day." A full 25 percent of the
"family" program by an advertise-
chological Association (APA) now es-
prime-time shows in the 1992 fall sea-
ment showing the terrifying slasher
timates that a typical child will watch
son contained "very violent" material,
Freddy Krueger from "Nightmare on
8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of
according to the National Coalition on
Elm Street."
violence before finishing elementa-
Television Violence (NCTV), a Cham-
Today's high-tech violence -
ry school.
paign, Ill.-based monitoring and advo-
achieved easily with computerized
But in 1991 alone there were 25,000
cacy group. (See list, p. 168.)
special effects is aimed at a sophisti-
murders in the United States. Coming
The year 1992 set an all-time
cated young audience with increasing-
at a time when the homicide rate is ris-
record for violence in children's
ly high expectations for rapid-paced
ing six times faster than the population,
shows - 32 violent acts per hour.
action. Hence a major source of the
a longstanding debate - does TV vio-
That compares with six violent acts
problem as measured by anti-violence
lence cause actual violence?- has tak-
per hour during prime time, accord-
advocates is the perennial head-
en on a new urgency.'
ing to researchers at the University of
smashing on children's cartoons. A na-
"There has never been a situation
Pennsylvania. The nightly dose of
tional survey of elementary school
like this," George Gerbner, dean
splattering blood, rapes, car wrecks
teachers found that the popular Teen-
emeritus of the University of Pennsyl-
and screaming victims on TV tripled
age Mutant Ninja Turtles" causes con-
vania's Annenberg School of Commu-
during the 1980s, according to the
fusion between fantasy and reality.
nications, told a congressional panel
American Academy of Pediatrics.
"Several children really thought it was
in December. Children "start viewing
(See story P. 170.)
OK to use physical violence with other
as infants. Most of the stories they
What sets today's TV apart from
children because the turtles) do that,"
hear are not told by the parents. the
the 1960s and, say, the routine ma-
a teacher reported.'
school. the church, neighbors. They
chine-gun volleys of Chicago mob-
Children in the inner city, who
are told by a handful of conglomer-
sters and FBI agents on "The
dodge bullets on the way home from
ates who have something to sell."
Untouchables" is the proliferation of
school, are most affected by the culture
The stories they tell in living rooms
formats - cable, pay-per-view, VCRs
of TV violence, says Leonard Eron. a
March 26. 1993
167
TV
VIOLENCE
Prime Time, High Violence
the 10 most-watched programs on tele-
vision among children and teenagers.
eight are situation comedies. which do
Prime-time TT violence has increased markedly since 1980. when the two
must Molent shows each registered only 22 incidents of violence per bour. In
not contain any violence." Rosalyn
1984 and 1992. several programs racked up more than 40 violent incidents
Weinman, vice president for standards
per bour. led by. the action-packed Young Indiana Jones.
and practices at NBC, told the House
Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and
Fall 1980
Fall 1984
Fall 1992
Criminal Justice Dec. 15.
Enix (22)
Hammer (55)
Young Indiana Jones (60)
Industry veterans also maintain that
Sheriff Loho (22)
A-Team (5+)
Covington Cross (45)
the content of programming has been
B) & the Bear (17)
V (52)
The Hat Squad (42)
and always will be in the hands of the
Hart to Han (17)
Matt Houston (40)
Raven (42)
public. "Television and motion pic-
The Incredible Hulk (10)
Cover-Up (3M)
Angel Street (41)
tures are market-driven," says Del
Charlie's Angels (14)
Fall Guy (37)
Top Cops (38)
Reisman, president of the Writers Guild
Hill Street Blues (14)
Airwolf (33)
FBI: The Untold Stories (28)
Vegas (13)
Hunter (33)
Final Appeal (27)
of America, West. "If people don't go.
Nem Wolfe (11)
Street Hank (31)
Secret Service (24)
the picture won't be made."
Dukes of Hazard (11)
Scarectow & Mrs. King (31)
The Commish (17)
Civil libertarians have weighed in
seeking to discourage Congress from
Source National Coalition on Television Violence
interfering with First Amendment
rights. "TV networks are free to make
their own decisions," says Robert Peck.
head of the Washington office of the
University of Michigan psychology
studies asserting that violence in-
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
professor and longtime researcher on
creases on the day of the big game.
If the television industry is toning
TV violence. The child who has been
"We are outraged!" shout. $ full-page
down violence "in response tc con-
watching programs with primarily
ads in newspapers across the country
gressional pressure, we're concerned."
aggressive content comes away with
placed this February by the Tupelo,
Finally, defenders of the current
the impression that the world is a jun-
-based American Family Associa-
TV menu point out that violence has
gle fraught with dangerous threats.
tion. The conservative group attacked
been a central element of human
and the only way to survive is to be on
movies. records, music videos and
drama for centuries. "Of course there
the attack.'
TV for profanity, audity, sex, vio-
was blood in fairy tales, gore in my-
But the potential impact on young
lence and killings, asking, "Is it any
thology, murder in Shakespeare." re-
viewers. according to Harvard Univer-
wonder violence is epidemic"
torts Gerbner. "It is a violent world.
sity developmental psychologist Ron-
The public appears to agree
"But, the historical, limited, individ-
ald G. Slaby. goes heyond increasing
there's a. problem. A Times Mirror
ually crafted, selectively used and of-
the so-called aggressor effect (the
poll released March 23 found that 72
ten tragic symbolic violence has been
heightened likelihood of violent be-
percent of Americans think TV enter-
swamped by "happy violence,' pro-
havior). Youngsters also experience a
tainment shows contain too much vi-
duced on the dramatic assembly line
victim effect (increased fearfulness
olence. And a 1990 Gallup Poll
and discharged into the mainstream of
about becoming a victim) and a by-
showed 63 percent agreeing that TV
our culture. Happy violence shows no
stander effect (increased callousness
shows that depict crime and violence
pain or tragic consequences. It is a
toward violence directed at others)."
encourage crime.
swift and easy dramatic solution to
In Congress and among advocacy
TV executives haven't ignored the
many problems, employed by good
groups across the political spectrum.
complaints. This December, NBC, CBS
characters as much as bad, and always
alarmed citizens have taken up TV
and ABC produced an unprecedented
leading to a happy ending."
violence as a mobilizing issue. Fair-
joint statement outlining their policies
Whether big changes take place in
ness and Accuracy in Reporting. a
intended to minimize violence and keep
television violence will hinge largely
New York City-based liberal group.
it in proper context (see below). But the
on the following issues:
led a campaign this January to pres-
nerworks also reiterated their decades-
sure the NBC television nerwork to
old rebuttal of the body of research
Does television violence lead to
air a public service announcement
linking TV violence to real violence,
real violence?
about domestic violence during COV-
and blamed cable and independent
in the mid-1980s, 13-year-old Juan
erage of the Superhowl. citing some
stations for most of the violence. "Of
Valdez of Manteca, Calif., confessed to
168
CQ Researcher
murdering .1 friend's father. Having
the erratic disclipine. neglect. lack of
ted to the next generation." Eron says.
kicked. stabbed. heaten and choked
nurturance and "abnormally frequent
To experts such as Eron. Donner-
the man with a dog chain. the box was
viewing of violence on television.
stein and Slaby. "the scientific debate
asked why he also poured salt on the
University of Washington psychia-
is over" on the effects of TV via-
victures wounds "Oh. I don't know."
trist Brandon S. Centerwall. writing last
lence. and it is time to move on to
he replied. "I just seen It on TV.
June in The Journal of the American
decide what should be done. Be-
The suggested link between small-
Medical Association, reported that the
cause of quibbles by a few naysay-
screen violence and flesh-and-blood
arrival of television in South Africa co-
ers, who argue that measured effects
violence is perhaps the most examined
included with a doubling of the murder
are too small or the related anti-so-
of sociological questions. It has
rate. During the "critical period" of pre-
cial behavior too trivial. a solid body
prompted as many as 3.000 studies in
adolescent childhood, he explained,
of research on violence. the three
the past four decades in numerous
exposure to TV violence has a particu-
write, has "for decades been actively
countries. though only a few hundred
larly profound impact: Whereas in-
ignored. denied. attacked and even
have added new information.
fants have an instinctive desire to
misrepresented in presentations to
In a wide range of surveys and field
imitate observed human behavior, they
the American public. and popular
and laboratory studies. researchers have
do not possess an instinct for gauging a
myths regarding the effects have
examined the reactions of chikdren to
priori whether a behavior ought to be
been perpetuated.""
scenes showing a man who gets reward-
imitated. They will imitate anything."
To UCLA psychologist Seymour
ed with canch if he punches an inflat-
The University of Michigan's Leon-
Feschbach. the quibbling is
able "Bolx) the down" standup toy.
and Eron. who chairs the APA Commis-
stonewalling. "An unrealistic need for
They have compared children's aggres-
sion on Violence and Youth, has spent
more definitive research." he writes.
siveness after they have been shown
36 years researching TV violence. His
"may be used as a mechanism for
cartoon combat featuring Bugs Bunny.
unique longitudinal studies beginning
delaying policy change. much as ad-
Woody Woodpecker and Tom and Jerry
in 1960 traced the same group of 875
ministrators often turn over trouble-
and gentler shows such as "Lassie."
boys and girls from age 8 to age 30. ex-
some issues to committees as a meth-
They have examined the increase in ho-
amining crime rates and personal char-
od for delaying action."
micide rates immediately following tele-
acteristics. He found that those who
Robin Crews, a professor at the
vised boxing matches. They have
watched more violent TV were con-
University of Colorado who heads a
examined the increase in suicide rates
victed of more serious crimes, were
group of activist academics called the
following TV dramas about suicide.
more aggressive under the influence of
Peace Studies Association. says. -1
They have examined changes in the ho-
alcohol and more often used violence
don't know anyone in peace studies
micide rates in communities that sud-
to punish their own children, who in
who doesn't think ads. TV and mov-
denly acquired television. as in
turn showed signs of aggressiveness.
ies in a very significant way affect vi-
apartheid-governed South Africa and an
"What one learns about life from the
olence against women and violence
isolated Canadian lown in the 1970s
television screen seems to be transmit-
Continued on P. 171
(scholars christened it "Notel").
The upshor. according to a variety
of experts and advocates. is an over-
whelming consensus of some causal
Who Are the Killers and Victims?
effect. with measurable increases of
3-15 percent.' In the words of a re-
Characters portrayed as mentally ill are the most violent and most bigbly
cent American Psychological Associa-
inclimized group on TV, with 70 percent involved in violence and 20 per-
cent portrayed as killers. Sixty percent of all men and 42 percent of the
tion (APA) report. the accumulated
women are involved in violence.
research clearly demonstrates a corre-
lation between viewing violence and
For every 10
Involved to
killers, number
aggressive behavior - that is. heavy
violence
Killers
Killed
killed
viewers behave more aggressively
than light
Men
60%
11%
5%
4.5
Women
42%
4%
3%
7.5
That summation was echoed by a
"Mentally ill"
70%
20%
20%
10.0
new National Research Council study of
violence. which also asserted that VIO-
Source Annenberg School of Communications University of Pennsylvania Dec 14.
lent offenders are characterized by a low
1992
IQ. bullying. hyperactivity low empa-
March 26. 1993
169
TV VIOLENCE
One Viewer's Violence Is Another Viewer's Action
T
he definition of violence "will always be a subjective
modified version of the Motion Picture Association of
judgment based on individual perceptions and sensi-
America film ratings, it assigns films an overall rating that
bilities." Beth Waxman Bressan. vice president of the
factors in the context of the violence and whether the over-
CBS Broadcast Group. told the House Crime and Criminal.
all message is pro- or anti-violence. "If one character
Justice Subcommittee in December.
shoots another, it can be very different from when another
The fact that one viewer's violence is another's dramatic
(person] shoots that character," says Carole Lieberman.
action has led many in the television industry to complain
NCTV chairperson. A lot depends on "whether the villain is
about the ways anti-violence activists measure the prob-
punished and whether the bero has a glamorized lifestyle."
lem. "Accidents. such as a man falling on a banana peel,
If the sex and violence are in the story line and are
are counted as acts of violence in the most widely used vi-
handled appropriately, "we add a 'constructive factor in
olence counts." says Horst Stipp. director of social and de-
our monitoring," says the Rev. Billy A. Melvin, chairman
velopmental research at NBC. "Slapstick comedy routines
of the Christian group CLEAR-TV. "We know violence.
like the Keystone Kops. or even a magic trick directed at
sex and profanity are part of life, but things are getting
an unwilling person is interpreted as a violent act."t
more graphic. They used to show the sound of a gun and
Some activists agree. "Some rate the violence level by
then a dead body. Now they show the bullet entering the
the number of violent acts without measuring the intensi-
head and the brain on the wall."
ty and context," notes Marcy
At the University of Penn-
Kelly, president of Med-
One Day's TV Violence
sylvania's Annenberg School
iscope. a Los-Angeles-
of Communications, the Cul-
based nonprofit research or-
Number
Percent
tural Indicators Project pro-
of Scenes
of Total
ganization. "Car crashes, for
duces The Violence Index. It
example, shown in the film
Serious Assoults
defines TV violence 5 "dear-
labout the founding of
texcluding use of guns)
389
21
cut, unambiguous and overt
Mothers Against Drunk Driv-
Gunplay
362
20
episodes of physical violence
ing] would be counted as vi-
Isolated punches
273
15
hurting or killing or the
olent acts."
Pushing dragging
272
15
threst of hurting and/or kill-
When TV Guide commis-
Menacing threat
ling in any context," ac-
sioned the Center for Media
with weapon
226
12
cording to Prof. George
and Public Affairs in Wash-
Slaps
128
7
Gerbner. Two trained coders
ington to monitor prime-
Deliberate property
have to agree that an act is
time programs for violence,
destruction
95
5
violent. Gerbner's staff takes
it used the following defini-
Simple assaults
73
4
separate measures of the per-
tion: "Any deliberate act in-
All wher types
28
1
centage of programs contain-
volving physical force or the
Total
1,846
100%
ing any violence, the rate of
use of a weapon in an at-
Center pw Shalms and Public Affairs. June 1992
violent scenes per program
tempt to achieve a goal. fur-
and per hour and the per-
ther a cause, stop the action of another, act out an angry
centage of major characters involved in violence, either as
impulse. defend oneself from attack, secure a material re-
perpetrators or victims or both.
ward. or intimidate others." Not included were acts of un-
"Violence is a social relationship, i demonstration of
intended. or accidental violence, violence in sports and
power," Gerbner says. "It's who can do what to whom
violence by animals in nature shows. H
and get away with it Cartoons are the most controversial
At the National Coalition On Television Violence
and effective demonstrations of power, with humor as the
(NCTV). monitors are trained 10 count "physically violent
sugar-coating pill."
hostile acts committed with the intention of hurting an-
As for the charge that his project counts slipping on a
other person." according to Research Director Chitra Ve-
banana peel as a violent act, "That was invented by an
muri. Different weights are assigned to each type of
NBC executive 25 years ago," he says.
violent act: a slap or a push. for example. is assigned a 1
while a murder or suicide is ranked 15 a 5. Accidents.
1 "Media Violence: Are Standards for TV and Film Possible?" a panel
verbal assaults and property damage are not included in
discussion produced by the Harvard University School of Public
the counts. and monitors judgments are regularly tested
Health. May 11. 1992.
by a backup monitor.
11"Ls TV Violence Banering Our Kids?." TV Guide, Aug 22-28,
NCTV's rating system. however. is also subjective. A
1992. P. 81.
170
CP
Researcher
Commed from P 169
olence is the main source of society's
showing the consequences of violence
by gangs. The hurden of proof needs
horrors. In 1990, a Gallup Poll showed
and scheduling programs with an eye
to fall not on those trying to show a
only 1 percent of the public considered
toward the likely audience.
positive correlation. but on those
television the main cause of crime,
The statement was amplified at the
who continue to promote violence
while 60 percent blamed drugs and 6
hearings, during which network stan-
and use it as entertainment."
percent a breakdown of family social
dards-and-practices officers explained
Television executives. however. con-
values. Yale University psychologists
how it was intended as a model for the
tinue to characterize the research on vi-
Jerome and Dorothy Singer, longtime
rest of the industry that could
k
olence as inconclusive. The issue is so
students of children's TV, argue that the
the logjam" that has stymied progress
complex." says former 20th-Century
networks themselves contradict the ar-
on reducing violence. They also ex-
Fox Film Corp. Chairman Barry Diller.
gument that TV has no impact on be-
plained how feature films are careful-
"It's not appropriate to deal with this in
havior. A network executive, they note,
ly reviewed before being broadcast
some superficial way. I don't think
once testified before the Federal Com-
on TV.
we know enough yet."
munications Commission (FCC) in
"We estimate that we demand edits
Nerworks cite an NBC-sponsored
praise of a child who had seen the
(of) up to 40 percent of the original sub-
study published in 1982 that found no
Heimlich maneuver demonstrated on
missions of R-rated movie commer-
correlation between television vio-
TV and went on to use it to save a chok-
cials," said Christian Hikawa of Capital
lence and actual violence (though
ing person."
Cities/ABC. "We will even, on occa-
some scientists say the data were mis-
If TV has no effect on its viewers,
sion, reject certain films as too violent
interpreted). The networks also point
asked Rep. Charles E. Schumer, D-
to advertise." In cartoons, "We do not
to the work of University of Toronto
N.Y., at the hearings he conducted in
permit realistic weaponry or imitable
psychologist Jonathan L Freedman.
December, "how do we expiain the
gratuitous interpersonal violence. Mor-
who argues that the mountain of re-
billions of dollars spent each year on
al messages in our children's programs
search on violence has produced un-
commercial advertising"
are concrete."
convincing results. Not only are
Sen. Paul Simon, D-III, sponsor of
researchers undecided over whether
Is the television industry
the 1990 law giving the networks an
personal anger is precondition for vi-
adequately addressing the
antitrust exemption to permit joint ac-
olence by TV viewers. he says. but "ex-
problem of violence?
tion against violence, applauded
perimenter demand." or bias, for
On Dec. 11, 1992, four days before a
"initial steps." "Television can appeal
positive results. may be a factor.
scheduled House field hearing in New
to the best in us or the worst in us," he
Viewers "watch a mixture of violent,
York City on TV violence, the three ma-
said. "Television entertainment vio-
nonviolent. real and fantasy. exciting
jor networks broke decades of prece-
lence too often does the latter. We have
and boring. news and fiction pro-
dent and released a joint statement
reason to hope for substantial
grams." Freedman writes. "The ques-
outlining their policies on violence.
provement." in addition, Simon's
tion is how this mixture of programs
"Conflict and strife are the essence of
secretary, David Carle, explained that
affects the children. or more specifical-
drama, and conflict often results in
the joint statement, plus an accompa-
ly. how the effect of this mixture would
physical or psychological violence," it
nying plan to organize an industry con-
differ from one in which the violent
said. "However, all depictions of vio-
ference on violence, raised hopes that
programs were omitted."
lence should be relevant and necessary
the cable and film industries would join
Other scholars point with irony to the
to the development of character, or to
the anti-violence efforts. "It puts us
fact that some studies of such "pro-so-
the advancement of theme or plot."
light years ahead of where we were
cial" TV shows as "Sesame Street" have
The networks' statement vowed to
year," he said.
been found to increase aggressive be-
limit gratuitous, excessive or redun-
But to many academics and anti-vio-
havior as much as violent shows. "En-
dant violence, glamorous depictions of
lence activists, the statement was mere-
couraging children to watch whole-
violence and replicable, unique or "in-
ly a rehash of the current policies, a
some television is not the solution to
genious" methods of inflicting pain or
of "pious platitudes, with no teeth." in
ameliorating conduct problems and
injury. Realistic portrayals of violence
Gerbner's phrase. "All it is saying is that
would appear on the basis of the avail-
in children's programs were to be
without these guidelines, the situation
able evidence to be counterproduc-
avoided, as were gratuitous depictions
would be much worse."
live." wrote one team.'
of animal abuse. Caution was urged in
Carole Lieberman, the Beverly Hills
The general public. though willing
scenes where children are victims and
psychiatrist who heads the National
to accept a link berween TV violence
themes. plots or scenes mix sex and vi-
Coalition on Television Violence, calls
and crime. does not believe that TV vi-
olence. And the nerworks advocated
the new standards "utter nonsense. Lo
March 26. 1993
171
TV VIOLENCE
Rating Cartoons for Violence
whether to show two bullets or one.
whether to use blood or not - is a mat-
ter of opinion, she says. The women
Children's cartoons are among the must crolent "hous on television, often
who head the networks' standards and
exceeding 24 acts of ciolence per hour and earning high violence ratings
from the National Condition on Telersion Violence.
practices departments have no back-
ground in research about violence. she
adds. "They are puppets who take di-
Acts of Violence
NCTV
rection from network superiors."
per hour
Rating
The University of California's Don-
Very High Violence
nerstein says the networks deserve
Dark Water (Fox)
109
XV
some credit for putting their policies in
Cookie's Cartoon Club (WGN)
100
RV
88
RV
writing after years of denying the ef-
Tom and Jerry Kids (Fox)
Dragon Warrior (Syndication)
85
XV
fects of TV violence. But he empha-
Looney Tunes (Nickelodeon)
80
RV
sizes that the Big Three should no
G.I. Joe (Syndication)
78
RV
longer absorb all the blame when there
Bugs Bunny and Pals (TNT)
68
RV
are VCRs, pay-per-view services and
Toxic Crusaders (Syndication)
63
RV
hundreds of channels of cable TV.
Capt. N. & Super Mano Bros. (NBC)
58
RV
Representatives from the non-net-
Police Academy (Syndication)
58
RV
work television industries were repre-
sented at the House hearing. The
High Violence
Motion Picture Association of America
Wizard of Oz (ABC)
29
RV
(MPAA) emphasized that its 25-year-
DuckTales (Syndication)
29
RV
Beetlefuice (ABC)
28
XV
old film rating system factors in vio-
Popeye (Family Channel)
27
RV
lence along with sex. Witnesses
Fantastic Max (Syndication)
26
RV
pointed out that the Video Software
Dinnsaucers (Family Channel)
26
RV
Dealers Association offers a pledge to
Chip N° Dale's Rescue Rangers (Syndication)
26
PGV
parents to help prevent the sale or rent-
Cartoon Express (USA)
25
RV
al of and X-rated films to minors.
Midnight Patrol (Syndication)
24
RV
Cable officials described results of a
Inspector Gadget (Nickelodeon)
24
RV
new study the industry had commis-
sioned from George Gerbner, conclud-
Low Violence (Highly recommended)
ing that there is less violence on
Camp Candy (NBC)
8
PG
cable-originated children's TV pro-
Bahar (HBO)
7
PG
Muppet Babies (CBS)
6
PG
graming than on the networks. They
Madeline (Family Channel)
3
G
spoke of technological advantages that
David the Gnome (Nickelodeon)
2
G
allow cable consumers to supervise
New Kids on the Block (ABC)
1
PG
children's viewing. With the available
Davey and Goliath (Syndication)
1
G
parental "lock box" - which must be
Little Women (HBO)
0
PG
offered by all cable companies under
Little Koala (Nickelodeon)
0
G
the 1984 cable deregulation act - and
Get Along Gang (Family Channel)
0
G
"with the advent of "addressability"
Maya the Bee (Nickelodeon)
0
G
technology, parental control has taken
Lunch Box (Disney Channel)
0
G
a major step forward," said Patricia Fa-
lese of Cablevision Systems Corp. The
Source: National Condition on Teleponsion Violence
addressable device allows each suh-
scriber to program his own converter
to -revent designated shows from be-
and behold. after all these years. the
good enough."
ing received. "However, the technol-
networks unabashedly flaunt the fact
Lieberman, who testified in Decem-
ogy requires an actively engaged
that this is simply a written version of
ber that children's minds are being
parent to make the programming deci-
what each standard and practices de-
"polluted by the drug of violence,"
sions involved," she said.
partment has been using all along It's
complains that the language is deliber-
Winton Cox. chairman of the
obvious what they been doing is not
ately ambiguous. Each judgment -
Showtime premium channel, said the
172
CQ Researcher
movies his channel shows are care-
works are like serial killers," he says.
do not do any harm. I say. There is
fully screened for violence and their
"Their programs are the equivalent of
no question about the harm. The
contents described in a program
writing with lipstick on the mirrors in
question is how are we going to deal
guide along with their ratings. The
our homes: Stop.me before I kill again."
with this problem in a free society?"
protections offered to viewers by the
Though hopes have been raised by
All the players in the violence de-
subscription process itself." he said.
the nerworks' new promise of cooper-
bate profess respect for First Amend-
"coupled with the scheduling and
ativeness, in the academic community
ment rights to free speech. But that
communications efforts of the premi-
mistrust runs deep. "The television in-
hasn't prevented huge disagreements
um networks. safeguard against un-
dustry is not in the business of selling
over what constitutes censorship and
wanted exposure."
programs to audiences," Centerwall
the degree to which the television in-
Critics. however. note that few par-
writes. "It is in the business of selling
dustry should be free to determine its
ents are capable of such detailed
audiences to advertisers. Issues of
own treatment of violence. "I don't
control over their children's viewing
'quality' and 'social responsibility' are
want to see anything more that looks
habits. They disparage the cable in-
like censorship, no
dustry's study of cable-orig-
whether you call it t
inated programming by
ness decisions or whether
noting that the majority of
you call it taste," New
cable programs are non-
York magazine TV critic
original. often-violent fea-
John Leonard said in a
ture films. And monitoring
TV Guide forum. "I think
has shown time and again,
violence and sex and po-
they contend. that what TV
titical dissent are all
executives say is going
bed together, and if you
over the airwaves is not al-
start messing with
ways borne out.
you end up messing with
Norwithstanding the vows
not shown during children's
Gldra, College
the rest of them."
that violent commercials are
The National Coalition
on Television Violence
programming. U.S. News &
has created a nine-point
World Report recently sam-
proposal for federal regu-
pied 50 hours of network
lation of TV violence. It
programming in the late af-
includes:
temoon or early evening. It
a rating system;
found 12 questionable ads.
warning "labels" before
including one for an episode
broadcasts ("The TV show
Researchers say children's agressiveness increases measurably
of "In the Heat of the Night"
ufter viewing the cartoon violence of Bugs Bunny, Tom and
you are about to watch
in which a troubled girl gives
Jerry and Woody Woodpecker, compared with "Lassie"
may be hazardous to your
birth to a dead baby. The
and similarly gentle shows.
psychological and/or phys-
magazine also sent children
ical health due to its highly
into video shops to rent such adult
entirely peripheral to the issue of maxi-
violent content");
movies as "Basic Instinct" and "The
mizing audience size within a competi-
ingredient labels used in publicity
Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and found
tive market and there is no formula
for shows;
that video dealers were not enforcing
more tried and true than violence for
warning labels on TV ads;
policies against underage rentals."
reliably generating large audiences.""
a staff psychiatrist or researcher at
And as Marvin Kitman. TV critic for
each network or cable channel:
Newsday. points out, the new guide-
Are proposed cures for TV
public service announcements
lines refer only to new programming
violence worse than the disease?
about the harmful effects of violence:
and not to old programs made under
When nerwork executives try to
a ban on violent programming of-
previous policies. Kitman told a con-
tell Sen. Paul Simon that research on
fered in government insurations such
gressional hearing he doesn't trust TV
TV violence is inconclusive, he says
as jails and hospitals;
executives to live up to their obliga-
they "remind me of the Tobacco In-
tax breaks for networks, cable
tions because they been saying for
stitute people who come in here and
channels and production companies
years that they have been. The nel-
say they have research that cigarettes
that fund research on violence;
March 26, 1993
173
TV VIOLENCE
and a public health campaign in
down and talk. says his press aide
Television (CLEAR-TV), a 1.600-member
schools that addresses violence the
Carle. in the manner of "an arms
coalition that uses consumer boycotts of
way current programs deal with
control meeting."
advertisers to pressure networks to re-
drunk driving.
Nor do the proposals sit well with
duce sex, violence and profanity. He
Proposals for a violence rating sys-
longtime children's TV advocate Peggy
says such criticism of the religious right
tem do not impinge on freedom of
Charren. "If you tell everybody, 'Hey,
masks attempts to censor his group.
speech. asserts Centerwall. "It is not
this program is going to be terribly vio-
"We're bringing an idea into the market-
reasonable to address the problem of
lent and scare the wits out of you,'
place," he says. "TV is destructive to the
motor vehicle fatalities by calling for
you'll get every teenager in America
quality of life. We can do better and must
a ban on cars." he says. "Instead. we
watching it." she says." Charren has
do better for our children and our chil-
emphasize safety seats. good traffic
warned that "the potential for closing
dren's children."
signs and driver education. Similarly,
down free speech in this country from
A solid majority of the public, ac-
to address the-problem of violence
ideas - liability for speech - is so
cording to a 1989 Los Angeles Times
caused by exposure to television. we
horrendous that I'd rather put up with
poll, opposes a government crack-
need to emphasize time-channel
violence on television."
down on TV violence. Nearly half the
locks. program rating systems and
There is fear, even among anti-vio-
respondents blamed TV audiences
education of the public regarding
lence activists, that calls for a govern-
for the violence because they create
good viewing habits.""
ment crackdown risk encouraging
the demand. But 71 percent favored
Others have proposed that the FCC
what is seen as the censorship tenden-
a violence rating. "People do not see
regulate violence in the same way it
cies of the religous right, which, critics
programming (sex and violence] as
polices indecency - using fines and
say. is more preoccupied with sex in
so affecting their lives that they're
withholding licenses. Harvard's Slaby
media than with violence. "The reli-
willing to give up their freedom for
says that requiring stations and cable
gious people are getting so much pow-
it," said Neil Malamuth, a communi-
networks to reduce violent program-
er." says Lieberman. "We will have
cations professor at the University of
ming and increase non-violent shows
censorship some day if that happens."
Michigan. "It's a basic philosophy of
as a conditi in for license or contract re-
The Rev. Billy A. Melvin is chairman
American culture that we want inde-
newal "would not restrici or aher the
of Christian Leaders for Responsible
pendence and freedom."
presentation of any violent program, as
protected under the First Amendment.
Rather it would promote a broader
range of non-violent alternative pro-
grams from which viewers would be
able to choose."
BACKGROUND
Sen. Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., chairman
of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee to
Such proposals would be wel-
Investigate Juvenile Delinquency,
comed by veteran children's TV writ-
opened a series of hearings on the ef-
er Gene Ayres, whose Santa Fe.
Early Concerns
fects of media violence. Following a
N.M.-based enterprise. Future Wave,
sample viewing of TV's current cops-
prepares scripts for non-violent
T of television might be a mixed
first suspicions that the miracle
and-robbers fare, a British media expert
shows. "When these ideas are
told his panel that such shows would
brought up inside the industry," he
blessing arose soon after the medi-
never be broadcast in England. And Cla-
says. "they always roll out the First
um's debut as a popular pastime in
ra Logan, president of the National Asso-
Amendment as if it's under threat.
1947. The number of youths being
ciation for Better Radio and Television,
But they don't ask the difference be-
arrested, which had declined imme-
called U.S. TV crime shows "mental poi-
tween what's offered to children and
diately following World War II. rose
son" to youngsters.
adults. Those who resent (such pro-
dramatically, according to Justice De-
In a pattern that would be repeated
posed regulation] don't have respon-
partment statistics, from 31,750 in
in later decades, network officials testi-
sibility for small children."
1948 to 37,259 in 1951 to 149,806 in
fied to the importance of industry self-
Labels. ratings and public service
1953 to 234,474 in 1956.
regulation. ABC Vice President Robert
announcements. however. have yet
In June 1952, the first congressional
Hinckley said he didn't believe TV "is a
to be embraced by Congress. Simon.
hearing ever on violence in radio and
thing remotely approaching a factor in
as a former journalist. wants to pro-
television and its impact on children was
our problem." Russia and New Zea-
lect the purity of free speech and
held by the House Subcommittee on In-
land, with limited or no TV facilities,
prefers getting the players to sit
terstate and Foreign Commerce. in 1954,
Continued on P. 177
174
CQ
Researcher
Chronology
1950s
Rise in youth
1970s
September 1984
Surgeon gen-
Attorney General's Task Force on
crime and juvenile delinquency
eral's study prompts more con-
Family Violence says evidence is
prompts congressional bearings
gressional bearings; academic
overwhelming that TV violence con-
on television violence.
studies proliferate; court cases
tributes to real violence.
examine liability of TV in cases of
June 1952
real violence.
1984
First congressional hearings on vio-
American Academy of Pediatrics
lence in radio and television and its
1972
Task Force on Children and Televi-
impact on children and youth held
Surgeon general's report on violence
sion cautions physicians and parents
by House Interstate and Foreign
cites evidence of link between
that TV may promote aggression.
Commerce Subcommittee.
screen violence and aggressive be-
havior.
1985
1954
American Psychological Association
Sen. Estes Kefauver. D-Tenn.. chairs
1975
Commission on Youth and Violence
hearings of Judiciary Subcommittee
National PTA adopts resolution de-
notes research showing link be-
to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency
manding that networks and local TV
tween TV violence and real violence.
on role of TV shows in youth crime.
stations reduce the amount of vio-
Networks say no link.
lence in programs and commercials
(reaffirmed in 1989).
1976
American Medical Association's
1990s
Networks 1
1960s
House of Delegates calls TV violence
a joint statement of policies OR TV
Urban violence
an "environmental hazard."
violence, made possible by an
prompts more congressional rear.
trust exemption passe. by Con-
ings and government funding of
1979
gress. Anti-violence advocates step
research on TV violence.
In Zamora v. CBS et al, parents of a
up pressure.
Florida 15-year-old convicted of
1961
murdering a neighbor unsuccessful-
1990
Kennedy administration Federal
ly sue all three networks for negli-
Simon-Glickman Television Vio-
Communications Commission Chair-
gence for failing to prevent him from
lence Act gives three major networks
man Newton N. Minow tells National
being incited to imitate TV.
an antitrust exemption so they
Association of Broadcasters that
formulate joint policy on violence.
American TV is a "vast wasteland."
1991
1967
Newton Minow declares: "In 1961. I
University of Pennsylvania begins
1980s
worried that my children would
1
monitoring television programming.
Reagan-era
benefit much from television, but in
deregulation gives media free rein;
1991 I worry that my children will ac-
1969
cable TV, VCRs and rise of indepen-
tually be harmed by it."
Formation of Boston-based Founda-
dent networks diminish power of
tion to Improve Television.
networks to control violence ON TV.
1992
American Psychological Association
Sept. 23, 1969
1980
study shows research on link to
Report of National Commission on
Founding of National Coalition on
violence is ignored and calls for fed-
the Causes and Prevention of Vio-
Television Violence.
eral policy to protect society.
lence cites TV violence as contribu-
tor to society's violence problem.
1982
Dec. 11, 1992
National Institute of Mental Health
Days before House hearings, the
study says there's a clear consensus
three major nerworks release joint vi-
on link between TV violence and ag-
olence policy and agree to an indus-
gression.
trywide conference.
March 26, 1993
175
TV VIOLENCE
Music Videos That Flirt With Violence
W
ith their images of scantily clad wome. wearing
MTV contends, however, that Jhally has violated its
lustful expressions and hurling themselves at non-
copyright by taking advantage of the "fair use" doctrine.
chalant rock stars, MTV videos send out confusing
The subsidiary of Viacom International Inc. in 1991 threat-
and possibly harmful messages to the 57.3 million Ameri-
ened to sue if he didn't destroy all remaining copies of
can households that receive MTV.
"Dreamworlds." Jhally, in turn, says MTV is ignoring his
That's the thinking of Sur Jhally. a communications
contention that the video network is threatening legal ac-
professor at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst,
tion to silence substantive criticism of its product. "They
whose criticisms of the popular videos have brought him
are boxed in and hoping it will go away," Jhally says.
face to face with the New York City-based cable network.
Meanwhile, MTV has continued to breed controversy.
Seeking to raise his students' consciousness of the ef-
On Sept. 18, 1991, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., took to the
fects of television imagery, Jhally several years ago assem-
floor of the Senate to attack k as a reprehensible influ-
bled "Dreamworlds: Desire/Sex/Power in Rock Video," a
ence on children. The central message of most of these
55-minute collection of highlights from 165 rock videos
music videos is clear," be thundered. "Human happiness
featuring superstar performers such as Motley Crue, Billy
and fulfillment are experienced by becoming a sociopath
Idol and Rod Stewart.
and rejecting all responsibility. If we in this nation contin-
Since students often were sidetracked by the pleasures
ue to sow the Images of murder, violence, drug abuse,
of the music. Jhally substituted his own somber sound-
sadism, arrogance,:. Inteverence, perversion, pornography
track and spliced in dramatic footage from the hit movie
and aberration before the eyes of millions of children.
"The Accused." namely the scene (based on a true story)
we should not be surprised If the foundations of society
showing actress Jodie Foster being gang-raped on a bar-
rot away." And a 1992 study by the Washington-based
room pinball machine. He also added his own narration
Center for Media: and Public Affairs found more violence
and a jarring recitation of statistics: "A woman is raped
on MTV than on the three major TV networks combined.
every SIX minutes." and "One in four women will be
But at least one study has suggested that overt vio-
raped in their lifetime."
lence on MTV turnoff rather than an allure. When
The result is a disturbing video critique of the way mu-
400 male and female students at Oakland University in
sic videos use sex to sell recordings, ultimately dehuman-
Rochester, Minn were asked by psychologists to watch
izing women and possibly encouraging violence, accord-
different music videos, the more violent videos made
ing to Jhally.
viewers feel more. angry, fearful and aggressive, but less
The majority of MTV videos portray "the dreamworld
sexual; than less violent videos.t
of the adolescent male," where women are often sex ob-
"Our biggest beef with MTV_ not that it's more vio-
jects or nymphomaniacs. he says. And though outright vi-
lent or sexually degrading than other channels," says
olence is not common on MTV. it is implied in the whips
Thomas Radecki, former chairman of the National Coali-
and the chains and the scenes in which women don't
tion On Television Violence, "bus that It's all mixed to-
really mean no when they say it, he says. "Because wom-
gether to a viewer Call pick out a particular time period
en are presented as thinking only about sex, they don't
that you know there's going to be no sexually degrad-
object when they're handled," he says. "They don't ob-
log material.
ject when they're touched even by someone whom they
A 1992 study of 750 MTV videos by the coalition found
have just met. The messages don't have to be violent to
that violence had Increased in the past six years, averag-
encourage certain behavior. What is more important is
log 20 acts of violence per hour. More than 60 per cent of
that such images are seen as normal."
the videos contained explick violence, suggested vio-
Jhally cautions that he is not arguing that MTV causes
lence, degrading sexual portrayals, sexually suggestive
violence. noting that the roots of violence are complex
themes, profanity, smoking, and/or alcohol consumption,
and multiple. But such videos "help cultivate attitudes
the study said. The most violent video: Guns N Roses'
that in some instances may lead to certain types of be-
"You Could Be Mine."
havior," he says. The more TV you watch, the more you
think the world is like TV. And you tend to act on the
stones you have access to."
To promote his compilation. Jhally sent out brochures
to colleges around the country. He has sold some 1,300
Christine Hall Hansen and Ronald D. Hansen, "The Influence of
copies thus far (at $100 for institutions and $50 for indi-
Sex and Violence in the Appeal of Rock Music Videos," Communi-
viduals). with proceeds going to a nonprofit university
canon Research, April 1990. P. 212.
trust fund.
H Quoted in Constion Science Monitor, Aug. 6, 1991.
176
C.Q Researcher
Continued from P
thing to us: it is something that movies
dent, Massachusetts education Com-
have major juvenile delinquency prob-
must be free to use.""
missioner William S. Abbott, it hopes
lems. he noted. An ABC script director
to "further the development of an
said that TV adventure stones might
open, free society by proving that
even prevent delinquency by serving
television entertainment is not the
as "a release" for children's aggression.
Government Action
private domain of a few people in-
An FCC official testified against censor-
tent on broadcasting for profit at
ship. and a representative of the Na-
T
government took action. Along
children's expense."
tional Association of Radio and
with the American Medical Associ-
Television Broadcasters said broad-
ation, funded the Cultural Indica-
Surgeon General's Report
casters had set up a code to help ar-
tors Project at the University of
In 1972, the surgeon general re-
range programs addressing the topic of
Pennsylvania, which began monitor-
leased the five-volume report, "Tele-
youth crime.
ing television programming for vio-
vision and Growing Up: The Impact
In 1956. one of the earliest studies
lence. President Lyndon B. Johnson
of Televised Violence." Its conts
on TV violence reported on 4-year-
appointed a commission to study the
sial conclusion was that there is a
olds who were asked to watch an ac-
roots of urban unrest. It would find
causal effect from TV violence, but
tion-packed "Woody Woodpecker"
that TV watching, while not the spe-
primarily in children presupposed to
cartoon. They were found to be
cific cause of society's violence, was
be aggressive. The report prompted
more likely to hit and harass other
a contributor. Bills were offered in
Pastore to begin hearings in March.
kids and break toys than a control
Congress to prohibit TV violence,
For years "various groups have
group that had watched the more
study the issue more and offer grants
pointed to TV violence as a negative
peaceful "Little Red Hen."
for improving children's TV, but none
fluence on human behavior," testified
The Senate held more hearings
became law.
Rep. John M. Murphy, D-N.Y., "but
about TVs effects in the early 1960s.
In 1969, Sen. John O. Pastore, D-R.I.,
they were fulled into inaction with
but the problem of violence reached
petitioned the surgeon general to in-
promises from the industry that
undeniable crisis proportions follow-
vestigate the effects of TV via ence.
would be a diminishment of violence."
ing the mid-'60s urban nots in Los
"What is at stake is no less than our
As in the 1950s, the networks
Angeles. Newark and elsewhere. It
most valuable resource - the hearts
came out in force, promising to ad-
was in 1965. psychiatrist Centerwall
and minds of our young people," he
dress the problem. CBS/Broadcast
observes, after the first of the televi-
said. While the top government doctor
Group President John A. Schneider
sion generation had become teen-
went to work, the Foundation to Im-
pointed out that the surgeon 8
il
agers. that the biggest surge in U.S.
prove Television, a new Boston-based
had argued for only a small effect in
homicides occurred.
group of business, academic and com-
comparison with other causes of vio-
This was a time when the airwaves
munity leaders, filed a petition in 1970
lence. "It is not clear what the net ef-
were giving kids scenes of The Three
demanding that the FCC ban "fictional
fect would be if broadcasters simply
Stooges" poking each other in the eye.
violence and horror" programs at a
changed the quantitative balance be-
"ABC was the major crime center in the
time when children are likely to view
tween violent and other kinds of
country." Neusday's Kitman recalls
them. The FCC postponed a decision
shows," he said, "since people
with sarcasm. "They had had much
pending the surgeon general's report.
and choose the kinds of stimulus
success with such educational TV se-
The same year, the foundation also
terial they want - and violent
ries on machine gun usage as The Un-
joined with some Washington, D.C.,
rial is very popular." For its part, ABC
touchables.' They were pioneers in the
mothers of small children in a lawsuit
promised to eliminate cartoons that
Bang-You're-Dead school of program-
against CBS Enterprises, the Televi-
depend solely on action not comedy.
ming with such ungratuitous, unvio-
sion Advertising Representatives and
look more carefully at its overall
lent programs as Route 66' and '77
the FCC to block broadcast of a TV
ance of violence and budget $1
Sunset Strip."
rerun of the program "Wild, Wild
lion for four years of research.
Movies also became more graphic.
West." An appeals court declined to
The National Association of Broad-
When the groundbreaking "Bonnie
overtum a lower court's decision de-
casters warned that government reg-
and Clyde" was released in 1967. New
nying the petition on the ground that
ulation would be "dangerous
Yorker critic Pauline Kael wrote. "The
the plaintiffs hadn't exhausted reme-
unwise." FCC Chairman Dean
ch
dirty reality of death - not suggestions
dies at the FCC. While the foundation
declined to regulate violence, saying
but blood and holes - IS necessary. It
"does not expect or hope to become
it was not for the FCC to "make fun-
is 2 kind of violence that says some-
a board of censors," said its presi-
damental programming judgments."
March 26, 1993
177
TV VIOLENCE
Imitating TV Violence?
reduction in the amount of violence
Mental Health produced a follow-up to
By the mid-1970s. network TV was
shown on television programs and
the 1972 surgeon general's report:
racking up new scores on the gore me-
commercials during the entire day.
"Television and Behavior: Ten Years of
ter. CBS's 1976 grim two-nighter "He!-
with particular attention to viewing
Scientific Progress and Implications for
ter Skelter." a drama on the Charles
hours between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
the Eighties." The conclusions were
Manson cult killings. dren top ratings.
and weekend morning hours, when
more far-reaching. arguing that TV vio-
A Canadian royal commission that year
impressionable children and young
lence affects all children, not just those
argued for a causal link between TV
people are most likely to be watch-
predisposed to aggression. ABC re-
olence and aggression. In 1976. the
ing." If self-regulation doesn't work,
sponded by saying that TV violence
American Medical Association's House
the group said, it would demand that
had gone down in recent years. CBS
of Delegates passed a resolution saying
the FCC establish and enforce regula-
called the government researchers
that TV violence "threatens the health
tions limiting violence.
"uncritical" and said the report was put
and welfare of young Americans." and
together by individuals "who came to it
committed the AMA to remedial action.
with publicly identified positions on
It was in 1979 that two major court
the role of television in society."
cases brought TV violence to the front
The '80s Explosion
pages. In Zamora l'. CBS el al. the par-
Congressional Action
ents of a 15-year-old Florida hoy con-
victed of murdering J neighbor sued all
D
espite the studies, congressional
It was in the mid-1980s that Sen.
hearings and court cases, the gov-
Paul Simon happened to flick on the
three nerworks for negligence. They
emment did not challenge the net-
TV in an Illinois motel and see an ac-
said the industry had failed to prevent
works' demands for self-regulation.
tor being sawed in half with a chain-
their son from being incited to imitate
What had changed, however, was the
saw. This led the outraged Simon to
violence on TV. They lost. In Rhode Is-
arrival of consumer activists and pro-
introduce the Television Violence
land. a similar case stemmed from a
test groups. which began putting
Act, which was finally passed in 1990
May 23. 1979. broadcast of The To-
pressure against programs seen as
with backing from the National PTA.
night Show." A professional stuntman
sexist, anti-gay, anti-Christian, or dan-
the Ame "can Psychological Associa-
on the show had announced that he
gerous to national security. By the
tion and the Academy of Pediatrics.
would "hang" host Johnny Carson on
early 1980s, writes Kathryn C. Mont-
The bill granted the three major net-
stage. After a noose was placed around
gomery of the Washington-based Cen-
works a three-year exemption from
the comedian's neck. he was dropped
ter for Media Education, more than
the Sherman Antitrust Act so they
through a trapdoor and. of course.
250 advocacy groups were working to
could pursue a joint agreement on
emerged unharmed. But young Nicho-
change TV. and industry officials de-
curbing TV violence. It did not re-
las DeFilippo. apparently viewing the
clared at a conference that the pres-
quire the networks to act, but en-
stunt from home. was found dead with
sure groups "must now be recognized
couraged them.
a rope around his neck in front of a TV
as a permanent part of the television
"We should not and cannot dictate
set tuned to NBC. In their suit against
environment.""
the content of television program-
NBC for "negligence. failure to warn.
Even more important, the explosion
ming." said the bill's House sponsor,
product liability and intentional tort-
of new technologies- and VCRs
Rep. Dan Glickman, D-Kan. "An ob-
trespass." his parents testified that their
primarily - combined with Reagan-
stacle to a voluntary reduction in vio-
son regularly watched Carson. They
era deregulation to remake the media
lence by the networks is that. in this
also lost.
landscape, in particular, reducing the
intensely competitive business, it is
Debate over the issue. however.
once-mighty clout of the three net-
commonly held that violence sells.
continued apace. When the R-rated
works. Political momentum for a crack-
Each network is reluctant to take uni-
1978 anti-Vietnam War movie "The
down on violence dissipated. A
lateral steps to reduce violent pro-
Deer Hunter" was shown on national
relaxation of FCC requirements helped
gramming for fear of slipping in the
TV. some 29 incidents of people imi-
increase the amount of violence: A
ratings."
tating the famous Russian Roulette
study by the Universities of Pennsylva-
The bill was opposed by the
scene were reported. 26 of which
nia and Delaware would show that
ACLU. which called it "a wholly in-
were said to have caused deaths. The
children's shows that in 1980 featured
appropriate and unconstitutional ef-
youngest victim was 8 years old.
an average of 18.6 violent acts per hour
fort to shape the content of American
At around that time, the National
would by 1990 rack up 26.4 violent acts
television." Leading the floor opposi-
PTA passed a resolution demanding
every hour. 10
tion was Rep. Don Edwards, D-Calif.,
from nerworks and local stations "a
In 1982. the National Institute of
Continued on P. 180
178
CQ Researcber
Internation al
= how companson violent in
other countries?
Video Games and Push-Button Aggression
N
othing altered childhood more visibly in the 1980s
ufacturer is very concerned about the issues raised by the
than the arrival of the age of Nintendo. Children
coalition. "But the reality is there is no scientific evidence
huddling around the TV engrossed in Deadly
linking video games to aggressive behavior." he says. "Our
Towers. Guerrilla War or Mighty Bomb Jack became 2 fa-
games feature lots of good versus evil. It's no different from
miliar sight. fueling the debate over simulated violence
Grimm's fairy tales, which are widely accepted."
and its link to the real thing.
Nintendo, which racked up $4 billion in sales last year.
Research on the effects of viden games IS still in its in-
follows standards modeled on the film rating system of
fancy. but some authorities speculate that pulling triggers
the Motion Picture Association of America and the stan-
in interactive electronics may be more conducive to ag-
dards and practices principles used at the three major TV
gression in children than the passive viewing of a televi-
networks, White says. The standards prohibit exceptional
son show. "It's a matter of practice." says Leonard Eron
violence, negative stereotypes and depictions of drugs. al-
of the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Re-
cobol or tobacco:
search. "The more a child practices. the more apt he is to
Video garbes are violent, says Patricia Marks Green-
use" the skill he's practicing
field, a-paychiology professor at the University of Califor-
In December 1989, the National Coalition On Televi-
nia-Los Angeles, because that is what attracts boys, who
skin Violence (NCTV) released its monitoring results on
make up 65 gercent of the market.t
176 Nintendo games. It concluded that 80 percent con-
Mental health professionals have taken both sides in the
tained "harmful violence." 1 substantial increase from
debate, many: arguing that video games affect individual
several years earlier. The coalition slapped its X rating for
children differently. Psychistrist Joseph Cassius of Mem-
extreme violence on ti percent of the games and cited
phis, Tenn., the games "can develop a sense of profi-
27 academic studies of video games, 22 of which found
clency fear of conflict Many children who are
harmful effects. "Players can now launch nuclear missiles,
afraid to compete with others are not afraid with the video."
initiate revolutions and toss grenades into Asian villages,"
But; Camilis "We are the parents, and we has
read an NCTV statement. "Combat is often one-on-one
the power. decide that we don't want to reinforce
and exceedingly graphic. The final step takes players be-
child's dispenition to aggression. But if he's a fairly mel-
yond the war theme into the realm of gang warfare.
'low. lold, playing aggreasive game is not going to
Instead of battles between the 'good guys' and the bad
thange his personality.
guys,' there is now a significant lack of 'good guys.'
Bill White, director of advertising and public relations at
Quoted
for
Globe,
Pob.
w
1993.
Nintendo's Redmond. Wash office. says the Japanese man-
Quoted in The Washington Port, Dec. 10. 1990.
Nintendo games rated XUnfu have "constant, graphic violence;" XV games bave "bigh levels of very barmful
violence: and RV games require players to "become more violent to win."
Rated X (unfit)
Rated XV
Rated KV
Adventures of Bayou Billy
Airwolf
Athens
Castievarua: The Vampire Strikes Back
Armagon
Blades of Steel
Deadly Towers
Bionic Commando
Bobble Bubble
Double Dragon
Break Thru
Clu Clu Land
Gauntiet
Quest
Commando
Ghosts n' Goblins
Cobra Command
Excitabike
Guerrilla War
Evil Empire
Gotcha!
Kung Fu
Defender
Gyromite
Metroid
Dragon Power
Ice Climber
Mighty Bomb Jack
Freedon Force
Karnov
Ninja Kid
Gun Smoke
Mach Rider
Operation Wolf
Iron Tank
Mario Bros.
Solomon's Key
Kage
Popeye
Sqoon
Kid Niki
Rad Racer
Star Voyager
Life Force
Renegade
Stnder
MAGMAX
Skate or Die
Tiger Hell
Mike Tyson's Punch-our
Spy Hunter
Wizzards & Warnors
Teenage Mutant Nine
Robo Warrior
Worldrunner
Xevious the Avenger
Super Mano Bros
Source Naturnal Coaluion on Telession Violence
March 26, 1993
179
VIOLENCE
Continued
Congress
The message from 'Big
which prohibits censorship. If the FCC
who called it indirect censorship.
Brother to TV executives is clear: 'If
were to regulate violence in the way it
clear
and
simple
Broadcasters
un-
you don't comply - watch out!"
#
regulates indecency. he says, Congress
derstand the tremendous power of
would have to pass a statute. "All we
can do," said James H. Quello, interim
chairman of the FCC, "is mention in a
speech that Hollywood and cable and
CURRENT
to human problems is harmful to our
the networks are actually flooding the
industry and society."
airwaves with too many violent pro-
SITUATION
Critics asked why the study did not
grams, and some of these kids are start-
examine violence in non-original fea-
ing to imitate the violence they see."
ture films. to which cable association
Quello applauds the work of Ameri-
spokeswoman Peggy Laramie re-
cans for Responsible Television,
Pressuring the FCC
sponded that violence in feature films
founded several years ago by Michigan
has already been studied and that her
housewife Terry Rakolta, who became
W
hen the nerworks released their
group's plan was to "look at what cable
offended at vulgarity on the TV show
joint standards in December.
brought to the mix." The group has
"Married With Children," and who
Sen. Simon predicted that progress in
promised a follow-up study.
has also launched a campaign to per-
reducing violence should be evident
The Foundation to Improve Televi-
suade Congress to limit TV violence.
in the full programming for 1993. But
sion. though dormant since the mid-
The National Coalition on Television
Rep. Schumer. while applauding the
1970s. was recently reactivated to
Violence continues to release its regular
move. noted that the networks had
mount a campaign to get the FCC to
rankings of the most violent shows. Its
rushed out their statement only days
crack down on TV violence. Late this
February list tagged the Fox network as
before his hearings in order to "have
March it plans to formally ask the regu-
the most violent broadcast network.
something nice to say." He said the
latory body to make license renewal
with 11 violent acts per hour. "We were
statement alone wouldn't solve the
contingent on stations showing no pro-
stunned," said Betsy Hoffman, Fox vice
problem and that he would like to
grams containing an "excessive
president for publicity, noting that the
see a violence rating system. He
amount of dramatized violence" be-
shows the coslition is counting include
plans to consider. legislation if the
tween 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The petition
"America's Most Wanted" and "The
networks won't do it voluntarily."
also is expected to ask for advance
Edge." "America's Most Wanted is re-
The networks. however. added in
viewer advisories and visual warning
sponsible for the capture of 243 fugi-
a letter that the amount of violence
signals during programs with violence,
tives." she says. "It's the one show
on television cannot be adequately
a ban on ads or promotions with dra-
dedicated to ending violence. The
addressed unless other segments of
matized violence, 2 ratings system for
Edge' is a parody and satire of violence.
the industry join us." Cooperation
violence and additional guidelines to
The -vhole claim is ridiculous."
from the cable and film industries
be developed by the FCC in consulta-
In Santa Fe, the scriptwriters work-
and the independent nerworks such
tion with the industry.
ing for Future Wave are nearing the
as Fox 15 expected to materialize at
The foundation argues that coun-
production phase of a non-violent chil-
an industry conference on television
tries such as Canada, France, Great
dren's cartoon called "Astrocops." It
violence planned for this summer in
Britain. Sweden and Australia have tak-
uses a former Los Angeles police offi-
Los Angeles
en action, fining television companies
cer as a consultant. "The challenge of
Meanwhile. in January the National
that broadcast violence during chil-
being non-violent can bring out the
Cable Television Association released
dren's hours. It is working with busi-
best in writers." says Gene Ayres,
results of 1 11571 study showing rela-
ness leaders and community groups to
who's written more than 50 cartoon
tively little violence on cable-originat-
provide information and legal advice
episodes for such shows as "Scooby
ed programming "He believe that
to send a "powerful message" to the
Doo" and The Smurfs." "It's more in-
the departion of violence is a legiti-
TV industry.
teresting if you don't do the expected
male dramatic and journalistic repre-
The FCC. which received 79 com-
- the slug in the jaw and the hero
sentation .111 unavoidable pan of
plaints about violence in 1992 and 85 in
who's faster on the draw and bigger
human existence. the cable associa-
1991. does not police the amount of vi-
than the bad guy. We're not asking the
tion said 11, also believe that the
olence on America's TV stations. A
industry to kill Bugs Bunny, just to pro-
gratuitous use of violence depicted
spokesman cites Section 326 of the
vide an alternative."
as an ess 1111.1 convenient solution
1934 Federal Communications ACT,
Continued on P 182
180
CO Researcher
At Issue:
Should the television industry do more to curb depictions of violence?
LEONARD D. ERON
DEL REN
Professor of psychology, University of Michigan
President,
FROM "MEDIA 170LENCE ARE STANDARDS FOR rv AND
FROM 'M'
TO
TANDA
FOR TV AND
FILM POSSIBLE?" HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
FILM POS
HOOL
BLIC HEALTH
PANEL DISCUSSION. MAY 11. 1992
PANEL
92
a
recept summary of over 200 studies. published in
1990 offers convincing evidence that the observa-
t
he only way to significantly reduce violence. or the
threat of violence, in storytelling is for nerworks and
tion of violence. as seen in standard everyday tele-
cable to simply not order series or special films which
vision entertainment. does affect the aggressive behavior of
are, virtually by definition, inherently violent, such as ac-
the VICTOR
tion-adventure, crime, futuristic melodrama, etc.. and use
What can be done? As soon as the suggestion for action
instead the softer genres, such as we see on the nerworks
comes up. the TV industry raises the issue of censorship,
now, shows such as Homefront, Sisters. Northern Exposure,
violation of First Amendment rights and abrogation of the
and so on. Not a very realistic possibility, however.
Constitution. For many years now Western European coun-
Networks, as you know, follow. They do not lead. Net-
tries have monitored TV and films and have not permitted
works react to social change and community standards. 1
the showing of excess violence. especially during child
know. I have served as a story editor on many weekly
viewing hours. I have never heard of any complaints by
series. Story editors scan the headlines. searching for ways
citizens in those democratic countries that their rights have
to paraphrase the truth and put it into fictional form.
been violated. But in the U.S.. youth violence is a public
I believe that additional guidelines for violence should
health problem. so designated by the Centers for Disease
not be called for because they will simply reduce the actual
Control
lar.
Prevention)
No one is claiming that TV vi-
sights of some violence but not the threatening storytelling
olence is the sole cause of the epidemic. However, it is
that builds to it, and therefore such guidelines would be a
certainly one of the causes. and one which we at least can
crumb thrown to those who believe in a causal relationship.
do something about. Is it 100 much to ask the industry to
I believe that writers should continue to tell the stories
police itself. It has done so before with some success.
of our time. Abuse in the home toward children, pr par-
I don't favor censorship and I am jealous of my First
ents, or grandparents is out of the closet now, thanks to its
Amendment rights. But I don't think some serious self-reg-
dramatization on television. Child custody struggles. in
ulation and monitoring by the TV and film industry is a
which the losing parent literally kidnaps a child, at last is
threat to our constitutional rights.
before the American public as the serious social problem
It would be appropriate for the FCC to require stations
that k is. Fictional television has seen this dramatized fre-
to document what they have done to lower the violence in
quently. Gay bashing has found its way from the dark al-
their programming before their licenses are renewed
leys of our cities to the films of both weekly series and
In the spring lot 19921 we had to face the implications of
movies-of-the-week. The violence on the home screen fol-
the uncontrolled violence in Los Angeles. TV cannot escape
lows the violence in our lives.
its share of the responsibility for this outburst. We know
We've lived with Broadcast Standards for 40 years. fight-
that children living in the inner city watch more TV than
ing the departments frequently. losing most of the fights.
other children. Children living in the inner city are increas-
but reacting positively as networks followed changes in
ingly surrounded by violence - at home. in the neighbor-
community standards from the days of no "hells" and no
hood. on the way to and from school. They are constantly
"damns" to today's relatively explicit language, frank rela-
Jodging bullers. cowering in hallways. hiding under tables,
tionships and open dramatizations of dysfunctional fam-
because the streets are so dangemus from drive-by
ilies. Writers want to involve audiences in our stories.
shootings and other violence. They spend more and more
Writers are family people. too. We're parents and children
time indoors watching TV
and siblings and grandparents and grandchildren. We are
And what do they Yes on TV? More violence. This vali-
community-minded and we care deeply about the world
dates what the children have seen in the neighborhood. it
around us. We are as shocked and concerned by what is
makes violence normative - everyone's doing it. not just
happening on our streets, on our schoolyards, in our class-
in their neighborhood but all over. TV represents violence
rooms and in our homes, as any of you. We agree on very
as an appropriate W2V to solve interpersonal problems. to
little but we do agree on fundamentals. such as freedom of
get what you want out of life. avenge slights and insults
expression and freedom from censorship. the official kind
and make up for perceived injustices
and the unofficial kind which induces self-censorship.
March 26. 1993
181
TV VIOLENCE
TV News: Violence Is Part of Our World Tonight
"I
11 bleeds. it leads." goes the cynics' vien of televi-
everyday crime the media cover is more graphic and ap-
NON news. But now stations that start off newscasts
peals to the sensational and the spectacular. It adds to the
with generous doses of gore and maybem are be-
general sense of vulnerability" among the population.
ing held responsible for their role in feeding Americans
Some observers feel that local news coverage of vio-
their steady diet of television violence.
lence often giorifies the bad guys. "When a cop gets
The issue was dramatized in January after a North Lau-
blown away," complains Newsday TV critic Marvin
derdale. Fla.. station aired footage of a man shooting his
Kitman, "his killer gets more coverage than the cop's fu-
ex-wife at their daughter's grave. Emilio Nunez's deadly act
neral on TV news."
was taped by a stunned camera crew for the Spanish-lan-
Marry critics of Viviolence, however, make clear dis-
guage station. which had been alened to a possible con-
tinctions between entertainment and news. "There are
frontation. Stations around the country aired the shooting.
people who say, "Well, If you are going to take off vio-
and many were taken 10 task.
lence from television]. then you are going to have to re-
Lus Angeles Times TV critic Howard Rosenberg
move Bosnis from the television news," Sen. Paul Simon,
slammed the use of the "unnecessary" and "valueless"
D-III. sold the Senate last June. "The reality is that vio-
footage. even wondering whether the station had set up
lence on the news does not glamorize violence. Enter-
the confrontation. "The self-serving hucksters snapped it
tainment violence violence."
up. capitalizing on tragedy for the sake of creating unfor-
"News violence is &tough call and should be handled
gettable ghastly TV." Rosenberg wrote.t He noted that
case by case,' says Edward Donnerstein, a professor of
Channel 2 in Los Angeles. whose news director reported-
communications st the University of California-Sants Bar-
by urges his editorial staff to "scare viewers to death." had
bara. "You don't WEIK to sanitize the world; there are
used the arresi of Nunez as a pretext for rebroadcasting
horrors our there
the tape 3 few days later.
"As soon as you try to draw lines" about what should
At Los Angeles Channel 5. News Director Warren Cer-
be shownion Robert Peck of the American Civil
eghino defended the fontage. saying it aptly illustrated
Liberties Union, affect news and information that
"untonunate domestic violence and emotion escalating to
people need to
such a violent level." The news producer at LA's Channel
Faced with the twin obligations of reporting the truth
.9 pustibled the ainng by saying it was part of the "ethical
and keeping ratings high, TV news departments are un-
debate on whether such visuals should be shown. Other
likely to establish formal rules about reducing violence.
news executives noted that the scene wasn't gory and
But producers with dramatic footage have been known to
Jidn't show blood or contorted faces. But some stations
finesse the problem with an advance warning. When ctr-
that used the tape Later apologized.
cus tightrope walker Karl Wallends plunged to his death
In an era when real-life violence - be it the Persian
in 1978, news anchors. didn't prevent viewers from wis-
Gulf war or the police heating of motorist Rodney King
nessing the evenc But many anchors somberly warned,
- are commonly caught by cameras. viewers' tolerance
"Some of you may not wish to watch."
for grasly hights is clearly being expanded. "But 2 Gulf
war is only once in a while." notes University of Pennsyl-
vania communications Professor George Gerbner. "The
t Las
Angeles
Times,
Jun
N
1993.
In Los Angeles. the nonprofit group
and promoting the need for research on
their homes because of nine months
Mediascope is putting on workshops.
the effects of violence that is up-to-date
spent recuperating. You just see this un-
seminars and public education cam-
and practical. "The research communi-
believable aggression, and then they
paigns - often on location in Holly-
ty sees the entertainment media as neg-
cut to the hero at a cocktail party!"
wood studios - to promote a more
ative." says Mediascope President
" The whole issue is very circular."
accurate and balanced depiction of vi-
Marcy Kelly. "The media dismiss the re-
she continues. "The writer will say,
olence in films and TV. The group has
search. There's a need to come together
'That's what the producer wants me to
received a $675.000 grant from the Car-
and bridge the gap." Much of modern
write.' The producer will say, 'That's
negie Corp. of Nen York City, as well
TV violence is highly unrealistic, she
what the network wants.' The network
as a contract with the Department of
adds. "There are no consequences. You
will say, 'That's what the advertisers
Health and Human Services
don't see children who've lost their par-
want' The advertisers will say, 'That's
Mediascope is also working with film
ents. parents who've lost their children,
what the public wants.' The question
schools to encourage a code of ethics
people who can't walk. who've lost
is, how can we break the circle?"
182
CO Researcher
OUTLOOK
coms. says Gerbner. But, he adds,
Beth Waxman Bressan. CBS Broad-
-Violence travels well. unlike humor,"
cast Group vice president, recently
which means that Hollywood is likely
testified that her network receives
to continue producing more violence
upwards of 600,000 pieces of mail
What Can Be Done?
as its products are marketed overseas
each year but that less than 1 percent
because it needs no translation.
complain about violence. On the oth-
I
f television had never been invent-
Activists at Harvard and elsewhere
er hand, at least one sponsor of ca-
ed. society would have been
have argued that the movement against
ble programming, Time-Life Books,
spared 10.000 homicides. 70,000 rapes
TV violence should take a cue from the
recently withdrew its ad for a series
and 700,000 assaults. hypothesizes
anti-smoking, anti-drunken-driving
of books on crime featuring serial
psychiatrist Centerwall.
and environmental movements, all of
killers Ted Bundy, Charles Manson
On the other hand. "By having
which have had success in winning co-
and Richard Speck because of viewer
television, entertainment with ade-
operation from scriptwriters, produc-
complaints about poor taste.
quate sex and violence." argues Jib
ers and directors in Hollywood to
"If I were a parent or a PTA group,
Fowles. a University of Houston-
highlight their causes. But creative
rd pick up the phone and call the lo-
Clear Lake media studies professor,
people wield limited power in the'en-
cal TV station," says Doug Wills, a
"Americans are nightly able to empty
tertainment industry. Hollywood writ-
spokesman for the National Associa-
their subconscious; aggressive fanta-
er and actor Ben Stein says: "I
tion of Broadcasters. "The program-
sies produce tranquil minds."
remember so many times coming [to
ming manager there doesn't want to
The reason TV viewers gawk at faked
the Warner Bros. lot] and pitching
alienate his audience, and it is in his
violence like passersby rubbernecking
Iscripts to executives). Pitching and
interest to be responsive for competi-
at an auto wreck is because "males are
thinking. T've got to sell this, no matter
tiveness reasons." In general, Wills
taught a for of things to embrace be
what, I have to sell this, I've just got to
adds, "with some exceptions, such as
strong. not to feel. see power at all costs.
sell this. It doesn't matter. Ask me to
the three recent movies on the Amy
win/lose. be a soldier - they're all pre-
put in a scene of torturing nuns, I'll do
Fisher case that made executives un-
sented as appropriate male attitudes,"
it. I'll do anything to make this sale.'""
comfortable, most of television meets
says peace studies' Professor Crews.
the viewing needs of the public and
"Most of it is nurture. not nature. It's a so-
Alternatives for Parents
doesn't set out to offend anyone."
cial reality that is constructed."
On a personal level, the American
TV critic Kitman says the solution
"The male demand for violent en-
Academy of Pediatrics has recom-
to TV violence is for the networks to
tertainment comes about not because
mended that parents limit children's
use their power to produce hour-
males innately want to see violence,
TV viewing to one to two hours per
long Michael Jackson or Madonna
but because these shows put forth
day. The National PTA advises par-
specials with the message that "only
strong male role models." says Har-
ents to watch children's favorite pro-
creeps carry guns."
vard's Prothrow-Stith. "Men are look-
grams as well as the news with their
More important, says children's ac-
ing for heroes. They look for men
children, discuss the violence, ex-
tivist Peggy Charren, "we need pub-
who are effective. And in watching
plain how violence is faked on enter-
lic policy to focus on the root causes
television, particularly if there's not a
tainment shows and encourage
of violence in this country. Poverty is
father in the home. you find the male
children to watch programs with
what you fix if you want to do some-
heroes are presented in terms of vio-
characters who cooperate with each
thing about violence.""
lent action."
other rather than fight.
"Other countries find us strange,"
Actually, violence doesn't seem so
Advice columnist Ann Landers re-
says Donnerstein. "Violence is as
popular if you look at the top-rated
cently recommended, when a reader
American as apple pie. But sex and
shows." which are predominantly sit-
complained about sex and violence
profanity upset people the most.
on TV. that viewers call local stations
There's an outcry if you show partial
with their complaints. "I, too, deplore
nudity, but viewers don't care if peo-
The top 20 network prime-time shows dunne
the work of March M. according 10 the A.C. Nicl-
the garbage on TV, but it is vitally
ple get hacked up."
en Co were. "Home Improve ement. "no Min-
important that we not interfere with
The best chance for a federal effort
uses." "Men Don : Tell." "Cusch." "Roseanne."
the rights of those who like it," she
against TV violence would come if
"PrimeTime Live." "Rexiue 911." "Murder. She
Wrute. "Seinfeld. Chees. "20 20 Northern
wrote. "Written protests to the spon-
the issue were taken up by first lady
Expenure. "Murphy Brown." "Full House. -Dr
sors are effective, but the most im-
Hillary Rodham Clinton or a group
Quinn. "Medicine Woman "Unsolved Myster.
its "People Choke Awards," "Fresh Prince of
mediate censor is simply to use the
like the Children's Defense Fund,
Bel-Air. The Simpsons and Day One
off button."
says scriptwriter Ayres. "A heavy-
March 26, 1993
183
TV VIOLENCE
weight political lobby would be
on TV violence held by the House Judiciary
'Kenneth D. Gadow and Joyce Sprafkin,
needed because the industry will
Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
"Field Experiments of Television Violence
fight tooth and nail."
Ron Taffel. "Making Your Child Feel Safe in
with Children: Evidence for an Environmental
a Scary World." McCall's, February 1993, P.
Hazard?" Pediatrics, March 3. 1989. P. 399.
In November. then-President-elect
60.
Clinton told TV Guide that makers of
Oskamp. op. cit., P. 172.
films and TV programs "could, with-
'See Nancy Carlsson-Paige and Diane E. Lev-
19 U.S. News s World Report, Feb. 1. 1993. P.
in, The Subversion of Healthy Development
65.
out undermining their artistic integri-
and Play: Teachers' Reactions to the Teenage
- Journal of the American Medical Associa-
ty. have a major new impact on the
Mutant Ninja Turtles, Day Care and Early
tion, op. ck
way people view the world
Education, winter 1991.
loid.
There's no question the cumulative
*Testimony before the Senate Governmental
impact of this banalization of sex and
Affairs Committee, March 1992.
Harvard panel discussion, op. cit.
violence in the popular culture is a
Testimony before the House Judiciary Sub-
as TV Guide, op. dif.
net negative for America."
committee on Crime and Criminal Justice,
Quoted in Los Angeles Times, Sept. 24.
Dec. 15. 1992.
1989.
"When I first came to Los Angeles
and warned of the effects of TV vio-
"Speaking in a panel discussion on TV vio-
29 Quoted in Newswork, April 1. 1991. P. 52.
lence at the Harvard School of Public Health
lence." says the NCTV's Lieberman,
as Robert Wharton and Frederick Mandell.
May 11. 1992. published by Mediascope, Jan-
"Violence on Television and Imitative Behav-
"I thought they'd say Oh. OK. we'll
uary 1993.
for," Pediatrics, June 1985. P. 1121.
fix it.' But 10 years later, I'm still
Carl M. Cannon. "Violent Verdict: Connect-
Kathryn C. Montgomery, Target: Prime
heating my head against the wall.
ing TV and Real-Life Aggression," The Wash-
Time Advocacy Groups and the Struggle
The people here are literally getting
ington Post. Sept. 19. 1989.
Over Entertainment Television, (1989) P. 6.
away with murder."
Stuart Oskamp (ed.), Television as a Social
se The Washington Post, Jan. 29. 1990.
Issue, (1988). P. 190.
Quoted in Newsweek, Dec. 21. 1992.
Quoted in TV Guide, op. cit.
so Quoted by The Associated Press, March 12.
Notes
Albert J. Reiss Jr. and Jeffrey A. Roth, edi-
1993.
tors, Understanding and Preventing Violence,
is jib Powies. Uby Viewers Watch: A Reap-
(1993) P. 7.
Quoted in TV Guide. "Is Vjolence Bat. ang
prateal of Tolevision's Effects, (1992) P. 244.
Forthcoming APA paper quoted in [ mid S.
Our Kids?." Aug. 22-28. 1992. P. 8. Proch ow-
Barry. "Screen Violence and America's Chil-
as Harvard panel, op. CM.
Sixh's book. Deadly Consequences How Via-
dren." The Journal of the Writers Guild of
" Panel discussion directed by Independent
lence is Destroying Our Teenage Population,
America, West, December/January, 1993. P.
Festure Project/West, Oct. 20. 1990. pub-
was published in 1991.
16.
lished by Mediascope, Oct. 1992.
Figures taken from a special report on vio-
Oskamp. op. cit., P. 199.
Ann Landers column, Feb. 20. 1993.
lence in the journal of the American Medical
Association, June 10. 1992.
Quoted in Los Angeles Times, May 18, 1992.
29 Harvard panel discussion, op. Cit.
Oskamp, op. Cit., p. 148.
Quoted in The Washington Post, Nov. 13.
Gerbner testified Dec. 15. 1992, at hearings
1992.
184
CQ
Researcher
Bibliography
Selected Sources Used
Books
Centerwall, Brandon S., "Television and Violence: The
Scale of the Problem and Where to Go From
Fowles, Jib. Wby Viewers Watch: A Reappraisal of
Journal of the American Medical Association,
10
Television's Effects, Sage Publications, 1992.
1992.
With an approving view. 2 University of Houston-Clear
A University of Washington psychistrist reports
o
Lake media professor examines the sociological and psy-
his examination of the rise in homicide rates in South Afric:
chological impact of TV on American society.
following the introduction of television. He gives his pre
scription for dealing with the problem in the United
Huesmann, L Rowell, and Leonard D. Eron (eds.),
in this special issue devoted to violence.
Television and the Aggressive Child: A Cross National
Comparison, Lawrence Eribaum Associates, Publish-
Harvard School of Public Health. "Medis Violence: Are
ers, 1986.
Standards for TV and Film Possible?", transcript of $
Two University of Illinois-Chicago psychologists edited
panel discussion, May 11, 1992, published by Med.
this survey of the academic literature on the link between
inscope, January 1993.
television violence and real-life aggression. They examine
Academics, advocates and television professionals debate
how other countries have dealt with the problem.
the adequacy of current industry standards on violence anc
whether the proposed cures for the epidemic of TV vio-
Montgomery, Kathryn C. Target: Prime Time: Advoca-
lence risk censorship.
cy Groups and the Struggle Over Entertainment Tele-
vision, Oxford University Press, 1989.
Pristin, Terry, "Soul-Searching on Violence by the In
A communications professor now working with the Cen-
dnstry," Los Angeles Times, May 18, 1992.
ter for Media- Education explores the rise of advocacy
A Hollywood journalist reports on inter-industry conflicts
groups that began pressuring the television industry du. 18
over the risks of portraying violence, noting many of the
the 1970s. addressing such issues as sexism. gay bashing
obstacles facing those who propose remedies.
and anti-Americanism on TV.
"Violence on Television: A Symposhum and
Oskamp, Stuart (ed.), Television as . Social Issue: Ap-
Sponsored by the Editors of TV Guide," Editors of TV
plied Social and Psychology Annual, Sage Publica-
Guide.
tions. 1988.
This is an expanded version of the roundtable discussion
A psychologist edited this compendium of essays on the
among experts on TV violence that appeared in the Aug
much-studied conundrum of whether TV violence causes
22-28, 1992, issue of the national weekly. Panelists include
real violence. Includes academic papers as well as contribu-
TV executives, TV critics, academics and policy advocates.
tions from TV executives and civil libertarians.
"Violence in Our Culture: As America binges on
Reiss, Albert J. Jr., and Jeffrey A. Roth (eds.), Under-
believe gore, you have to ask: What are we doing to
standing and Preventing Violence, National Academy
ourselves?" Newsweek, April 1, 1991.
Press, 1993.
A leading newsweekly's roundup of what critics, produc-
A National Research Council team reviews the literature
ers and academics believe are the risks of society's fascina-
on the general causes and possible remedies for violence in
tion with fictional violence and horror.
American society, concluding that TV violence is among the
multiple causes.
Articles
Barry, David S., "Screen Violence and America's Chil-
dren," Journal of the Writers Guild of America, West,
December/January 1993.
A screenwriter and journalist examines how violence on
television has intensified since TVs embryonic days in the
1950s. He surveys recent studies and asks screenwriters to
"face the evidence" about TV's potential harms.
March 26, 1993
185
The Next Step
Additional information from UMI's Newspaper
& Periodical Abstracts database
Cable television
media illiteracy," The Chronicle of Higher Education,
July 8, 1992, PP. B1-B2.
Hall, Jane, "Standards on violence urged for cable
Dennis argues that viewers must understand that the me-
TV," Los Angeles Times, Dec. 16, 1992, p. D3.
dia form a powerful social institution with the potential to
During a Dec. 15. 1992. congressional subcommittee
foster violence.
meeting, the cable TV industry came under added pressure
to enact industrywide guidelines on depicting violence.
Perkins, Joseph, "Tawdry search for ratings," The
Washington Times, Jan. 17, 1993, p. B3.
Jackson, Robert L. "Cable vows to tackle issue of vio-
Perkins comments on the three TV networks' made-for-
lence on TV." Los Angeles Times, Jan. 28, 1993. P. A14.
television movies about "trollop-cum-attempted murderess
The cable TV industry promised on Jan. 27. 1993. to ad-
Amy Fisher" and says the networks are only interested in
dress the problem of violence on its programs.
"exploiting violence and mayhem for ratings and profits."
Children and television
Stark, Steven, "Prime-time criminals," Boston Globe,
Jan. 4. 1993, p. 11.
Ingersoll, Brends, "Dramatic re-ensctments may hurt
Stark decries the glorification of persons who commit
kids," Detroit News s Free Press. Dec. 6, 1992, p. C1.
"spectacular" crimes by the media via television movies and
TV's popular "reality" shows. such as "Rescue 911." are
quasi-news programs, noting the cases of Mark David
attracting a greates number of child viewers and generating
Chapman, who shot and killed John Lennon, and teenager
concern among parents and experts in child psychology.
Amy Fisher, the "Long Island Lolita" who shot the wife of
her alleged adult lover.
Silver, Marc, "Troubling TV ads," U.S. News s World
Report, Feb. 1. 1993. PP. 65-67.
Braxton, Greg, "TV described as being catalyst for
Parents may feel safe about letting their children watch
lawlessness," Los Angeles Times, Oct. 22, 1992, P. A31.
some prime-time TV programs. but they may not be aware
Live TV coverage of the Los Angeles riots was a catalyst
of the violent commercials airing dunng the shows.
for further looting and violence, according to the special
panel investigating police response to the civil unrest.
Williams, Michael, "He-Men yield to humor as Kidvid
defends niche," Variety, July 27, 1992, P. 39.
Braxton, Greg and Steve, "Fla killing shocks LA.
Programmers of children's shows are increasingly blend-
viewers," Los Angeles Times, Jan. 21, 1993, p. F1.
ing animated programming with news. documentaries and
Many viewers called to criticize the Los Angeles TV sta-
drama series. They are also calling for less violence.
tions that showed a man shooting his estranged wife in a
Florida cemetery.
Community response
Freeman, Mike, "LA's local news takes to the
Braxton. Greg. "Hitting TV violence with the 'off
streets," Broadcasting May 4, 1992, p. 11.
switch," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 12, 1992, p. F3.
When violence erupted in South-Central Los Angeles foi-
Nov. 13. 1992 will be the second annual grass-roots
lowing the verdict in the Rodney King trial, local TV sta-
"Turn Off the TV Day." a nationwide effort of a group of
tions offered graphic live transmissions of k. Other
people fed up with the sex and violence on TV.
coverage of the riots, looting and fires is discussed.
Came, Barry, "A child's crusade," Maclean's, Dec. 7,
Kolbert, Elizabeth, "Killing shown on TV prompts de-
1992, PP. 46-47.
bate," The New York Times, Jan. 22, 1993, P. A10.
Virginia Lariviere felt the person who killed her sister
The decisions by TV news shows around the nation to
may have been influenced by TV. She and her family gath-
broadcast a videotape of the brutal killing of Maritza Nunez
ered nearly 1.3 million signatures on a petition to curb and
has prompted calls of outrage.
eventually eliminate violence on Canadian TV.
Rondell, Avital, "Haunted TV: Rodney King/video/trau-
Dennis, Everette E., "Mounting a campaign against
ma," Artforum, Sepember 1992, PP. 71-73.
186
CQ Researcher
The heating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police offi-
"Violence-free TV," Denver Post, Dec. 17, 1992, P. B12.
cers is examined in relation to TV's representation of vio-
An editorial says that while anti-violence guidelines
lence and crime. making them J media event.
adopted by the three major television nerworks look good
in theory, they probably won't have much effect.
Waters, Harry F., "America's ugliest home videos,"
Newsweek, June 15. 1992, PP. 59-60.
Regulation
The proliferation of shows that air home video record-
ings of murders and other grisly events for viewing is dis-
Ostrow, Joanne, "Those who value free speech say
cussed.
tune out TV violence," Denver Post, Dec. 12, 1992, P.
A21.
Weiner, Stewart. "Shock TV." TV Guide, April 4. 1992,
Ostrow opposes the regulation of violence on TV for
PP. 30-32.
of infringing on the First Amendment and concern over
"I Witness Vkkro is discussed for its impact in bringing
who creates the guidelines.
harrowing. real-lite incidents to U.S. TV audiences.
Shah, Sonia, "Couch potatoes like big guns," Nuclear
Legislation
Times, Whoter 1991, PP. 41-42.
The epidemic of TV depictions of violence and harass-
Foisie, Geoffrey and Randy Sukow, "Schumer wants
ment has bred a generation of hostile, alienated, paranoid
violence rating for TV shows," Broadcasting, Dec. 21,
Americans. The effects of TV violence and the difficulty of
1992, PP. 38-39.
regulating levels of violence on TV are discussed.
House Crime and Criminal Justice Subcommittee Chair-
man Charles E. Schumer. D-N.Y., has proposed special
Research and studies
warnings or a ratings system. like that used for films, to
alen parents, about violence levels on TV shows.
Brady, Diane, "The power of "cowabungs," Mac-
lean's, Dec. 7. 1992, P. 50.
Hodges, Ann, "TV violence can be dangerous," Hous-
The American Psychological Association states that TV vi-
ton Chronicle, Jan. 24. 1993. P. z11.
olence can encourage aggressiv : behavior.
Hodges comments on an initiative by Sen. Paul Simon,
D-III.. aimed at making TV nerworks restrict the violence
Clark, Kenneth R., "Yes, TV violence is swful,
that they allow to be broadcast on their programs.
what's the cure?" Chicago Tribune, Oct. 25, 1992, P. 1.
Kenneth R. Clark discusses case studies that indicate that
Kurtz, Howard. "Clinton takes shot at Hollywood, TV,"
TV is a prime factor in the increase of U.S. violence.
The Washington Post, Nov. 13. 1992, P. A4.
President-elect Clinton says he is "mortified" by some of
Johnson, Bill, "Exposure to on-screen violence harms
what is shown on TV and that Hollywood should take the
our children," Detroit News, Jan. s, 1993, p. AS.
lead in "deglamorizing mindless sex and violence."
Johnson comments on the proposed reduction in TV vio-
lence, concluding there is a link between excessive vio-
Rosenberg, Howard. "Conferences won't end TV car-
lence on TV and real-life aggression.
nage," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 1, 1993, p. F1.
Rosenberg discusses the proliferation of TV violence, de-
Price, James H., Elaine A. Merrill and Michael E.
spite the 1990 Television Improvement Act.
Clause, "The depiction of guns on prime time televi-
sion," Journal of School Health, January 1992, PP. 15-
Network response
18.
The role of violence on prime-time TV. was assessed by
Goodman, Adam and Robert L. "Networks to limit vl-
studying two weeks of regular prime-time programming on
olence." SL Louis Post-Dispatch, Dec. 12, 1992, P.
four major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) for scenes
A12.
in which guns were either used or displayed.
The nation's three largest television networks have
agreed on voluntary standards to limit TV violence.
Vobejda, Barbara, "Home alone, glued to the TV." The
Washington Post, Dec. 10, 1992, p. A3.
Hodges, Ann. "Rallying cry at CBS is family values,"
Millions of American teenagers spend much of their
Houston Chronicle. Jan. 14. 1993, P. E1.
time without supervision, a Carnegie Corporation study
The TV networks are responding to complaints about too
found, issuing a bleak description of young people who
much sex and violence on TV programming by softening
rarely read but often devote themselves to watching televi-
their plot lines and adding more romance.
sion and involvement in drugs. gangs, violence and sex.
March 26, 1993
187
And now,
a word from a
Mother
THE WASHINGTON POST
SUNDAY, JULY 18. 1993
Forget the First Amendment.
When it Comes to TV Violence,
All I Care About
is Protecting My Kids.
By Megan Rosenfeld
Washington Plant - Wyther
wo weeks ago I was sent to the Capitol
mentary school. Too often. television is not about pro-
the average child will have watched by the end of ele-
assaults excluding use of guns" (389 incidents), that
the Center for Media and Public Affairs) to "serious
weapon" (226 examples in one day's monitoring by
of violence, ranging from a "menacing threat with a
they put on television. That includes the 100,000 acts
so resolutely unconcerned about the impact of what
abrogated their rights to freedom of speech by being
Amendment flag. As far as I'm concerned. they have
T
Hill press conference at which the major
networks announced their new plan to la-
bei violent television shows. It was a last-
minute assignment. and I grabbed the.only
note pad T could find in the bouse. Once 1 sat down in
the crowded and tension-filled hearing room in the
-Dirksen Senate Office Building. I turned to the top
page of the note. pad and found a drawing by my 9-
year-old son-of a beautifully detailed weapon careful-
by labeled "infinity war mutant bounty gun."
So, guys, I said to myself as I leaned back and
looked at the suits lined up at the microphone, tell me
about violence on TV.
There has been a lot of moaning in reaction to
these labels. One side, the anti-violence lobby. says
VIOLENCE ES for E -
they're a palhative. a crumb tossed at the mob to stall
legislators from actually regulating the airwaves, a b-
cense to produce even more violence as long as it's la-
what happens when he gets bored with the show, as
sure that Bochco will be just artistic as all get-out, but
taste standards, even the puny one of labeling. I'm
ative mind that could be hindered by the imposition of
This show is often cited as the work of a highly cre-
envelope" of profanity, audity and artistic violence.
has been widely predicted, will "push the edge of the
new $ ries this fall on ABC, "NYPD Blue," which, it
The much-lauded Steven Bochco is offering a
pretending otherwise is foolish.
tecting speech, it is about protecting a business, and
beled. The other side, the so-called "creative commu-
nity" and the civil liberties dogmatists. is crying about
artistic freedom and the First Amendment. Labeling.
they say, is the first step down the slippery slope of
censorship. "I think we are being enormously scape-
goated." producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") told this
newspaper. "If you listen to Congress. it's las if] tele-
vision IS the root of all social ills in this country."
ih. please. I find myself curiously unmoved by
television producers covering themselves with a First
911" and "Unsolved Mysteries"-
TV
that could conceivably be classified
as violent. Most of the top-rated
shows are sitcoms or newsmag-
azines-in other words. just pro-
grams that consist of tasteless jokes.
VIOLENCE From GI
sexual and racial stereotypes. and
the occasional thoughtful. well-re-
he did with "L.A. Law." and leaves it
searched expose. But not violence.
in the hands of lesser mortals? We'll
A Times-Mirror survey of more
be left with a flabby envelope and no
than 1,500 adults released last
art.
March found that 80 percent
We have an unfortunate tradition
thought that television violence-
in this country of putting the "rights"
whether on the networks or cable-
of adults before the needs of chil-
was harmful to society, compared
dren. You can see that demonstrated
with 64 percent who thought so in
every day in courthouses, cl SS-
1983. The number who thought it
rooms and social work bureaucracies
was "very harmful" (as opposed to
everywhere. Television is no excep-
just plain harmful) increased from 26
tion: Every socially useful change
percent to 47 percent. The most fre-
that has been made in recent
quent viewers of violent programs
years-like the elimination of ciga-
were those under the age of 30.
rette and liquor advertising or iden-
Do people watch violent shows be-
tifying the early evening hours for
cause they want violence or because
"family" viewing-has been forced
that is what's there? If television
down the networks' throats. Some-
producers really confronted the is-
how, I am not convinced that they
sue, they would have to admit that
want to use the First Amendment in
throwing another fistfight or choke
my family's interest.
hold into the script is an easy way to
"The whole issue is very circular."
create tension and drama, while do-
Marcy Kelly. president of a watch-
ing it with words and nonviolent plot
dog and education group based in
twists is much harder. I suspect it is
Los Angeles called Mediascope, told
the "creative community" that is ad-
dicted to violence, not the viewers.
One way to find out how big the
Let's segregate all
audience for violence really is would
be to segregate all the violent shows
the violent shows on
onto one channel-the V Network.
we'll call it-which would be avail-
one channel-the V
able to cable subscribers, for a fee. If
that works we can move on to the
Network. If that
Stupid Sitcom Network, the Humili-
ating Game Show Channel and the
works, we can move
Grotesque Talk Show Broadcasting
System. and make things a lot easier
on to the Stupid
for the consumer.
Sitcom Network, the
At the press conference. it was in-
Humiliating Game
teresting to hear the big network
cheeses refer to their own children
Shou Channel and
as they piedged to serve up more
programming they are not ashamed
the Grotesque Talk
of. Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.), who is
the anti-violence point man on this
Show Broadcasting
issue. also spoke about a CBS meet-
ing he'd been told about in which one
System.
executive asked the others. "Would
you like our children to be watching
these programs?" Howard Stringer
(CBS) mentioned his 5-month-old
CQ Researcher. "The writer will
and Warren Littlefield (NBC) his
say, That's what the producer
three children. to demonstrate how
wants me to write.' The producer
genuine their concern is about the
will sav. That's what the network
quality of television. Funny how peo-
vants. The network will say.
plu feel differently when it's their
That's what the advertisers want
own hids.
the advertisers will say, That's
Whenever I interview people III
what the public wants. The question
the film or television business I al-
how can we break the circle?"
ways ask them if they restrict of
Well. lew ideas
montor their child's television
watching Then always sell they do
10st 111 like better p.ir.
THE WASHINGTON POST
And when asked about the question
the day that my kids don't ask, "Can
of violence on television. he said,
I watch TVR And then, "Why not?"
"There's nothing we can do about It
I could use some help. I feel as if I
except continue to be critical. To
spend too much time as a parent
protect our children we must be
censoring and saying no, and fighting
hypocrites
off the unceasing lures thrown out
I guess that's me
by the Howard Stringers of the
I am not a person who wants to
world.
eradicate all trash on television. Nor
A technological aid-a device that
Network executives
would allow me to block out pro-
grams I expect to be inappropri-
sold advertising on
ate-fills me with a combination of
dread and curiosity. I will never buy
the premise that
those 500 channels we are being
promised (aren't you glad some of
commercials would
our best minds are working on giv.
ing us that television breakthrough
prod us lowly
instead of conquering world hun-
ger?). But spending some of my rare
viewers to buy
non-working hours programming a
week's worth of television blockage
products, but
is not my idea of quality time.
refused to admit
A call to Circuit City elicited the
information that I can now buy a
that the programs
television with a "parent control ca-
pability." I could program when it
surrounding the
would turn on and off. and block out
some channels This would cost me
commercials could
only between $600 and $700. Per-
haps Dick Wolf or Steven Bacheo
possibly influence
would like to buy me one.
My stepson told me someone has
anyone to do
invented a bicycle-powered televi-
sion, which would certainly cut down
anything.
on viewing in our household. I'm not
sure it really deals with the violence
question. however.
So, for now. I'll take the labels. I
do I think Louney Tunes should be
would prefer that the creators of
listed among the most violent shows,
television would produce less vur
as the National Coalition on Televi-
lence (and less garbage in general).
sion Violence does. I have friends,
but perhaps this initiative will help
and even relatives. who write for
make that happen. It b. at least. an
and act on television, and other
acknowledgment that what they put
friends who would love to du SO. I am
on the air really does affect human
happy to assert my responsibility as
life. and for that I am grateful. Previ-
a parent and issue dictums that
ously. network executives sold ad-
make my children think I am Cruella
vertising on the premise that COME
de Vil. I know that little boys will
mercials would prod us lowly
draw pictures of guns. and always
viewers to buy products. but refused
have drawn pictures of guns. regard-
to admit that the programs sur-
less of how much violence they see
rounding the commercials could pus.
on television. And I do not think a
sibly influence anyone to du any-
television show causes someone to
thing.
go out and commit murder; it just
I hope the industry. including the
gives them an excuse after the fact.
cable operators and independent
But I admit it: If there were such
producers who refused to sign on to
a thing as the Taste Police, I would
the two-year labeling experiment.
want to be the chief. We all think we
will take seriously the companion
know what's best, especially when it
plan to sensitize producers. writers
comes to our children. And tell nk,
and program developers to violence.
have the presidents of NBC. CBS.
The objective is to do for violence
ABC and the schlock-specialists at
what they did for seat belis. drug
Fox Broadcasting done such a great
use and cigarette and akuhol CODE
job of looking out for our interests?
sumption-glansorize the good stuff
I have always believed that televi-
and downplay the bad.
sion is a tool you should teach your
There IS a real possibility that
children to master, not avoid. be-
nothing will change. In that case I
cause M is unavoidable Throwing it
will have 10 choice. I will have to
out 16 a solution, but that doesn't
take the television out and throw "
teach children to make choices. In
bomb at If. I sure 184m nobody else
my household we-dorft allow televi-
will be hit by the flying debus.
sion 00 school nights. for example.
and.we.uy at when times
But: the pull of the black box in the
corper is always there, and rare is
RECENT COMMENTS ON TELEVISION VIOLENCE as of July 1992
"Violence: Merely Entertaining or Mainly Evil?" Dr. Carole Lieberman, Los
Angeles Times, May 15, 1992
"We readily accept that children learn the alphabet from Sesame Street,' why can't
we accept that they learn the ABCs of murder and mayhem from gratuitously violent
entertainment?"
"Violence sells. So does crack cocaine. Does that make k O.K.?"
"Individual writers, producers and executives feel overwhelmed by the concept that
what they write, produce or choose to air could change the likes of millions of people,
so they deny the power of their work to avoid a responsibility they often feel
II-equipped to handle?"
"Television and Violence: The Scale of the Problem and Where to Go from
Here." Dr. Brandon S. Centerwall, The Journal of the American Medical
Association, June 10, 1992
"In light of recent research findings, in 1990 the American Academy of Pediatrics
Issued a policy statement: Pediatricians should advise parents to limit they
children's television viewing to one to two hours per day."
"Whereas infants have instinctive desire to Imitate observed human behavior, they
do not possess an instinct for gauging a priori whether a behavior ought to be
imitated. They will Imitate anything. including behaviors that most adults would
regard as destructive and antisocial."
"...up through ages three and four years, many children are unable to distinguish
fact from fantasy in television programs and remain unable to do so despite adult
coaching. In the minds of such young children, television is a source of entirely
factual information regarding how the world works."
in a national opinion poll, 43 percent of adult Americans affirm that television
violence 'plays a part in making America a violent society,' and an additional 37
percent find the thesis at least plausible (only 16 percent frankly disbelieve the
proposition.)"
the epidemiologic evidence Indicates that If, hypothetically, television technology
had never been developed, there would be 10,000 fewer homicides each year in the
United States, 70,000 fewer rapes, and 700,000 fewer Injurious assaults."
*Issues of 'quality' and 'social responsibility' are entirely peripheral to the Issue of
maximizing audience size within a competitive market-and there is no formula more
tried and true than violence for reliably generating large audiences that can be sold
to advertisers."
"Children's exposure to television and television violence should become part of the
public health agenda, along with safety seats, bicycle helmets, immunizations and
good nutrition."
Fateful Choices, Fred M. Hechinger, Carnegie Council on Adolescent
Development, 1992
"It is estimated by the time youngsters graduate from high school, many of them will
have watched television 22,000 hours, compared to only half that number spent in
school. By eighteen, young people will have been exposed to as many as 18,000
televised murders and 800 suicides."
An average of 80.3 percent of all television programs contain violent acts, and a
typical program includes 5.21 such Incidents
Deborah Prothrow-Stith, an assistant dean in Harvard's School of Public Health,
"calls for a movement like that fueling the anti-smoking and drunk driving campaigns
Television and movies should portray the pain and suffering. the bad outcomes
of violence."
(MORE]
"Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television In American Society,"
American Psychological Association (APA), 1992
The rate of violence on prime-time television is about five to six incidents per hour,
whereas the rate of violence on children's Saturday morning programs is 20 to 25
acts per hour.
The average child witnesses 8,000 murders by the time he/she graduates from
elementary school and witnesses more than 100,000 assorted acts of violence.
"Many of the poorest and most vulnerable groups in our society are also the heaviest
users of television, In part because television is a default option used when other
activities are not available."
"Does Media Violence Beget the Real Thing?" Jeremy Iggers, Minneapolis
Star Tribune, June 13, 1992
Almost twenty years ago, sociologist Rose Goldsen of the University of Pennsylvania
warned that America is engaged in the world's first coast-to-coast experiment in
behavior modification, and no one can foretell what the consequences will be.
(Rose Goldsen) wrote an essay in which she argued that viewers of television
violence experienced a pattern of alternating stimulation and abrupt interruption
(caused by commercials) that closely resembles the desensitization techniques
used by psychologists to modify behavior. After repeated treatments with these
techniques, said Goldsen, even the strongest psychological connections can be
broken down."
"Contemporary heroes and villains are different The enemy is usually totally
viclous and depraved, and in some cases not human. The hero's job is not to bring
the villain to justice, but rather to destroy him or it."
in a world where the violence that looks real is really just make-believe, and the real
violence is made to look like a game, can we expect people to have a serious
understanding of the meaning of violence?"
"TV, Film Link to Reality of Violence," Diego Ribadeneira, The Boston Globe,
May 12, 1992
"Any form of legal restriction should not be attempted and would not be attempted
and would not work because of the threat it would pose for the First Amendment."
- Edward Donnerstein, a professor in the department of communication at the
University of California at Santa Barbara.
"No one is claiming that television violence is the sole cause of this epidemic" of
youth violence, said Leonard D. Eron, a professor of psychology at the University of
Illinois in Chicago. "However, it is one of the causes and It is one that something
can be done about. is It too much to ask the television Industry to police Itself?"
"Just Another Murder, Just Another Show," Judy Mann, The Washington Post,
May 13, 1992
-In the report, Deborah Prothrow-Stith, an assistant dean in Harvard's School of
Public Health, told of a 13-year-old who was hospitalized for a gunshot wound: He
was surprised because It hurt."
-30-
PAUL SIMUN
COMMITTEES
LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES
JUDICIARY
FOREIGN RELATIONS
United States Senate
BUDGET
WASHINGTON DC 20510
BACKGROUNDER/BACKGROUNDER/BACKGROUNDER/BACKCROUNDER
BACKGROUNDER
MACKGROUNDER
BACKGROUNDER: TELEVISION VIOLENCE
MCKGROUNDER
BACKGROUNDER
MCEGROUNDER
ACKGROUNDER/BACEGROUNDER/BACEGROUNDER/EECKGRODHDER
Office of U.S. Senator Paul Simon
Illinois
ALMANAC.
ALMANAC. More than 96 percent of American homes have at least
ALMANAC. one television set. Television is a major source of
information and influence in children's lives. The
average child spends more time watching television than in the
classroom. . .. According to the Nielsen Index the average
American child watches 18,000 television murders before he or
she graduates from high school. . . . An average child between
the ages of 2 and 11 now views 27.3 hours of television per
week. By age 16, he or she has watched over 20,000 hours of
television.
RESEARCH. RESEARCH. The report of the U.S. Attorney General's Task
RESEARCH. Force on Family Violence concludes that "evidence
is becoming overwhelming that, just as witnessing
violence in the home may contribute to normal adults and
children learning and acting out violent behavior, violence on
television may contribute to the same result."
Drs. Leonard Eron and Rowell Ruesmannof the University of
Illinois-Chicago and other researchers have found that children
with aggressive tendencies tend to watch violent progams and
are more likely to believe that TV violence mirrors real life.
In 1982, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop reported there is a
causal correlation between viewing violence and aggressive
behavior. The National Institute of Mental Health, which had
examined the issue for the Surgeon General, provided testimony
before the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice in 1984 that
a "sizable number of studies did support the inference that
there was a causal connection between the viewing of televised
violence and later aggressive behaviors."
Research has shown three possible effects of viewing television
violence: (1) Children may become less sensitive to the pain
and suffering of others; (2) They may be more fearful of the
world around them; and (3) They may be more likely to behave in
an aggressive or harmful way toward others. -- John P. Murray
and Barbara Lonnberg, "Violence on TV: Do Children Learn From
It?"
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Statement on
Children, Adolescents, and Television finds that "repeated
exposure to televised violence promotes a proclivity to
violence and a passive response to its practice." -- June,
1985.
"In one study, children who had watched a violent television
program were found to be more likely to hurt another child than
(MORE)
BACKGROUNDER: Television Violence-2-2-2-2-2
were those who had watched & nonviolent program. In non-
laboratory settings, children have injured themselves by
imitating behaviors viewed on TV. Another study suggested that
children may learn to perceive aggresive behavior as normal and
acceptable." . . . "Other studies have shown that these
findings persist even when factors such as family background
are taken into account. In a study of 158 elementary school
children from a middle-class suburb, children who watched more
violent television programs were rated by their teachers as
less cooperative, less successful in interpersonal
relationships and less happy; these findings were statistically
significant regardless of the children's age, sex, social
class, IQ or parents' television viewing habits." -- B. James
Holroyd, M.D., Pediatrics, Feb., 1985.
35 young men between the ages of 8 to 31 years have killed
themselves playing Russian Roulette while imitating a scene
from the movie, 'The Deer Hunter,' which they had seen on
television." . . . "...the pain of victims and anguish of
relatives are rarely portrayed. Thus, the child learns that
violence may be a quick and easy solution to conflicts while
being deprived of any opportunity to feel empathy for the
victim." -- Robert Wharton, M.D, and Frederick Mandell, M.D.,
Pediatrics, June, 1985.
"In a comprehensive review of the research literature on
telvision content, Signorielli and colleauges concluded that
consistently high levels of violence and aggression have been
reported in studies of television programming, regardless of
the measures used to define or assess violence. They reported
that children's television programs are six times as violent as
adults' television programs." ... "Dozens of laboratory
studies have consistently demonstrated that children imitate
the violence that they have just W tched on television." . . .
"Despite psychologists' suggestions in the 1950's that watching
television violence has a cathartic effect, and thus reduces
viewers' aggressive behavior, there are no data from recent
years to support that theory." ... "A special opportunity to
assess the impact of televised violence in a community setting
occurred with the introduction of television in a small
Canadian community that had never had access to television
before. The results demonstrated that verbal and physical
aggression increased among primary school children in this
community after television became available." . . . "One of the
few studies that contradicts these findings was conducted by
researchers at the National Broadcasting Company. They found
the relationship between viewing television violence and
aggressive behavior several years later became insignificant
when social class was controlled. The study had several
important limitations. First, children's aggressive behavior
was defined strictly to include only 'physical or verbal mots
intended or known in advance to cause injuries to others' and
did not include rough play or other unintended aggressive
behavior." -- Diana M. Zuckerman, Ph.D., and Barry 3.
Zuckerman, M.D., Pediatrics.
"American viewers have more access to violent television
programming than the citizens of several other nations
(Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, West Germany
and Spain) monitored by the International Coalition on
Television. According to TV monitoring by the 88-country
coalition, the United States also has the dubious distinction
of exporting programs which account for 65 percent of all the
violence shown on Canadian, English, Australian and New Zealand
television." -- American Family Physician, April 1984.
.........
RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE; Contact: David Carle, 202-224-7115
BY RAY LUSTIG-THE WASHINGTON POST
Attorney General Janet Reno holds up children's letters on TV violence.
Reno: Curb TV Violence
Regulation Not Unconstitutional, Panel Told
By Ellen Edwards
networks, cable TV and the indepen-
Washington Post Staff Writer
dents-acknowledge their role and
their responsibilities, and pledge to
Attorney General Janet Reno
work with us to use every tool they
jumped into the television violence
have to address the problem. And
melee yesterday, telling the enter-
more than pledging, start doing
tainment industry to clean up its act
something about it now."
or legislative action would be "im-
Reno said she had met with repre-
perative."
sentatives of the industry earlier in
"The regulation of violence is con-
the week and had been prepared to
stitutionally permissible," she told
suggest that they be given a year to
the Senate Commerce Committee,
put their houses in order-until, she
which was holding hearings on three
said, she realized how many times
bills that would mandate it. She said
they had promised to do so over the
those bills would have no constitu-
last two decades.
tional problems if they were enact-
She diverged from her prepared
ed.
text to urge the committee to set a
At the same time, Reno urged the
Jan. 1 deadline, much along the lines
industry to find its own solutions
suggested by Sen. Paul Simon (D-
first.
III.). And she warned that if "immedi-
"All I am asking today," she told
ate further voluntary steps are not
the committee, "is that the enter-
taken, and deadlines set," she would
tainment industry-and that in-
encourage legislative action.
cludes the movies, the broadcasting
See RENO, A13, CoL 1
WASH. POST 10/21/93
THE W
Reno Says Congress Should Regulate
TV Violence if Broadcasters Won't
RENO. From Al
awards ceremonies for itself. "I th:
somebody should sponsor a sle:
She admitted that such legislation
ceremony," he suggested, with
would apply only to broadcast net-
eryone dressed as garbage men.
works, and that cable could not be
regulated in the same way. Much of
Hollings surprised CBS Preside
the testimony today from others
Howard Stringer by playing a vide
charged that cable and syndicated
tape of Monday night's episode
the network's comedy "Love a.
programming are the worst offend-
War" not long after Stringer h
ers.
pointed out that the network
Reno urged advertisers to "re-
schedule had the least violence
evaluate the nature of the messages
any in 25 years. "Nobody dies
they wish to subsidize" and the in-
Monday night," Stringer told
dustry to reexamine the programs it
committee.
buys and the times it chooses to air
The tape showed a barroom bra
them. She went so far as to suggest
that went on at great length. punc'
that programs be designed to repu-
ated by one character's plea to "st
diate violence.
fighting-you're seeing too much
The three bills that were the stb-
olence on television." When the
ject of yesterday's hearing would
tended scene ended, Motion Pictu
prohibit violent programming duritg
Association President Jack Valer
hours when children are likely to be
BY RAY LUSTIG-THE WASHINGTON
also testifying as part of a panei
watching; require the FCC to com-
Attorney General Janet Reno works
pile a violence report card; and re
on her statement on TV violence
industry representatives, joked th
quire warning labels about violent
before testifying in the Senate.
Stringer had been right-"Nobo
died."
content and "unsafe gun practices.'
"Nobody died except the credit
A number of other bills have been in-
Peck said other cases that have
ity of the panel," shot back Holling
troduced in the House, but Reno
attempted to expand the regulation
said she had not yet reviewed them
Stringer, clearly uncomfortab
of prohibited speech have been
for their constitutionality.
said the action was "slapstick. [T
struck down by the federal court of
producer] was satirizing televisi-
"The cat is out of the bag in terms
appeals in Washington. Earlier,
violence," although he admitted tt.
of legislation," said one industry offi-
when she was asked about those cas-
its airing two days before the he-
cial later, voicing one of the enter-
es by Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.),
ing was "not the most auspicio
tainment industry's worst fears.
Reno said she was not aware of
time for me." Later, he said he h:
Reno made her comments in the
them.
not felt sandbagged. "All's fair
context of her concerns for children,
The Supreme Court has never
love and war," he said.
beginning with a plea for more re-
squarely confronted the constitution-
The committee also heard from
sponsibility by parents and by the
ality of government restrictions on
panel of people urging legislative a
educational system. She personal-
the content of televised entertain-
tion and emphasizing their frustr
ized her testimony, saying, "My
ment. Unlike newspapers and maga-
tion at having confronted the isst.
mother didn't allow our family to
zines, television has generally been
over many years to no avail, the
have a television because she said it
more subject to government regula-
said.
contributed to mind rot."
tion because the airwaves are con-
Catherine A. Belter of the Natic
She added, "I think too often
sidered a public trust and licensed in
al PTA told the senators, "We"
America has become numb to vio-
1 variety of ways.
been coming before committees Iii
lence because it just drowns in it day
The committee, chaired by Sen.
this since 1973. The frustration le
in and day out."
Irnest F. Hollings (D-S.C.), gave a
el is growing."
While she said she did not intend
varm welcome to the witnesses who
(Coincidentally, the Harvard Pr
to "bash" the networks, and acknowl-
were critical of televised violence,
ject on Guns, Violence and Pubi
edged that they had taken some pos-
while a panel of industry representa-
Health will announce a program
itive action, she said, "They are ex-
tives got a much cooler reception.
day to lobby Hollywood produce
tremely small steps. They're little
itty-bitty steps."
"You folks are coming in through
and writers, government officia
the back door," Hollings told them,
and communications and busine
Robert S. Peck, the legislative
counsel of the American Civil Liber-
adding that he had felt he had heard
leaders as a means of preventing T
it all before when it came to industry
violence.)
ties Union, later disputed Reno's
suggestion that there would be no
promises of self-regulation.
Hollings got an unintention
constitutional problems for the pend-
"There's no education in the sec-
laugh when he was talking about th
ing legislation, saying, "All these
ondkick of a mule," he said.
popular MTV program "Beavis an
Butt-head" but couldn't get th
bills are unconstitutionally vague."
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) fol-
name right. "Buffcoat and Beaver
He said the kind of speech being pro-
lowel in tone, telling the industry
he called it, but later corrected hir.
hibited must be specified and so far
representatives, "You're sounding
self to more laughter after a sta
the only speech that has stood that
like someone who sells cigarettes."
member passed him a note.
test is the so-called "seven dirty
Earier, Sen. John Danforth (R-
words" prohibited by the Supreme
Mo.) slid he was tired of the indus-
Staff writer Jacqueline Trescott
Court in a 1978 decision.
try constantly holding black-tie
contributed this
FIREARM INJURIES AND COST
Firearms are the second leading cause of injury and death in the U.S.
Firearms are the second most frequent cause of death overall for people 18-34.
85% of the national hospital cost for firearm injuries are uncompensated.
Taxpayers pay for this through higher taxes and higher insurance premiums.
Lifetime Cost:
Firearms injuries incurred in 1990 cost $20.4 billion,
including $17.5 billion for fatalities,
$2.8 billion for hospitalized injuries,
and $100 million for non-hospitalized injuries.
Ex:
In 1992, cardiovascular gunshot wound patients
average hospitalization cost was $15,000 nationwide.
[University of California, S.F. School of Nursing, July 1993]
Per Person Cost: The average per person cost of a firearm injury is $53,831
(including fatalities). 85% of that = $45,750 paid by taxpayers!*
The average per person cost of a fatality, $373,520 is the highest
of any cause of injury. 85% of that = $317,500 paid by tax
payers!*
* '93 percentile applied to '91 figures
[A Report to Congress, Cost of Injury in the U.S., Rice et al. 1991]
According to the GOA, approximately 80% of patients who suffer injuries from
violence are uninsured or eligible for government medical care cost assistance.
[Journal of Trauma, Initial and Subsequent Hospital Costs of Firearm Injuries, 1992,
Garen Wintemute, et al.]
The overall cost of firearm injuries to our health care system is more than $4 billion.
[Chair of the 1991 Advisory Council on Social Security]
Firearms Injury Info:
Oct 7, 93
From Patty Murray's office:
-- -They would like some recognition!
July '93, U. of California S.F. School of Nursing:
Lifetime cost of firearm injuries incured in 1990 was $20.4 billion, including
$17.5 billion for fatalities, $2.8 billion for hospitalized injuries, and $100 million for non-
hospitalized injuries.
Firearms = 2nd leading cause of injury and death in the U.S.
= 2nd most frequent cause of death overall for people 18-34 years of age.
1992 Cardiovascular gunshot wound patients average hospitalization cost = $ 15,000
nationwide.
Dr. Rivara from U. of Washington at press conference yesterday:
Cost of gun related injuries = more than $14 billion nationwide.
More than 80% of cost of gunshot injuries = payed by public funds.
Seattle
Over last seven years, the number and cost of gunshot admissions have
doubled, from 1 million to 2 million.
Average cost of gunshot injury admission at Harborview Hospital in Seattle =
$8,000. (Other states show figures b/w $7,000 and $12,000.)
Contact: American Academy of Pediatrics
11. 02. 93 05:58 PM
PO1
1
Li
OF HEALTH HUMAN
Have you Statistic seen this
marked cas before?
IS it correct?
Thanks-
Kum
-
USA
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
Office of the Burgeon General
200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 736-E
Washington, DC 20201
Telephone: 202-690-8335
Fax: 202-690-6498
DATE:
11- 2-93
TO:
Amy Thenks
FAX:
FROM:
Mike Russell
othics of
ADDITIONAL MESSAGE:
Total number of pages this transmission (including cover):
11
11. 02. 93 05:58 PM
P O 2
11/01/93
NU. 620
002
WASHINGTON (AP) Violence in America has reached epidemic
proportions and added $13.5 billion to the nation's medical bill
last year, Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders said Monday.
The administration's top medical official told a House
Government Operations Committee panel that the cost of firearm
injuries alone is nearly $3 billion a year.
For too many young people, she said, "it's easier to find a gun
than a good friend, a good teacher, a good school.
She said the 50,000 deaths caused by violence yearly exceeds the
30,000 who die from AIDS and the 18,000 killed as a result of drunk
driving.
The panel on violence as a public health issue heard from a
Brooklyn high school student who said his hospital care after he
was shot in the back, including 14 operations and the amputation of
a leg, cost more than $1 million.
"How many million-dollar bullets will it take before someone
wakes up?" asked 17-year-old Ralph Green. "Aren't these gunshots
loud enough?"
Frederick D. Alley, president of the Brooklyn Hospital Center,
said 10 percent of hospital admissions last year were injury
related, most from acts of violence, and that care for violence
victims cost the hospital at least $12.5 million.
Elders said 85 percent of hospital costs for treatment of
firearm injuries is unreimbursed.
"Our society is self destructing as a consequence of violence
that engulfs families, neighborhoods and communities," said Rep.
Ed Towns, D-N.Y., chairman of the human resources and
intergovernmental relations subcommittee.
"It is an epidemic that is destroying the lives of our young
people and endangering this nation's future," said Rep. Louis
Stokes, D-Ohio.
Elders blamed poverty and the availability of drugs and firearms
to young people as key reasons for the increase in violence.
She said 40 percent of all homicides are related to drugs and 80
percent of homicide victims in Washington, D.C. had evidence of
cocaine in their bodies
She also criticized television and other media, saying that "by
portraying violence as the normal means of conflict resolution, the
media gives youth the message that violence is socially acceptable,
'cool,' and the best way to resolve problems."
Another 17 year old, Shartae Edwards of Baltimore, testified
that she had grown up seeing people killed and fighting over drugs.
"I saw violence so 1 chose violence as a way of life she said.
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
COMMUNICATIONS
TV Violence: Hill May Not Wait
For More Industry Action
S
en. Paul Simon, D-
grammers seem amenable
III., a longtime de-
to the watchdog group
fender of free
idea, but Hollywood writ-
speech rights, flipped on
ers and producers are in-
his television in a hotel
censed: They fear a re-
room in La Salle County
vival of the climate of
after a long day on the
censorship that envel-
campaign trail in 1984
oped the industry from
and knew he had seen
1922 to 1945 when the
enough: a person being
Motion Picture Produc-
murdered with a chain
ers and Distributors of
saw.
America, run by enter-
It was a scene SO
tainment lawyer and for-
grisly and devoid of
mer Postmaster General
entertainment value that
Will H. Hays, required a
it drove the former news-
"purity seal" on all pro-
paperman, upon his elec-
ductions.
tion, to take a lead role in
For an industry accus-
reining in television vio-
tomed to fending off at-
lence, even at the risk of
tacks from the political
being a liberal accused of
right over depictions of
advocating censorship.
MARILYN GATES-DAVIS
explicit sex on television,
In 1990, President
Studies show a link between TV violence and street violence. Congress,
it is all the more shocking
George Bush signed into
which may not be satisfied with recent industry measures, has struggled
to Hollywood that liber-
law a provision Simon
to address the problem without trampling First Amendment rights.
als such as Simon would
authored that gave the major broad-
be asking them to relinquish control
cast. networks three years to take vol-
"We are opposed to any
over their product.
untary steps to curb depictions of
"We are opposed to any commis-
blood and gore on American television
commission made of mortals
sion made of mortals who are going to
screens. In June, Hollywood re-
who are going to tell creative
tell creative people what is right or
sponded to that effort by promising to
people what is right or wrong."
wrong," said Jack Valenti, president
tone down TV violence and air new
of the Motion Picture Association of
advisories about programs unsuitable
America. He denounced what he
for children.
called "this gradual, slow, remorseless
But judging by the fall lineup of
Motion Picture Association
intrusion by the government into the
legislation introduced that would fur-
of America
content of television."
ther curb violence on TV, Congress is
But many outside Congress fear
not about to let the industry off that
worries Simon and others who are wary
political momentum could force the
easily.
of trampling First Amendment rights.
issue to its extreme and lead to legisla-
Lawmakers eager to cast votes
"The answer really rests with the
tion so broad as to restrict TV con-
against violence will have plenty of
industry," said Simon. Hollywood, he
tent.
opportunities to do so this fall, rang-
said, "has to make a greater show of
Because there is simply no political
ing from one bill giving the Federal
seriousness than has been shown up to
constituency in Congress for violence
Communications Commission (FCC)
this point."
on television, lawmakers are left with
the power to define "violence" to an-
Simon does not want legislation
little reason to vote against any bill
other requiring television sets to in-
and has hinted that he would oppose
that purports to curb it. Martin D.
clude a computer chip that would al-
bills that go too far. Instead, he wants
Franks, Washington vice president for
low viewers to block objectionable TV
the industry to take voluntary steps,
CBS Inc., said he harbors an "apoca-
shows.
including setting up a citizens' group
lyptic" fear that lawmakers will roll
The bottom line for TV executives:
to monitor the level of violence on
the array of bills pending in Congress
Unless they take further voluntary
television. He also calls for self-re-
on the issue into one big measure to
steps, beyond their new parental
straint by writers and producers, more
restrain TV.
warnings, lawmakers will be all the more
leadership on the issue from execu-
"Other than Paul Simon, I cannot
eager to step in - a possibility that
tives and the elimination of violence-
find a single member who has even
laden promotions for television shows.
suggested he might oppose [television
By Mike Mills
Many broadcasters and cable pro-
violence] legislation," Franks said. "At
2338 - SEPTEMBER 4, 1993
CQ
GOVERNMENT& COMMERCE
Congress and TV: A Chronology
1950s - Rise in youth crime and juvenile de-
1980s - Reagan-era deregulation gives me-
linquency prompts congressional hearings on
dia free rein; cable TV, VCRs and rise of indepen-
television violence.
dent networks diminish power of networks to
June 1952: First congressional hearings on violence
control violence on TV.
in radio and television and its impact on children
1980: Founding of National Coalition on Television
and youth are held by House Interstate and Foreign
Violence.
Commerce Subcommittee.
1982: National Institute of Mental Health study
1954: Sen. Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., chairs hear-
says there is a clear consensus on link between TV
ings of Judiciary Subcommittee to Investigate Juve-
violence and aggression.
nile Delinquency on role of TV shows in youth
crime. Networks say no link.
September 1984: Attorney General's Task Force
on Family Violence says evidence is overwhelming
1960s - Urban violence prompts more con-
that TV violence contributes to real violence.
gressional hearings and government funding of
1984: American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force
research on TV violence.
on Children and Television cautions physicians and
1961: Kennedy administration Federal Communi-
parents that TV may promote aggression.
cations Commission Chairman Newton N. Minow
1985: American Psychological Association Commis-
tells National Association of Broadcasters that
sion on Youth and Violence notes research showing
American TV is a "vast wasteland."
link between TV violence and real violence.
1967: University of Pennsylvania begins monitoring
1990s - Networks issue a joint statement of
television programming.
policies on TV violence, made possible by an anti-
1969: Formation of Boston-based Foundation to
trust exemption passed by Congress. Anti-vio-
Improve Television.
lence advocates step up pressure.
Sept. 23, 1969: Report of National Commission on
1990: Simon-Glickman Television Violence Act
the Causes and Prevention of Violence cites TV vio-
lence as contributor to society's violence problem.
gives three major networks an antitrust exemption
so they can formulate joint policy on violence.
1970s - Surgeon general's study prompts
1991: Minow declares: "In 1961, I worried that my
more congressional hearings; academic studies
children would not benefit much from television,
proliferate; court cases examine liability of TV in
but in 1991 I worry that my children will actually be
cases of real violence.
harmed by it."
1972: Surgeon general's report on violence cites
1992: American Psychological Association study
evidence of link between screen violence and aggres-
shows research on link to real violence is ignored
sive behavior.
and calls for federal policy to protect society.
1975: National PTA adopts resolution demanding
Dec. 11, 1992: Days before House hearings, the
that networks and local TV stations reduce the
three major networks release joint policy on vio-
amount of violence in programs and commercials
lence and agree to hold an industrywide confer-
(reaffirmed in 1989).
ence.
1976: American Medical Association's House of Del-
June 30, 1993: The four major TV networks an-
egates calls TV violence an "environmental hazard."
nounce their agreement to air parental advisories
when shows the networks deem violent are aired.
1979: In Zamora U. CBS et al., parents of a Florida
Fifteen major cable networks announce July 29 that
15-year-old convicted of murdering a neighbor sue all
three networks, unsuccessfully, for negligence in fail-
they will join in the policy.
ing to prevent him from being incited to imitate TV.
SOURCE CQ Researcher, "TV Violence," by Charles S. Clark, March 26. 1993
the moment I assume everything
the late 1940s, as many as 3,000 stud-
broader links between TV and actual
could be law by Columbus Day."
ies have examined links between TV
violence.
violence and real violence. (Box, this
For the last 40 years, the issue has
Forty Years of Debate
page)
waxed and waned in the public con-
The average American child
One of the most controversial, a
sciousness, with Congress threatening
watches 8,000 murders and 100,000
1972 report by the U.S. surgeon gen-
to legislate tough content controls and
acts of violence before finishing ele-
eral, concluded that there is a causal
the broadcast industry promising self-
mentary school, according to a much-
relationship between TV violence and
restraint. The proliferation of TV com-
cited study by the American Psycho-
acts of violence, but only in children
petitors, from cable television to satel-
logical Association.
presupposed to be aggressive. Since
lite channels to rental videos, has only
Since the advent of television in
then, other studies have found
boosted pressure on Congress to act.
CQ
SEPTEMBER 4, 1993 - 2339
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
Attention is only magnified by a
dustry titan Ted Turner.
Rather, he said, violence can be re-
congressional deadline set in the 1990
"Unless you keep the gun pointed
duced only by applying government,
provision by Simon. The provision,
to their heads, all you'll get is
marketplace and interest-group pres-
which was attached to a federal judge-
mumbly, mealy-mouthed B.S.,"
sures on the industry to offer more
ships bill (PL 101-650), gave the
Turner testifed at a Markey hearing
diverse types of programming rather
broadcast networks a three-year anti-
this summer. Television industry offi-
than appealing to the basest mass-
trust waiver allowing them to get to-
cials, he added, "just hope the subject
market interests.
gether and agree on voluntary steps to
will go away."
Markey's proposal, while perhaps
reduce violence on television. That
Critics of the Markey plan range
the most visible, is by no means with-
waiver expires Dec. 1. (1990 Almanac,
from broadcast and movie-industry
out competition.
p. 374)
executives who fear a loss of advertis-
In response, the four major net-
ing revenues to TV violence oppo-
Time-Slot Restrictions
works NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox -
nents who say many families either
On Aug. 5, the day Markey intro-
on June 30 announced their agree-
cannot afford new televisions or lack
duced his bill, Senate Commerce, Sci-
ment to air parental advisories when
the skills to program their sets to
ence and Transportation Chairman
shows the networks deem violent are
block certain programs. Even Peggy
Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., offered a
aired. The 15 major cable networks
Charren, the children's television ad-
bill (S 1383) that would direct the
announced July 29 they would join in
FCC to limit violent programs to cer-
the policy.
tain time slots when children will be
It was the most television has ever
least likely to be watching, much as
bowed to congressional pressure in 40
the agency now limits "indecent"
years of debate on the issue. But crit-
broadcasts. Several courts, including
ics immediately dismissed the adviso-
the U.S. Supreme Court, have upheld
ries as merely a token gesture. For one
the FCC's right to restrict what it
thing, the programmers themselves
deems indecent.
will be responsible for deciding which
Hollings calls his bill "the least re-
shows merit warning labels. And chil-
strictive means by which we can limit
dren's programs or morning talk
children's exposure to violent pro-
shows such as "Oprah" or "Geraldo"
gramming."
would not be affected, only shows air-
Other bills include efforts by:
ing during nightly prime-time sched-
BERLINER STUDIO
Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D., and
ules.
Rep. Richard J. Durbin, D-III., that
would require the FCC to file quar-
The 'V-Chip'
"The answer really rests
terly "violence report cards" to pro-
Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chair-
with the industry.
vide the public with information
man of the House Energy and Com-
merce Subcommittee on Telecom-
Hollywood has to make a
about the frequency of violence by
each television program and its spon-
munications and Finance, called the
greater show of serious-
sors (S 973, HR 2159).
parental advisories "a good first step."
ness than has been
Rep. John Bryant. D-Texas, (HR
He then introduced a second step:
shown up to this point."
2837) that would require the FCC to
a bill (HR 2888) that would require
establish standards of acceptable lev-
every new television set sold in the
els of violence on television and radio
United States to be equipped with a
shows, including cartoons.
computer chip that would allow view-
Sen. Paul Simon, D-111.
Television industry executives say
ers to disable their TVs from receiving
the Bryant effort treads the closest
programs that are given a "V" rating
toward government control of televi-
by broadcasters or cable programmers
vocate who along with Markey
sion content.
to warn parents of the show's violent
prompted Congress to enact new pro-
Joseph P. Kennedy II, D-Mass.,
content.
gram standards for children's televi-
(HR 2756) that would require the FCC
The bill straddles the edge of con-
sion, said she opposes any congres-
to set up a toll-free number for the
gressional control over program con-
sional action on the violence issue,
public to call with complaints, com-
tent. It does not require that broad-
preferring instead that parents simply
ments, and suggestions regarding tele-
casters or cable operators send the
shut televisions off.
vision violence. The FCC would be re-
electronic signal needed to allow tele-
George Gerbner, dean emeritus at
quired to publish summaries of the
visions to automatically block V-rated
the University of Pennsylvania's
comments quarterly and to forward
programs.
Annenberg School for Communica-
them to the cable or broadcast station
But should broadcasters refuse to
tion, who since 1967 has conducted
that aired the violent program.
do so, the Markey bill stipulates, the
the longest continuing surveys of tele-
The comments and complaints
device still would give consumers the
vision violence, called the V-chip "a
would be weighed when broadcasters'
option of blocking out channels and
terrible idea" because it does not re-
licenses are up for renewal.
time slots of any programs they deem
duce the amount of violent programs.
Rep. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.,
too violent.
"To say we should trust the indus-
(HR 2609) that would set up a presi-
Markey's bill has won endorse-
try to flag programs they think are too
dential commission to report within
ments by such luminaries as former
violent is kind of silly. It's like the fox
one year on ways to curb TV violence.
Kennedy administration FCC Chair-
guarding the chicken coop," Gerbner
The group would include the U.S. sur-
man Newton N. Minow and cable in-
said.
geon general, attorney general, repre-
2340 - SEPTEMBER 4, 1993
CQ
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
sentatives from the entertainment in-
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
dustry, crime and education experts
and parents.
Bill Outlines Strategy for Gore's
Hollywood Is Adamant
Rather than face the wrath of re-
Government Efficiency Plan
strictive legislation, Gerbner predicts
that the television industry - broad-
casters, cable executives, producers
White House proposal to 'reinvent' bureaucracy
and writers - will soon take further
would be guided through maze of committees
voluntary steps toward curbing TV vi-
olence.
"The leaders of the industry are
V
ice President Al Gore will unveil
The main hurdle may be lawmak-
going to do what they can to avoid any
his critique of the federal bureau-
ers who have made careers out of de-
kind of legislation," Gerbner said. "It
cracy Sept. 7, but neither chamber of
fending some of the programs that
seems to me that as long as they move
Congress is ready to "reinvent govern-
Gore wants to reinvent. Weeks before
forward and provide some evidence of
ment."
Gore's report was to be released, law-
progress, there's only a very slight
Roughly half of Gore's suggestions
makers launched a number of pre-
chance of any other legislation going
for cutting red tape, im-
emptive strikes against
through."
proving service and lower-
moves that Gore's staff
But Valenti is adamant that no
ing costs require some
was considering.
such further "progress" is warranted.
congressional action, a
For example, when
He continues to dismiss decades of
draft of Gore's final report
Sen. Ernest F. Hollings,
studies pointing to what most academ-
indicates. The rest can be
D-S.C., learned that a
ics involved with the issue now take as
accomplished by the exec-
Gore aide had recom-
a given: that TV violence does have an
utive branch, a process
mended deregulating the
impact on the aggressive behavior of
President Clinton has
maritime industry, he
those who view it.
promised to start the day
quickly introduced a bill
Valenti maintains that there is lit-
Gore's report is released.
to hold off such a move
tle gratuitous violence on nighttime
Because the proposals
until another special com-
television, save for perhaps the occa-
cross virtually every con-
mission studied the indus-
sional movie of the week. Network of-
gressional committee's
AI Gore
try.
ficials agree, and are promoting their
turf, enacting them could
Other lawmakers in-
new fall schedules as containing few, if
be a procedural nightmare. To sim-
serted provisions in various appropria-
any, examples of the kinds of violence
plify the task, the Senate Govern-
tions bills to prevent the Bureau of
critics rail against.
mental Affairs Committee has pro-
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from
posed using a new commission and
being consolidated with the FBI and to
Faulting 'Porous' Research
special procedural rules to bring
bar the Agriculture Department from
"The research as we have exam-
Gore's recommendations to the House
closing Forest Service field offices - two
ined it is very porous, very loosely fi-
and Senate in a single package.
proposals considered by Gore.
bered and does not withstand scru-
The committee's proposal, which is
Another potential hurdle is the dif-
tiny," Valenti said. "It's a terrible
expected to be placed on the Senate
ference between the Democrats' vision
dilemma. I want to respond to what
calendar soon, has bipartisan support
of reinventing government and the
Congress is saying, but where, first
and the administration's belated
Republicans'. As Gore states in his re-
of all, is this violence taking place?
blessings. Senate Majority Leader
port, the Democrats' goal is to make
And what is the definition of 'vio-
George J. Mitchell, though, said in an
government do what it does better.
lence'?"
interview Sept. 1 that he has not de-
Republicans, on the other hand, are
Simon and other critics of TV vio-
cided whether to support such an ap-
mainly interested in making govern-
lence liken Valenti's dismissal of the
proach.
ment do fewer things.
correlation between television violence
House leadership aides from both
Said Rep. Henry J. Hyde, R-III.,
and street crime to the tobacco indus-
parties say there has been little dis-
"Nobody yields power gracefully, and
try's practice of disputing research
cussion of how to handle Gore's re-
the Democrats have all the power. So
linking smoking with cancer.
port. The House Government Opera-
based on that, one must look with a
Simon has been talking with
tions Committee, which claims at least
magnifying glass at every word that
Valenti and others in the industry, but
a share of the jurisdiction over govern-
they propose as reform."
the senator is not optimistic about be-
ment streamlining, has no bill in the
The draft circulated in the last
ing able to fend off restrictive legisla-
works akin to its Senate counterpart's
week of August included more than
tion by crafting new voluntary steps to
proposal.
110 separate proposals that touched
curb violent programming.
There is some sentiment in the
every federal agency. The final report
"All or none of these [bills] might
House for letting the Senate take the
drops some of those proposals, yet it is
pass," Simon said at a rare meeting of
first step. There is skepticism, too,
expected to recommend enough sub-
industry representatives and TV vio-
about the Senate Governmental Affairs
stantial changes to cut spending by
lence critics Aug. 2. "I can tell you
Committee's ability to push its pro-
tens of billions of dollars over five
that none of the sponsors of these ini-
posed commission through the Senate.
years - much of it by thinning the
tiatives is losing votes back home with
ranks of management in the federal
these ideas."
By Jon Healey
government.
CQ
SEPTEMBER 4, 1993 - 2341
CQ Researcher
PUBLISHED BY CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY INC
TVViolence
will Hollywood tone it down - or face regulation?
HE AVERAGE AMERICAN CHILD WATCHES 8,000
T
murders and 100.000 acts of violence before
finishing elementary school - thanks to the miracle
of television. Suggestions of a link between
make-believe TV violence and aggression in real life have
been raised since television's formative years in the 1950s -
and always dismissed by the TV industry. But recently the
N
THIS ISSUE
three major networks signed a first-ever joint statement
S:
outlining practices aimed at reducing violence, and the cable,
THE ISSUES
167
video and film industries are showing signs of cooperating.
BACKGROUND
174
CHRONOLOGY
175
Some in Congress are encouraged and maintain hopes that
CURRENT SITUATION
180
change will come about voluntarily, without the need for
AT ISSUE
181
federal regulation. But anti-violence activists and scholars of
OUTLOOK
183
television accuse the industry of merely paving lip service to
BIBLIOGRAPHY
185
the problem.
THE NEXT STEP
186
C
March 26. 1993 Volume 3. No. 12 165-188
Furmerh Editonal Research Reports
TV VIOLENCE
THE ISSUES
169
Who Are the Killers and
Researcher
Victims?
16-
Does TV violence lead 10 real
Staty percent of male TV charac-
March 26. 1993
violence? Is the television II)-
it's are involved in violence.
Volume 3. No. 12
dustry adequately addressing
the problem of violence? Are
1-0
One Viewer's Violence Is
EDITOR
proposed cures for TV vio-
Another Viewer's Action
Sandra Stencel
lence worse than the disease?
Tike ision industry officials
MANAGING EDITOR
otten complain about the way
Thomas I. Colin
BACKGROUND
activists measure violence.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
174
Early Concerns
Richard L Worsnop
In 1952. the first congressional
172
Rating Cartoons for
Violence
STAFF WRITERS
hearings were held on the im-
Charles S. Clark
pact of television violence on
Cartoons are among the most
Mary H. Cooper
violent shows on TV.
children.
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Sarah E. Merritt
177
Government Action
175
Chronology
Key events since the 1950s.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
President Johnson appoints a
Michael M. Taylor
commission to study the roots
of urban unrest. and Sen. John
176
Music Videos That Flirt
GRAPHICS
U. Pastore. D-R.I.. asks the
With Violence
Jack Auldridge
surgeon general to study the
MTV videos send out confusing
PUBLISHED BY
effects of TV violence.
messages about sex and vio-
Congressional Quarterly Inc.
lence. says 3 Massachusetts com-
The '80s Explosion
munications professor.
CHAIRMAN
178
Andrew Barnes
By the early 1980s. more than
250 advocacy groups were
179
Video Games and
VICE CHAIRMAN
working to change TV: and
Push-Button Aggression
Andrew P. Corry:
new technologies had
Many Nintendo games have un-
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
changed the media landscape.
acceptable levels of violence,
Neil Skene
advocates say.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
CURRENT SITUATION
Robert W. Merry
181
At Issue
180
Pressuring the FCC
Should the television industry do
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Anti-violence advocates press
more to curb depictions of vio-
John J. Coyle
for change. even as the indus-
lence?
try plans a conference on TV
© 1993 Congressional Quanerty Inc.
violence this summer.
182
TV News: Violence Is Part of
The right to make direct use of material contained
Our World Tonight
in The 8 Researcher = senetly reserved to news-
paper. magazine, radio and televenon cherus of the
OUTLOOK
Stations know that violence
service. Others washing to quare from the reports
snares viewers.
for other than academic purposes must hrs obtain
183
What Can Be Done?
written permission.
Everybody has a solution.
FOR FURTHER
Bibliographic records and abstracts included in
from Ann Landers to activist
The Next Step section of the publication are from
Peggy Charron.
INFORMATION
UMI's Newspaper & Penodical Abseracts datablise
and are used with permission
SIDEBARS AND
Bibliography
The CQ Researcher (ISSN 1056-20.46) Formerly
185
Edxonal Research Reports Published weekly 14M
Selected sources used.
times per year. not printed the first Fridav of any
GRAPHICS
month with five Fridays) be Congressional Quar.
terly Inc.. 1414 22nd St., N.W. Washington DC
168
Prime Time. High Violence
186
The Next Step
20037 Ruces are furnished upon request Second.
class postage paid 31 Washington DC POSTMAN-
Many shows have more than 411
Additional articles from
TER Send address changes w The CQ Researcher.
violent incidents per hour.
current penodicals
1414 22nd St NW. Washington DC 2003
COVER ART BARBARA SASSA-DANIELS
166
CQ Researcher
TV Violence
BY CHARLES S. CLARK
THE ISSUES
- bringing an array of feature-length
movies into the home. "The access
to violence is different nowadays."
says Edward Donnerstein, a professor
T
the young gunshot victim in the
of communications at the University
Boston hospital emergency room
of California-Santa Barbara. "There's
astonished his doctors. He ex-
lots of unsupervised TV-watching.
pressed surprise that his wound ac-
and households often have two TVs."
tually hurt.
Also new is a trend toward "reali-
"I thought. boy. he's really stupid.
ty-based" made-for-TV movies and
anybody knows that if you get shot it's
tabloid news and video shows ("Top
going to hurt." recalled Dr. Deborah
Cops." "Hard Copy." "A Current A/-
Prothrow-Stith. associate dean of the
fair" and "I Witness Video") t
Harvard University School of Public
on actual news events, many of them
Health and author of a recent book on
involving re-enactments of real
violence. "But it dawned on me that
crimes or replays of actual violence
what he sees on television is that when
captured on tape by amateur camcor-
the superhero gets shot in the arm. he
der operators. Still other violent
uses that arm to hold onto a truck going
ages come from promotions
85 miles an hour around a corner. He
commercials for feature films. many
overcomes the driver and shoots a cou-
of them R-rated. A New York psycho-
ple of hundred people while he's at
across the country are as familiar as Ar-
therapist recently wrote in McCall's
With American children glued to
nold "The Terminator" Schwarzeneg-
magazine about how his , B
the TV for an average of 27 hours
ger taunting. "Hasta la vista, baby," or
daughter had trouble sleeping after
each week (in the inner city it's often
Clint "Dirty Harry" Eastwood growling,
she was confronted - during a
11 hours er.day). the American Psy-
"Make my day." A full 25 percent of the
"family" program - by an advertise-
chological Association (APA) now es-
prime-time shows in the 1992 fall sea-
ment showing the terrifying slasher
timates that a typical child will watch
son contained "very violent" material,
Freddy Krueger from "Nightmare on
8.000 murders and 100,000 acts of
according to the National Coalition on
Elm Street."
violence before finishing elementa-
Television Violence (NCTV), a Cham-
Today's high-tech violence -
ry school.
paign, Ill.-based monitoring and advo-
achieved easily with computerized
But in 1991 alone there were 25,000
cacy group. (See list, p. 168)
special effects - is aimed at a sophisti-
murders in the United States. Coming
The year 1992 set an all-time
cated young audience with increasing-
at a time when the homicide rate is ris-
record for violence in children's
ly high expectations for rapid-paced
ing six times faster than the population,
shows - 32 violent acts per hour.
action. Hence a major source of the
a longstanding debate does TV vio-
That compares with six violent acts
problem as measured by anti-violence
lence cause actual violence? has tak-
per hour during prime time, accord-
advocates is the perennial
I
en on a new urgency.'
ing to researchers at the University of
smashing on children's cartoons. A na-
"There has never been a situation
Pennsylvania. The nightly dose of
tional survey of elementary school
like this." George Gerbner, dean
splattering blood, rapes, car wrecks
teachers found that the popular "Teen-
emeritus of the University of Pennsyl-
and screaming victims on TV tripled
age Mutant Ninja Turtles" causes con-
vania's Annenberg School of Commu-
during the 1980s, according to the
fusion between fantasy and reality.
nications, told a congressional panel
American Academy of Pediatrics.
"Several children really thought it was
in December. Children "start viewing
(See story p. 170.)
OK to use physical violence with other
as infants. Most of the stories they
What sets today's TV apart from
children because [the turtles) do that,"
hear are not told by the parents. the
the 1960s and, say, the routine ma-
a teacher reported.'
school, the church, neighbors. They
chine-gun volleys of Chicago mob-
Children in the inner city, who
are told by a handful of conglomer-
sters and FBI agents on "The
dodge bullets on the way home from
ates who have something to sell."
Untouchables" is the proliferation of
school, are most affected by the culture
The stories they tell in living rooms
formats - cable, pay-per-view, VCRs
of TV violence, says Leonard Eron. a
March 26. 1993
167
TV
VIOLENCE
Prime Time, High Violence
the 10 most-watched programs on tele-
vision among children and teenagers.
eight are situation comedies. which do
Prime-time n violence has increased markedly since 1980, when the two
not contain any violence." Rosalyn
must riolent shows each registered only 22 incidents of violence per bour. In
1944 and 1992. several programs rucked up more than 40 violent incidents
Weinman, vice president for standards
per bour. led by. the action-packed Young Indiana Jones.
and practices at NBC. told the House
Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and
Fall 1980
Fall 1984
Fall 1992
Criminal Justice Dec. 15.
Ends (22)
Hammer (55)
Young Indians Jones (60)
Industry veterans also maintain that
Sheriff Lohn (22)
A-Team (54)
Covington Cross (45)
the content of programming has been
BJ & the Bear (17)
V (52)
The Hat Squad (42)
and always will be in the hands of the
Han to Han 117)
Matt Houston (+0)
Raven (42)
public. "Television and motion pic-
The Incredible Hulk (16)
Cover-Up 13M)
Angel Street (41)
tures are market-driven." says Del
Charlie's Angels (14)
Fall Guy (37)
Top Cops (38)
Reisman, president of the Writers Guild
Hill Street Blues (14)
Airwolf (33)
FBI: The Untold Stories (28)
Vexas (13)
Hunter (33)
Final Appeal (27)
of America, West. "If people don't go.
Nem Wolfe (11)
Street Hawk (31)
Secret Service (24)
the picture won't be made."*
Dukes of Hazard (11)
Scarectow & Mrs. King (31)
The Commish (17)
Civil libertarians have weighed in
seeking to discourage Congress from
Surree National Coulition on Teleponnon l'iolence
interfering with First Amendment
rights. "TV networks are free to make
their own decisions," says Robert Peck,
head of the Washington office of the
University of Michigan psychology
studies asserting that violence in-
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
professor and longtime researcher on
creases on the day of the big game.
If the television industry is toning
TV violence. The child who has been
"We are outraged!" should d full-page
down violence "in response tc con-
watching programs with primarily
ads in newspapers across the country
gressional pressure, we're concerned."
aggressive content comes away with
placed this February by the Tupelo,
Finally, defenders of the current
the impression that the world is a jun-
-based American Family Associa-
TV menu point out that violence has
gle fraught with dangerous threats.
tion. The conservative group sttacked
been a central element of human
and the only way to survive is to be on
movies. records, music videos and
drama for centuries. "Of course there
the attack."
TV for profanity, audity, SEX, vio-
was blood in fairy tales, gore in my-
But the potential impact on young
lence and killings, asking, "Is it any
thology, murder in Shakespeare," re-
viewers. according to Harvard Univer-
wonder violence is epidemic"
torts Gerbner. "It is a violent world.
sity developmental psychologist Ron-
The public appears to agree
"But, the historical, limited, individ-
ald G. Slaby. goes heyond increasing
there's a. problem. A Times Mirror
ually crafted, selectively used and of-
the so-called aggressor effect (the
poll released March 23 found that 72
ten tragic symbolic violence has been
heightened likelihood of violent be-
percent of Americans think TV enter-
swamped by happy violence,' pro-
havior). Youngsters also experience a
tainment shows contain too much vi-
duced on the dramatic assembly line
victim effect (increased fearfulness
olence. And a 1990 Gallup Poll
and discharged into the mainstream of
about becoming a victim) and a by-
showed 63 percent agreeing that TV
our culture. Happy violence shows no
stander effect (increased callousness
shows that depict crime and violence
pain or tragic consequences. It is a
toward violence directed at others).
encourage crime.
swift and easy dramatic solution to
In Congress and among advocacy
TV executives haven't ignored the
many problems, employed by good
groups across the political spectrum.
complaints. This December, NBC, CBS
characters as much as bad, and always
alarmed citizens have taken up TV
and ABC produced an unprecedented
leading to a happy ending."
violence as a mobilizing issue. Fair-
joint statement outlining their policies
Whether big changes take place in
ness and Accuracy in Reporting. 2
intended to minimize violence and keep
television violence will hinge largely
New York City-based liberal group.
it in proper context (see below). But the
on the following issues:
led a campaign this January to pres-
nerworks also reiterated their decades-
sure the NBC television network to
old reburtal of the body of research
Does television violence lead to
air a public service announcement
linking TV violence to real violence,
real violence?
about domestic violence during cov-
and blamed cable and independent
In the mid-1980s, 13-year-old Juan
erage of the Superhowl. citing some
stations for most of the violence. "Of
Valdez of Manteca, Calif.. confessed to
168
CQ Researcher
murdering J friend's father. Having
the erratic disclipine, neglect. lack of
ted to the next generation." Eron says.
ked. stabbed. heaten and choked
nurturance and "abnormally frequent
To expens such as Eron. Donner-
the man with a dog chain. the how was
viewing of violence on television.
stein and Slaby. "the scientific debate
asked why he also poured salt on the
University of Washington psychia-
is over" on the effects of TV via
victures wounds. "Oh. I don't know."
trist Brandon S. Centerwall. writing last
lence. and it is time to move on to
he replied. "I just seen II on TV.......................
June in The journal of the American
decide what should be done. Be-
The suggested link between small-
Medical Association, reported that the
cause of quibbles by a few naysay-
screen violence and flesh-and-blood
arrival of television in South Africa co-
ers, who argue that measured effects
violence is perhaps the most examined
inclued with a doubling of the murder
are too small or the related anti-so-
of sociological questions. It has
rate. During the "critical period" of pre-
cial behavior 100 trivial. a solid hody
prompted as many as 3.000 studies in
adolescent childhood, he explained,
of research on violence. the three
the past four decades in numerous
exposure to TV violence has a particu-
write, has "for decades been actively
countries. though only a few hundred
larly profound impact: "Whereas in-
ignored. denied. attacked and even
have added new information.
fants have an instinctive desire to
misrepresented in presentations to
In a wide range of surveys and field
imitate observed human behavior, they
the American public. and popular
and laboratory studies. researchers have
do not possess an instinct for gauging 2
myths regarding the effects have
examined the reactions of children to
priori whether a behavior ought to be
been perpetuated.""
scenes showing a man who gets reward-
imitated. They will imitate anything."
To UCLA psychologist Seymour
ed with candy if he punches an inflat-
The University of Michigan's Leon-
Feschbach, the quibbling is classic
able "Bolx) the down" standup toy.
and Eron. who chairs the APA Commis-
stonewalling. "An unrealistic need for
They have compared children's aggres-
sion on Violence and Youth, has spent
more definitive research." he writes.
siveness after they have been shown
36 years researching TV violence. His
"may be used as a mechanism for
cartoon combat featuring Bugs Bunny.
unique longitudinal studies beginning
delaying policy change. much as ad-
Woody Woodpecker and Tom and Jerry
in 1960 traced the same group of 875
ministryors often turn over trouble-
and Rentler shows such as "Lassie."
boys and girls from age 8 to age 30, ex-
some issues to committees as a meth-
They have examined the increase in ho.
amining crime rates and personal char-
od for delaying action."
micide rates immediately following tele.
acteristics. He found that those who
Robin Crews, a professor at the
vised boxing matches. They have
watched more violent TV were con-
University of Colorado who
a
examined the increase in suicide rates
victed of more serious crimes, were
group of activist academics called the
following TV dramas about suicide.
more aggressive under the influence of
Peace Studies Association. says. -1
They have examined changes in the ho-
alcohol and more often used violence
don't know anyone in peace studies
micide rates in communities that sud-
to punish their own children, who in
who doesn't think ads. TV and mov-
denly acquired television. as in
turn showed signs of aggressiveness.
ies in a very significant way affect vi-
apartheid-governed South Africa and an
"What one learns about life from the
olence against women and VI
8
isolated Canadian town in the 1970s
television screen seems to be transmit-
Continued on P. 171
(scholars christened it "Notel").
The upshor. according to a variety
of experts and advocates. is an over-
Who Are the Killers and Victims?
whelming consensus of some causal
effect. with measurable increases of
3-15 percent.' In the words of a re-
Characters portrayed as mentally ill are the most violent and most bigbly
victimized group on TV, with 70 percent involved in violence and 20 per-
cent American Psychological Associa-
cent portrayed as killers. Sixty percent of all men and 42 percent of the
tion (APA) report. "the accumulated
women are involved in violence.
research clearly demonstrates a corre-
lation between viewing violence and
For every 10
Involved in
killers, number
aggressive behavior - that is. heavy
violence
Killers
Killed
killed
viewers behave more aggressively
than light
Men
60%
11%
5%
4.5
Women
42%
4%
3%
7.5
That summation was echoed by a
"Mentally ill"
70%
20%
20%
10.0
new National Research Council study of
violence. which also assered that 1'10-
Source Annenberg School of Communications. University of Pennsylvania Dec. 14.
lent offenders are characterized by 2 low
1992
IQ. bullying. hyperactivin: low empa-
March 26. 1993
169
TV VIOLENCE
One Viewer's Violence Is Another Viewer's Action
T
he definition of violence "will always be a subjective
modified version of the Motion Picture Association of
judgment based on individual perceptions and sensi-
America film ratings, it assigns films an overall rating that
bilities." Beth Waxman Bressan. vice president of the
factors in the context of the violence and whether the over-
CBS Broadcast Group. told the House Crime and Criminal.
all message is pro- or anti-violence. "If one character
Justice Subcommittee in December.
shoots another, it can be very different from when another
The fact that one viewer's violence is another's dramatic
[person] shoots that character," says Carole Lieberman,
action has led many in the television industry to complain
NCTV chairperson. A lot depends on "whether the villain is
about the ways anti-violence activists measure the prob-
punished and whether the hero has a glamorized lifestyle."
lem. "Accidents. such as a man falling on a banana peel.
If the sex and violence are in the story line and are
are counted as acts of violence in the most widely used vi-
handled appropriately, "we add a 'constructive factor in
olence counts." says Horst Stipp. director of social and de-
our monitoring," says the Rev. Billy A. Melvin, chairman
velopmental research at NBC. "Slapstick comedy routines
of the Christian group CLEAR-TV. "We know violence.
like the Keystone Kops. or even a magic trick directed at
sex and profanity are part of life, but things are getting
an unwilling person is interpreted as a violent act."t
more graphic. They used to show the sound of a gun and
Some activists agree. "Some rate the violence level by
then a dead body. Now they show the bullet entering the
the number of violent acts without measuring the intensi-
head and the brain on the wall."
ty and context." notes Marcy
At the University of Penn-
Kelly, president of Med-
One Day's TV Violence
sylvania's Annenberg School
iascope. a Los-Angeles-
of Communications, the Cul-
based nonprofit research or-
Number
Percent
tural Indicators Project pro-
ganization. "Car crashes, for
of Scenes
of Total
duces The Violence Index. It
example. shown in the film
Serious Associate
defines TV violence $ "dear-
(about the founding of
texcluding use of guns)
389
21
CUI, unambiguous and overt
Mothers Against Drunk Driv-
Gunplay
362
20
episodes of physical violence
ing] would be counted as vi-
Isolated punches
273
15
burting or killing or the
olent acts."
Pushing dragging
272
15
threat of hurting and/or kill-
When TV Guide commis-
Menacing threat
ling in any context," ac-
sioned the Center for Media
with weapon
226
12
cording to Prof. George
and Public Affairs in Wash-
Staps
128
7
Gerbner. Two trained coders
ington to monitor prime-
Deliberate property
have to agree that an act is
time programs for violence.
destruction
95
5
violent. Gerbner's staff takes
it used the following defini-
Simple assaults
73
4
separate measures of the per-
tion: "Any deliberate act in-
All other types
28
1
centage of programs contain-
volving physical force or the
Total
1,846
100%
ing any violence, the rate of
use of 3 weapon in an at-
Center pw Marius and Public Affairs. June 1992
violent scenes per program
tempt to achieve a goal. fur-
and per hour and the per-
ther a cause, stop the action of another, act out an angry
centage of major characters involved in violence, either as
impulse. defend oneself from attack, secure a material re-
perpetrators or victims or both.
ward. or intimidate others." Not included were acts of un-
"Violence is a social relationship, a demonstration of
intended. or accidental violence, violence in sports and
power," Gerbner says. "It's who can do what to whom
violence by animals in nature shows. H
and get away with k Cartoons are the most controversial
At the National Coalition On Television Violence
and effective demonstrations of power, with humor as the
(NCTV). monitors are trained to count "physically violent
sugar-coating pill."
hostile acts committed with the intention of hurting an-
As for the charge that his project counts slipping on a
other person." according to Research Director Chitra Ve-
banana peel as a violent act, "Thar was invented by an
muri. Different weights are assigned to each type of
NBC executive 25 years ago," he says.
violent act: a slap or a push. for example. is assigned a 1
while a murder or suicide is ranked as a 5. Accidents,
"Media Violence: Are Standards for TV and Film Possible a panel
verbal assaults and property damage are not included in
discussion produced by the Harvard University School of Public
the counts. and monitors judgments are regularly tested
Health. May 11. 1992.
by a backup monitor.
TV Violence Banenng Our Kids?," TV Guide. Aug. 22-28.
NCTV's rating system. however. is also subjective. A
1992. P 81.
170
CQ
Researcher
Continued from P 169
olence is the main source of society's
showing the consequences of violence
by gangs. The hurden of proof needs
horrors. In 1990, a Gallup Poll showed
and scheduling programs with
eye
to fall not on those trying to show a
only 1 percent of the public considered
toward the likely audience.
positive correlation. but on those
television the main cause of crime,
The statement was amplified at the
who continue to promote violence
while 60 percent blamed drugs and 6
hearings, during which nerwork stan-
and use it as entertainment."
percent a breakdown of family social
dards-and-practices officers explained
Television executives. however. con-
values. Yale University psychologists
how it was intended as a model for the
tinue to characterize the research on vi-
Jerome and Dorothy Singer, longtime
rest of the industry that could or
olence as inconclusive. The issue is so
students of children's TV, argue that the
the logjam" that has stymied progress
complex." says former 20th-Century
networks themselves contradict the ar-
on reducing violence. They also ex-
Fox Film Corp. Chairman Barry Diller.
gument that TV has no impact on be-
plained how feature films are careful-
"It's not appropriate to deal with this in
havior. A network executive, they note,
ly reviewed before being broadcast
some superficial way.... I don't think
once testified before the Federal Com-
on TV.
we know enough yet."
munications Commission (FCC) in
"We estimate that we demand edits
Nerworks cite an NBC-sponsored
praise of a child who had seen the
[of] up to 40 percent of the original sub-
study published in 1982 that found no
Heimlich maneuver demonstrated on
missions of R-rated movie commer-
correlation between television vio-
TV and went on to use it to save a chok-
cials," said Christian Hikawa of Capital
lence and actual violence (though
ing person."
Cities/ABC. "We will even, on occa-
some scientists say the data were mis-
If TV has no effect on its viewers,
sion, reject certain films as too violent
interpreted). The nerworks also point
asked Rep. Charles E. Schumer, D-
to advertise." In cartoons, "We do not
to the work of University of Toronto
N.Y., at the hearings he conducted in
permit realistic weaponry or imitable
psychologist Jonathan L Freedman.
December, "how do we expiain the
gratuitous interpersonal violence. Mor-
who argues that the mountain of re-
billions of dollars spent each year on
al messages in our children's programs
search on violence has produced un-
commercial advertising"
are concrete."
convincing results. Not only are
Sen. Paul Simon, D-III. sponsor of
researchers undecided over whether
Is the television industry
the 1990 law giving the nerworks
personal anger is precondition for vi-
adequately addressing the
antitrust exemption to permit joint ac-
olence by TV viewers. he says. but "ex-
problem of violence?
tion against violence, applauded
perimenter demand." or bias, for
On Dec. 11. 1992, four days before a
"initial steps." "Television can appeal
positive results. may be a factor.
scheduled House field hearing in New
to the best in us or the worst in us,"
Viewers "watch a mixture of violent,
York City on TV violence, the three ma-
said. "Television entertainment vio-
nonviolent. real and fantasy, exciting
jor networks broke decades of prece-
lence too often does the latter. We have
and boring. news and fiction pro-
dent and released joint statement
reason to hope for substantial
grams." Freedman writes. "The ques-
outlining their policies on violence.
provement." In addition, Simon's
tion is how this mixture of programs
"Conflict and strife are the essence of
secretary, David Carle, explained that
affects the children. or more specifical-
drama, and conflict often results in
the joint statement, plus an accompa-
ly. how the effect of this mixture would
physical or psychological violence," k
nying plan to organize an industry con-
differ from one in which the violent
said. "However, all depictions of vio-
ference on violence, raised hopes that
programs were omitted."
lence should be relevant and necessary
the cable and film industries would join
Other scholars point with irony to the
to the development of character, or to
the anti-violence efforts. "It puts us
fact that some studies of such "pro-so-
the advancement of theme or plot."
light years ahead of where we were
cial" TV shows as "Sesame Street" have
The networks' statement vowed to
year," he said.
been found to increase aggressive be-
limit gratuitous, excessive or redun-
But to many academics and anti-vio-
havior as much as violent shows. "En-
dant violence, glamorous depictions of
lence activists, the statement was mere-
couraging children to watch whole-
violence and replicable, unique or "in-
ly a rehash of the current policies, a
some television is not the solution to
genious" methods of inflicting pain or
of "pious platitudes, with no teeth." in
ameliorating conduct problems and
injury. Realistic portrayals of violence
Gerbner's phrase. "All it is saying is that
would appear on the basis of the avail-
in children's programs were to be
without these guidelines, the situation
able evidence to he counterproduc-
avoided, as were gratuitous depictions
would be much worse."
live." wrote one team."
of animal abuse. Caution was urged in
Carole Lieberman, the-Beverly Hills
The general public. though willing
scenes where children are victims and
psychiatrist who heads the National
to accept J link berween TV violence
themes. plots or scenes mix sex and vi-
Coalition on Television Violence, calls
and crime. does not believe that TV VI-
olence. And the nerworks advocated
the new standards "utter nonsense. Lo
March 26. 1993
171
TV VIOLENCE
Rating Cartoons for Violence
whether to show two bullets or one.
whether to use blood or not- is a mat-
ter of opinion, she says. The women
Children's cartoons an among the must molem on television, often
who head the networks' standards and
exceeding 24 acts of ciolence per hour cavicl earning high violence ratings
from the National Condition on Telersion Violence.
practices departments have no back-
ground in research about violence, she
adds. "They are puppets who take di-
Acts of Violence
NCTV
per hour
Rating
rection from network superiors."
The University of California's Don-
Very High Violence
nerstein says the networks deserve
Dark Water (Fox)
109
XV
Cookie's Cartoon Club (WGN)
100
RV
some credit for putting their policies in
Tom and JUTTY Kids (Fox)
88
RV
writing after years of denying the ef-
Dragon Warrior (Syndication)
85
XV
fects of TV violence. But he empha-
Looney Tunes (Nickelodeon)
80
RV
sizes that the Big Three should no
G.I. Joe (Syndication)
78
RV
longer absorb all the blame when there
Bugs Bunny and Pals (TNT)
68
RV
are VCRs, pay-per-view services and
Toxic Crusaders (Syndication)
63
RV
hundreds of channels of cable TV.
Capt. N. & Super Mano Bros. (NBC)
58
RV
Representatives from the non-net-
Police Academy (Syndication)
58
RV
work television industries were repre-
sented at the House hearing. The
High Violence
Motion Picture Association of America
Wizard of Oz (ABC)
29
RV
(MPAA) emphasized that its 25-year-
DuckTales (Syndication)
29
RV
Beetlefuice (ABC)
28
XV
old film rating system factors in vio-
Popeye (Family Channel)
27
RV
lence along with sex. Witnesses
Fantastic Max (Syndication)
26
RV
pointed out that the Video Software
Dinosaucers (Family Channel)
26
RV
Dealers Association offers a pledge to
Chip N° Date's Rescue Rangers (Syndication)
26
PGV
parents to help prevent the sale or rent-
Cartoon Express (USA)
25
RV
al of R- and X-rated films to minors.
Midnight Patrol (Syndication)
24
RV
Cable officials described results of a
Inspector Gadget (Nickelodeon)
24
RV
new study the industry had commis-
sioned from George Gerbner, conclud-
Low Violence (Highly recommended)
ing that there is less violence on
Camp Candy (NBC)
8
PG
cable-originated children's TV pro-
Bahar (HBO)
7
PG
6
Reaming than on the networks. They
Muppet Babies (CBS)
PG
Madeline (Family Channel)
3
G
spoke of technological advantages that
David the Gnome (Nickelodeon)
2
G
allow cable consumers to supervise
Nen. Kicls on the Block (ABC)
I
PG
children's viewing. With the available
Davey and Goliath (Syndication)
1
G
parental "lock box"- which must be
Little Women (HBO)
0
PG
offered by all cable companies under
Little Koala (Nickelodeon)
0
G
the 1984 cable deregulation act- and
Get Along Gang (Family Channel)
0
G
"with the advent of "addressability"
Maya the Bee (Nickelodeon)
0
G
technology, parental control has taken
Lunch Box (Disney Channel)
0
G
a major step forward," said Patricia Fa-
Source National Contition on Teleponsion Vinkence
lese of Cablevision Systems Corp. The
addressable device allows each suh-
scriber to program his own converter
to -revent designated shows from be-
and behold. after all these years. the
good enough."
ing received. "However, the technol-
networks unabashedly flaunt the fact
Lieberman, who testified in Decem-
ogy requires an actively engaged
that this is simply a written version of
her that children's minds are being
parent to make the programming deci-
what each standard and practices de-
"polluted by the drug of violence,"
sions involved," she said.
partment has been using all along It S
complains that the language is deliber-
Winton Cox, chairman of the
obvious what they been doing is not
ately ambiguous. Each judgment - -
Showtime premium channel, said the
172
CQ Researcher
movies his channel shows are care-
works are like serial killers," he says.
do not do any harm. I say. 'There is
fully screened for violence and their
"Their programs are the equivalent of
no question about the harm. The
contents described in 2 program
writing with lipstick on the mirrors in
question is how are we going to
guide along with their ratings. "The
our homes: Stop me before I kill again."
with this problem in a free society?"
protections offered to viewers by the
Though hopes have been raised by
All the players in the violence de-
subscription process itself." he said.
the networks' new promise of cooper-
bate profess respect for First Amend-
"coupled with the scheduling and
ativeness, in the academic community
ment rights to free speech. But that
communications efforts of the premi-
mistrust runs deep. "The television in-
hasn't prevented huge disagreements
um networks. safeguard against un-
dustry is not in the business of selling
over what constitutes censorship and
wanted exposure."
program to audiences," Centerwall
the degree to which the television in-
Critics, however. note that few par-
writes. "It is in the business of selling
dustry should be free to determine its
ents are capable of such detailed
audiences to advertisers. Issues of
own treatment of violence. "I don't
control over their children's viewing
'quality' and 'social responsibility' are
want to see anything more that looks
habits. They disparage the cable in-
like censorship, no matter
dustry's study of cable-orig-
whether you call it busi-
inated programming by
ness decisions or whether
noting that the majority of
you call it taste,"
cable programs are non-
York magazine TV critic
original. often-violent fea-
John Leonard said in a
ture films. And monitoring
TV Guide forum. "I think
has shown time and again,
violence and sex and po-
they contend, that what TV
titical dissent are all in
executives say is going
bed together, and if you
over the airwaves is not al-
start messing with
ways borne out.
you end up messing with
Norwithstanding the vows
Glduz, College
the rest of them."
that violent commercials are
The National Coalition
not shown during children's
on Television Violence
programming. U.S. News &
has created a nine-point
World Report recently sam-
proposal for federal regu-
pled 50 hours of network
lation of TX violence. It
programming in the late af-
includes:
temoon or early evening. It
a rating system;
found 12 questionable ads.
. warning "labels" before
including one for an episode
broadcasts ("The TV show
of "In the Heat of the Night"
Researchers say children's agressiveness increases measurably
ufter viewing the cartoon violence of Bugs Bunny, Tom and
you are about to watch
in which a troubled girl gives
Jerry and Woody Woodpecker, compared with "Lassie"
may be hazardous to your
birth to a dead baby. The
and similarly gentle sbows.
psychological and/or phys-
magazine also sent children
ical health due to its highly
into video shops to rent such adult
entirely peripheral to the issue of maxi-
violent content");
movies as "Basic Instinct" and "The
mizing audience size within a competi-
ingredient labels used in publicity
Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and found
tive market - and there is no formula
for shows;
that video dealers were not enforcing
more tried and true than violence for
warning labels on TV ads;
policies against underage rentals."
reliably generating large audiences.""
a staff psychiatrist or researcher
And as Marvin Kitman. TV critic for
each network or cable channel:
Newsday. points out, the new guide-
Are proposed cures for TV
public service announcements
lines refer only to new programming
violence worse than the disease?
about the harmful effects of violence;
and not to old programs made under
When nerwork executives try to
a ban on violent programming of-
previous policies. Kitman told a con-
tell Sen. Paul Simon that research on
fered in government insurations such
gressional hearing he doesn't trust TV
TV violence is inconclusive, he says
as jails and hospitals;
executives to live up to their obliga-
they "remind me of the Tobacco In-
tax breaks for networks, cable
tions because they been saying for
stitute people who come in here and
channels and production companies
years that they have been. "The net-
say they have research that cigarettes
that fund research on violence;
March 26, 1993
173
TV VIOLENCE
and a public health campaign in
down and talk. says his press aide
Television (CLEAR-TV). a 1.600-member
schools that addresses violence the
Carle, in the manner of "an arms
coalition that uses consumer boycotts of
way current programs deal with
control meeting."
advertisers to pressure networks to re-
drunk driving.
Nor do the proposals sit well with
duce sex, violence and profanity. He
Proposals for a violence rating sys-
longtime children's TV advocate Peggy
says such criticism of the religious right
tem do not impinge on freedom of
Charren. "If you tell everybody, 'Hey,
masks attempts to censor his group.
speech. assents Centerwall. "It is not
this program is going to be terribly vio-
"We're bringing an idea into the market-
reasonable to address the problem of
lent and scare the wits out of you,'
place." he says. "TV is destructive to the
motor vehicle fatalities by calling for
you'll get every teenager in America
quality of life. We can do better and must
a ban on cars." he says. "Instead. we
watching it," she says. Charren has
do better for our children and our chil-
emphasize safety seats. good traffic
warned that "the potential for closing
dren's children."
signs and driver education. Similarly,
down free speech in this country from
A solid majority of the public, ac-
to address the.problem of violence
ideas - liability for speech is so
cording to a 1989 Los Angeles Times
caused by exposure to television. we
horrendous that I'd rather put up with
poll, opposes a government crack-
need to emphasize time-channel
violence on television."
down on TV violence. Nearly half the
locks. program rating systems and
There is fear, even among anti-vio-
respondents blamed TV audiences
education of the public regarding
lence activists, that calls for a govern-
for the violence because they create
good viewing habits."
ment crackdown risk encouraging
the demand. But 71 percent favored
Others have proposed that the FCC
what is seen as the censorship tenden-
a violence rating. "People do not see
regulate violence in the same way it
cies of the religous right, which, critics
programming [sex and violence] as
polices indecency - using fines and
say. is more preoccupied with sex in
so affecting their lives that they're
withholding licenses. Harvard's Slaby
media than with violence. "The reli-
willing to give up their freedom for
says that requiring stations and cable
gious people are getting so much pow-
it," said Neil Malamuth, a communi-
networks to reduce violent program-
er." says Lieberman. "We will have
cations professor at the University of
ming and increase non-violent shows
censorship some day if that happens."
Michigan. "It's a basic philosophy of
as 2 conditi in for license or contract re-
The Rev. Billy A. Melvin is chairman
American culture that we want inde-
newal "would not restrici or alter the
of Christian Leaders for Responsible
pendence and freedom."
presentation of any violent program. as
protected under the First Amendment.
Rather it would promote a broader
range of non-violent alternative pro-
grams from which viewers would be
BACKGROUND
Sen. Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., chairman
able to choose."
of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee to
Such proposals would be wel-
Investigate Juvenile Delinquency,
comed by veteran children's TV writ-
opened a series of hearings on the ef-
er Gene Ayres. whose Santa Fe.
Early Concerns
fects of media violence. Following a
N.M.-based enterprise. Future Wave,
sample viewing of TV's current cops-
prepares scripts for non-violent
T
first suspicions that the miracle
and-robbers fare, a British media expert
shows. "When these ideas are
of television might be a mixed
told his panel that such shows would
brought up inside the industry," he
blessing arose soon after the medi-
never be broadcast in England. And Cla-
says. "they always roll out the First
um's debut as a popular pastime in
ra Logan, president of the National Asso-
Amendment as if it's under threat.
1947. The number of youths being
ciation for Better Radio and Television,
But they don't ask the difference be-
arrested, which had declined imme-
called U.S. TV crime shows "mental poi-
tween what's offered to children and
diately following World War II, rose
son" to youngsters.
adults. Those who resent (such pro-
dramatically, according to Justice De-
In a pattern that would be repeated
posed regulation] don't have respon-
partment statistics, from 31,750 in
in later decades, network officials testi-
sibility for small children."
1948 to 37,259 in 1951 to 149,806 in
fied to the importance of industry self-
Labels. ratings and public service
1953 to 234,474 in 1956.
regulation. ABC Vice President Robert
announcements. however. have yet
In June 1952, the first congressional
Hinckley said he didn't believe TV "is a
to be embraced by Congress. Simon,
hearing ever on violence in radio and
thing remotely approaching a factor in
as a former journalist. wants to pro-
television and its impact on children was
our problem." Russia and New Zea-
lect the purity of free speech and
held by the House Subcommittee on In-
land, with limited or no TV facilities,
prefers getting the players 10 sil
terstate and Foreign Commerce. In 1954,
Continued on P. 177
174
CQ Researcher
Chronology
1950s
1970s
September 1984
Rise in youth
Surgeon gen-
Attorney General's Task Force on
crime and juvenile delinquency
eral's study prompts more con-
Family Violence says evidence is
prompts congressional bearings
gressional bearings; academic
overwhelming that TV violence con-
on television violence.
studies proliferate; court cases
tributes to real violence.
examine liability of TV in cases of
June 1952
real violence.
1984
First congressional hearings on vio-
American Academy of Pediatrics
lence in radio and television and its
1972
Task Force on Children and Televi-
impact on children and youth held
Surgeon general's report on violence
sion cautions physicians and parents
by House Interstate and Foreign
cites evidence of link between
that TV may promote aggression.
Commerce Subcommittee.
screen violence and aggressive be-
havior.
1985
1954
American Psychological Association
Sen. Estes Kefauver. D-Tenn chairs
1975
Commission on Youth and Violence
hearings of Judiciary Subcommittee
National PTA adopts resolution de-
notes research showing link be-
to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency
manding that networks and local TV
tween TV violence and real violence.
on role of TV shows in youth crime.
stations reduce the amount of vio-
Networks say no link.
lence in programs and commercials
(reaffirmed in 1989).
1976
American Medical Association's
1990s
Networks issue
1960s
House of Delegates calls TV violence
a joint statement of policies OR TV
Urban violence
an "environmental hazard."
violence, made possible by an
prompts more congressional rear-
trust exemption passe. by Con-
ings and government funding of
1979
gress. Anti-violence advocates step
research on TV violence.
In Zamora v. CBS et al, parents of a
up pressure.
Florida 15-year-old convicted of
1961
murdering a neighbor unsuccessful-
1990
Kennedy administration Federal
ly sue all three networks for negli-
Simon-Glickman Television Vio-
Communications Commission Chair-
gence for failing to prevent him from
lence Act gives three major networks
man Newton N. Minow tells National
being incited to imitate TV.
an antitrust exemption so they can
Association of Broadcasters that
formulate joint policy on violence.
American TV is a "vast wasteland."
1991
1967
Newton Minow declares: "In 1961. I
University of Pennsylvania begins
monitoring television programming.
1980s
worried that my children would not
Reagan-era
benefit much from television, but in
deregulation gives media free rein;
1991 I worry that my children will ac-
1969
cable TV, VCRs and rise of indepen-
tually be harmed by it."
Formation of Boston-based Founda-
dent networks diminish power of
tion to Improve Television.
networks to control violence ON TV.
1992
American Psychological Association
Sept. 23, 1969
1980
study shows research on link to real
Report of National Commission on
Founding of National Coalition on
violence is ignored and calls for
the Causes and Prevention of Vio-
Television Violence.
eral policy to protect society.
lence cites TV violence as contribu-
tor to society's violence problem.
1982
Dec. 11, 1992
National Institute of Mental Health
Days before House hearings, the
study says there's a clear consensus
three major networks release joint vi-
on link between TV violence and ag-
olence policy and agree to an indus-
gression.
trywide conference.
March 26, 1993
175
TV VIOLENCE
Music Videos That Flirt With Violence
W
ith their images of scantily clad women wearing
MTV contends, however, that Jhally has violated its
lustful expressions and hurling themselves at non-
copyright by taking advantage of the "fair use" doctrine.
chalant rock stars, MTV videos send out confusing
The subsidiary of Viacom International Inc. in 1991 threat-
and possibly harmful messages to the 57.3 million Ameri-
ened to sue if he didn't destroy all remaining copies of
can households that receive MTV.
"Dreamworlds." Jhally. in turn, says MTV is ignoring his
That's the thinking of Sut Jhally. a communications
contention that the video network is threatening legal ac-
professor at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst,
tion to silence substantive criticism of its product. "They
whose criticisms of the popular videos have brought him
are boxed in and hoping it will go sway." Jhally says.
face to face with the New York City-based cable network.
Meanwhile, MTV has continued to breed controversy.
Seeking to raise his students' consciousness of the ef-
On Sept. 18, 1991, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., took to the
fects of television imagery, Jhally several years ago assem-
floor of the Senate to attack it as a reprehensible influ-
bled "Dreamworlds: Desire/Sex/Power in Rock Video," a
ence on children. The central message of most of these
55-minute collection of highlights from 165 rock videos
music videos is clear," be thundered. "Human happiness
featuring superstar performers such as Motley Crue, Billy
and fulfillment are experienced by becoming a sociopath
Idol and Rod Stewart.
and rejecting all responsibility. If we in this nation contin-
Since students often were sidetracked by the pleasures
ue to sow the images of murder, violence, drug abuse,
of the music. Jhally substituted his own somber sound-
sadism, arrogance,:. Irreverence, perversion, pornography
track and spliced in dramatic footage from the hit movie
and aberration before the eyes of millions of children.
"The Accused." namely the scene (based on a true story)
we should not be surprised If the foundations of society
showing actress Jodie Foster being gang-raped on a bar-
rot away." And a 1992 study by the Washington-based
room pinball machine. He also added his own narration
Center for Media: and Public Affairs found more violence
and a jarring recitation of statistics: "A woman is raped
on MTV than on the three major TV networks combined.
every SIX minutes," and "One in four women will be
But at least one study has suggested that overt vio-
raped in their lifetime."
lence on MTV turnoff rather than an allure. When
The result is a disturbing video critique of the way mu-
400 male and female students at Oakland University in
sic videos use sex to sell recordings, ultimately dehuman-
Rochester, Minn were asked by psychologists to watch
izing women and possibly encouraging violence, accord-
different music videos, the more violent videos made
ing to Jhally.
viewers feel more angry, fearful and aggressive, but less
The majority of MTV videos portray "the dreamworld
sexual, than less violent videos.t
of the adolescent male," where women are often sex ob-
"Our biggest beef with MTV is not that k's more vio-
jects or nymphomaniacs. he says. And though outright vi-
lent or sexually degrading than other channels," says
olence is not common on MTV. it is implied in the whips
Thomas Radecki, former. chairman of the National Coali-
and the chains and the scenes in which women don't
tion On Television Violence, "but that K's all mixed to-
really mean no when they say it, he says. "Because wom-
gether to a viewer can't pick out a particular time period
en are presented as thinking only about sex, they don't
that you know there's going to be no sexually degrad-
object when they're handled," he says. "They don't ob-
log material.
ject when they're touched even by someone whom they
A 1992 study of 750 MTV videos by the coalition found
have just met. The messages don't have to be violent to
that violence had Increased to the past six years, averag-
encourage certain behavior. What is more important is
ing 20 acts of violence per hour. More than 60 per cent of
that such images are seen as normal."
the videos contained explick violence, suggested vio-
Jhally cautions that he is not arguing that MTV causes
lence; degrading sexual portrayals, sexually suggestive
violence. noung that the roots of violence are complex
themes, profanity, smoking, and/or alcohol consumption,
and multiple. But such videos "help cultivate attitudes
the study said. The most violent video: Guns 'N Roses'
that in some instances may lead to certain types of be-
"You Could Be Mine."
havior," he says. "The more TV you watch, the more you
think the world is like TV. And you tend to act on the
stones you have access to."
To promote his compilation. Jhally sent out brochures
to colleges around the country. He has sold some 1,300
Christine Hall Hansen and Ronald D. Hansen, "The Influence of
copies thus far (at $100 for institutions and $50 for indi-
Sex and Violence in the Appeal of Rock Music Videos," Communi-
viduals). with proceeds going to a nonprofit university
canon Research. April 1990. P. 212.
trust fund.
Quoted in Chrustian Science Montitor, Aug. 6. 1991.
176
C.Q Researcher
Continued from P
thing to us: it is something that movies
dent, Massachusetts education Com-
have major juvenile delinquency prob-
must be free to use.""
missioner William S. Abbott, it hopes
lems. he noted. An ABC script director
to "further the development of an
said that TV adventure stories might
open, free society by proving that
even prevent delinquency by serving
television entertainment is not the
as "a release" for children's aggression.
Government Action
private domain of a few people in-
An FCC official testified against censor-
tent on broadcasting for profit at
ship. and 3 representative of the Na-
T
government took action. Along
children's expense."
tional Association of Radio and
with the American Medical Associ-
Television Broadcasters said broad-
ation, funded the Cultural Indica-
Surgeon General's Report
casters had set up a code to help ar-
tors Project at the University of
In 1972, the surgeon general re-
range programs addressing the topic of
Pennsylvania, which began monitor-
leased the five-volume report, "Tele-
youth crime.
ing television programming for vio-
vision and Growing Up: The Impact
In 1956. one of the earliest studies
lence. President Lyndon B. Johnson
of Televised Violence." Its controver-
on TV violence reported on 4-year-
appointed a commission to study the
sial conclusion was that there is a
olds who were asked to watch an ac-
roots of urban unrest. It would find
causal effect from TV violence, but
tion-packed "Woody Woodpecker"
that TV watching, while not the spe-
primarily in children presupposed to
cartoon. They were found to be
cific cause of society's violence, was
be aggressive. The report prompted
more likely to hit and harass other
a contributor. Bills were offered in
Pastore to begin hearings in March.
kids and break toys than a control
Congress to prohibit TV violence,
For years "various groups have
group that had watched the more
study the issue more and offer grants
pointed to TV violence as a negative in-
peaceful "Little Red Hen."
for improving children's TV, but none
fluence on human behavior," testified
The Senate held more hearings
became law.
Rep. John M. Murphy, D-N.Y., "but
about TV's effects in the early 1960s.
In 1969, Sen. John O. Pastore, D-R.I.,
they were fulled into inaction with
but the problem of violence reached
petitioned the surgeon general to in-
promises from the industry that
undeniable crisis proportions follow-
vestigate the effects of TV vh ence.
would be a diminishment of violence."
ing the mid-'60s urban nots in Los
"What is at stake is no less than our
As in the 1950s, the networks
Angeles. Newark and elsewhere. It
most valuable resource - the hearts
came out in force, promising to ad-
was in 1965. psychiatrist Centerwall
and minds of our young people," he
dress the problem. CBS/Broadcast
observes, after the first of the televi-
said. While the top government doctor
Group President John A. Schneider
sion generation had become teen-
went to work, the Foundation to Im-
pointed out that the surgeon 8
1
agers. that the biggest surge in U.S.
prove Television, a new Boston-based
had argued for only a small effect in
homicides occurred.
group of business, academic and com-
comparison with other causes of vio-
This was a time when the airwaves
munity leaders, filed a petition in 1970
lence. "It is not clear what the net ef-
were giving kids scenes of The Three
demanding that the FCC ban "fictional
fect would be if broadcasters simply
Stooges" poking each other in the eye.
violence and horror" programs at a
changed the quantitative balance be-
"ABC was the major crime center in the
time when children are likely to view
tween violent and other kinds of
country." Neusday's Kitman recalls
them. The FCC postponed a decision
shows," he said, "since people
with sarcasm. "They had had much
pending the surgeon general's report.
and choose the kinds of stimulus
success with such educational TV se-
The same year, the foundation also
terial they want and violent mate-
ries on machine gun usage as The Un-
joined with some Washington, D.C.,
rial is very popular." For its part, ABC
touchables.' They were pioneers in the
mothers of small children in a lawsuit
promised to eliminate cartoons that
Bang-You're-Dead school of program-
against CBS Enterprises, the Televi-
depend solely on action not comedy.
ming with such ungratuitous. unvio-
sion Advertising Representatives and
look more carefully at its overall
lent programs as 'Route 66' and '77
the FCC to block broadcast of a TV
ance of violence and budget $1
Sunset Strip."
rerun of the program "Wild, Wild
lion for four years of research.
Movies also became more graphic.
West." An appeals court declined to
The National Association of B1
When the groundbreaking "Bonnie
overtum a lower court's decision de-
casters warned that government reg-
and Clyde" was released in 1967. New
nying the petition on the ground that
ulation would be "dangerous
Yorker critic Pauline Kael wrote. "The
the plaintiffs hadn't exhausted reme-
unwise." FCC Chairman Dean Burch
dirty reality of death - not suggestions
dies at the FCC. While the foundation
declined to regulate violence, saying
but blood and holes - IS necessary It
"does not expect or hope to become
it was not for the FCC to "make fun-
is 2 kind of violence that says some-
a board of censors," said its presi-
damental programming judgments."
March 26, 1993
177
TV VIOLENCE
Imitating TV Violence?
reduction in the amount of violence
Mental Health produced a follow-up to
By the mid-19-0s. network TV Was
shown on television programs and
the 1972 surgeon general's report:
racking up nen scores on the gore me-
commercials during the entire day,
"Television and Behavior: Ten Years of
ter. CBS's 1976 grim two-nighter "Hi'l.
with particular attention to viewing
Scientific Progress and Implications for
ter Skelter." a drama on the Charles
hours between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
the Eighties." The conclusions were
Manson cuit killings. dren top ratings.
and weekend morning hours, when
more far-reaching. arguing that TV vio-
A Canadian royal commission that year
impressionable children and young
lence affects all children, not just those
argued for a causal link between TV vi.
people are most likely to be watch-
predisposed to aggression. ABC re-
olence and aggression. In 1976. the
ing." If self-regulation doesn't work,
sponded by saying that TV violence
American Medical Association's House
the group said. it would demand that
had gone down in recent years. CBS
of Delegates passed a resolution saying
the FCC establish and enforce regula-
called the government researchers
that TV violence "threatens the health
tions limiting violence.
"uncritical" and said the report was put
and welfare of young Americans." and
together by individuals "who came to it
committed the AMA 10 remedial action.
with publicly identified positions on
It was in 1979 that two major court
the role of television in society."
cases brought TV violence to the front
The '80s Explosion
pages. In Zamora l'. CBS el al. the par-
Congressional Action
ents of a 15-year-old Florida hoy con-
D
espite the studies, congressional
It was in the mid-1980s that Sen.
vitted of murdering I neighbor sued all
hearings and court cases, the gov-
Paul Simon happened to flick on the
three networks for negligence. They
emment did not challenge the net-
TV in an Illinois motel and see an ac-
said the industry had failed to prevent
works' demands for self-regulation.
tor being sawed in half with a chain-
their son from being incited to imitate
What had changed, however, was the
saw. This led the outraged Simon to
violence on TV. They lost. In Rhode Is-
arrival of consumer activists and pro-
introduce the Television Violence
land. 2 similar case stemmed from a
test groups. which began putting
Act, which was finally passed in 1990
May 23. 1979. broadcast of "The Tu-
pressure against programs seen as
with backing from the National PTA.
night Show." A professional stuntman
sexist. anti-gay, anti-Christian, or dan-
the Ame ican Psychological Associa-
on the show had announced that he
gerous to national security. By the
tion and the Academy of Pediatrics.
would "hang" host Johnny Carson on
early 1980s, writes Kathryn C. Mont-
The bill granted the three major net-
stage. After a noose was placed around
gomery of the Washington-based Cen-
works a three-year exemption from
the comedian's neck. he was dropped
ter for Media Education, more than
the Sherman Antitrust Act so they
through a trapdoor and. of course.
250 advocacy groups were working to
could pursue a joint agreement on
emerged unharmed. But young Nicho-
change TV. and industry officials de-
curbing TV violence. It did not re-
las DeFilippo. apparently viewing the
clared at a conference that the pres-
quire the networks to act, but en-
stunt from home. was found dead with
sure groups "must now be recognized
couraged them.
2 rope around his neck in front of a TV
as a permanent part of the television
"We should not and cannot dictate
set tuned to NBC. In their suit against
environment.""
the content of television program-
NBC for "negligence. failure to warn.
Even more important, the explosion
ming." said the bill's House sponsor,
product liability and intentional tort-
of new technologies cable and VCRs
Rep. Dan Glickman, D-Kan. "An ob-
trespass." his parents testified that their
primarily - combined with Reagan-
stacle to a voluntary reduction in vio-
son regularly watched Carson. They
era deregulation to remake the media
lence by the networks is that, in this
also lost.
landscape, in particular, reducing the
intensely competitive business, it is
Debate over the issue. however.
once-mighty clout of the three net-
commonly held that violence sells.
continued apace. When the R-rated
works. Political momentum for a crack-
Each network is reluctant to take uni-
1978 anti-Vietnam War movie "The
down on violence dissipated. A
lateral steps to reduce violent pro-
Deer Hunter" was shown on national
relaxation of FCC requirements helped
gramming for fear of slipping in the
TV. some 29 incidents of people imi-
increase the amount of violence: A
ratings."
tating the famous Russian Roulette
study by the Universities of Pennsylva-
The bill was opposed by the
scene were reported. 26 of which
nia and Delaware would show that
ACLU, which called it "a wholly in-
were said to have caused deaths. The
children's shows that in 1980 featured
appropriate and unconstitutional ef-
youngest victim was 8 years old. :0
an average of 18.6 violent acts per hour
fort to shape the content of American
At around that time, the National
would by 1990 rack up 26.4 violent acts
television." Leading the floor opposi-
PTA passed a resolution demanding
every hour. 18
tion was Rep. Don Edwards, D-Calif.,
from nerworks and local stations "a
In 1982. the National Institute of
Continued on P. 180
178
CQ Researcber
Video Games and Push-Button Aggression
N
othing altered childhood more visibly in the 1980s
ufacturer is very concerned about the issues raised by the
than the arrival of the age at Nintendo. Children
coalition. "But the reality is there is no scientific evidence
huddling around the TV engrossed in Deadly
linking video games to aggressive behavior." he says. "Our
Towers. Guerrilla War or Mighry Bomb Jack became a fa-
games feature lots of good versus evil. It's no different from
miliar sight. fueling the debate over simulated violence
Grimm's fairy tales, which are widely accepted."
and its link to the real thing.
Nintendo, which racked up $4 billion in sales last year.
Research on the effects of viclen games is still in its in-
follows standards modeled on the film rating system of
fancy. hut some authorities speculate that pulling triggers
the Motion Picture Association of America and the stan-
in interactive electronics may be more conducive to as-
dards and practices principles used at the three major TV
gressioß in children than the passive viewing of a televi-
nerworks, White says. The standards prohibit exceptional
son show. "18's a matter of practice." says Leonard Eron
violence, negative stereotypes and depictions of drugs, al-
of the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Re-
cobol or tobacco:
search. The more a child practices. the more apt he is to
Video garhes are violent, says Patricia Marks Green-
use" the skill he's practicing
field, supsyctiology professor at the University of Califor-
In December 1989, the National Coalition On Televi-
nia-Los Angeles; because that is what attracts boys, who
skin Violence (NCTV) released its monitoring results on
make up 65 percent of the market.t
176 Nintendo games. It concluded that 80 percent con-
Mental health professionals have taken both sides in the
tained "harmful violence." a substantial increase from
debate, many: arguing that video games affect individual
several years earlier. The coalition slapped its X rating for
children differently. Psychiatrist Joseph Cassius of Mem-
extreme violence on ti percent of the games and cited
phis, Tenn., the games "can develop a sense of profi-
27 academic studies of video games, 22 of which found
clency whout fear of conflict. Many children who are
harmful effects. "Players can now launch nuclear missiles,
afraid to with others are not afraid with the video."
initiate revolutions and toss grenades into Asian villages,"
But: Camilis adds; "We are the parents, and we has
read an NCTV statement. "Combat is often one-on-one
power. decide that we don't want to reinforce
and exceedingly graphic. The final step takes players be-
child's
to aggression. But if he's 2 fairly mel-
yond the war theme - into the realm of gang warfare.
'low. ldd, an aggressive game is not going to
Instead of battles between the 'good guys' and the bad
thange personality. #
guys.' there is now a significant lack of 'good guys.''
Bill White, director of advertising and public relations at
Quoted for The Globe, Psh. 8. 1993.
Nintendo's Redmond. Wash. office. says the Japanese man-
Quoted in The Wishington Port, Dec. 10. 1990.
Nintendo games rated XUnfu have "constant, graphic violence;" XV games baue "bigh levels of very barmful
violence;' and RV games require players to "become more violent to win."
Rated X (unfit)
Rated XV
Rated KV
Adventures of Bayou Billy
Airwolf
Athens
Castievania: The Vampire Strikes Back
Amagon
Blades of Steel
Deadly Towers
Bionic Commando
Bobble Bubble
Double Dragon
Break Thru
au Clu Land
Gauntiet
Quex
Commando
Chosts n' Goblins
Cobra Command
Excitabike
Guerrilla War
Evil Empire
Gotcha!
Kung Fu
Defender
Gyromite
Metroid
Dragon Power
Ice Climber
Mighty Bomb Jack
Freedon Force
Karnov
Ninja Kid
Gun Smoke
Mach Rider
Operation Wolf
Iron Tank
Mario Bros.
Solomon's Key
Kage
Popeye
Sqoon
Kid Niki
Rad Racer
Star Voyager
Life Force
Renegade
Sunder
MAGMAX
Skate or Die
Tiger Hell
Mike Tyson's Punch-out
Spy Hunter
Wizzards & Warriors
Teenage Mutant Nine
Robo Warrior
Worldrunner
Xevious the Avenger
Super Mano Bros.
Source Naturnal Coaluion on Telephone Violence
March 26, 1993
179
VIOLENCE
Continued
Congress. The message from 'Big
which prohibits censorship. If the FCC
who called it indirect censorship.
Brother to TV executives is clear: 'If
were to regulate violence in the way it
clear
and
simple
Broadcasters
un-
you don't comply - watch out!"
.
regulates indecency. he says, Congress
derstand the tremendous power of
would have to pass a statute. "All we
can do," said James H. Quello. interim
chairman of the FCC, "is mention in a
speech that Hollywood and cable and
CURRENT
to human problems is harmful to our
the networks are actually flooding the
industry and society."
airwaves with too many violent pro-
SITUATION
Critics asked why the study did not
grams, and some of these kids are start-
examine violence in non-original fea-
ing to imitate the violence they see."
ture films. to which cable association
Quello applauds the work of Ameri-
spokeswoman Peggy Laramie re-
cans for Responsible Television,
Pressuring the FCC
sponded that violence in feature films
founded several years ago by Michigan
has already been studied and that her
housewife Terry Rakolta, who became
When standards in December.
the networks released their
group's plan was to "look at what cable
offended at vulgarity on the TV show
brought to the mix." The group has
"Married With Children," and who
Sen. Simon predicted that progress in
promised a follow-up study.
has also launched a campaign to per-
reducing violence should be evident
The Foundation to Improve Televi-
suade Congress to limit TV violence.
in the fall programming for 1993. But
sion. though dormant since the mid-
The National Coalition on Television
Rep. Schumer. while applauding the
1970s. was recently reactivated to
Violence continues to release its regular
move. noted that the networks had
mount a campaign to get the FCC to
rankings of the most violent shows. Its
rushed out their statement only days
crack down on TV violence. Late this
February list tagged the Fox network as
before his hearings in order to "have
March it plans to formally ask the regu-
the most violent broadcast network,
something nace to say. He said the
latory body to make license renewal
with 11 violent acts per hour. "We were
statement alone wouldn't solve the
contingent on stations showing no pro-
stunned," said Betsy Hoffman, Fox vice
problem and that he would like to
grams containing an "excessive
president for publicity, noting that the
see a violence rating system. He
amount of dramatized violence" be-
shows the coalition is counting include
plans to consider legislation if the
tween 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The petition
"America's Most Wanted" and "The
networks won't do it voluntarily."
also is expected to ask for advance
Edge." "'America's Most Wanted' is re-
The networks. however. added in
viewer advisories and visual warning
sponsible for the capture of 243 fugi-
a letter that The amount of violence
signals during programs with violence,
tives," she says. "It's the one show
on television cannot be adequately
a ban on ads or promotions with dra-
dedicated to ending violence. The
addressed unless other segments of
matized violence, a ratings system for
Edge' is a parody and satire of violence.
the industry KHO us." Cooperation
violence and additional guidelines to
The -vhole claim is ridiculous."
from the cable and film industries
be developed by the FCC in consulta-
In Santa Fe, the scriptwriters work-
and the independent networks such
tion with the industry.
ing for Future Wave are nearing the
as Fox IS expected to materialize at
The foundation argues that coun-
production phase of a non-violent chil-
an industry conference on television
tries such as Canada, France, Great
dren's cartoon called "Astrocops." It
violence planned for this summer in
Britain. Sweden and Australia have tak-
uses a former Los Angeles police offi-
Los Angeles
en action, fining television companies
cer as a consultant. "The challenge of
Meanwhile. in January the National
that broadcast violence during chil-
being non-violent can bring out the
Cable Television Association released
dren's hours. It is working with busi-
best in writers," says Gene Ayres,
results of J 11171 study showing rela-
ness leaders and community groups to
who's written more than 50 cartoon
tively little molence on cable-originat-
provide information and legal advice
episodes for such shows as "Scooby
ed programming "He believe that
to send a "powerful message" to the
Doo" and "The Smurfs." "It's more in-
the departion of violence is 2 legiti-
TV industry.
teresting if you don't do the expected
mate dramatic and journalistic repre-
The FCC. which received 79 com-
- the slug in the jaw and the hero
sentation X .m unavoidable pan of
plaints about violence in 1992 and 85 in
who's faster on the draw and bigger
human existence. the cable associa-
1991. does not police the amount of vi-
than the bad guy. We're not asking the
tion said 111, also believe that the
olence on America's TV stations. A
industry to kill Bugs Bunny, just to pro-
gratuitous use of violence depicted
spokesman cites Section 326 of the
vide an alternative."
as an ess mil convenient solution
1934 Federal Communications Act.
Continued on P 182
180
CO Risearcber
At Issue:
Should the television industry do more to curb depictions of violence?
LEONARD D. ERON
DEL REISM
Professor psychology, University of Michigan
President,
FROM "MEDIA 170LENCE ARE STANDARDS FOR TVAND
FROM "MI
TO
TANDAI
FOR TVAND
FILM POSSIBLE* HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
FILM POS
HOOL
BLIC HEALTH
PANEL DISCUSSION, MAY 11. 1992
PANEL
92
a
recept summary of over 200 studies. published in
he only way to significantly reduce violence. or the
1990 offers convincing evidence that the observa-
threat of violence, in storytelling is for nerworks and
tion of violence. as seen in standard everyday tele-
cable to simply not order series or special films which
vision entertainment. does affect the aggressive behavior of
are, virtually by definition, inherendy violent, such as ac-
the viewer
tion-adventure, crime, futuristic melodrama, etc.. and use
What can be done? As soon as the suggestion for action
instead the softer genres, such as we see on the nerworks
comes up. the TV industry raises the issue of censorship,
now, shows such as Homefront. Sisters. Nortbern Exposure,
violation of First Amendment rights and abrogation of the
and so on. Not a very realistic possibility, however.
Constitution. For many years now Western European coun-
Networks, as you know, follow. They do not lead. Net-
tries have monitored TV and films and have not permitted
works react to social change and community standards. I
the showing of excess violence. especially during child
know. I have served as a story editor on many weekly
viewing hours. I have never heard of any complaints by
series. Story editors scan the headlines, searching for ways
citizens in those democratic countries that their rights have
to paraphrase the truth and put it into fictional form
been violated. But in the U.S.. youth violence is a public
I believe that additional guidelines for violence should
health problem. NO designated by the Centers for Disease
not be called for because they will simply reduce the actual
Control lan. Prevention) No one is claiming that TV vi-
sights of some violence but not the threatening storytelling
olence is the sole cause of the epidemic. However. it is
that builds to it, and therefore such guidelines would be a
certainly one of the causes. and one which we at least can
crumb thrown to those who believe in a causal relationship.
do something about. Is it 100 much to ask the industry to
I believe that writers should continue to tell the stories
police itself. It has done so before with some success.
of our time. Abuse in the home toward children, pr par-
I don't favor censorship and I am jealous of my First
ents, or grandparents is out of the closet now, thanks to its
Amendment rights. But I don't think some serious self-reg-
dramatization on television. Child custody struggles. in
ulation and monitoring by the TV and film industry is a
which the losing parent literally kidnaps a child, at last is
threat to our constitutional rights.
before the American public as the serious social problem
It would be appropriate for the FCC to require stations
that it is. Fictional television has seen this dramatized fre-
to document what they have done to lower the violenc: in
quently. Gay bashing has found its way from the dark al-
their programming before their licenses are renewed
leys of our cities to the films of both weekly series and
In the spring lot 19921 are had in face the implications of
movies-of-the-week. The violence on the home screen fol-
the uncontrolled violence in Los Angeles. TV cannot escape
lows the violence in our lives.
its share of the responsibility for this nuthurst. We know
We've lived with Broadcast Standards for 40 years. fight-
that children living in the inner city watch more TV than
ing the departments frequently, losing most of the fights.
other children. Children living in the inner city are increas-
but reacting positively as networks followed changes in
ingly surrounded by violence - at home. in the neighbor-
community standards from the days of no "hells" and no
hood. on the way to and from school. They are constantly
"damns" to today's relatively explicit language, frank rela-
Jodging bullets. cowering in hallways. hiding under tables,
tionships and open dramatizations of dysfunctional fam-
because the streets are so dangemus from drive-by
ilies. Writers want to involve audiences in our stories.
shootings and other violence. They spend more and more
Writers are family people. too. We're parents and children
time indoors watching TV
and siblings and grandparents and grandchildren. We are
And what do they sec on TV? More violence. This vali-
community-minded and we care deeply about the world
dates what the children have seen in the neighborhood. it
around us. We are as shocked and concerned by what is
makes violence normative - everyone's doing it. not just
happening on our streets. on our schoolyards. in our class-
in their neighborhood but all over. TV represents violence
rooms and in our homes, as any of you. We agree on very
as an appropriate way to solve interpersonal problems. to
little but we do agree on fundamentals, such as freedom of
get what you want out of life. avenge slights and insults
expression and freedom from censorship. the official kind
and make up for perceived injustices
and the unofficial kind which induces self-censorship.
March 26, 1993
181
TV VIOLENCE
TV News: Violence Is Part of Our World Tonight
"I
If bleeds. It leads." goes the cynics view of televi-
everyday crime the media cover is more graphic and ap-
Non news. But now stations that start off newscasts
peals to the sensational and the spectacular. It adds to the
with generous doses of gore and maybem are be-
general sense of vulnerability" among the population.
ing held responsible for their role in feeding Americans
Some observers feel that local news coverage of vio-
their steady diet of television violence.
lence often giorifies the bad guys. "When a cop gets
The issue was dramatized in January after a North Lau-
blown away," complains Newsday TV critic Marvin
derdale. Fla.. station aired footage of a man shooting his
Kitman, "his killer gets more coverage than the cop's fu-
ex-wife at their daughter's grave. Emilio Nunez's deadly act
neral on TV news."
was taped by a stunned camera crew for the Spanish-lan-
Many critics of IV violence, however, make clear dis-
guage station. which had been alened to a possible con-
tinctions between entertainment and news. "There are
trontation. Stations around the country aired the shooting,
people who say, Well, If you are going to take off vio-
and many were taken 10 task.
lence from television]. then you are going to have to re-
Lus Angeles Times TV critic Howard Rosenberg
move Bosnis from the television news," Sen. Paul Simon.
slammed the use of the "unnecessary" and "valueless"
D-II., sold the Senate last June. "The reality is that vio-
footage. even wondering whether the station had set up
lence on the DEWS does not glamorize violence. Enter-
the controniation. "The self-serving hucksters snapped it
tainment violence glamorizes violence."
up. capitalizing on tragedy for the sake of creating unfor-
"News violence is tough call and should be handled
genable ghastly TV." Rosenberg wrote.t He noted that
case by case, says Edward Donnentein, a professor of
Channel 2 in Los Angeles. whose news director reported-
communications x the University of California-Santa Bar-
by urges his editorial staff to "scare viewers to death," had
bara. "You don't. WHIN to sanitize the world; there are
used the arrest of Nunez as a pretext for rebroadcasting
horrors our there
the tape a fen days later.
"As soon as you to draw lines" about what should
At Los Angeles Channel 5. News Director Warren Cer-
be shownion Robert Peck α the American Civil
eghino defended the fortage. saying it aptly illustrated
Liberties Union, affect news and information that
"unfortunate Jomestic violence and emotion escalating to
people need to have
such a violent level." The news producer at LA's Channel
Faced with the twin obligations of reporting the truth
.9 pustibled the ainng by saving it was part of the "ethical
and keeping ratings high, TV news departments are un-
debate on whether such visuals should be shown. Other
likely to establish formal rules about reducing violence.
news executives noted that the scene wasn't gory and
But producers with dramatic footage have been known to
didn't show blood or contorted faces. But some stations
finesse the problem with an advance warning. When cir-
that used the tape Later apologized.
cus tightrope walker Carl Wallends plunged to his death
In an era when real-life violence - be it the Persian
in 1978, news anchors. didn't prevent viewers from wk-
Gulf war or the police heating of motorist Rodney King
nessing the event: But many anchors somberly warned,
- are commonly caught by cameras, viewers' tolerance
"Some of you may not wish to watch."
for grasly sights is clearly being expanded. "But 2 Gulf
war is only once in a while." notes University of Pennsyl-
vance communications Professor George Gerbner. "The
Los Angeles Times Jon = 1993.
In Los Angeles. the nonprofit group
and promoting the need for research on
their homes because of nine months
Mediascope is putting on workshops.
the effects of violence that is up-to-date
spent recuperating. You just see this
seminars and public education cam-
and practical. "The research communi-
believable aggression, and then they
paigns - often on location in Holly-
ry sees the entertainment media as neg-
cut to the hero at a cocktail party!"
wood studios - to promote a more
ative." says Mediascope President
'The whole issue is very circular."
accurate and balanced depiction of vi.
Marcy Kelly. "The media dismiss the re-
she continues. "The writer will say,
olence in films and TV. The group has
search. There's a need to come together
'That's what the producer wants me to
received a 5675.000 grant from the Car-
and bridge the gap." Much of modern
write.' The producer will say, 'That's
negie Corp. of Nen. York City. as well
TV violence is highly unrealistic, she
what the network wants.' The network
as a contract with the Department of
adds. "There are no consequences. You
will say, 'That's what the advertisers
Health and Human Services
don't see children who've lost their par-
want' The advertisers will say, 'That's
Mediascope is also working with film
ents. parents who've lost their children,
what the public wants.' The question
schools 10 encourage a code of ethics
people who can't walk. who've lost
is, how can we break the circle?"
182
CQ Researcher
OUTLOOK
coms. says Gerbner. But, he adds,
Beth Waxman Bressan. CBS Broad-
-Violence travels well. unlike humor,"
cast Group vice president, recently
which means that Hollywood is likely
testified that her network receives
to continue producing more violence
upwards of 600,000 pieces of mail
What Can Be Done?
as its products are marketed overseas
each year but that less than 1 percent
because it needs no translation.
complain about violence. On the oth-
I
f television had never been invent-
Activists at Harvard and elsewhere
er hand, at least one sponsor of ca-
ed. society would have been
have argued that the movement against
ble programming, Time-Life Books,
spared 10.000 homicides. 70,000 rapes
TV violence should take 2 cue from the
recently withdrew its ad for a series
and 700,000 assaults, hypothesizes
anti-smoking, anti-drunken-driving
of books on crime featuring serial
psychiatrist Centerwall.
and environmental movements, all of
killers Ted Bundy, Charles Manson
On the other hand. "By having
which have had success in winning co-
and Richard Speck because of viewer
television entertainment with ade-
operation from scriptwriters, produc-
complaints about poor taste.
quate sex and violence." argues Jib
ers and directors in Hollywood to
"If I were a parent or a PTA group,
Fowles. a University of Houston-
highlight their causes. But creative
rd pick up the phone and call the lo-
Clear Lake media studies professor.
people wield limited power in the'en-
cal TV station," says Doug Wills, a
"Americans are nightly able to empty
tertainment industry. Hollywood writ-
spokesman for the National Associa-
their subconscious: aggressive fanta-
er and actor Ben Stein says: "I
tion of Broadcasters. "The program-
sies produce tranquil minds.""
remember so many times coming [to
ming manager there doesn't want to
The reason TV viewers gawk at faked
the Warner Bros. lot] and pitching
alienate his audience, and it is in his
violence like passersby rubbernecking
(scripts to executives). Pitching and
interest to be responsive for competi-
at an auto wreck is because "males are
thinking. 'I've got to sell this, no matter
tiveness reasons." In general, Wills
taught a for of things to embrace be
what, I have to sell this, I've just got to
adds, "with some exceptions, such as
strong. not to feel. see power at all costs.
sell this. It doesn't matter. Ask me to
the three recent movies on the Amy
win/lose. be a soldier - they're all pre-
put in a scene of torturing nuns, I'll do
Fisher case that made executives un-
sented as appropriate male attitudes."
it. I'll do anything to make this sale.'"
comfortable, most of television meets
says peace studies Professor Crews.
the viewing needs of the public and
"Most of it is nurture, not nature. It's a so-
Alternatives for Parents
doesn't set out to offend anyone."
cial reality that is constructed."
On a personal level, the American
TV critic Kitman says the solution
"The male demand for violent en-
Academy of Pediatrics has recom-
to TV violence is for the nerworks to
tertainment comes about not because
mended that parents limit children's
use their power to produce hour-
males innately want to see violence,
TV viewing to one to two hours per
long Michael Jackson or Madonna
but because these shows put forth
day. The National PTA advises par-
specials with the message that "only
strong male role models." says Har-
ents to watch children's favorite pro-
creeps carry guns."
vard's Prothrow-Stith. "Men are look-
grams as well as the news with their
More important, says children's ac-
ing for heroes. They look for men
children, discuss the violence, ex-
tivist Peggy Charren, "we need pub-
who are effective. And in watching
plain how violence is faked on enter-
lic policy to focus on the root causes
television. particularly if there's not a
tainment shows and encourage
of violence in this country. Poverty is
father in the home. you find the male
children to watch programs with
what you fix if you want to do some-
heroes are presented in terms of vio-
characters who cooperate with each
thing about violence."
lent action."
other rather than fight.
"Other countries find us strange,"
Actually, violence doesn't seem so
Advice columnist Ann Landers re-
says Donnerstein. "Violence is as
popular if you look at the top-rated
cently recommended, when a reader
American as apple pie. But sex and
shows." which are predominantly sit-
complained about sex and violence
profanity upset people the most.
on TV. that viewers call local stations
There's an outcry if you show partial
with their complaints. "I, too, deplore
nudity, but viewers don't care if peo-
The top 20 nerwork prime-time shows dunne
the work of March M. according 10 the A.C. Nat-
the garbage on TV, but it is vitally
ple get hacked up."
45 Co., were. "Home Improx ement. "NO Min-
important that we not interfere with
The best chance for a federal effort
utes." "Men Don t Tell." "Coach." "Roseanne."
the rights of those who like it," she
against TV violence would come if
"PrimeTime Live." "Reseue 911.' "Murder. She
Wrote "Seinfeld. "Check, "20 20. Northern
wrote. "Written protests to the spon-
the issue were taken up by first lady
Exposure. "Murphy Brown. "Full House. "Dr
sors are effective, but the most im-
Hillary Rodham Clinton or a group
Quinn. "Medicine Woman "Unsolved Myster-
res. "People Choke Awards." "Fresh Prince of
mediate censor is simply to use the
like the Children's Defense Fund,
Bel-Air. The Simpsons and "DJV One
off button."
says scriptwriter Ayres. "A heavy-
March 26. 1993
183
IV VIOLENCE
weight political lobby would be
on TV violence held by the House Judiciary
Kenneth D. Gadow and joyce Sprafkin,
needed because the industry will
Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
"Field Experiments of Television Violence
fight tooth and nail."
Ron Taffel. "Making Your Child Feel Safe in
with Children: Evidence for an Environmental
In November. then-President-elect
a Scary World." McCall's, February 1993. p.
Hazard?" Pediamics, March 3. 1989, P. 399.
60.
Clinton told TV Guide that makers of
se Oskamp, op. cit., P. 172.
films and TV programs "could, with-
'See Nancy Carlsson-Paige and Diane E. Lev-
" U.S. News s World Report, Feb. 1. 1993. P.
in, The Subversion of Healthy Development
65.
out undermining their artistic integri-
and Play: Teachers' Resctions to the Teenage
ry. have a major new impact on the
so Journal of the American Medical Associa-
Mutant Ninja Turtles, Day Care and Early
tion, op. ck.
way people view the world
Education, winter 1991.
⑉ loid.
There's no question the cumulative
*Testimony before the Senate Governmental
impact of this banalization of sex and
Affairs Committee, March 1992.
as Harvard panel discussion, op. cit.
violence in the popular culture is a
Testimony before the House Judiciary Sub-
as TV Guide, op. cit.
net negative for America.""
committee on Crime and Criminal Justice,
84 Quoted in Los Angeles Times, Sept. 24.
Dec. 15. 1992.
1989.
"When I first came to Los Angeles
and warned of the effects of TV vio-
"Speaking in a panel discussion on TV vio-
29 Quoted in Newsweek, April 1. 1991. P. 52.
lence at the Harvard School of Public Health
lence." says the NCTV's Lieberman,
M Robert Wharton and Frederick Mandell.
May 11. 1992, published by Mediascope, Jan-
"Violence on Television and Imitative Behav-
"I thought they'd say Oh. OK. we'll
usry 1993.
for," Pediatrics, June 1985. p. 1121.
fix it.' But 10 years later, I'm still
Carl M. Cannon, "Violent Verdict: Connect-
B7 Kathryn C. Montgomery, Target: Prime
heating my head against the wall.
ing TV and Real-Life Aggression," The Wash-
Time: Advocacy Groups and the Struggle
The people here are literally getting
ingion Post, Sept. 19. 1989.
Our Entertainment Television, (1989) P. 6.
away with murder."
a
* Stuart Oskamp (ed.), Television as . Social
. The Wasbington Post, Jan. 29. 1990.
Issue. (1988). P. 190.
so Quoted in Newsweek, Dec. 21, 1992.
Quoted in TV Guide, op. CII.
so Quoted by The Associated Press, March 12.
Notes
Albert J. Reiss Jr. and Jeffrey A. Roth, edi-
1993.
tors, Understanding and Preventing Violence,
(1993) P. 7.
" jib Powies, Why Viewers Watch: A Reap-
Quoted in TV Guide. "Is Vjolence Bat. mg
pratical of Tolevision's Effects, (1992) P. 244.
Forthcoming APA paper quoted in I mid S.
Our Kids?." Aug. 22-28. 1992. P. 8. Proth ow-
Barry. "Screen Violence and America's Chil-
as Harvard panel, op. Cit
Sixh's book. Deadly Consequences: How Vio-
dren," The Journal of the Writers Guild of
35 Panel discussion directed by Independent
lence is Destroying Our Teenage Population,
America, West, December/January, 1993. P.
Feature Project/West, Oct. 20. 1990. pub-
was published in 1991.
16.
Mshed by Mediascope, Oct. 1992.
Figures taken from a special report on vio-
Oskamp, op. cit., P. 199.
84 Ann Landers column, Feb. 20. 1993.
lence in the Journal of the American Medical
Association, June 10. 1992.
" Quoted in Los Angeles Times, May 18, 1992.
Harvard panel discussion, op. Cit.
06 Oskamp, op. Cif., p. 148.
se Quoted in The Washington Post, Nov. 13.
Gerbner testified Dec. 15. 1992. at hearings
1992.
184
CQ Researcber
Bibliography
Selected Sources Used
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over the risks of portraying violence, noting many of the
the 1970s. addressing such issues as sexism. gay bashing
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"Violence on Television: A Symposlum and
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This is an expanded version of the roundtable discussion
A psychologist edited this compendium of essays on the
among experts on TV violence that appeared in the Aug
much-studied conundrum of whether TV violence causes
22-28, 1992, issue of the national weekly. Panelists include
real violence. Includes academic papers as well as contribu-
TV executives, TV critics, academics and policy advocates.
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believe gore, you have to ask: What are we doing to
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A National Research Council team reviews the literature
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multiple causes.
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Barry. David S., "Screen Violence and America's Chil.
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television has intensified since TVs embryonic days in the
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"face the evidence" about TV's potential harms.
March 26, 1993
185
The Next Step
Additional information from UMI's Newspaper
& Periodical Abstracts database
Cable television
media illiteracy," The Chronicle of Higher Education,
July 8, 1992, PP. B1-B2.
Hall. Jane, "Standards on violence urged for cable
Dennis argues that viewers must understand that the me-
TV." Los Angeles Times, Dec. 16. 1992, p. D3.
dia form a powerful social institution with the potential to
During a Dec. 15. 1992. congressional subcommittee
foster violence.
meeting, the cable TV industry came under added pressure
to enact industrywide guidelines on depicting violence.
Perkins, Joseph, "Tawdry search for ratings," The
Washington Times, Jan. 17, 1993, p. B3.
Jackson, Robert L. "Cable vows to tackle Issue of vio-
Perkins comments on the three TV networks' made-for-
lence on TV." Los Angeles Times, Jan. 28, 1993. p. A14.
television movies about "trollop-cum-attempted murderess
The cable TV industry promised on Jan. 27. 1993. to ad-
Amy Fisher" and says the networks are only interested in
dress the problem of violence on its programs.
"exploiting violence and mayhem for ratings and profits."
Children and television
Stark, Steven, "Prime-time criminals," Boston Globe,
Jan. 4, 1993, P. 11.
Ingersoll, Brenda, "Dramatic re-enactments may hurt
Stark decries the glorification of persons who commit
kids," Detroit News & Free Press. Dec. 6. 1992, p. C1.
"spectacular" crimes by the media via television movies and
TV's popular "reality" shows. such as "Rescue 911." are
quasi-news programs, noting the cases of Mark David
attracting a greates number of child viewers and generating
Chapman, who shot and killed John Lennon, and teenager
concern among parents and experts in child psychology.
Amy Fisher, the "Long Island Lolita" who shot the wife of
her alleged adult lover.
Silver, Marc, "Troubling TV. ads," U.S. News & World
Report, Feb. 1. 1993, PP. 65-67.
Braxton, Greg. "TV described as being catalyst for
Parents may feel safe about letting their children watch
lawlessness," Los Angeles Times, Oct. 22, 1992, P. A31.
some prime-time TV programs. but they may not be aware
Live TV coverage of the Los Angeles riots was a catalyst
of the violent commercials airing during the shows.
for further looting and violence, according to the special
panel investigating police response to the civil unrest.
Williams, Michael, "He-Men yield to humor as Kidvid
defends niche," Variety, July 27, 1992, P. 39.
Braxton, Greg and Steve, "Fla. killing shocks LA.
Programmers of children's shows are increasingly blend-
viewers," Los Angeles Times, Jan. 21, 1993, p. F1.
ing animated programming with news. documentaries and
Many viewers called to criticize the Los Angeles TV sta-
drama series. They are also calling for less violence.
tions that showed a man shooting his estranged wife in a
Florida cemetery.
Community response
Freeman, Mike, "LA's local news takes to the
Braxton, Greg. "Hitting TV violence with the 'off
streets," Broadcasting May 4. 1992, p. 11.
switch," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 12, 1992, p. F3.
When violence erupted in South-Central Los Angeles fol-
Nov. 13. 1992 will be the second annual grass-roots
lowing the verdict in the Rodney King trial, local TV sta-
"Tum Off the TV Day." a nationwide effort of a group of
tions offered graphic live transmissions of it. Other
people fed up with the sex and violence on TV.
coverage of the riots, looting and fires is discussed.
Came, Barry, "A child's crusade," Maclean's, Dec. 7,
Kolbert, Elizabeth, "Killing shown on TV prompts de-
1992, PP. 46-47.
bate," The New York Times, Jan. 22, 1993, P. A10.
Virginia Lariviere felt the person who killed her sister
The decisions by TV news shows around the nation to
may have been influenced by TV. She and her family gath-
broadcast a videotape of the brutal killing of Maritza Nunez
ered nearly 1.3 million signatures on a petition to curb and
has prompted calls of outrage.
eventually eliminate violence on Canadian TV.
Rondell, Avital, "Haunted TV: Rodney King/video/trau-
Dennis, Everette E., "Mounting a campaign against
ma," Artforum, Sepember 1992, PP. 71-73.
186
CQ Researcher
The heating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police offi-
"Violence-free TV," Denver Post, Dec. 17. 1992, P. B12.
cers is examined III relation 10 TV's representation of vio-
An editorial says that while anti-violence guidelines
lence and crime. making them a media event.
adopted by the three major television networks look good
in theory, they probably won't have much effect.
Waters, Harry F., "America's ugliest home videos,"
Newsweek, June 15. 1992, PP. 59-60.
Regulation
The proliferation of shows that air home video record-
ings of murders ,1111 other grisly events for viewing is dis-
Ostrow, Joanne, "Those who value free speech
cussed.
tune out TV violence," Denver Post, Dec. 12, 1992, P.
A21.
Weiner, Stewart. "Shock TV," TV Guide, April 4. 1992,
Ostrow opposes the regulation of violence on TV for
PP. 30-32.
of infringing on the First Amendment and concern
"I Witness Vkkr," is discussed for its impact in bringing
who creates the guidelines.
harrowing. real-lite incidents to U.S. TV audiences.
Shah, Sonia, "Couch potatoes like big guns," Nuclear
Legislation
Times, Winter 1991, PP. 41-42.
The epidemic of TV depictions of violence and harass-
Foisie, Geoffrey and Randy Sukow, "Schumer wants
ment has bred 2 generation of hostile, alienated, paranoid
violence rating for TV shows," Broadcasting, Dec. 21,
Americans. The effects of TV violence and the difficulty of
1992, PP. 38-39.
regulating levels of violence on TV are discussed.
House Crime and Criminal Justice Subcommittee Chair-
man Charles E. Schumer. D-N.Y., has proposed special
Research and studies
warnings or a ratings system. like that used for films, to
alen parents, about violence levels on TV shows.
Brady, Diane, "The power of "cowabungs,"
lean's, Dec. 7, 1992, p. 50.
Hodges, Ann, TV violence can be dangerous," Hous-
The American Psychological Association states that TV vi-
ton Chronicle, Jan. 24. 1993. P. Z11.
olence can encourage aggressiv : behavior.
Hodges comments on an initiative by Sen. Paul Simon,
D-III.. aimed at making TV nerworks restrict the violence
Clark, Kenneth R., "Yes, TV violence is awful,
that they allow to he broadcast on their programs.
what's the cure!" Chicago Tribune, Oct. 25, 1992, P. 1.
Kenneth R. Clark discusses case studies that indicate that
Kurtz, Howard, "Clinton takes shot at Hollywood, TV,"
TV is a prime factor in the increase of U.S. violence.
The Washington POSL Nov. 13, 1992, P. A4.
President-elect Clinton says he is "mortified" by some of
Johnson, Bill, "Exposure to on-screen violence
what is shown on TV and that Hollywood should take the
our children," Detroit News, Jan. S, 1993, p. AS.
lead in "deglamorizing mindless sex and violence."
Johnson comments on the proposed reduction in TV vio-
lence, concluding there is s link between excessive vio-
Rosenberg, Howard, "Conferences won't end TV car.
lence on TV and real-life aggression.
nage," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 1, 1993, p. F1.
Rosenberg discusses the proliferation of TV violence, de-
Price, James H, Elaine A. Merrill and Michael E.
spite the 1990 Television Improvement Act.
Clause, "The depiction of guns on prime time
sion," Journal of School Health, January 1992, PP. 15-
Network response
18.
The role of violence on prime-time TV. was assessed by
Goodman, Adam and Robert L. "Networks to limit vi.
studying two weeks of regular prime-time programming
olence," SL Louis Post-Dispatch, Dec. 12, 1992, p.
four major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) for scenes
A12.
in which guns were either used or displayed.
The nation's three largest television nerworks have
agreed on voluntary standards to limit TV violence.
Vobejda, Barbara, "Home alone, glued to the TV." The
Washington Post, Dec. 10, 1992, p. A3.
Hodges, Ann, "Rallying cry at CBS is family values,"
Millions of American teenagers spend much of their
Houston Chronicle. Jan. 14. 1993, p. E1.
time without supervision, a Carnegie Corporation study
The TV networks .151° responding to complaints about too
found, issuing a bleak description of young people who
much sex and violence on TV programming by softening
rarely read but often devote themselves to watching
1
their plot lines and ching more romance.
sion and involvement in drugs, gangs, violence and sex.
March 26, 1993
187
And now,
a word from a
Mother
THE WASHINGTON POST
SUNDAY. July 18. 1993
Forget the First Amendment.
When it Comes to TV Violence,
All I Care About
is Protecting My Kids.
By Megan Rosenfeld
- Past - Wreer
wo weeks ago I was sent to the Capitol
mentary school. Too often, television is not about pro-
the average child will have watched by the end of ele-
assaults excluding use of guns" (389 incidents), that
the Center for Media and Public Affairs) to "serious
weapon" (226 examples in one day's monitoring by
of violence, ranging from a "menacing threat with a
they put on television. That includes the 100,000 acts
so resolutely unconcerned about the impact of what
abrogated their rights to freedom of speech by being
Amendment flag. As far as I'm concerned, they have
T
Hill press conference at which the major
networks announced their new plan to la-
bel violent television shows. It was a last-
minute assignment, and I grabbed the.only
note-ped pad T could find in thirbouse. Once 1 sat down in
the crowded and tension-filled hearing room in the
Dirksen Senate Office Building. I turned to the top
page of the note pad and found a drawing by my 9-
year-old son-of a beautifully detailed weapon careful-
by labeled "infinity war mutant bounty gun."
So, guys, I said to myself as I leaned back and
looked at the suits lined up at the microphone, tell me
about violence on TV.
There has been a lot of moaning in reaction to
these labels. One side, the anti-violence lobby. says
GS VIOLENCE for Cal -
they're a palliative, a crumb tossed at the mob to stall
legislators from actually regulating the airwaves, a li-
cense to produce even more violence as long as it's is.
what happens when he gets bored with the show, as
sure that Bochco will be just artistic as all get-out, but
taste standards, even the puny one of labeling. I'm
ative mind that could be hindered by the imposition of
This show is often cited as the work of a highly cre-
envelope" of profanity, audity and artistic violence.
has been widely predicted, will "push the edge of the
new 5 ries this fall on ABC, "NYPD Blue," which, it
The much-lauded Steven Bochco is offering a
pretending otherwise is foolish.
tecting speech, it is about protecting a business, and
beled. The other side, the so-called "creative commu-
nity" and the civil liberties dogmatists, is crying about
artistic freedom and the First Amendment. Labeling.
they say, is the first step down the slippery slope of
censorship. -1 think we are being enormously scape-
goated." producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") told this
newspaper. "If you listen to Congress. it's las if] tele.
vision IS the root of all social ills in this country."
.ih. please. I find myself curiously unmoved by
television producers covering themselves with a First
911" and "Unsolved Mysteries"-
TV
that could conceivably be classified
as violent. Most of the top-rated
shows are sitcoms or newsmag-
azines-in other words. just pro-
grams that consist of tasteless jokes.
VIOLENCE From GI
sexual and racial stereotypes. and
the occasional thoughtful. well-re-
he did with "L.A. Law." and leaves it
searched expose. But not violence.
in the hands of lesser mortals? We'll
A Times-Mirror survey of more
be left with a flabby envelope and no
than 1,500 adults released last
art.
March found that 80 percent
We have an unfortunate tradition
thought that television violence-
in this country of putting the "rights"
whether on the networks or cable-
of adults before the needs of chil-
was harmful to society, compared
dren. You can see that demonstrated
with 64 percent who thought so in
every day in courthouses, cl ss-
1983. The number who thought it
rooms and social work bureaucracies
was "very harmful" (as opposed to
everywhere. Television is no excep-
just plain harmful) increased from 26
tion: Every socially useful change
percent to 47 percent. The most fre-
that has been made in recent
quent viewers of violent programs
years-like the elimination of ciga-
were those under the age of 30.
rette and liquor advertising or iden-
Do people watch violent shows be-
tifying the early evening hours for
cause they want violence or because
"family" viewing-has been forced
that is what's there? If television
down the networks' throats. Some-
producers really confronted the is-
how, I am not convinced that they
sue, they would have to admit that
want to use the First Amendment in
throwing another fistfight or choke
my family's interest.
hold into the script is an easy way to
"The whole issue is very circular."
create tension and drama, while do-
Marcy Kelly. president of a watch-
ing it with words and nonviolent plot
dog and education group based in
twists is much harder. I suspect it is
Los Angeles called Mediascope, told
the "creative community" that is ad-
dicted to violence, not the viewers.
One way to find out how big the
Let's segregate all
audience for violence really is would
be to segregate all the violent shows
the violent shows on
onto one channel-the V Network,
we'll call it-which would be avail-
one channel-the V
able to cable subscribers, for a fee. If
that works we can move on to the
Network. If that
Stupid Sitcom Network. the Humili-
ating Game Show Channel and the
works, we can move
Grotesque Talk Show Broadcasting
System. and make things a lot easier
on to the Stupid
for the consumer.
Sitcom Network, the
At the press conference. it was in-
Humiliating Game
teresting to hear the big network
cheeses refer to their own children
Show Channel and
as they pledged to serve up more
programming they are not ashamed
the Grotesque Talk
of. Sen. Paul Simon (D-UI.). who is
the anti-violence point man on this
Show Broadcasting
issue. also spoke about a CBS meet-
ing he'd been told about in which one
System.
executive asked the others. "Would
you like our children to be watching
these programs?" Howard Stringer
(CBS) mentioned his 5-month-old
CQ Researcher. "The writer will
and Warren Littlefield (NBC) his
say, That's what the producer
three children. to demonstrate how
wants me to write. The producer
genuine their concern is about the
will sav. That's what the network
quality of television. Funny how peo-
vants The network will sav.
pic feel differently when it's their
Draws what the advertisers want
own kids
the advertisers will sav. That's
Whenever I interview people III
what the pubbe wants. The question
the film or television business I al-
how can we break the circle?"
ways ask them if they restrict of
Willi lines lew ideas
montor their child's television
watching There always sill they do
10-1 111 lihi better par.
THE WASHINGTON POST
And when asked about the question
the day that my kids don't ask. "Can
of violence on television, he said,
I watch TVR And then, -Why not?"
"There's nothing we can do about Il
I could use some help. I feel as if I
except continue to be critical. To
spend too much time as a parent
protect our children we must be
censoring and saying no, and fighting
hypocrites
off the unceasing lures thrown out
I guess that's me.
by the Howard Stringers of the
I am not a person who wants to
world.
eradicate all trash on television. Nor
A technological aid-a device that
Network executives
would allow me to block out pro-
grams I expect to be inappropri-
sold advertising on
ate-fills me with a combination of
dread and curiosity. I will never buy
the premise that
those 500 channels we are being
promised (aren't you glad some of
commercials would
our best minds are working on give
ing us that television breakthrough
prod us lowly
instead of conquering world hun-
ger?). But spending some of my rare
viewers to buy
non-working hours programming a
products, but
"week's worth of television blockage
is not my idea of quality time.
refused to admit
A call to Circuit City elicited the
information that I can now buy a
that the programs
television with a "parent control ca-
pability." I could program when it.
surrounding the
would turn on and off, and block out
some channels This would cost me
commercials could
only between $600 and $700. Per-
haps Dick Wolf or Steven Bocheo
possibly influence
would like to buy me one.
My stepson told me someone has
anyone to do
invented a bicycle-powered televi-
sion, which would certainly cut down
anything.
on viewing in our household. I'm not
sure it really deals with the violence
question. however.
So, for now, I'll take the labels. I
do I think Louney Tunes should be
would prefer that the creators of
listed among the most violent shows,
television would produce less VEH
as the National Contition on Televi-
lence (and less garbage in general).
sion Violence does. I have friends,
but perhaps this initiative will help
and even relatives. who write for
make that happen. It is. at least. an
and act on television, and other
acknowledgment that what they put
friends who would love to do so. I am
on the air really does affect human
happy to assert my responsibility as
life. and for that I am grateful. Previ-
a parent and issue dictums that
ously. network executives sold ad-
make my children think I am Cruella
vertising on the premise that com-
de Vil. I know that little boys will
mercials would prod us lowly
draw pictures of guns. and always
viewers to buy products. but refused
have drawn pictures of guns. regard-
to admit that the programs sur-
less of how much violence they wee
rounding the commercials could pus.
on television. And I do not think a
sibly influence anyone to du any-
television show causes someone to
thing.
go out and commit murder; it just
I hope the industry. including the
gives them an excuse after the fact.
cable operators and independent
But I admit it: If there were such
producers who refused to sign on to
a thing as the Taste Police, I would
the two-year labeling experiment.
want to be the chief. We all think we
will take seriously the companion
know what's best. especially when It
plan to sensitize producers. writers
comes to our children. And tell nk,
and program developers to violence.
have the presidents of NBC. CBS.
The objective is to do for violence
ABC and the schlock-specialists at
what they did for seat belts. drug
Fox Broadcasting done such a great
use and cigarette and alcohol CODE
job of looking out for our interests?
sumption-glanwrize the good stuff
I have always believed that televi-
and downplay the bad.
sion is a tool you should teach your
There IS a real possibility that
children to master. not avoid, be.
cause M is unavoidable Throwing It
nothing will change. In that case I
will have no choice: I will have to
out 16 a solution, but that doesn't
take the television out and throw it
teach children to make choices In
my household we-don't allow televi-
bomb at II. I sure hope nobody else
ston on school rughts. for example,
will be hit by the Aying debus.
and.we.try Bolumitt at when tunes
But the pull of the black box in the
corper is always there. and rare 15
RECENT COMMENTS ON TELEVISION VIOLENCE as of July 1992
"Violence: Merely Entertaining or Mainly Evil?" Dr. Carole Lieberman, Los
Angeles Times, May 15, 1992
"We readily accept that children learn the alphabet from Sesame Street,' why can't
we accept that they learn the ABCs of murder and mayhem from gratuitously violent
entertainment?"
"Violence sells. So does crack cocaine. Does that make k O.K.?"
"Individual writers, producers and executives feel overwhelmed by the concept that
what they write, produce or choose to air could change the likes of millions of people,
so they deny the power of their work to avoid a responsibility they often feel
#l-equipped to handle?"
"Television and Violence: The Scale of the Problem and Where to Go from
Here." Dr. Brandon S. Centerwall, The Journal of the American Medical
Association, June 10, 1992
"In light of recent research findings, in 1990 the American Academy of Pediatrics
issued a policy statement: Pediatricians should advise parents to limit they
children's television viewing to one to two hours per day."
"Whereas infants have Instinctive desire to imitate observed human behavior, they
do not possess an instinct for gauging a priori whether a behavior ought to be
imitated. They will Imitate anything. Including behaviors that most adults would
regard as destructive and antisocial."
"...up through ages three and four years, many children are unable to distinguish
fact from fantasy in television programs and remain unable to do so despite adult
coaching. In the minds of such young children, television is a source of entirely
factual information regarding how the world works."
"In a national opinion poll, 43 percent of adult Americans affirm that television
violence 'plays a part in making America a violent society,' and an additional 37
percent find the thesis at least plausible (only 16 percent frankly disbelieve the
proposition.)"
the epidemiologic evidence Indicates that If, hypothetically, television technology
had never been developed, there would be 10,000 fewer homicides each year in the
United States, 70,000 fewer rapes, and 700,000 fewer Injurious assaults."
"Issues of 'quality' and 'social responsibility' are entirely peripheral to the issue of
maximizing audience size within a competitive market-and there is no formula more
tried and true than violence for reliably generating large audiences that can be sold
to advertisers."
"Children's exposure to television and television violence should become part of the
public health agenda, along with safety seats, bicycle heimets, immunizations and
good nutrition."
Fateful Choices, Fred M. Hechinger, Carnegie Council on Adolescent
Development, 1992
"It is estimated by the time youngsters graduate from high school, many of them will
have watched television 22,000 hours, compared to only half that number spent in
school. By eighteen, young people will have been exposed to as many as 18,000
televised murders and 800 suicides."
An average of 80.3 percent of all television programs contain violent acts, and a
typical program Includes 5.21 such Incidents.
Deborah Prothrow-Stith, an assistant dean in Harvard's School of Public Health,
"calls for a movement like that fueling the anti-smoking and drunk driving campaigns
Television and movies should portray the pain and suffering. the bad outcomes
of violence."
[MORE]
"Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society,"
American Psychological Association (APA), 1992
The rate of violence on prime-time television is about five to six Incidents per hour,
whereas the rate of violence on children's Saturday morning programs is 20 to 25
acts per hour.
The average child witnesses 8,000 murders by the time he/she graduates from
elementary school and witnesses more than 100,000 assorted acts of violence.
"Many of the poorest and most vulnerable groups In our society are also the heavlest
users of television, In part because television is a default option used when other
activities are not available."
"Does Media Violence Beget the Real Thing?" Jeremy Iggers, Minneapolis
Star Tribune, June 13, 1992
Almost twenty years ago, sociologist Rose Goldsen of the University of Pennsylvania
warned that America is engaged in the world's first coast-to-coast experiment in
behavior modification, and no one can foretell what the consequences will be.
(Rose Goldsen) wrote an essay in which she argued that viewers of television
violence experienced a pattern of alternating stimulation and abrupt interruption
(caused by commercials) that closely resembles the desensitization techniques
used by psychologists to modify behavior. After repeated treatments with these
techniques, said Goldsen, even the strongest psychological connections can be
broken down."
"Contemporary heroes and villains are different The enemy is usually totally
viclous and depraved, and in some cases not human. The hero's job is not to bring
the villain to justice, but rather to destroy him or it"
"In a world where the violence that looks real is really just make-belleve, and the real
violence is made to look like a game, can we expect people to have a serious
understanding of the meaning of violence?"
"TV, Film Link to Reality of Violence," Diego Ribadeneira, The Boston Globe,
May 12, 1992
"Any form of legal restriction should not be attempted and would not be attempted
and would not work because of the threat it would pose for the First Amendment."
- Edward Donnerstein, a professor in the department of communication at the
University of California at Santa Barbara.
"No one is claiming that television violence is the sole cause of this epidemic" of
youth violence, said Leonard D. Eron, a professor of psychology at the University of
Illinois in Chicago. "However, it is one of the causes and R is one that something
can be done about. is It too much to ask the television Industry to police Itself?"
"Just Another Murder, Just Another Show," Judy Mann, The Washington Post,
May 13, 1992
"In the report, Deborah Prothrow-Stith, an assistant dean in Harvard's School of
Public Health, told of a 13-year-old who was hospitalized for a gunshot wound: "He
was surprised because it hurt."
-30-
PAUL SIMON
COMMITTEES
LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES
JUDICIARY
FOREIGN ELATIONS
United States Senate
BUDGET
WASHINGTON DC 20510
BACKGROUNDER/BACXGROUHDER/BACEGROUNDER/BACRGROUIDER
BACKGROUNDER
MCKGROUNDER
BACKGROUNDER: TELEVISION VIOLENCE
MCKGROUNDER
MCKGROUNDER
MCEGROUNDER
AACKGROUNDER/BACEGROOHDER/BACKCROUNDER/BACKGROUHDER
Office of U.S. Senator Paul Simon
Illinois
ALMANAC.
ALMANAC. More than 96 percent of American homes have at least
ALMANAC. one television set. Television is a major source of
information and influence in children's lives. The
average child spends more time watching television than in the
classroom. . . . According to the Nielsen Index the average
American child watches 18,000 television murders before he or
she graduates from high school. ... An average child between
the ages of 2 and 11 now views 27.3 hours of television per
week. By age 16, he or she has watched over 20,000 hours of
television.
RESEARCH.
RESEARCH. The report of the U.S. Attorney General's Task
RESEARCH. Force on Family Violence concludes that "evidence
is becoming overwhelming that, just as witnessing
violence in the home may contribute to normal adults and
children learning and acting out violent behavior, violence on
television may contribute to the same result."
Drs. Leonard Eron and Rowell Huesmannof the University of
Illinois-Chicago and other researchers have found that children
with aggressive tendencies tend to watch violent progams and
are more likely to believe that TV violence mirrors real life.
In 1982, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop reported there is a
causal correlation between viewing violence and aggressive
behavior. The National Institute of Mental Health, which had
examined the issue for the Surgeon General, provided testimony
before the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice in 1984 that
a "sizable number of studies did support the inference that
there was a causal connection between the viewing of televised
violence and later aggressive behaviors."
Research has shown three possible effects of viewing television
violence: (1) Children may become less sensitive to the pain
and suffering of others; (2) They may be more fearful of the
world around them; and (3) They may be more likely to behave in
an aggressive or harmful way toward others. -- John P. Murray
and Barbara Lonnberg, "Violence on TV: Do Children Learn From
It?"
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Statement on
Children, Adolescents, and Television finds that "repeated
exposure to televised violence promotes a proclivity to
violence and a passive response to its practice." -- June,
1985.
"In one study, children who had watched a violent television
program were found to be more likely to hurt another child than
(MORE)
BACKGROUNDER: Television Violence-2-2-2-2-2
were those who had watched a nonviolent program. In non-
laboratory settings, children have injured themselves by
imitating behaviors viewed on TV. Another study suggested that
children may learn to perceive aggresive behavior as normal and
acceptable." . "Other studies have shown that these
findings persist even when factors such as family background
are taken into account. In a study of 158 elewentary school
children from a middle-class suburb, children who watched more
violent television programs were rated by their teachers as
less cooperative, less successful in interpersonal
relationships and less happy; these findings were statistically
significant regardless of the children's age, sex, social
class, IQ or parents' television viewing habits." -- B. James
Holroyd, M.D., Pediatrics, Feb., 1985.
35 young men between the ages of 8 to 31 years have killed
themselves playing Russian Roulette while imitating a acene
from the movie, 'The Deer Hunter,' which they had seen on
television." ... the pain of victims and anguish of
relatives are rarely portrayed. Thus, the child learns that
violence may be a quick and easy solution to conflicts while
being deprived of any opportunity to feel empathy for the
victim." -- Robert Wharton, M.D, and Frederick Mandell, M.D.,
Pediatrics, June, 1985.
"In a comprehensive review of the research literature on
telvision content, Signorielli and colleauges concluded that
consistently high levels of violence and aggression have been
reported in studies of television programming, regardless of
the measures used to define or assess violence. They reported
that children's television programs are six times as violent as
adults' television programs." ... "Dozens of laboratory
studies have consistently demonstrated that children imitate
the violence that they have just W tched on television." . . .
"Despite psychologists' suggestions in the 1950's that watching
television violence has a cathartic effect, and thus reduces
viewers' aggressive behavior, there are no data from recent
years to support that theory." . . . "A special opportunity to
assess the impact of televised violence in a community setting
occurred with the introduction of television in a small
Canadian community that had never had access to television
before. The results demonstrated that verbal and physical
aggression increased among primary school children in this
community after television became available." . . . "One of the
few studies that contradicts these findings was conducted by
researchers at the National Broadcasting Company. They found
the relationship between viewing television violence and
aggressive behavior several years later became insignificant
when social class was controlled. The study had several
important limitations. First, children's aggressive behavior
was defined strictly to include only 'physical or verbal acts
intended or known in advance to cause injuries to others' and
did not include rough play or other unintended aggressive
behavior." -- Diana M. Zuckerman, Ph.D., and Barry 3.
Zuckerman, M.D., Pediatrics.
"American viewers have more access to violent television
programming than the citizens of several other nations
(Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, West Germany
and Spain) monitored by the International Coalition on
Television. According to TV monitoring by the 88-country
coalition, the United States also has the dubious distinction
of exporting programs which account for 65 percent of all the
violence shown on Canadian, English, Australian and New Zealand
television." -- American Family Physician, April 1984.
.........
RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE; Contact: David Carle, 202-224-7115
PAUL SIMON
COMMITTEES
ILLINOIS
LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES
JUDICIARY
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
United States Senate
BUDGET
INDIAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1302
Background on Television Violence
Joint efforts such as the Advance Parental Advisory Plan and
the industrywide conference on television violence in Los
Angeles are enabled by the Television Violence Act, which
waives antitrust laws for three years to allow self-regulation by
the television and film industries in addressing TV violence. The
Simon law was enacted in 1990 and expires on Dec. 1.
Contact: David Carle, 202-224-7115
462 DIRKSEN BUILDING
230 S. DEARBORN
3 WEST OLD CAPITOL PLAZA
250 WEST CHERRY
WASHINGTON DC 20510-1302
KLUCZYNSKI BLDG. 38TH FLOOR
SUITE 1
ROOM 115-B
202/224-2152
CHICAGO. IL 60604
SPRINGFIELD. IL 62701
CARBONDALE, IL 62901
TDD 202/224-5469
312/353-4952
217/492-4960
618/457-3653
TDD: 312/786-0308
TDD. 217/544-7524
SIMON TELEVISION VIOLENCE LAW
ENACTED DECEMBER 1990
TITLE V-TELEVISION PROGRAM
Television
Program
IMPROVEMENT
Improvement
Act of 1990
SEC. 501. TELEVISION PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT.
47 USC 303c.
(a) SHORT TITLE.-This section may be cited as the "Television
Program Improvement Act of 1990".
(b) DEFINITIONS.-For purposes of this section-
(1) the term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given it in
subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C.
12(a)), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal
Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such
section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition;
(2) the term "person in the television industry" means a
television network, any entity which produces programming
(including theatrical motion pictures) for telecasting or telecasts
programming, the National Cable Television Association, the
Association of Independent Television Stations, Incorporated,
the National Association of Broadcasters, the Motion Picture
Association of America, the Community Antenna Television
Association, and each of the retworks' affiliate organizations,
and shall include any individual acting on behalf of such
person; and
(3) the term "telecast" means-
(A) to broadcast by a television broadcast station; or
(B) to transmit by a cable television system or a satellite
television distribution service.
(c) EXEMPTION.-The antitrust laws shall not apply to any joint
discussion, consideration, review, action, or agreement by or among
persons in the television industry for the purpose of, and limited to,
developing and disseminating voluntary guidelines designed to
alleviate the negative impact of violence in telecast material.
(d) LIMITATIONS.-(1) The exemption provided in subsection (c)
shall not apply to any joint discussion, consideration, review, action.
or agreement which results in a boycott of any person.
104 STAT. 5128
PUBLIC LAW 101-650-DEC. 1, 1990
(2) The exemption provided in subsection (c) shall apply only to
any joint discussion, consideration, review, action, or agreement
engaged in only during the 3-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this section.
Office of Sen. Paul Simon, D-III.
Television Violence:
A Recent Chronology
DECEMBER 1, 1990: President George Bush signs Sen. Paul Simon's Television
Violence Act, exempting the television industry from federal antitrust limits for three
years to allow industry self-regulation to scale back depictions of violence in
entertainment programs through development of common standards affecting content.
The law covers broadcasters, the cable industry, Hollywood and others.
JUNE 30, 1992: Midway through the three-year Television Violence Act, in an address
on the floor of the United States Senate, Simon faults the television industry for its
inaction under the law. Simon suggests, "... the industry seems to be in a test-pattern,
hoping the law will lapse before the public notices."
DECEMBER 11, 1992: Sen. Paul Simon announces first joint standards for the depiction
of violence in television programs on behalf of ABC, CBS and NBC. It 1 the first
substantial use of the Television Violence Act and will affect programming on the
networks beginning with the 1993-94 television season.
MAY 12, 1993: Sen. David Durenberger, R-Minn., introduces the Children's Television
Violence Protection Act of 1993 in the United States Senate. The bill would require
both television broadcast licensees and cable operators to notify viewers through the use
of a video and audio warning label that certain programming may contain violence or
unsafe gun practices and may adversely affect the mental or physical health of a child.
The bill is designed to assist parents and other adults in making responsible and informed
decisions about the programming children should watch.
MAY 12, 1993: The House Energy and Commerce telecommunications subcommittee
holds a hearing to coincide with the May sweeps period.
MAY 18, 1993: Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Rep. Richard Durbin, D-III., introduce
legislation to require the Federal Communications Commission to compile quarterly
reports on television violence. The reports would list programs containing the most acts
of violence and the companies purchasing advertising on such programs.
MAY 21, 1993: Simon convenes Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the
Constitution for a hearing on television violence which features for the first time
executives from the broadcast and cable segments of the television industry who
acknowledge that they are 'part of the problem of violence in American society.' They
release their fall 1993 programming schedules.
Thomas Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Capital Cities/ABC says "the increased
sensitivity of the American people to depictions of violence on television has led us to be
more sensitive in ordering shows for our new schedules."
Howard Stringer, president, CBS Broadcast Group, says: "We are guests in the living
rooms of America, so our personal values should be the most useful litmus test of taste
and the surest guide to decency and sensitivity."
George Vradenburg, executive vice president of Fox, Inc., the newest over-the-air
television broadcast services, suggests: "The hypothesis that televising certain kinds of
violent behavior may, in turn, affect public behaviors and attitudes is, to be, quite
plausible; and repetition of violence on television, one reasonably fears, can desensitize
us to violence in society."
JUNE 7, 1993: Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., announces formation of the Citizens Task
Force on TV Violence and launches a national petition drive to reduce TV violence.
Groups participating in the drive include the International Association of Chiefs of
Police, the National PTA, American Medical Association, National Foundation to
Improve Television, Americans for Responsible Television, National Council for
Children's TV and Media, American Psychological Association, American Academy of
Pediatrics, National Council of Churches, American Psychiatric Association, American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, American Nurses Association -
American Academy of Nursing, National Association of Elementary School Principals,
Alliance Against Violence in Entertainment for Children, the National Association of
Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Social Workers. Signatures
acquired during the petition drive will be presented to television, cable and movie
executives at a meeting August 2nd in Los Angeles by Conrad.
JUNE 8, 1993: Simon continues oversight hearings on use of the Television Violence
Act. Studio executives testify about Hollywood's contributions to television violence and
are asked what their industry intends to do about it.
The president of the leading manufacturer of television programming in Hollywood,
Leslie Moonves of Lorimar Television (with 33 pilots in 1992-1993 alone), explains the
entertainment industry is an extraordinarily collaborative business involving the studios,
the writers, the networks and advertisers. Each represents a vital component of the
industry and working together, can improve programming offered to American
households.
Stephen Palley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of King World
Productions, one of the nation's leading syndicators of first-run original television
programming, concludes "The American public has, through its viewing preferences and
habits, made clear that gratuitous or excessive violence on television programs is
unacceptable. As corporate and individual citizens with families, we share that judgment;
and we -- and the television stations which air our shows -- exercise our editorial
discretion consistent with that principle."
JUNE 24, 1993: The House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee holds its
second hearing. Ted Turner, chairman of Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc., says he is
convinced that TV violence is a direct cause of the street violence that he says makes
U.S. society "by far the most violent on earth." Turner says his company and
broadcasters airing violent programs are guilty of "murder." Turner contends that if the
entertainment industry fails to voluntarily cut violent programming, Congress should write
its own anti-violence statute and "ram it down their throats." Turner contends "television
violence is the single most significant factor contributing to violence in America."
JUNE 30, 1993: Sen Paul Simon convenes news conference with Rep. Edward Market
and executives from NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox, and Jack Valenti to announce the
implementation by the networks of the advance parental advisory plan for the next two
years. Beginning with their programming this fall, the networks will label violence-prone
shows with an eight-word advisory: "Due to some violent content, parental discretion
advised."
Each network will decide for itself when to issue the advisory. It will run at the
beginning of the program and during commercial breaks, and also will be included in
advertising and promotional material for the program as well as being offered to
newspapers and magazines that print television schedules.
Simon calls the parental warning label "a significant step in the direction of assuring that
a powerful medium can be a force for good in our society."
JULY 1, 1993: A House Energy and Commerce telecommunications subcommittee
hearing examines the parental warning program. Some lawmakers suggest the warnings
need to be accompanied by technology enabling parents to block certain shows they
deem unsuitable for children. The latest technological development to accomplish this is
the so-called v-chip, a concept envisioned by Rep. Markey, which could be inserted into
new tv sets.
MPAA president Jack Valenti says that as configured, the v-chip would encourage
parents to block all violent programs without proper consideration. "I'm opposed to
indictment without appraisal," he tells the panel. "Parental discretion means it ought to
be done individually."
JULY 29, 1993: The National Cable Television Association announces that 15 cable
networks will join broadcast networks in implementing the Advance Parental Advisory
program for violent programs.
-30-
ELEVISION
Los Angeles Times
7-18-93
Caging the Beast, Continued
Are the networks serious about curbing violence? An upcoming meeting looms as a key test, as a wary Congress awaits action
By DANIEL CERONE
industry will sit down in 8 room, a rather
through Capital Hill with all the speed and
and violence." A Times Mirror survey
public room, and look for solutions to
momentum of an avaianche.
subsequently found that 80% of Americans
E
ver since Sen. Paul Simon (D-m.)
violence. Easy and facile solutions might
Although violence in news and sports is
believe TV violence IS harmful to society.
turned on a hotel television set in
not be the best ones."
also of concern, the main assault has been
and 72% believe there is too much violence
1985 and saw a movie in which a body
That attitude riles industry critics. "T've
on gratuitous, glorified maybem in enter-
in entertainment programming
being dismembered with a chain saw.
just lost all patience. and I think ever, cody
tainment programming-TV movies. the-
. In May. a wave of Democratic poliu-
he has been on a personal crusade to clean
else has too." said Rep. John Bryant
atrical movies and reality-based crime
clans convened a dramatic series of con-
up violence on television. For several years
(D-Tex). "I don't know why everyone
series-that portray people using force to
gressional hearings on the subject. They
he compled mountains of research to give
wants to spend the day in a group grope
deal with crises. In the last eight months.
were backed by three decades of volumn-
weight to his urgent manage: that the
discussing a subject that's obvious to ev-
the attacks have become relentless:
sous research indicating that TV violence
alarming rise of violence in society can be
erybody already."
. in November. President-elect Clinton
leads to more aggressive behavior in
linked to the rise of violence on
said in a TV Guide interview that be was
viewers. plus new studies citing a nee M
television.
f there was ever an industry in need of a
"mortified" by some of what as shown on
violence on television today. During one of
In December, 1990. Simon used his
quick fix. this is #. Controversy over the
television and that Hollywood should take
the hearings. acting Federal Communica-
information to persuade lawmakers in
effect of TV violence has snowballed
the lead in "deglamorising mindless sex
tions Commission Chairman James Quello
Washington to pass what amounted to a
voiced his support for imposing strict
challenge-signed into law by President
on when programs with violence could be
Bush-giving the TV industry
shown.
three years to clean up its BCL or else have
. Last month. 19 major organisations,
the government step in and do IL
including the National PTA. the American
After 2½ years of virtual silence, Holly-
Medical Assn. and the National Council of
wood is suddenly responding to what
Churches. formed a letter-writing Citizens
says.
Task Force to combat TV violence.
The top brass at CBS. ABC. NBC and Fox
All the while. a growing number of bills
flew to Washington last month and an-
have been introduced that-if enacted-
that. beginning this fall. the
seem likely to pit Hollywood
or vorks will voluntarily attach parental-
Washington in a monumental battle
ad: aory labels to TV series and movie.
First Amendment nghts.
that contain what the networks deem to be
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).
chairman of the telecommunications
a high level of violence.
finance subcommittee of the House
And in two weeks. an unprecedented
summit meeting of media minds will take
and Commerce Committee. has proposed a
in Los Angeles when key members of
TV-ratings system similar to the one used
the broadcast and cable TV industries sit
by theatrical movies and a government-
mandated device on new TV sets that
down together in a daylong conference.
would let parents lock OUR violent pro-
organized by the National Council for
gramming Other anti-violence bills to
Families & Television. or NCFT. to explore
toughen the beense-renewal process for
the effect of violent TV programming on
TV stations. to remove tax breaks for
society-especially children.
advertisers and to issue a quarterly "vio-
Coming in the wake of highly charged
lence report card" to shame the program-
congressional bearings on TV violence-
mere and advertisers behind violent
during which cable mogul Ted Turner
"I'm trying to make 11 a health
even the harshest congressional
said Rep. Charles E Schumer (D-N.Y.).
critic by referring to himself and other TV
who authored a ball calling for a presiden-
programmers as murderers-and with the
tial commission to seek solutions to the
year-end deadline set by Simon's bill only
problem. -1 think we're at the stage
months away. the Aug. 2 conference has
cigarettes were 30 years ago-before the
taken on nearly epic significance. The
surgeon general issued his study but when
works' warning label has served only to
there were private studies that started to
focus greater attention on the meeting,
show quite conclusively that smoking was
the Lag is aimed at identifying vio-
bad for you."
not reducing a as the critics insist is
necessary.
But conflicting expectations seem certain
W
hat Simon essentially had in
with his 1990 Television Violence
LO undermine any chance of accord.
Act-which granted the programmers and
For Simon and other lawmakers who
producers immunity from federal antitrust
have been waiting for the industry to act
prosecution so they could meet voluntarily
the law was passed in 1990. the
and devise a plan to self-regulate
conference represents the end of one phase
industry-was a temporary cease-fire be-
in a battle against TV violence that has
tween the network. cat and syndication
waged in some form almost since the
competitors to hammer out an agreement.
medium's inception. Many express a desire
right down to what lund of violence
to see some concrete plan of action emerge.
be portrayed on the screen.
For Hollywood. however, the conference is
The net works' first response to Congress
only a beginning step in defining the
came last December. when. in an unusual
problem and the industry's role in IL
joint letter to Simon. ABC. CBS and NBC
"I'm concerned that an unfair burden
agreed to issue a uniform set of guidelines
, be placed on this conference by
for the depiction of violence and 10 convene
expecting to find the magne pill in one day."
an industryw conference about the
Bill Allen. president of MTM Televi-
ject. When the 15-point set of standards
vice chairman of the nonprofit
was released-including "all depictions of
NCFT. "This 15 the first
the entire TV
JULIETTE
Per The Them
see Page H
TELEVISION
Violence
The NCFT has been putting on
annual TV conferences for 15
years. usually small. two-day re.
Continued from Page 3
treats in Santa Barbara to sensitize
violence should be relevant and
the 100 or so producers, writers
necessary to the development of
and network executives in attend-
character, or to the advancement
ance on how to responsibly portray
of theme or piot" and "depictions of
such subjects as health. education
violence may not be used to shock
and drug abuse.
or sumulate the audience"-eritics
This year. network executives
quickly dismissed them because
asked the organization to inde-
they contained no notable differ-
pendently organize a meeting on
ences from the standards already
violence. The program was com-
in place at each network.
pressed to one day to accommodate
Similarly, last month's press
the nearly 500 members of the
conference announcing an experi-
broadcasting. cable, production and
mental. two-year "advance parent
distribution communities who are
advisory plan" failed to impress the
expected to attend.
critica. The advisories will run
"The essential goal of the vio-
before and during entertainment
lence conference to to educate
programs whose "violent content IS
people about ways in which vio-
unexpected, graphic or pervasive"
lence on television is being per-
to help parents make informed
delived by viewers and the impact
decisions about what to let their
that K's having on viewers." said
children watch. Politicians and ac-
Geoff Cowan. a public-interest
tivist groups say the networks are
lawyer and lecturer on mass media
simply using the labels to abandon
and law at UCLA who also serves
their responsibility as caretakers of
as a vice chairman of the NCFT.
the public airwaves by tossing the
The first morning session at the
problem back to parents, rather
Beverly Hilton Hotel will call on
than addressing it through pro-
academics and researchers to ex-
gramming.
plain their studies, to be followed
"The networks have made noises
by another morning session to
in the past about dealing with this
focus on the effects of TV violence
violence problem." Rep. Ron Wy.
on children. The afternoon session
den (D-Ore.) said with a sigh. "If
will be a sort of Socratic dialogue
you look at the history of this issue,
between TV industry leaders and
you will see that Congress would
anti-violence activists. For the
focus and the networks would
first time, the press has been
respond with rhetoric. But I don't
invited to cover the conference
think anyone is going to be fooled
Cowan hopes the meetings will
this time. It's got to be more than
serve a dual purpose by guiding
some catchy oratory at a press
network executives in what kind of
conference."
projects they order into production.
After the cool reception of the
while suggesting ways for the
parentel-advisory labels. the Aug.
creative community 10 avoid
2 conference has become what
showing gratuitous violence. Cow
might be the last chance for Holly-
an agrees that having a net of
wood to show Washington its com-
standards simply isn't enough.
mitment before Simon's grace pe-
"That's not the real problem." be
riod runs out in December.
said. "Standards and practices (de
"I think the networks figure that
partments) tell you what to keep
the attention span of Congress is
out of a movie once you've ordered
short. that this issue has been
a movie about a murder. They can
battered around for 30 to 40 years.
all agree what to keep out of the
that if they can fly by this period
Amy Fisher story. but there is still
with fairly minimal or modest
a problem that all three (major)
steps, then Congress will go away
networks ordered the Amy Fisher
and think about something else."
Wyden said. "My own sense is that
story.
"A lot of great human themes
this is the time. The public is up in
deal with violence. The problem
arms. Congress has extended the
with movies for television is not
olive branch. Now it's time for the
that they have some violence in
networks and broadcast people to
them. but the themes are themes of
show they're serious."
current perversity, rather than
themes of great human impor-
B
ut the networks maintain that
tance. I don't think we would have
they have already demon-
strated their seriousness by ar-
people in Washington, or in their
ranging this conference to raise
homes throughout America. com-
awareness, by agreeing to affix
plaining about violence in 'Roots'
labels where necessary and by
or 'Holocaust' or Winds of War
affirming in general their intention
even though they have significant
to "eliminate inappropriate depic-
violence."
tions of violence." They say they
MTM President Allen says it is
are not planning any more joint
unrealistic to expect that solutions
actions to address the subject be-
can be found to such vexing prob.
fore or even after the meeting-
lems in a day. "People may come
although they have not completely
up with very interesting ideas at
closed the door to the possibility.
this conference, which will require
"We can't say nothing will happen
some thought and refinement." he
after the conference." said a senior
argues "Television 18 created by a
executive at one of the networks
creative process of thought and
"Someone may have an idea at the
refinement. and that's how I expect
conference that's so brilliant
this problem to be dealt with-m-
but that's not the idea behind the
stead of hoping that by 5 p.m at
conference.
Please see Page 76
Violence
said Rosalyn Weinman, vice presi-
As part of an action plan that
dent of broadcast standards for
includes participating in the Aug. 2
NBC.
conference, cable networks have
Continued from Page 74
For instance. NBC recently cre-
agreed to develop their own sets of
ated two different versions of a
the close of the conference we can
Internal standards by the end of
hand out the answer.
promo for the theatrical movie
the year. A study commissioned by
David Grant. executive vice
"Mobsters"- tame version for
the National Cable Television
president of business operations for
the early evening and a more
Assn. concluded in January that
Fox has a lot of questions he would
graphic one for late at night. And
"when all kinds of dramatic pro-
like answered at the meeting:
even though a movie about a
grams are taken into account. the
"What happens to kids when they
substitute teacher killing students
level of violence on cable-originat-
watch violent programs? is there a
would deliver huge ratings, Wein-
ed programming is about the same
difference between action and vio-
man said, NBC not long ago reject-
as the violence on broadcast net-
lence? is the impact on people the
ed that exact movie pitch. which
work programming."
same when a robot blows up as
was picked up later as a feature
film
when a person is shot? I want to
know those things.
T
the critics, however, that's
"We have been much more care-
too little, too late. So LOO may be
"Violence in dramatic works has
ful and sensitive to the (violence)
the conference.
been around forever." explained
issue." she said. There have been
"I think the underlying reason
a lot of discussions about how to
Grant. who says be is making
for this meeting is to call the dogs
attendance mandatory for many
filter a down to the program level
off. to get the government off their
Fox executives. "What we need to
And we ourselves are trying to do
back. to go through the motions of
do is meld our responsibility with
this in a thoughtful way, and not in
pleasing Sen. Simon," said Terry
our sense of dramatic creation. and
a knee-jerk reaction."
Rskolts. founder of Americans for
not go nuts one way or another."
Responsible TV. a grass-roots or.
The networks have maintained
1 nothing else comes out of the
ganization that claims 200,000
for the most part that they do not
NCFT conference, all agree that
members. Rakolta. who advocates
show excessive violence-which is
there clearly needs to be a better
banning violent programs between
why the new parental-advisory
definition of violence if Washing-
4 and 9 p.m., will be a panelist at
-warnings are not expected to be
ton and Hollywood are ever going
the conference.
seen much in their fall program-
to come together.
She sees the whole NCFT event
ming. Most of their weekly series
A recent study by George Gerb-
as a smoke screen: "There is a
are benign comedies, executives
ner, a professor at the University
veiled threat of government inter-
point out. and their standards de-
of Pennsylvania's Annenberg
vention if they don't come up with
partments edit inappropriate mate-
School for Communication. found
something soon."
nal from drama series and movies.
that the average 16-year-old in
And what if the industry can't.
So the networks seem to be
America has watched 200,000 acts
or won't come up with a satisfac-
approaching the conference wari-
of violence on TV. including 33,000
tory solution for the lawmakers?
ly. They resoundingly reject the
murders. The study said that Sat-
"The conference is a useful dis-
concept of a ratings system or any
urday morning cartoons are among
cussion. but I honestly don't have
plan that would dictate what they
the worst offenders.
high hópes that the industry.
can or can't put on the screen.
For that reason. Geraldine Lay-
whose behavior is fueled by the
"The deci making process is
bourne, president of the children's
competitive juices to win ratings.
subjective. and in a free. democrat-
cable channel Nickelodeon, has a
will ever be able to remist the more
ic society needs to remain so." said
problem with studies that attempt
sensational, more violent television
Beth Bressan. vice president of the
to quantify violence. She recalls
programming." said Sen. Byron L
CBS Broadcast Group. The pro-
her network once being cited for
Dorgan (D-N.D.). He is one of
gess is also a creative one. To be too
excessive violence in "You Can't
several lawmakers who expressed
mechanistic in our approach will
Do That on Television." a slapstick
a clear intention to go ahead and
only inhibit creativity and stop
series for kids.
press legal solutions if the NCFT
diverse programming."
"They said we had the same
conference does not yield a firm
Christine Hikawa. vice president
number of violent acts as a movie
plan of action.
of standards and practices at ABC.
of the week that had decapita-
7 think it's likely that some
believes the networks have be-
tions." said Laybourne. who is also
legislation will move." be said.
come acapegoats. "Because people
a panelist at the conference. "They
Bob Peck. a legal counselor for
are very concerned with violence
counted a pie in the Bace the same
the American Civil Liberties Un-
in society. as we are. we think
as a decapitation. To UR. it was so
ton, said that any federal legisla-
there's a greater perception of
ludicrous." Gerbner's "Violence
tion attempting to govern the air-
violence on TV." she said.
Index" defines violence as any
waves won't wash. "It can't.
in addition. Hikawa believes the
"clear-cut and overt episodes of
constitutionally." he said. "As soon
growth of cable television has
physical violence-burting or kill-
as they say what people can say.
added to that perception. There
ing or the threat of hurting and/or
read or see through their television
appears to be more violence on TV
killing-in any context"
sets, then they're engaging in cen-
because now there are 36 channels
Another key function the con-
sorahip. which the First Amend-
to choose from." she explained
ference may serve is to pull to-
ment clearly protects against."
"Quite frankly. the networks have
gether the broadcast and cable
The Federal Communications
less violence than ever before."
communities So far. the cable
Commission has a regulation pro-
According to Sen. Simon. how-
programmers have remained
hibiting radio and TV stations from
ever. many TV executives have
largely unseathed because cable is
broadcasting sexually explicit.
privately acknowledged to him
an unregulated service that people
indecent programming between
over the years that too much
pay to bring into their homes,
6 am and 8 p.m., when children
violence is coming out of the tube.
whereas broadcasters are licensed
are likely to be in the audience. and
The dilemma is that violence often
by the federal government to use
means ratings. and if network pro-
the public airwaves.
there has been talk of creating
similar legislation for violent pro-
grammers lose their guis-both on
"Right now there are not very
gransming But Peck said even the
screen and off-then other nel-
many cable entities out there using
indecency ruling has been tough to
works. syndicators or cable servic-
any standards or guidelines."
enforce in court.
es will hold the competitive edge.
sniped CBS Bressan "When there
The fact of the matter remains
TV producers. in turn. say they
are so many cable outlets out there
that the most powerful restraint on
make violent programs because
saying. in effect. Come watch us
television programming remains
that's what the networks order
because we do not self-regulate."
the viewers." he said "What they
The networks have been much
how much of the television land-
will watch and won't watch has
more cautious in recent months as
scape IS really going to change? It's
more effect than anything that
a result of the heightened focus on
very unfair to say the networks
Washington will pass.'
violence. they simply not gel.
should do more when the networks
Jing credit for the behind-the-
are the only ones who have done
Dunsel Cerone is a Times shall
scenes decisions they're making
anything to date.'
writer
76 SL NDAY. JULY 18. 199]
Thu Jul 29 1993 7:06:51 pm p. 1
13 REU 07-29-93 15:49 EST 89 Lines. Copyright 1993. All rights reserved.
AM-TELEVISION-VIOLENCE (SCHEDULED)
TELEVISION 'SUMMIT' WILL SPOTLIGHT VIOLENCE ON SMALL SCREEN
By Michael Miller
LOS ANGELES (Reuter) - Key members of the four major
television networks and representatives of the cable industry
will meet in an unprecedented media summit to explore the
effects of TV violence on society, particularly children.
The conference, to be held Monday in Los Angeles, comes
under mounting pressure from Washington for the industry to
tone down violence on a voluntary basis, or be forced to do so
by a welter of legislation waiting in the wings on Capitol
Hill.
In December 1990, then-President Bush signed into law
Democratic Sen. Paul Simon's Television Violence Act which, in
effect, gave the television industry three years to clean up
its act, or have the government do it.
With the December 1993 deadline fast approaching, the four
networks, ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, announced last month a
voluntary parental advisory which they would attach to programs
containing violent scenes so parents could use their discretion
as to whether those programs should be seen by their children.
Monday's conference, which will be attended by academics and
public watchdog groups critical of the industry's efforts to
clean up its act, as well as by writers, producers and
television executives, is E. pected to focus, at least in part,
on the new advisories, which will be introduced in the Fall
season.
Simon, one of the television industry's most powerful
critics, who will address Monday's conference, said of the
survey: `We hope it is a hint of things to come.
The 1990 Television Violence Act which he drafted granted
television programmers and producers immunity from Federal
antitrust prosecution for three years SO they could meet
voluntarily and devise a plan to self-regulate their industry.
It was seen as a temporary cease-fire between the network,
cable and syndication competitors in order for them to reach an
agreement on how the industry should be run, including how much
violence could be portrayed on television.
Critics of the advisory system drawn up in June by the
networks argue the industry is merely paying lip service to
nationwide concerns over gratuitous scenes of sex and violence.
They also argue that ``parental empowerment, as the
networks describe the advisories, merely transfers the
responsibility from the networks to parents, and that the
networks have no intention of reducing violent programming.
``I anticipate a lively discussion, said Geoffrey Cowan, a
vice president of the National Council for Families and
Television, an education body that organized the conference.
Although critics of the conference have said it cannot
Thu Jul 29 1993 7:06:51 pm p. 2
succeed in reducing TV violence in just one day, Cowan, a
lawyer, Emmy Award-winning movie producer and lecturer in
communications at the University of California at Los Angeles,
disagreed.
This conference will have an impact. It will have
succeeded if it makes the people in this industry that much
more knowledgeable about the ways in which programming has an
impact on society and what they can do about it,'' he said.
The industry received a boost earlier this week with the
release of a study by the University of Pennsylvania showing
that the frequency of violen. scenes on television was now
about 50 percent less than before 1990.
Cowan, who won an Emmy last year for Best Prime Time
Programming for Children for his made-for-TV movie ``Mark Twain
and Me,'' said he believed Monday's conference would not only
result in even less violence but it may encourage the industry
to be more concerned with themes that tend to reduce violence.
But others remain skeptical. Democratic Rep. John Bryant of
Texas, in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, said
he had lost all patience with the television industry over its
inaction on reducing violence.
``I don't know why everyone wants to spend the day (Monday)
in a group grope discussing a subject that's obvious to
everyone already,' he said.
In November last year then President-elect Clinton also put
the spotlight on television violence, decla ng in an interview
with TV Guide that he was '`mortified'' by what was being shown
on TV and calling on Hollywood to take the lead in
''deglamorizing mindless sex and violence.'
Although the industry established a uniform, 15-point set of
guidelines on violence a month after Clinton's interview,
critics have been quick to point out they are no different to
the in-house guidelines already in place at each network and do
not advocate a reduction in violence.
REUTER
Washington Post
7-30-93
Cable to Air
Violence
Cable Adopts
work has occasionally aired warnings in the past,
Warnings
she said.
The USA Network has carried advisories
warning of mature subject matter or adult situa-
15 Networks Agree
Advisory
tions for about 10 years but has never had a vio-
lence warning, according to spokesman Dan
To Parental Advisory
Martinsen. He said no programs have yet been
designated to carry the new advisory.
CABLE. From GI
Peggy Binzel, director of government affairs
they can to head off any congressional restric-
for Turner Broadcasting, said although her net-
By Ellen Edwards
tions. They are particularly afraid that Congress
work edits movies "heavily" for violence, some
Washington Post Staff Writer
might require a "V-chip," a device within a TV
might still merit the warning. She cited some
The major players in cable televi-
that parents could activate to blank out any pro-
Clint Eastwood movies as an example.
following the lead of the broad-
grams that the networks coded as violent.
"Pretty 800^ labels will get so ubiquitous that
networks, yesterday agreed to
The c ale label, identical to what the broad-
we will pay as 1 ttle attention to them as we do to
air a warning to parents on violent
cast networks have adopted, will say: "Due to
the warnings on tobacco advertising." said Peggy
programs.
some violent content, parental discretion ad-
Charren, founder of the watchdog group Action
Fifteen networks-including
vised." Networks are free to go beyond this basic
for Children's Television, who has criticized la-
HBO, Showtime, USA. the Disney
language: HBO, for one, is likely to make its ad-
beling as ineffective.
Channel, MTV. Nickelodeon, A&E,
visories more explicit, perhaps describing the
Cable has long been viewed as a worse offend-
the Discovery Channel and the
acts of violence.
er in airing violent programs than broadcast tele-
Turner Entertainment Networks-
Like movie ratings, the label is an attempt at
vision. A recent study commissioned by the Na-
accepted the advisory, which could
self-regulation by an industry that has come un-
tional Cable Television Association showed that
be applied to anything shown on ta-
der widespread criticism in the last several
to be true for cable-originated dramatic pro-
ble, including movies. The criteria
months, especially after the unusually bloody
grams, but not for children's shows.
for determining what is violent will
May ratings sweeps.
The study excluded any programs or movies
be left up to each network.
In fact, its effect may be very limited. Many of
that were not made specifically for cable, such as
While the agreement was en-
the cable networks already air a variety of dis-
feature-length movies, which are often consider-
dorsed by Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.),
claimers. HBO and Showtime, for example, show
ably more violent than other fare and are the sta-
one of Capitol Hill's most vocal crit-
the Motion Picture Association of America rat-
ple of some cable networks. The study was done
ics of television violence, he said in a
ings for feature movies, as well as advisories for
by George Gerbner of the University of Pennsyl-
statement that "labeling violence is
sex, violence and language. HBO has carried dis-
vania's Annenberg School for Communication.
more of a bandage than a real cure.
claimers for 15 years, said spokesman Quentin
Lipscomb said the cable networks were not in-
The best solution still is to reduce
Schaffer. He said the spy movie "Blue Ice," which
vited to join the broadcast networks when they
the overall levels of violence on tele-
will air this fall, would carry a disclaimer, as does
made their original announcement, though they
the Tales From the Crypt" anthology.
were encouraged to do so afterward. He said he
The action, announced by the Na-
On Showtime, the film noir series "Fallen An-
thought that because cable has aired advisories
tional Cable Television Association,
gels," which begins Sunday night, will carry a
for years, "a number of the broadcasters felt
comes just days before an industry-
"mature advisory," said McAdory Lipscomb Jr.,
they had to catch up with cable in informing their
wide conference on television vio-
senior vice president for corporate affairs.
viewers."
lence to be held in Los Angeles.
MTV spokesman Carole Robinson said every
Representatives of cable companies have been
"You want to come in with some-
video submitted for airing is reviewed by a stan-
meeting under the Television Violence Act,
thing concrete agreed upon," said
dards committee. and "gratuitous violence is not
sponsored by Simon, which waived antitrust laws
one cable spokesman.
something you would see on MTV." The net-
to permit discussions on the subject.
The networks and the producers
of television programs are doing all
See CABLE, G6. Col 1
news from
July 29 - Aug. 5, 1993
PAUL SIMON
CONTACT: David Carle
202-224-7115
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
Simon Welcomes Cable Plan
for Advance Parental Advisories on TV Violence
Sen. Paul Simon has endorsed the decision by 15 cable networks
to adopt the Advance Parental Advisory Plan to forewarn viewers about
violent programs.
"I welcome this move and commend the decision-makers at the
cable networks who have made this a priority," said Simon, D-III.
"Informing viewers with these messages is a step forward, but labeling
violence is more of a bandage than a real cure. The best solution still is
to reduce the overall levels of violence on television."
The 15 cable networks announced July 29 that they will join the
program, which includes advisory messages that will accompany
especially violent programs and the commitment to provide advance
listings of shows with advisory messages. According to officials at the
participating networks, they will apply the review process to all programs.
The networks are: Arts and Entertainment, USA Networks, TNT,
Showtime, Nickelodeon, Nick-at-Nite, Comedy Central, The Disney
Channel, The Family Channel, Home Box Office, Lifetime, The Discovery
Channel, The Learning Channel, MTV Networks, and the (additional)
Turner Entertainment Networks.
The announcement came on the eve of the unprecedented
industrywide conference on television violence set for Monday, Aug. 2, in
Los Angeles. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC announced the advisory plan on
June 30. The system - and the industrywide conference -- are made
possible under the Television Violence Act, which waives antitrust laws
for three years to permit joint industry efforts to curb television violence.
Simon is the author of the law, which expires Dec. 1, and was invited to
offer the keynote speech to the conference.
-30-
news from
July 28 - Aug. 4, 1993
PAUL SIMON
CONTACT: David Carle
202-224-7115
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
Simon: New TV Violence Data
Offered 'Hint of Change'
On Eve of Industrywide Conference
A new report showing a slight dip in prime time TV violence added "cautious
optimism" to efforts to address the issue on the eve of an unprecedented industrywide
conference on the subject, Sen. Paul Simon said July 28.
The report, compiled by a team led by Dr. George Gerbner of the University of
Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, tracks violence on three
broadcast networks for three viewing seasons, Including the current season. Gerbner
has documented violence on television longer than any other researcher.
Gerbner credits some of the decline to the Television Violence Act, a three-year
waiver of antitrust laws to allow joint efforts by the television industry to reduce
violence on television. Simon, D-111., authored the law and is its chief Senate sponsor;
chief House sponsor of the law is Rep. Dan Glickman, D-Kan. The broadcast
networks used the Simon law last December to develop and implement their first joint
standards on violence and was used again June 30 for a system of advance parental
advisory messages that ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will initiate this fall for violent
programs. The law also made possible the Aug. 2nd industrywide meeting.
"This report brings us back to the basic issue: There is too much violence
overall on television," said Simon. "Labeling will be helpful to a degree. But the real
answer is to reduce the levels of violence on television. For that, self-regulation - not
government censorship - is the best solution. In the final months of the Television
Violence Act, the broadcast networks have taken Initiative and accepted responsibility
that remains lacking among others in the industry, up to now, cable in particular.
"On the eve of the conference, it's now possible to speculate that the era of
indifference may be ending," Simon continued. "The Industry is getti: ; the message
from the public, from the research community and from the Congress that television
violence contributes to violence in our society. I take this modest decline as a hopeful
sign and as a hint of the lasting change we hope to eventually see on this problem.
"There's nothing fundamentally new in these figures. Just the hint of change.
But, for the first time, we have reason to hope that the next survey will be significantly
different. On the basis of the steps that already have been taken, my guess is that
these numbers a year from now will be noticeably better, for the new fall season on
the broadcast networks," he said. "We should not expect dramatic, overnight
solutions. A large industry, like a ship, has to slow down before it changes course.
"Three years ago, we urged the industry to use this window of opportunity for
self-regulation under the Television Violence Act," said Simon. "For the first two years,
we saw very little acceptance of responsibility for self-regulation. But we've now come
farther in six months than in the previous six years of working on this issue. As we
head into this conference, I'm hopeful; but I'm cautiously hopeful. We shouldn't hope
for too much from this conference, but we also should not hope for too little."
-30-
PENN NEWS
For immediate release
Contact: larby F. Smith
July 28, 1993
(215) 898-4520 (office)
(215) 649-5734 (home)
TELEVISION VIOLENCE ACT HAS MADE AN IMPACT:
PENN STUDY FINDS VIOLENCE HAS DECLINED
ON MAJOR NETWORK DRAMATIC SHOWS
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Television Violance Act, passed by Congress in 1990 and due to
expire December 1 of this year, seems to have made a dent in the high levels of violence in major
network dramatic programs. The Act exempts broadcasters and cable operators from antitruct action for
the purpose of joint Industry efforts to reduce violence.
The Cultural Indicators research teem at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for
Communication released today its latest Violence Index, which shows that prime-time dramatic program
violence dipped in the 1969-90 season and, despite some fluctuation, has remained below a 20-year
average. Saturday morning children's programs became somewhat less violent only last year.
"Beyond these numbers are the lessons of the Idnd of violence discharged into the cultural
environment," said George Gerbner, leader of the Cultural Indicators research team releasing the study.
"Most of this is "happy violence', which teaches that cool and painless mayhem leads to a happy ending.
This is not an expression of creative freedom but of marketing formulas Imposed on producers," said
Garbner.
The report is an update of the Violence Profile released periodically since 1967. E finds that 65
percent of prime-time fictional dramatic programs and nearly half of thair casts are still Involved in
violence. But the frequency of violent scenes per hour is about half of what at had been before 1990. The
Violance Index, a composite of several measures of violence developed for comparative purposes, shows
a slight decline since 1990.
Saturday morning children's programs, traditionally the most violent, saw a slower, uneven
decline. More than o out of 10 programs and 8 out of 10 characters are still Involved in violence. But
while children's programs in 1990 were saturated with a record high of 32 violent scenes per hour, by
1992-93 that rate declined to 18 violent scenes per hour. All measures of violence, however, did not
share in the decline, and the current Violence Index is slightly higher than last years.
Another study conducted by the Penn researchers focused on violence in cable-originated
programs (those produced by cable networks rather than all programs carried by them) for the 1990-91
season. Cable-originated children's programs had substantially less violence than children's programs
broadcast on the networks. On the other hand, cable-originated general programming and particularly
action programs were more violent than almilar programs broadcast on the networks.
in all of these studies violence was defined as overt physical action that hurts or kils, or threatens
to do so. A violent acene was defined as continuous violent action among the same characters. Trained
coders analyzed week-long videotaped samples of each season's
dramatic programs.
The Violence Profile also Includes results of the investigation of the consequences of long-term
exposure to violence-laden television. The results show that heavy viewers are more likely than
comparable groups of light viewers to express feelings of living in a mean world, and the Inclination to act
accordingly. "That of course attects different groups in different ways," commented George Gerbner.
"Violence is a demonstration of power. it shows who can get away with what against whom. R means
power for some and vulnerability for others. That is Rs most pervasive and Invidious leason."
The Cultural Indicators research project consists of monitoring network television programs and
determining their contributions to viewer perceptions of social reality. R is broadly based and designed to
collect observations on the role and functions of many aspects of No presented on television, including
health-ralated behaviors, women and minorities, violence, religion, science, aging. disability, education,
children and adolescents. A comprehensive report of the last 20 years is expected in early 1994.
Collaborating with Gerbrier in the Cultural Indicators project are Michael Morgan of the University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Nancy Signorielli of the University of Delaware. Cynthia Kandra and
Nojat Ozyegin assisted in the preparation of the report.
The Cultural Indicators research project began in 1967-68 with a study for the National
Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. it continued under the sponsorship of the
Surgeon General's Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior, the National institute
of Mental Health, The White House Office of Telecommunications Policy, the American Medical
Association, the U.S. Administration on Aging, the National Science Foundation, the W. Alton Jones
Foundation, the Screen Actors' Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the
National Cable Television Association, the Tumer Broadcasting System, the U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights, the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the
U.S. Public Health Service.
###
Note to print and broadcast fournalists: For a copy of the Violence Profile report, please call George
Gerbner (Annenberg School) at (215) 896-6776 or Kirby F. Smith (News and Public Affairs) at (215) 808-
4820.
Figure 1: Violence Index of Television Networks Prime Time and
350
Saturday Merning Dramatic Programs (1973 1: 1993)
300
Saturday Morning
250
200
-
150
:
100
Prime Now
50
1073-74
(974-75
1075-70
1860-81 1003-94 1000-01 1866-67 1865-00 1883-83 1954-85 1578-60 1968-80 1005-00 1951-82 1078-79 1987-88 1991-62 1977-78 1975-77 1982-53
TABLE 1: VIOLENCE IN
TELEVISION NETWORKS PRIME-TIME DRAMATIC PROGRAMS
(1973 - 1993)
Parcent
Visient
Duration
Samples
af,progs
Seenee
of vial.
Characters
Viclence
Season
Prom
Hrs
Chars
with viol.
per inr. hr.
min/hr.
%V
%K
Index
1973-74
62
56.5
214
59.7
4.9
2.3
41.1
12.1
131.6
1974-75
58
60.0
224
77.6
5.5
2.0
58.5
20.5
178.8
1975-76
66
61.0
238
69.7
5.9
2.3
54.2
13.4
160.1
1976-77
61
58.5
172
80.3
5.8
3.3
67.4
12.2
182.8
1977-78
68
62.4
210
66.2
5.9
2.3
53.8
9.0
151.8
1978-79
63
63.0
191
74.6
4.5
1.5
52.9
7.9
153.5
1979-80
"
60.7
210
70.3
5.7
2.6
53.7
6.9
153.0
1980-81
64
59.2
229
73.4
5.7
2.5
50.7
4.8
150.9
1981-82
65
57.8
216
80.0
5.9
2.5
50.0
5.5
158.0
1982-83
77
60.6
247
63.6
4.6
2.3
48.2
6.5
134.7
1983-84
63
58.8
195
73.0
4.8
2.9
53.3
9.7
154.4
1984-05
65
60.0
221
78.5
6.9
3.3
63.3
12.7
181.1
1905-86
67
61.5
217
79.1
6.8
2.6
58.5
11.1
175.0
1986-87
67
61.5
178
71.6
5.2
1.7
47.2
12.9
151.5
1987-88
75
63.3
188
74.7
5.1
1.6
58.0
7.4
158.9
1968-89
77
66.0
195
74.0
6.2
2.3
53.3
10.3
160.4
1989-90
69
56.3
174
56.5
4.7
1.1
40.2
10.9
124.8
1990-91
54
45.0
159
74.1
4.0
1.6
47.2
5.7
141.8
1991-92
61
50.5
166
62.3
5.1
1.8
49.4
11.4
141.6
1992-93
60
50.0
147
65.0
2.9
1.3
45.6
6.1
127.2
1973-93
1,306
1,173
3,999
71.2
5.3
2-2
52.3
9.9
153.7
Pgms: Number of programs
Hrs:
Number of program hours analyzed
Chars: Number of leading charasters
ev,
Percent of major characters involved in violance
GK:
Parcent of major characters involved in killing
Violence Indax (VI)=
Fet of proga with viol. + 2*(Violent somess par pgm) + 2*(Violent sounes par bx.) + " + &
TABLE 5: VIOLENCE IN
TELEVISION NETWORKS SATURDAY MORNING DRAMATIC PROGRAMS
(1973 - 1993)
Percent
Violent
Duration
Samples
,of progr
Seems
of viol
Characters
Visience
Season
Pgems
Hrs
Clars
with visi.
per kr.
min/hr.
sv
%K
Index
1973-74
37
10.7
145
94.5
13.2
3.4
97.2
0.7
212.2
1974-75
38
16.0
122
92.1
12.1
3.5
64.8
0.8
192.2
1975-76
45
16.3
126
91.1
16.3
4.6
94.9
0.8
221.1
1976-77
49
15.1
118
100.0
22.4
4.9
85.6
2.5
246.7
1977-78
53
16.5
145
90.6
15.5
4.0
77.2
0.0
208.8
1978-79
48
14.3
107
97.9
25.0
5.5
86.0
0.0
248.9
1979-80
62
16.5
163
91.9
17.2
3.4
74.8
0.0
210.3
1980-81
66
15.1
165
97.0
26.9
4.9
89.7
1.2
254.1
1981-82
69
13.5
186
91.3
30.9
6.1
83.9
0.0
249.2
1982-83
44
10.1
120
97.7
30.3
5.9
93.3
0.8
266.3
1983-84
54
13.7
142
92.6
25.5
6.0
80.3
0.0
237.0
1984-85
55
14.8
145
98.2
27.3
5.9
89.7
2.1
259.3
1905-86
53
15.3
149
92.5
21.3
3.2
75.8
0.7
223.9
1986-87
30
11.6
98
92.1
25.1
3.2
72.4
4.1
234.1
1987-98
36
13.3
85
100.0
25.5
4.8
72.9
0.0
242.7
1988-89
31
10.5
76
87.1
25.5
2.2
76.3
0.0
231.7
1990-91
60
9.7
90
82.5
32.0
3.9
78.9
3.3
244.4
1991-92
43
10.7
88
76.7
26.2
4.1
69.3
3.4
214.8
1992-93
31
10.5
63
90.3
17.9
3.3
81.0
0.0
219.2
1973-93
892
262
2,334
92.4
23.0
4.4
79.7
1.1
230.7
Pgma:
Number of programs
Mrs:
Number of program hours analysed
Chars: Number of leading characters
ev:
Percent of major characters involved in violence
QX:
Percent of major characters involved in killing
Violence Index (VI)-
Det of progo with viol. + 2*(Violamt scenes par you) + 2*(Violent scenes par hr.) + w +
USA TODAY July 27, 1993
ABC hot line
tips off sensitive
subject matter
By Donna Gable
USA TODAY
Beginning Sunday, viewers
can call an 800 number to find
out what ABC shows they may
want to click off.
ABC's Advisory Hotline, 800-
213-6222, will be updated twice
a week with the title, air date
and summary of ABC prime-
time programs with sensitive
subject matter.
The network unvelled the
hot line Monday, a week be-
fore the industry hosts a meet-
ing on TV violence. The issue
has dominated the fall press
tour ongoing in Los Angeles.
Monday, ABC Entertain-
ment President Ted Harbert
told critics that his network's
movies will be less violent this
season. While be defended last
May's violent Murder in the
Heartland, about serial killer
Charles Starkweather, "If that
movie came to me tomorrow, I
don't think I'd pick It up."
Not that ABC will shy away
from murder stories, "but
we've got to find a different
way to do them."
ABC's new adult drama
NYPD Blue will not have a vio-
lence warning, but this adviso-
ry: "This police drama con-
tains adult language and
scenes of partial nudity. View-
er discretion is advised."
Sen. Paul Simon, D-III., sees
the hot line as "another step" in
the war against TV violence.
And while labeling is help-
ful, "The best solution, still, is to
scale down the overall levels of
violence."
THE BASHINGTON POST
JULY I. 1993 A9
years ending next December 30 they
While some anti-violence activist.
Networks Acknowledge Effect of TV Violence
could pantly develop a way to deal
said the advisory label was a meager
with violence. Last December the
effort to deal with televised blood
networks agreed to some joint "prin-
lust, industry executives were also
TV VIOLENCE, Prom AI
Movies and other prime-time series
sated viewing audience will click
low a viewer to block out certain
ciples on the depiction of violence,"
criticized by Hollywood producers.
will be labeled on a case-by-case ba-
dependent stations or first-run sym-
their sets off? 'It's all subjective,"
programs to prevent children from
but that was not enough. At a hear-
They say the warning label could be
dicators, which attract about 40 per-
sis. The show Top Cops" has been
Valenti noted.
watching them. The warning label,
ing this past May, Sea. Howard
the first step toward censorship and
cent of the audience. "We urge the
canceled in part because of concerns
"We don't want to turn the vast
which should be published in pro-
Metsenbaum (D-Ohio) warned the
render the networks less competi-
entire entertainment industry to fol-
about violence, said CBS's Howard
wasteland into the dull wasteland,"
gramming guides In advance of the
same panel of network presidents
tive against the no-holds-barred a.
low our lead," said Warren Lattle-
Stranger. Athletic events, news and
said Stringer, who seemed the most
shows' aur dates, would make n pos-
that V you just do nothing, and if
ble industry.
field, president of NBC Entertain-
children's programming are not cos-
skeptical of the five executives at
sible for a parent (at least a techno-
you just tell us you're doing some-
Markey said the warning system
ment. Ted Turner, head of Turner
sidered necessary to label, the act-
the press conference. "When anyone
logically literate one) to ast down 8
thing while giving us the May
was "admittedly crude," but, coupled
Broadcasting. has agreed to join the
work executives said.
starts talking about the next step, 1
a Sunday afternoon and block out all
sweeps we're going to come
with the V-chip blocking system,
warning trial. A television summit
The networks expect to lose mon-
start to get nervous. k is the nature
the programs in the coming week
down harder on you then you would
would "empower" parents to reduce
conference has been scheduled for
ey as a result of the warning label,
of violence and the absence of capse-
that she did not want her chidren to
like us to da."
the number of violent acts children
Ave 2 in Los Angeles to discuss the
the executives mid, because adver-
quences that we are concerned
watch. Markey will be holding a
That day the executives had
are exposed to. He noted that in
1
tisers may be way of shows labaled
about. We have, in effect, deperson-
hearing at 9 this morning in the Ray-
shown up with their new (all sched-
both the 1950s and 1960a, hearings
More than 3,000 studies have
I
alised violence. There in no gnd, no
burn Building to examine this tech-
ulso, which appear to include fewer
had been convened to examine tell-
been conducted in the past four do-
The bay questions that may be -
remorse, no feelings. That's the kind
mology, which is currently available
shows that depend on shooting and
vision violence, and that "unce the
cades, showing a consistent correls-
swered during the two-year warning
that sends a massage to children
but not required, as well as the
slashing, and acknowledged that
bot flare of congressional attention
tion between "viewing violance and
label trial are: What is gratuitous vi-
that it's clusy."
warning label initiative.
some of the offerings during the
turns elsewhere, violence in televi-
aggremive behavior," according to a
clance, and how is it eliminated-or
The "next step," according to
The TV Violence Act, sponsored
May ratings sweep-such as "Mur-
sion tends to increase." Nonetheless,
recent American Psychological Ao-
at least reduced-without making
Markey, is the easy availability of
by Sen. Simon, exempted the net-
der in the Heartland" and "Ambush
be has high hopes for thus initiative.
socistion (APA) report. By the time
the shows so horing that the thrill-
the so-called "V-Chip" that would at
works from antitrust laws for three
in Waco"-were less than great art.
Ta an optimist," be said.
a child has finished elementary
school, be will have seen 8,000 -
ders and 100,000 acts of violance,
the APA astimated. in addition to
Repressive behavior, children also
develop increased fouctulness of be-
caming a victim and became more
Callous about violence directed at
others, - a recent report by 8
Researcher. For years the entertain-
ment industry maintained that the
content of movies and television re-
flacts society more than it influences
it. Sea. Paul Simon (D-III.) has
worked for eight years to got the
networks to acknowledge that "map-
Warning: TV Violence Is Harmful, Networks Concede
propriate" violence is bad.
MPAA President Jack Valenti said
By Megan Rosenfeld
press conference Cerday with the
ders, assaults and illegal weapon
dustry source. the notice will appear
at yesterday's press conference that
heads of CBS, NBC. ABC, Fox Tele-
sales in this country. The networks
before a program begins, during the
Put - -
the film and television "creative
vision and the Motion Picture Asso-
came up with the advisory label as
midpoint station break and on pro-
community" would address violence
In announcing yesterday that vio-
cistion of America (MPAA). For the
an alternative to a rating system
motional material. Each network's
in a senes of small meetings with
lent television programs will be is
last 40 years the debate has been
samilar to that followed by the mo-
"standards" department will decide
the producers, writers and directors
whether violence on television af-
tion picture industry, or to monitor-
independently which shows to label.
beled with a parental advisory, heads
who develop programs. The goal
of the four major networks and the
fects antisocial behavior. Tuday we
ing by the Federal Communications
The only other measure the net-
would be not just a reduction in vio-
motion picture association acknowl-
put an end to that debate."
Commission.
works announced was a senes of
lence that dad not add to the drama,
The warning label unveiled yes-
meetings organised by the MPAA to
or violence committed without con-
edged a point they had long disput-
Facing continued pressure from
sequence, but what Lutlefield called
ed-that gratustous and glamorized
Congress and anti-violence lobbying
terday says simply "Due to some vio-
raise consciousness among the peo-
maybem on television affects view-
lent content, parental discretion ad-
pie who create programs.
a "proactive" message about vio-
groups. the network heads have
lence in society.
É
vised." Hammered out with at least
The agreement to label is for a
gradually conceded over the past
We have done this before," said
"This is the dawning of a new
year that the research may be cor-
15 reviewers ID a series of meetings
two-year "trial" and does not cur-
era," said Rep. Edward Markey (D-
rect-that televasion could be a fac-
and conference calls dunng the past
rently include the cable industry. 111-
Valenti. Four years ago we dad n
Mass.) at an unusual Capitol Hall
tor in the dramatic increase III mur-
seven weeks, according to one NO-
See TV VIOLENCE, A9. CoL I
with the use of drugs and with the
exhibition of smoking and alcohol
consumption. We did it in the depic-
tion of memorities. and in furthering
the designated driver theme. and in
promoting the use of seat belts m|
the
line."
Valenti said later that "even if
there is only a possibility of a ion.
But It appears that the call to hall
violence on prime-time television comes
mostly from politicians and pressure
groups. such as Ms. Rakolta's. rather than
from a massive, grass-roots outcry. "I
haven't picked up a mass public move-
ment." says Bill Barrett. executive vice
president of SFM Media Corp., a media
buying service.
Instead, many viewers simply voice
their displeasure by turning the dial or
shutting the television set off entirely. For
example, ABC's violent miniseries "Mur-
der in the Heartland,' which ran in spring.
based killing the 1950s - in 5 5 speee -
young couple, drew poor ratings and.
according to a network official, cost Capt
tal Cities/ABC about $2 million in lost ad
revenue because of skittish sponsors.
Prime time has been a som what
gentler place this past TV season (and
promises to be even mushier come Septem-
ber, with a gaggle of family-oriented situs-
tion comedies). But It wasn't without its
Please Turn to Page B2, Cohonn s
ADVERTISING
NewTVProgram WarningSyster
Could Backfire on the Networks
Continued From Page BI
lence allogether. the networks will SI
share of shocking violence.
warn viewers about it.
in ABC's recent miniseries "Wild
That practice will force advertise
Networks' Plan for TV Program Warnings May Backfire
Palms," Angle Dickinson gouged out a
proceed "more cautiously" in where
man's eyes. "Murder in the Heartland"
place ads. says Steve Sternberg. S+
not only showed shootings. but viewers
vice president at ad agency Bozell n
saw the killer strapped into the electric
buying division. "A lot of adver
chair and executed. NBC's miniseries, "In
concerned about violence and pote
the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco," had
backlash."
sure that Mr. Littlefield is prophetic. 'We
will & after any advertiser appearing in a
show that has a violence disclaimer, she
declares. "and target that advertiser with
Such boycotts have failed in the past.
And Ms. Rakolta refuses to differentiate
between gratuitous violence and well-
made programs whose violent scenes may
be important to plot or message. In fact.
she says the new disclaimer will make It
easier to target sponsors. "Advertisers will
alte X chaim known 9 8 on
Ms. Rakotta adds that even the dis-
claimer pact amounts to "too little. too
late. It gives children a road map to the
violent material." She complains: "The
responsibility
Further. the disclaimer won't
what kind of shows they are buying."
5
5
back in the parents' hands." And what's
wrong with that? Parents can't be around
& all time what the the 8 an
sustained violence when it showed the raid
by federal agents on a religious cull's
what Mr. Barrett of SFM Media desc
headquarters in the Texas town.
as "reverse magnetism" for sponsors
Network television is in a tough bind as
may want to cash in on what could
It continues to suffer audience erosion to
highly rated. if violent. show. "This
placing
cable and other rivals. Pay cable. of
attract thrill seekers of controversy
a consumer boycott."
course, has a and violence on some
Bays. Television advertising is n.
watching. she says.
cable systems right next to more re-
buyer's market and sponsors aren't (
strained broadcast competition.
oring to be on controversial shows ju:
That is one reason veteran producer
the chance to be seen by million
networks
Steven Bocifico has said he wants to pro-
viewers. he says.
duce an R-rated series for network televi-
The networks indeed mL be killin
sion. Although be didn't get to al freedom
violence. CBS recently askeu produce
from ABC, Mr. Bochco's new series,
the Chuck Norris series "Walker, T
Wall Street Journal July 1, 1993
"N.Y.P.D. Blue." promises to push the
Rangers" to de-emphasize the viole
ADVERTISING/BY KEVIN GOLDWAN
limits on sex and violence on broadcast
something the producers agreed with
television. (Ms. Rakolts says that sponsors
But violence on television seems 1
of that show are destined for a consumer
sure to stay put. as does violence in
By doing that, the networks have
handed skittish advertisers a ready-made
excuse to forgo buying network time. some
industry executives maintain. It would
make it tougher for some sponsors to
stick with a show that has been labeled by
its own network as violent - even If the
advertiser were otherwise willing. And
rather than help parents keep their kids
away from violent content. such warnings
might unintentionally encourage kids to be
"Make no mistake about It, this is going
to cost us money, says Warren Littlefield,
president of NBC Entertainment, a unit of
General Electric. "There is a soft advertis-
ing market. and anyone looking for an
excuse to get out of a movie or special has
just been handed that excuse by the net-
works. There is going to be an adverse
even seen It yet.)
Scheduled for this fall: the CBS f.
financial impact from advertisers."
Terry Rakolta. founder of Americans
for Responsible Television, vows to make
beycott - although she admits she hasn't
life.
Not all violence on television. of course.
series "The Menendez Murders. The
is gratuitous. Mr. Bochco, for instance.
of the real-life movie: two ambil
pushed the envelope on violence in a 19NOS
brothers allegedly shotgun their paren
series "Hill Street Blues" that was ger.
death.
mane to its riveting plots.
Ultimately. the networks may do worse
sure to tune in.
If they simply crank out mealy-mouthed
programming fare. Indeed. in a joint state
ment yesterday the four networks said:
"It is relevant and important to under-
stand that we cannot allow broadcast
television to become barren of dramatic
excitement. We cannot participate in a
process that. while well-intended. con-
demns advertiser-supported television to
In trying to mollify Washington and
counter criticism of television's preoccupa-
tion with kumplay and other violence. the
networks may have only shot themselves
The four major broadcast networks'
new pact to step up program warnings on
in the foot.
violent content may
temporarily stave
off government in-
ded them into the new approach.
CBS, ABC. NBC and News Corp.' Fox
such bland fare that It would forsake a
tervention. But it
also threatens to en-
courage advertisers
to pull out of risky
programming. and
it hasn't silenced
the critics who prod-
joined congressional critics yesterday in
announcing the new warnings, which will
signal a particularly violent miniseries or
made-for-television movie riddled with
gunfire and bodies by Issuing a simple
alert: "Due to some violent content, paren-
higher. more sophisticated level of dra-
matic conflict and realistic portrayal of
the full range of the human condition."
Translation: Instead of cutting out vio-
tal discretion advised."
TIME Magazine Aug. 2, 1993
TELEVISION
The Networks Run For
To avoid a warning label,
violent shows are getting
toned down-or dropped
By RICHARD ZOGLIN
RODUCER JOHN LANGLEY WAS
P
screening a rough cut of his new
Fox network show Cop Files a
couple of weeks ago, and he
wasn't happy. In one scene, a
female police officer surprises a burgiary
suspect in a warehouse; be attacks her
savagely, then she shoots him in self-
defense. When Fox censors objected to the
violence, Langley was forced to make
drastic excisions. "It was absurd." be
says. "The pressure was on us to de-
emphasize the attack, so you wound up
showing her shooting him without any
motivation." Langley, like many others in
Hollywood, knows the reason for this out-
break of squeamishness: the networks
have suddenly got religion on the subject
of violence.
After several rounds of congressional
hearings that aired concerns about vio-
lence on TV, the four networks last month
announced a joint response. Starting
in September, they will attach a warning
label-DUE TO SOME VIOLENT CONTENT,
PARENTAL DISCRETION ADVISED-to shows
with high levels of maybem. Over the past
two weeks, network executives have
trooped before junketing TV journalists in
Los Angeles to stress their concerns about
violence-and assert that they aren't the
only ones to blame. Next Monday a heavy-
weight lineup of TV producers, network
executives and other industry bigwigs
will meet to explore the violence issue at a
daylong "summit conference" sponsored
by the National Council for Families and
Television.
Initial reaction to the networks' label-
ing plan was predictably skeptical. Critics,
from conservative watchdog Terry Ra-
kolta to earnest newspaper columnists,
complained that the warning label was a
cop-out. a Band-Aid solution that would
not reduce violence but wou! simply
point out more clearly where to find it. But
as production for the new season gets un-
der way, the impact of the new label is
shaping up as substantial. maybe even
crippling. The Clean Up Your Network
Blasting away in NBC's Ambush in Waco
with rear audity, relatively
rough language ("You pissy
little bitch"). and some strong
or Cover
violence. In the face of affiliate
discomfort-roughly a third of
ABC station executives polled
at a recent network meeting
said they might not run the
show-Bochco said be would
campaign may help make TV safer for
consider making some
kids, but it will almost certainly make net-
changes: "T'm trying to be sen-
work programming even blander than it
sitive to the concerns without
already is.
compromising the show."
The irony of the current outery is that
The anti-violence cam-
it comes at a time when violence on the
paign may have an even great-
networks is at a low ebb. Five, 10 or 15
er impact in the shows that
years ago, the prime-time schedules were
viewers won't see. All three
packed with turbulent crime shows like
networks have said they will
The A-Team, Miami Vice, Hunter and Hill
back off from their overzeal-
Street Blues. These have all but disap-
ous pursuit of true-crime mov-
peared, replaced by sitcoms, magazine
ies of the week. ABC, which
shows and "soft" dramas like LA. Law
David Caruso and Denns Franz of NYPD Blue
drew fire for its two-parter in
and Northern Exposure. Violence is largely
May about 1950s mass mur-
confined to a few reality shows, Cops,
ing these advertisers support violence."
derer Charles Starkweather, has turned
America's Most Wanted. and true-crime TV
Producers are justifiably worried
down a proposed TV movie about 1960s
movies-which are abundant but whose
about the chilling effect this could have on
mass murderer Richard Speck. Critics
violence looks positively prim beside the
provocative programming. "Once you get
may cheer at the demise of this tawdry
brutality of any Lethal Weapon sequel or
advertising redlining. you'll have a debili-
TV-movie crime wave, but good films may
Schwarzenegger extravaganza.
tating effect on some of TV's most power-
get hurt in the process. ABC had planned to
Still, faced with public concern about
ful dramas," says Dick Wolf, executive
air the explosively violent (and Oscar-win-
the effect TV violence might be having on
producer of NBC's Law d Order. "When
ning) film Goodfellas this season, complete
young viewers, the networks have vowed
Law & Order started, we did episodes on
with an introduction by director Martin
to scrub their houses even cleaner. The la-
subjects like abortion-clinic bombings. In
Scorsese in which be asserts the film is
bel Itself may turn out to be sparingly
this current environment, I don't know if
not a glorification of violence. In the cur-
used. Network officials say few, If any, of
those would ever have gotten made." The
rent climate, the network has decided to
their regular series will be so branded:
network standards-and-practices depart-
pull the film from this season's schedule.
only Steven Bochco's racy new cop show
ments are already increasing their vigi-
Meanwhile, network executives are
for ABC, NYPD Blue, has been singled out
lance. "We're used to dealing with Stan-
complaining loudly about being made
as likely to get a weekly warning. in gener-
dards & Practices on a daily basis in terms
scapegoats for a larger problem in society.
al, the label will be applied on a case-by-
of language and violence," says Langley of
"The TV networks are a lot easier target
case basis to certain TV movies and indi-
Cop Files. "But they've become even more
than the National Rifle Association," notes
vidual episodes of regular series.
cautious recently." ABC Entertainment
CBS Entertainment president Jeff Sa-
The real question is whether a "V" la-
chief Harbert, speaking to affiliates in
gansky. He and others point out that most
bel-like an R or NC-17 rating for feature
June, promised that the network would
TV violence is found not on the networks
films-will become a stigma to be avoided
"work to keep the violence to the absolute
but on syndicated shows like The Untouch-
at almost all costs. The fear is that adver-
minimum" this fall. George Vradenburg
ables and Highlander, and OD cable chan-
tisers, always skittish about controversial
3d, executive vice president of Fox Inc.,
nels, which are still free to air whatever
they want. Not to mention video games,
rented movies-and, of course, real life.
"Advertisers will be lemming-like
"There's nothing more violent than
watching the 11 o'clock news at night, and
in their avoidance of these programs.
nothing more toxic," contends Peter Gu-
ber, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertain-
ment. "Baby Falls Out of Window! Tune in
at 11! We have to apply the same stan-
programs that might inspire a letter-writ-
vows "increased attention not only to the
dards to all visual images-not just what
ing campaign or an advertiser boycott, will
depiction of violence but also to whether
we call entertainment, but news, informa-
be scared off by any show that carries the
there are appropriate ways to resolve con-
tion and reality-based programs."
label. Madison Avenue veterans think they
flicts without using violence." One CBS
The controversy over whether TV vio-
will. "Advertisers will be lemming-like in
show has already been affected: Walker,
lence truly affects the way people act will
their avoidance of these programs," says
Texas Ranger, a western starring Chuck
continue to roil, with little chance of being
Gene DeWitt, president of his own New
Norris that premiered in the spring, will
resolved conclusively. For now, however,
York City media management firm, "be-
be less violent when it returns to the fall
those alarmed by violence have the upper
cause advertising on them will just be ask-
schedule, network programmers say.
hand. Until viewers raise new alarms by
ing for trouble." Asserts Betsy Frank, a se-
The program drawing the most scruti-
tuning out in search of more stimulating
nior vice president of Saatchi & Saatchi:
ny is NYPD Blue; it is an admitted effort by
entertainment, network TV seems headed
"You are shining a spotlight on certain
Bochco, creator of Hill Street Blues, to do
for a dull, discreet stretch. -Reported by
programs and on advertisers who are sup-
network TV's first R-rated series. The pi-
Georgia Harbison/New York and Jeffrey Resaner/
porting those programs. In effect, it's say-
lot episode contains a steamy sex scene
Los Angeles
7
AUGUST 2. 1993
53
EDITORIAL
BY MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE VICTIMS OF TV VIOLENCE
o you despair at the sight of the youngster in a
bery, rape, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and pregnancy.
D
trance in front of the television set? You are
It is hard to avoid the judgment that TV, an acro-
not alone. With sets turned on in the inner city
nym for too violent, has become an integral part of this
for 11 hours a day, with video, pay per view and multi-
problem. Research suggests that it increases physical
plying cable channels, TV has become the closest and
aggression in children, such as getting into fights and
most constant companion for American children. It has
disrupting the play of others. Does this increase in ag-
become the nation's mom and pop, storyteller, baby
gression contribute to the explosion of criminal vio-
sitter, preacher and teacher. Our children watch an
lence? Many argue that it does. They point to studies
astonishing 5,000 hours by the first grade and 19,000
such as one demonstrating that children who watched
hours by the end of high school-more time than they
a lot of TV violence at 8 years of age have a higher
spend in class. The question more and more concern-
propensity to commit violent crime by age 30, includ-
ing parents, psychologists and public officials is this:
ing the beating of their own children.
What is all this viewing doing to them?
There are those who argue that TV
The greatest impact is on preadoles-
violence is a cathartic rather than a
cent children who do not yet have the
stimulant. Indeed, precise malign con-
capacity to gauge what is real and what
nections may be difficult to prove. But
is not. To them, TV is a report on how
common sense dictates that the effect
the world really works. There may be a
cannot be good. Some 80 percent of
comic side to it. One Indiana school
Americans feel that TV violence is
board had to issue an advisory that
harmful to our society and that there is
there is no such thing as the Teenage
too much of it a our entertainment.
Mutant Ninja Turtles that the children
The burden of proof should fall on
had been crawling down storm drains
those who continue to promote vio-
to reach. But there is nothing amusing
lence and use it as entertainment.
about the perception children gain
The TV networks recently made a
from TV that violence is the easy solu-
concession by providing a rating sys-
tion to many problems, employed by
tem to alert viewers to impending vio-
good characters as much as bad and
lence. It is a gesture, but that is all it
always leading to a happy ending.
is. It identifies the violence but it does
The concern is that in later life, those conditioned to
not remove it. It puts the onus on the parents-and
violence will intuitively continue to regard it as exciting,
parents do have a duty to protect their children from
charismatic and effective. Consider how pervasive it is.
the brutalizing effect of nightly sluggings. But parents
By the age of 18, according to one estimate, a youngster
cannot do it all, given absences for work and for travel;
will have seen 200,000 acts of violence on TV, including
that many children watch TV in their own rooms, and
40,000 murders. TV Guide looked at 10 channels on one
that the alert system excludes cartoons, cable, videos
normal 18-hour day and found 1,846 individual acts of
and so forth.
violence-and every hour of prime time carries six to
The alert system is no more than a beginning, a rec-
eight acts of violence. Violence has become normal, the
ognition but not a resolution. The minimum next step
Pied Piper to lure the vulnerable to a darker world.
is to take advantage of the technical capacity to manu-
The youthful world has become dramatically more
facture TV sets with a computer chip that will allow
violent. Consider this piece of anecdotal evidence
parents, unilaterally, to block off programs carrying
turned up by CBS News: The seven top problems in
the V rating-just as we now mandate sets to help the
public schools in 1940 were identified by teachers
deaf. And with that should go an earnest effort by the
as talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise,
creative controllers to take the V out of much more of
running in the halls. cutting in line, dress-code
their television. It is not a happy prospect that a com-
infractions and littering. By 1980. the seven top prob-
mercial Big Brother could substitute for the Orwellian
lems had been identified as suicide. assault. rob-
Big Brother.
64
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. AUGUST 2 1993
Hollywood
TIM ROBBINS AND SUSAN SARANDON IMPLORE THE
nation to treat Haitians with AIDS more
still doth
Passing the buck
humanely. Robert Redford works for the envi-
ronment. Harry Belafonte marches against the
protest too
death penalty.
in Tinseltown
Actors and producers seem to be constantly
BY MICHAEL KRASNY
much. while
speaking out for noble causes far removed
from their lives. They seem even more vocal
and visible now that there is a Democrat in the
For seven years, Michael Krasny
the stats on
White House. But in the one area over which
hosted @ successful West Coast radio
they have control-the excessive violence in
talk show widely recognized for dis-
the entertainment industry-Hollywood
cussing serious issues and showing
video violence
respect for callers. Krasny left his
activists remain silent.
commercial program to move to
This summer, Washington was abuzz with
public redio in February 1993. Many
pile up.
talk about the movie Dave, in which Kevin
sew Kresny's departure from com-
Kline stars as the acting president. But every
mercial radio as symbolic of the
by ( all M.
time I saw an ad featuring Kline, the movie I
Industry trend toward sensationelism
and controversy-end away from public trust and
couldn't get out of my head was Grand Canyon.
responsibility.
There are two scenes in it that explain much of
Mother Jones commissioned Krasny to explore
what has gone wrong in America.
the trend toward excess, particularly excess vio-
Kline's character has a friend, played by Steve
lence, in the entertainment Industry. Film and TV
Martin, who is a producer of the B-grade, violent movies that Hollywood
producers, directors, and writers claim that they
euphemistically calls "action" films. But after an armed robber shoots Mar-
want to create works of artistic and social value,
yet too often what we-and our children-see is
tins character in the leg. he has an epiphany
only blood and gora. How can we reconcile the First
"I can't make those movies any more." he decides. "I can't make another
Amendment with the cost to society of viewing such
piece of art that glorifies violence and bloodshed and brutality. No
more
violence? And to what extent are these Individuals
exploding bodies, exploding buildings, exploding anything. I'm going to
responsible for the repercussions of their violent
make the world a better place."
movies and television shows? Krasny asked . few
players for their thoughts:
A month or two later. Kline calls on Martin at his Hollywood studio to
congratulate him on the "new direction" his career has taken.
BRIAN GRAZER, Ron Howard's partner, has
"What? Oh that," Martin says dismissively. "Fuck that. That's over. I
produced more than twenty movies. "Most of
must have been delirious for a few weeks there."
my films have been sweet-spirited: Parenthood.
He then gins up every hoary excuse for Hollywood-generated violence
Splash. My Girl. I'm proud of them. Others I'm
you've ever heard, ending with: "My movies reflect what's going on; they
not so proud of. 1 learned a big lesson with
don't make what's going on."
Kindergarten Cop. No one objected to the violent
This is Hollywood's last line of defense for why it shows murder and
confrontation scene, and there was no problem
with it in our focus groups. Then I showed it to
mayhem on the big screen and the little one, in prime time and early in
my five-year-old, and all of a sudden, reflexively,
the morning, to children, adolescents, and adults:
I put my nand over his eyes. I knew at that point
We don't cause violence, we just report it.
that we'd made a mistake. It was too late to cut
Four years ago, 1 joined the legion of writers, researchers, and parents
the scene, but I would cut it now.
who have tried to force Hollywood to confront the more disturbing truth. I
"Usually bad movies aren't hits. I don't see
wrote a series of newspaper articles on the massive body of evidence that
Freddy Krueger [Nightmare on Elm Street]
movies, and I wouldn't want my kids to see
establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship between violence on tele-
them. I don't know why people make such
vision and violence in society.
movies. They're sick."
The orchestrated response from the industry-a series of letters seeking
to discredit me-was something to behold.
BOB SHAYE, chief executive officer of New Line
Because the fact is, on
Cinema, is responsible for the Nightmare on Elm
Street horror films. "There's an almost sardonic
the one issue over which
or dour humor to Freddy Krueger [the Elm Street
they have power, the liber-
killer], especially to fantasy horror buffs. The
als in Hollywood don't act
kids
tales are useful and cautionary. They suggest that
like progressive thinkers;
evil and harm are averywhere and that we need
they act like, say, the
to be prepared. They're not Intended for kids.
National Rifle Association:
"We create a product. People buy It or they
Guns don't kill people,
don't. It pains my aesthetic judgment, but I often
feel a good movie is one that makes money. My
people kill people.
interest is in entertaining people. The Killers and
We don't cause violence in
Batmon? Too much for kids. I can draw my lines.
the world, we just reflect it.
Not everyone can."
PHOTOGRAPH BY EVERARD WILLIAMS
17
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
warped
SAM HAMM shares screenwriting credit for
THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS INTO THE EFFECTS OF TELEVISION VIOLENCE
Batman and Batman Returns. "K was probably a
took place in 1954. Although television was still relatively new, its extraor-
bad idea to excite small children to see Betmen
dinary marketing power was already evident. The tube was teaching
Returns. The tie-in to McDonald's was the idea
of marketing people.
Americans what to buy and how to act, not only in advertisements, but in
"But I'm ambivalent about all of this. I can
dramatic shows, too.
remember being scared as a kid at horror films
Everybody from Hollywood producers to Madison Avenue ad
and developing a craving for that sort of thing,
would boast about this power-and seek to utilize it on dual tracks: to
but that's what may form imagination in a
make money and to remake society along better lines.
strong way and that's what creates narrative
Because it seemed ludicrous to assert that there was only one area-the
and Inner life. It teaches you to look for stuff
depiction of violence-where television did not influence behavior, the
that's not safe in the art you enjoy later on.
television industry came up with this theory: Watching violence is cathar-
"I'm not arguing to expose kids to Friday the
tic. A violent person might be sated by watching a murder.
13th movies or porno, but I feel there's too
The notion intrigued social scientists, and by 1956 they were studying it
much caution about what kids see. Gravitating
toward the forbidden is a natural part of grow-
in earnest. Unfortunately, watching violence turned out to be anything but
cathartic.
ing up.
"I'm dubious of stimulation and effect, wary
In the 1956 study, one dozen four-year-olds watched a "Woody Wood-
of speaking of anyone's experience but my own.
pecker" cartoon that was full of violent images. Twelve other preschoolers
I knew as a kid very clearly the distinction
watched "Little Red Hen." a peaceful cartoon. Then the children were
between real violence and cartoon or film vio-
observed. The children who watched "Woody Woodpecker" were
lence. I'm waiting for the legions of those affect-
likely to hit other children, verbally accost their classmates. break toys, be
ed by what they see to give testimony."
disruptive, and engage in destructive behavior during free play
For the next thirty years, researchers in all walks of the social sciences
VIVIENNE VERDON-ROE di-
studied the question of whether television causes violence. The results
rected the documentary film
Women For America, For The
have been stunningly conclusive.
World. "I can't go to most popu-
"There is more published research on this topic than on almost any
lar movies without checking
other social issue of our time," University of Kansas Professor Aletha C.
them out with friends first,
Huston, chairwoman of the American Psychological Association's Task
because I can't physically sit
Force on Television and Society, told Congress in 1988. "Virtually all inde-
through [violent ones]. My body
pendent scholars agree that there is evidence that television can
:
will not allow It. People really
aggressive behavior."
ought to think about the effects.
There have been some three thousand studies of this issue-eigh -five of
They may not faint Illon I do, but they're getting
them major research efforts-and they all say the same thing Of the eighty-
desensitized to violence, and It contributes to
five major studies, the only one that failed to find a causal relationship
the social violence of gangs and the like.
"It's Incredibly difficult when there are so few
between television violence and actual violence was paid for by NBC. When
alternatives. Teens go to movies because there's
the study was subsequently reviewed by three independent social scientists,
often nothing else for them to do, and If they
all three concluded that it actually did demonstrate a causal relationship.
are gruesome or bad movies, no one in society
Some highlights from the history of TV violence research:
seems to be saying so.
In 1973. when a town in mountainous western Canada was wired for
"I'm not an Insider. I'm not living down there.
television signals, University of British Columbia researchers observed
But 1 know enough. It's all money. Everything's
first- and second-graders. Within two years, the incidence of hitting. bit-
money. It's horrible."
ing, and shoving increased 160 percent in those classes.
Two Chicago doctors, Leonard Eron and Rowell Huesmann, followed
RICHARD DONNER di-
the viewing habits of a group of children for twenty-two years. They found
rected the Lethal
Weapon movies, Super-
that watching violence on television is the single best predictor of violent
man, The Omen, and The
or aggressive behavior later in life, ahead of such commonly accepted fac-
Goonies, among others.
tors as parents' behavior, poverty, and race.
"If people see gratuitous
"Television violence effects youngsters of all ages, of both genders, at all
violence in any of the
socioeconomic levels and all levels of intelligence," they told Congress in
Lethol Weopon movies, I
1992. "The effect is not limited to children who are already disp
to
wonder if they've seen
being aggressive and is not restricted to this country"
the same movie. It's entertainment. That's my
Fascinated by an explosion of murder rates in the United States and
obligation. I brought social Issues Into the Lethal
Canada that began in 1955, after a generation of North Americans
Weapon movies, like when Danny Glover's family
come of age on television violence, University of Washington Professor
comes down on him for eating tuna, or the
Brandon Centerwall decided to see if the same phenomenon could be
'Stamp out the NRA' sign up in the LA police
observed in South Africa, where the Afrikaner-dc nated regime
station. In the last one the daughter wears a
banned television until 1975.
pro-choice T-shirt.
"You've got to prove (a connection between
He found that eight years after TV was introduced-showing mostly Hol-
film violence and real violence] to me. Movies
lywood-produced fare-South Africa's murder rate skyrocketed. His most
do provoke. I won't do gratuitous or animal vio-
telling finding was that the crime rate increased first in the white communi-
lence. We went a little too far in the first Lethal
ties. This mirrors U.S. crime statistics in the 1950s and especially points the
Weapon, but I wanted to move more after that
finger at television, because whites were the first to get it in both countries.
MOTHER JONES JULY/AUGUST (99)
18
ILLUSTRATIONS BY BARRY BLITT
Bolder than most researchers, Cen-
toward a less real and more comic-book effect,
terwall argues flatly that without vio-
despite the great reaction we had.
By the age of
lent television programming. there
"Public trust comes into filmmaking. The
might be as many as ten thousand
filmmaker is ultimately accountable. I can
eighteen. the
fewer murders in the United States
defend my own work only on personal grounds.
each year.
If I'm a provocateur of anything, I hope it's good
emotion and humor. Censor-
In 1983, University of California,
average child
ship is in the ratings system.
San Diego, researcher David P.
k works."
Phillips wanted to see if there was a
has vitnessed
correlation between televised boxing
CALLIE KHOURI won an
matches and violence in the streets of
Academy Award for her
America.
screenplay of Theima and
eighteen
Looking at crime rates after every
Louise. "I have a hard time
televised heavyweight championship
with violence just to enter-
tain, but I believe it can be
thousand
fight from 1973 to 1978, Phillips
found that the homicide rate in the
very effective in getting a
point across. I resorted to it
United States rose by an average of 11
in my film, but there was a conscience to it.
simulated
percent for approximately one week.
Thelma and Louise felt they had done something
Phillips also found that the killers
wrong, and there were big consequences-
murders on TV.
were likely to focus their aggression
including psychic consequences.
on victims similar to the losing fight-
"Outlaw movies have always been a catharsis
er: if he was white, the increased
for men, but denied to women. I was extremely
number of victims were mostly
frustrated with the literal interpretation of
white. The converse was true if the losing fighter was black.
Thelma and Louise. Doesn't anyone read any-
In 1988, researchers Daniel G. Linz and Edward Donnerstein of the
more or understand metaphor? The film was
supposed to be complex, without easy answers,
University of California, Santa Barbara, and Steven Penrod of the Universi-
and with flawed characters. I thought when
ty of Wisconsin studied the effects on young men of horror movies and
Louise shot that guy that there'd be dead
"slasher" films.
silence in the theater. That scene was written
They found that depictions of violence, not sex. are what desensitizes
carefully: it was an attempted rape, and I want-
people.
ed to make what she did wrong. And yet people
They divided male students into four groups. One group wat hed no
cheered. I was stunned."
movies, a second watched nonviolent. X-rated movies, a third watched
teenage sexual-innuendo movies. and a fourth watched the slasher films
LESLIE MOONVES is head of
Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th Part 2. Maniac, and Toolbox
Lorimar Studios, often called the
Murders.
fifth network, which produced
All the young men were placed on a mock jury panel and asked a series
the TV movies "Jack the Ripper"
and "Deliberate Strangers"
of questions designed to measure their empathy for an alleged female rape
(about serial killer Ted Bundy), as
victim. Those in the fourth group measured lowest in empathy for the spe-
well as shows that Moonves has
cific victim in the experiment-and for rape victims in general.
considerably more pride in, such
as "I'll Fly Away" and "Home
THE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE IS OFTEN MORE COMPELLING THAN THE SCIENTIFIC
Front." "I'd love to do another
studies. Ask any homicide cop from London to Los Angeles to Bangkok if
4'll Fly Away,' but the corporate
television violence induces real-life violence and listen carefully to the cyn-
bosses won't let me. When you
ical, knowing laugh.
get burned with quality programming you get
Ask David McCarthy, police chief in Greenfield, Massachusetts, why
gun-shy-you feel you need to stick to the shows
nineteen-year-old Mark Branch killed himself after stabbing an eighteen-
that make money. You know what the problem
year-old female college student to death. When cops searched his room
Is? Network change. Somebody like Bill Paley
[former chairman of CBS] used to say that he
they found ninety horror movies, as well as a machete and a goalie mask
didn't care If he got a twelve share, because
like those used by Jason, the grisly star of Friday the 13th.
there was a public trust and social responsibility
Ask the families of thirty-five young men who committed suicide by
to put on an 4" Fly ANEY.' GE buys a network,
playing Russian roulette after seeing the movie The Deer Hunter.
and you've got a different agenda.
Ask George Gavito, a lieutenant in the Cameron County, Texas, sheriff's
"Network presidents don't keep their jobs
department, about a cult that sacrificed at least thirteen people on a ranch
based on the number of Emmy awards. Let's
west of Matamoros, Mexico. The suspects kept mentioning a 1986 movie,
face it: there is more sensation and violence be-
The Believers, about rich families who engage in ritual sacrifice. "They talk
cause it works. The movie of the week has
about it like that had something to do with changing them." Gavito
become the killer of the week story.
recalled later.
"Do we have a responsibility to our public? Of
Ask LAPD lieutenant Mike Melton about Angel Regino of Los Angeles.
course. 1 honestly don't know what to do about
it. How's that for an answer?"
who was picked up after a series of robberies and a murder in which he
wore a blue bandanna and fedora identical to those worn by Freddy: the
JOE ESZTERHAS has written the scripts for
sadistic anti-hero of Nightmare on Elm Street. In case anybody missed the
such major Hollywood films as Betrayal, jagged
19
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
Edge, Basic Instinct, and Sliver. His work has been
significance of his disguise, Regino told his victims that they would never
criticized as sexist and homophobic. "I don't like
forget him, because he was another Freddy Krueger.
to be a Monday morning quarterback on my
own work."
Ask Britain Home Secretary Douglas Hurd. who called for further restric-
tions on U.S.-produced films after Michael Ryan of Hungerford committed
DAWN STEEL became
Britains worst mass murder in imitation of Rambo, massacring sixteen
the first woman to head a
ple while wearing a U.S. combat jacket and a bandoleer of ammunition.
major studio when she
Ask Sergeant John O'Malley of the New York Police Department about a
was made president of
nine-year-old boy who sprayed a Bronx office building with gunfire. The
Columbia Pictures in
boy explained to the astonished sergeant how he learned to load his Uzi-
1987. During her career,
like firearm: "I watch a lot of TV"
she has worked on such
Or ask Manteca, California, police detective Jeff Boyd about thirteen-
films as Top Gun, Beverly
year-old Juan Valdez, who, with another teenager, went to a man's home,
Hills Cop 11, Casuelties of
kicked him, stabbed him, beat him with a fireplace poker, and then choked
Wer, When Harry Met
Sally, and Look Who's Talking. She now runs her
him to death with a dog chain.
own production company. "I believe I've never
Why, Boyd wanted to know, had the boys poured salt in the vict $
made a movie in bad taste or with excessive vio-
wounds?
lence. But for profit, I've had to make movies
"Oh, I don't know," the youth replied with a shrug. "I just seen it on TV."
not from my soul. If I want to make a film for
passion, I have to make it for less money.
NUMEROUS GROUPS HAVE CALLED, OVER THE YEARS, FOR CURBING TEI
N
"I'm more cynical about the violence in LA
violence: the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Vio-
than about violence in our business. It's un-
lence (1969), the U.S. Surgeon General (1972). the Canadian Royal Commis-
answerable whether movies reflect the culture
sion (1976), the National Institute of Mental Health (1982), the U.S. Anorney
or vice versa. I monitor my kid's movies and
General's Task Force on Family Violence (1984), the National Parents Teach-
won't let her see what's not appropriate for her.
There's no way you can censor any movie in this
ers Association (1987), and the American Psychological Association (1992).
country that's being made. That's our First
During that time, cable television and movie rentals have made violence
Amendment."
more readily available while at the same time pushing the envelope for net-
work TV. But even leaving aside cable and movie rentals, a study of televi-
MATT GROENING is cre-
sion programming from 1967 to 1989 showed only small ups and
$
ator and executive pro-
in violence. with the violent acts moving from one time slot to another but
ducer of the TV hit "The
the overall violence rate remaini pretty steady-and pretty similar from
Simpsons." "Anytime you
network to network.
visualize something, it's
"The percent of prime-time programs using violence remains more
difficult not to glorify it.
seven out of ten. as it has been for the entire twenty-two-year period,"
Every antiwar film is pro-
war, because its violence
researchers George Gerbner of the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg
is stylized and an audience
School for Communication and Nancy Signorielli of the University of
can be removed from it
Delaware wrote in 1990. For the past twenty-two years, they found, adults
and enjoy it. Stylistically, violence is almost
and children have been entertained by about sixteen violent acts, including
Invariably glorified, even when you have an anti-
two murders, in each evening's prime-time programming.
violent point of view Look at Platoon. Violence is
They also discovered that the rate of violence in children's programs is
invariably used in movies and TV as punctuation,
three times the rate in prime-time shows. By the age of eighteen, the aver-
and it does have a numbing effect on people
age American child has witnessed at least eighteen thousand simulated
after a time.
murders on television.
"Most TV, most movies, really, are less perni-
By 1989, network executives were arguing that their violence was part of
clous than tedious and boring. What's bad for
kids is bad storytelling. Tell better stories."
a larger context in which bad guys get their just desserts.
"We have never put any faith in mechanical measurements, such as
BARRY DILLER, ex-chief
counting punches or gunshots." said NBC's Alan Gerson. "Action and con-
executive officer and
flict must be evaluated within each specific dramatic context."
chairman of Fox and Matt
"Our policy," added Alfred R. Schneider of ABC, makes clear that
Groening's former boss,
when violence is portrayed [on TV], it must be reasonably related to plot
now heads QVC Network.
development and character delineation."
He couldn't disagree more
Of course, what early-childhood experts could tell these executives is
with Groening about tele-
that children between the ages of four and seven simply make no connec-
vision's being mostly bad.
tion between the murder at the beginning of a half-hour show and the
"I can't imagine why he
led away in handcuffs at the end. In fact, psychologists know that very
would say that. Pound for
pound, the hour and half-hour television series
young children do not even understand death to be a permanent condition.
are very good. There's a lot of junk, but much
But all of the scientific studies and reports, all of the wisdom of cops
more in the movie business, the record busi-
grief of parents have run up against Congress's quite proper fear of censor-
ness, even legitimate theater. It's snobbery to
ship. For years, Democratic Congressman Peter Rodino of New Jersey
call a show like 'Roseanne' lowbrow or vulgar.
chaired the House Judiciary Committee and looked at calls for some form
It's funny and interesting and has a good moral
of censorship with a jaundiced eye. At a hearing five years ago. Rodino told
value and tone.
witnesses that Congress must be a "protector of commerce."
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
20
"Well. we have children that we need to protect," replied Frank M.
"TV movies are crummy. 'Hard Copy' is a
Palumbo. a pediatrician at Georgetown University Hospital and a consul-
lying, thieving, lowlife program of hideous, cyni-
tant to the American Academy of Pediatrics. "What we have here is a toxic
cal purpose. It's not serious television. There
substance in the environment that is harmful to children."
are only a few tabloid shows, but they speak
Arnold Fege of the national PTA added, "Clearly, this committee would not
loudly.
"I think you look at society, and you see what
protect teachers who taught violence to children. Yet why would we condone
is reflected on television In terms of violent
children being exposed to a steady diet of TV violence year after year?"
action. Absolutely, [there is too much violence].
Finally there is a reason to hope for progress.
But we can be thoughtful and reasonable and
Early this summer, Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey, chair of
change that, reduce it. 1 think plans over the last
the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on telecommunications,
few years will help. Senator Simon's work with
said that Congress may require manufacturers to build TV sets with a
the networks will help."
computer chip so that parents could block violent programs from those
their children could select.
PHILIP KAUFMAN co-
He joins the fight waged by Senator Paul Simon, a liberal Democrat from
wrote and directed The
Wanderers, The Unbearable
Illinois. Nine years ago, Simon flipped on a hotel television set hoping to
Lightness of Being, and
catch the late news. "Instead," he has recalled many times, "I saw a man
Henry and June, and wrote
being sawed in half with a chainsaw, in living color."
and directed The Right
Simon was unsettled by the image and even more unsettled when he
Stuff. "There is a fascist
wondered what repeatedly looking at such images would do to the mind of
edge to a lot of the violence
a fourteen-year-old.
we see. I'm in favor of push-
When he found out. he called television executives, who told him that
ing the envelope, but when
violence sells and that they would be at a competitive disadvantage if they
you push k in remance or eroticism you got an
acted responsibly.
NC-17 rating. It's easier to get an R rating If you
Why not get together and adopt voluntary guidelines? Simon asked.
use senseless violence, because the ratings board
is largely conservative and embraces violence
Oh, that would be a violation of antitrust law, they assured him.
before sex."
Simon called their bluff in 1990 by pushing through Congress a law that
allowed a three-year moratorium on antitrust considerations so that the
JOSH BRAND, along with his partner, has pro-
industry could discuss ways to jointly reduce violence.
duced the TV hits "St. Elsewhere" and "North-
Halfway through that time, however, they had done nothing, and an
am Exposure." "If something gets a high rating,
angry Simon denounced the industry on the Senate floor. With a push
say, The Amy Fisher Stor. then advertisers
from some prominent industry figures, a conference was set for this
pay more money. Now, did the networks create
August 2 in Los Angeles. (See action card between pages 16 and 17.)
the audience for It, or do they pander to what
This spring, CBS broadcast group president Howard Stringer said his
the audience wanted? Is it okay to pollute the
network was looking for ways to cut back on violence in its entertainment,
emotional and spiritual environment?
because he was troubled by the cost to society of continuing business-as-
"Now there are studies [that show] that vio:
lent images don't affect people, just as the
usual.
tobacco Industry has studies showing that ciga-
"We must admit we have a responsibility," he said.
rette smoking doesn't cause cancer. And they
Jack Valenti, the powerful head of the Motion Picture Association of
use the First Amendment to evoke their rights
America, wrote to producers urging them to participate in the August 2
and get into this study versus that study, and the
conference. "I think it's more than a bunch of talk," Simon said. "I think
who thing becomes a wash, a miasma of
this conference will produce some results. I think the industry will adopt
moral mud. But I think that there is absolutely
some standards."
no question that the profusion of these kinds of
The federal government, of course. possesses the power to regulate the
images has a negative effect, not only on chil-
airwaves through the FCC, and Simon and others believe that this latent
dren but on human beings in general.
power to control violence-never used-has put the fear of God in the
"But regulations are dangerous, particularly
when dealing with the free expression of ideas. I
producers. He also thinks some of them are starting to feel guilty.
do believe that some of those ideas are like pol-
"We now have more people in jail and prison per capita than any coun-
futants, but there isn't one thing you can do. A
try that keeps records, including South Africa," Simon says. "We've spent
panacea doesn't exist."
billions putting people behind bars, and it's had no effect on the crime rate.
None. People realize there have to be other answers, and as they've looked
Although there may be no panaces, we must
around, they have settled on television as one of them."
still look for solutions. How would you resolve
Maybe Simon is right. Maybe Hollywood executives will gel together
the conflict between excessive violence in -nter-
and make a difference.
tainment and the protections guaranteed under
Or maybe. like Steve Martin's character in Grand Canyon, producers and
the First Amendment?
directors from New York to Beverly Hills will wake up after Simon's
to Mother Jones, 1663 Mission St., 2nd
antitrust exemption expires December 1. shake off the effects of their holi-
Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. Or fax us at
day hangovers, and when asked about their new commitment to responsi-
(415) 863-5136.
Michael Krasny is currently the host of San
ble filmmaking. answer:
Francisco radio station KOED's "Forum," . week-
"What? Oh that. Fuck that. That's over. We must have been delirious for
day talk show. Priscillo Yamin of Mother Jones
a few weeks there."
and Karen Doar contributed research to these
Carl M. Cannon is the White House correspondent for the Baltimore Sun.
Interviews.
MOTHER JONES. JULY/AUGUST 1993
news from
PAUL SIMON
December, 1992
CONTACT: David Carle
Christopher R)
202-224-7115
202-224-7023
U.S. SENATOR
ILLINOIS
'Big Three' Television Networks
Agree on Joint TV Violence Standards
Under Simon's TV Violence Act
In a breakthrough for movement toward Industry-wide efforts to reduce violence
on television, U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, D-III., Friday announced Dec. 11 that ABC, CBS
and NBC have agreed to joint standards on entertainment TV viclence that will guide
programming on the networks.
The networks invoked the antitrust exemption in the two-year-old Television
Violence Act to draft and implement the standards, which draw upon their separate
existing guidelines. The Television Violence Act. authored by Simon, exempts the
television industry from antitrust limits to allow industry self-regulation to scale back
depictions of violence in entertainment programs, through development of common
standards. The law covers broadcasters, the cable industry and those who produce
TV programs. Simon cites the "overwhelming" body of research that shows excessive
violence on TV harms children and contributes to real-life violence in society.
Simon also announced that the three networks will convene an Industry-wide
conference on TV violence in Los Angeles next year to discuss further steps, and that
Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, has agreed to
participate. The networks say their joint standards are an attempt "to break this
stalemate" over industry use of the Simon laws before the clock runs out on the
antitrust exemption in December, 1993.
-30-
STANDARDS FOR THE DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE
IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS
ISSUED BY ABC, CBS and NBC
DECEMBER 1992
Preface
The following Standards for the Depiction of Violence in
Television Programs are issued jointly by the ABC, CBS and NBC
Television Networks under the Antitrust exemption granted by the
Television Violence Act of 1990.
Each Network has long been committed to presenting
television viewers with a broad spectrum of entertainment and
information programming. Each Network maintains its own extensive
published broadcast standards governing acceptability of both
program (including on-air promotion) and commercial materials.
These new joint standards are consistent with each of the
Network's long-standing preexisting policies on violence. At the
same time they are set forth in a more detailed and explanatory
manner to reflect the experience gained under the preexisting
policies. While adopting and subscribing to these joint
Standards, each Network will continue the tradition of individual
review of material, which will necessitate independent judgments
on a progran-by-progran basis.
The standards are not intended to inhibit the work of producers,
directors or writers or to impede the creative process. They are
intended to proscribe gratuitous or excessive portrayals of
violence.
In principle, each of the ABC, cas and NBC Television Networks is
committed to presenting programs which portray the human
condition, which may include the depiction of violence as a
component. The following Standards For The Depiction of Violence
In Television Programs will provide the framework within which the
acceptability of content will be determined by each Network in the
exercise of its own judgment.
STANDARDS FOR DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS
These written standards cannot cover every situation and must,
therefore, be worded broadly. Moreover, the Standards must be
considered against the creative context, character and tone of
each individual program. Each scene should be evaluated on its
own merits with due consideration for its creative integrity.
1) Conflict and strife are the essence of drama and
conflict often results in physical or psychological
violence. However, all depictions of violence should be
relevant and necessary to the development of character,
or to the advancement of theme or plot.
2)
Gratuitous or excessive depictions of violence, (or
redundant violence shown solely for its own sake), are
not acceptable.
3)
Programs should not depict violence as glamorous, nor as
an acceptable solution to human conflict.
4)
Depictions of violence may not be used to shock or
stimulate the audience.
5) Scenes showing excessive gore, pain or physical
suffering are not acceptable.
6) The intensity and frequency of the use of force, and
other factors relating to the manner of its portrayal,
should be measured under a standard of reasonableness so
that the program, on the whole, is appropriate for a
home viewing medium.
7)
Scenes which may be instructive in nature, e.g., which
depict in an imitable manner, the use of harmful devices
or weapons, describe readily usable techniques for the
commission of crimes, or show replicable methods for the
evasion of detection or apprehension, should be avoided.
Similarly, inganious, unique or otherwise unfamiliar
methods of inflicting pain or injury are unacceptable 1f
easily capable of initation.
8)
Realistic depictions of violence should also portray, in
human terms, the consequences of that violence to its
victims and its perpetrators. Callousness or
indifference to suffering experienced by victims of
violence should be avoided.
9)
Exceptional care must be taken in stories or scenes
where children are victims of, or are threatened by acts
of violence (physical, psychological or verbal).
10) The portrayal of dangerous behavior which would invite a
imitation by children, including portrayals of the
of weapons or implements readily accessible to this
impressionable group, should be avoided.
11) Realistic portrayals of violence as well as scenes,
images or events which are unduly frightening or
distressing to children should not be included in any
program specifically designed for that audience.
12) The use of real animals shall conform to accepted
standards of humane treatment. Fictionalized portr yals
of abusive treatment should be strictly limited to the
legitimate requirements of plot development.
13) Extreme caution must be exercised in any themes, plots
or scenes which mix sex and violence. Rape and other
sexual assaults are violent, not erotic, behavior.
14) The scheduling of any program, commercial or promotional
material, including those containing violent depictions,
should take into consideration the nature of the
program, its content and the likely composition of the
intended audience.
15) Certain exceptions to the foregoing may be acceptable,
as in the presentation of material whose overall theme
is clearly and unambiguously anti-violent.
AN INTERNATIONAL DAILY NEWSPAPER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUSI 26, 1992
500 ($1.00 CANADIANI
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Senator Lights Fire Under TV Industry Over Violence
the American people are not go-
clai legislation, which passed, give
CUS, and NIC. Julie Houver, an
The rable industry's response In
ing to simply sit by and say, 'Well,
lag them a three-year exemption
ABC apukowwoman, said: "They
Senator Simon's will was to com-
By Louise Sweeney
M they're not going w regulate
from such Laws.
agreed le agree, and are INW in
minium a stady by Dr. George
of Inc Chuston Science Manual
themselves, we're just not going
A year and a half later, be is
the process of trying to draft Lan-
Gerbaer, one of the foremout cm.
WASHING
to do anything about is." I think
attil waiting to see what the met
guage which will be adited and
perts on television violence." She
there is guing to be a demand for
works are going to da. He has
circulated actively. They're
says they hope to be able to share
T
ELEVISION violence, kny
some type of action. And I think
heard that they have had two
hoping is reach conclusions in
the results of the survey with Sen-
2 Willial slaph. on unjuriry
we have to be very careful in this
meetings in the last year and a
the next couple of munths.
ator Simon them fall.
programming. has begins
field because we don't want viula-
half. The most recent one was
"They're working un trying to
National Association of Broad-
agam an a subject of pub-
tions of the first amendment."
July 24. An ABC source con-
create some statements of princt-
canters apokesman Doug Wills
in .1141 congressional concern.
When Simon began his study
Armed that meeting, saying that u
ple," she mid. We (the networks]
says this organization held meet.
This with's TV Gunde, the na-
of TV violence, he asked industry
included representatives of ABC,
already have departments of stan-
legs on the subject starting in
nonal magazine covering the in-
representatives to work together
dards and practices, which review
June 1990.
dustry contains a section devoted
to rurb that violence. He started
every program before u goes out
"Our broad statement of prin-
In on lin' tube.
his campaign after being horri-
over the nic. We dun't M'C this
riples is a document saying Cha-
Healther Borden. a spokeswornan
fied by a feature Alm on TV of 8
kind of standards and practices
tuitous sex and violence the 11.11
1..8 the magazine, mays il did its
chain-saw massacre.
review evident anywhere on
belong on television." That's all
-lidely ... votence oner 10 ma.
llc told industry spokesmen
cable."
that we can do without count chal.
Lobs ⑉ the Washington area,
that there had been over 100
Simon says: "My hope in that
lenges on anternst."
- Il with a symposium of
studies of the relationship be
both the networks as well as the
As to is ratings system wills : I'
...... is rummog the results
tween vument INI 1V and vis-
independents and will pay
line violent programs. Simon
the 11:2' issue.
hine in muniy that Mr. of them
micutions to the straily INM'
"Congrams doesn't have the
Paul Sinion (1) of Illunois.
were substantial. mul that both
of the alternatives in MMIM* kiswl on
In bustitute is raings system. I...I
the Television Vindows
Iln. Muffer general and the Insti-
Federal Communications Comm.
Ilw. industry could Inkm it with
1.: by the satura-
Inde ON Mental Health had issued
mission minor.
voluntary statulards. They consided
11 wh III n that he is
studies ONL M - funding violence OR
The FUX: than have a Kiral
draw up such " costs ⑉ -IM homs
lilbing about calling 1.18 hearnigs
IV in causing violence due mustely.
deal of power INIT unlivabed Na.
In. says.
the subject "Mi 111.65 very will
Industry representatives told
them the threat of relieving ismb.
The problem is ww of will
1.000 .1 heanng after the first of
hum they coukin't ,to anything
videad difiliaten of their becauses,
Willa WI' med n the CEOS of 1111
the 30.13 the subcommatter INI
about is because In bit ungether
hw Instance
and NIH' and THS saying In 111.11
constitutional rights would Inshl
and establish standards would
SEMATOR SIMON: 110's outraged glood
Larmule, spokeswoman
prople "Ist's In responsable 111
messile ......................... hearing
violate the antitrust laws. UA.
violence on TV and throulens p
her the National Calde TV Associ-
2015. lat's KIT together and estable
Senator Sumon says: 1 think
daunted, he then introduced spe-
hold hearings in 1993.
attua, says u law already acted:
Marks Mandarits."
Newsday August 21, 1989
VIEWPOINTS
al Association of Breadcasters
By Paul Simon
Coming Soon: An Act
television code on antitrust
CHECKED INTO 4 motel
grounds The NAB settled the
room late one night a few
case 5 1982 and scrapped the on.
years age after a long day of
name in Illinois. I flipped
the recrn's TV BeL, hoping to
That Should Reduce
tire code learning additional any-
trust suite based on other portions
of the code. Thus change. coupied
each the late news. Instead. I saw
with added competitive pressures
in actor being sawed in half with
a chain saw, in vivid color.
Television Violence
on breadcasters. has spairned an
"arms race" in TV violence from
The scene unsettled me that
which none well retrest for fear of
r:ght I wondered what is would
losing retings points. As IR all
- to a 10-year-old or to a 14-year-old.
children, new 18. was what they had watched on
arres read. the public as the least.
When 1 returned to Washington I asked any
televasion when they were eight - not what their
I wondered why - couldn't give the industry a
staff to gasher studies on selevision violence.
families did. not what their social class was. not any
Simested exemption from the antitrum laws so it
They discovered nearly 3,000 acheiarly articles
of the other things that were measured.
could salve the problem staelf. As a bfeleng and
and studies.
By age 16. the average American child has BEEN
libertanan. I found the antitrust approach particu-
As I dug deeper I found. first. . remarkable
200,000 acts of violence - TV. Including 33,000
larly attractive. All the more - because I ast on the
consensus in several research fields about the
murders. The audience under 16 numbers about so
Senate Judiciary Committee. which oversees the
harm EXCESSIVE TV violence does to children and
million. If even one-teath of one percent are
antitrust lows.
soults: assend. confirmation that U.S. televison
harmed. we are nordicaly improveng 50,000 young
Most - the industry continue to deny TV -
is more violent than ever before and may be the
people with this gratuitieus electronic maybem.
lense - a problem at all Irensually. they claim that
mast violent of any industrialised county, and
As 1 digusted these findings 1 began to ask my
26 minutes of expesure to valence has no
third self-regulation not long age was an
accepted practice in the American solovi-
BION andustry. but today it to dilegal.
in the 1950a. when television vacience was
tame estapared with that area today. pay.
chologists tended toward a theory that n had
a effect that reduced viewers' ag.
grative behavior. Researchers today find no
data - support that theory. but find abus-
dont evidence of its harmful effects. The re-
search generally identifies three problems
connected with TV visimes: Children may
become less sensitive to the pain and suffer.
ing of others: they may because more Amerful
or the world around them: and they may be
more likely to behave in aggremive or harm-
ful ways toward others.
The American Amdremy of Podiatrics Sinds
"repented expecure to televised violence -
motor a prodivity to violence and a passive
response to its practice." in 1982. U.S. Sur-
gren General C. Everytt Keep reported a
asuee-and-affect relationship between -
ing visionse and aggremence behavior after
assung the National Institute or Montal
Health to review the meable body of research.
Date published in the New England Jour
mai of Medicine shows graphic depintant of
suiside - talevision are often followed by a
dramatic rise in teem suimides. Thirty-five
boys and young men between the ages of 8 and 31
solf this question: to a free society Who ours -
while 30 seconds of expesure to a commercial
hilled themselves playing Ruman revietes while
one that shuma government consership and has a
great impact. The obview answer IS that televasion
a scane from The Dear Hunter." which
commercial televasion industry - powerlous w
solls - whether a poktroal product. or map. or
they had seen on television. And after 8 televised
protect statelf and the children from the harm
I
depiction of the New Bedierd poul hall rape was
shown. 0 12-year-old boy comulted . 10-year-old
associated by - TV violones?
in writing the bill 1 wanted to forus on enter-
and on a pool table.
After dismassions with television pulicy mahers
assistment programing only. - I wrote report -
Researchers had a unique before-and-after -
and winde to the networks' divisions of mandards
guage and busis a legulative history malung
inz opportunity when TV - to # small Canadi-
and practions, I answered that question with the
that the exemption as not named as the contens of
an corementy that had never bed is before. They
Television Violence
news programs. One
send verbal and phyment aggression rune among
Act. which 1 expect will
reason is that CREET-
prunary school children after televasion bomme a
seen clear the Con-
tainment progra
part of the town We.
grees. The WII gives the
'Is a free society like ours
tend to gienty violence.
A study begun on a group of 8-year-olds and
Selevision industry the
while news programs
purposed for 10 years by Doctors Leonard Eron and
limited communion from
powerless to protect itself
do ROL
Rewell Husemann of the University of Illenois tried
the antitruct laws "
Like our politimans.
to identify all secure of aggreenent in childhood:
moods to legally develop
and its children?'
television can appeal to
child-rearing practices in the family. neighborhood
voluntary guidelines -
the been - us or to
experiences and other factors. Al the and of the 10
television violence. 3
worst Instincial Tee of-
years. the single best prodictor of violenes - these
first began exploring
ten. televasion today -
this approach when a network assecutive street
contributing to a tide of violence. A democratic.
in one meeting that he and his counterparts
pluraustic Beauty can and ways to protect
Sm. Paw Suman (D-III) M .
couldn't even most to discuss an industry-ende up
against excessive televised natense It's time for
former adver and publisher
presch to the problem because the anstrum laws
the selevision insustry to (orge a partnership with
- has survices . availably
prohibit n Has correment untrigued me.
America a families to acale back the sunsephere of
column for " yrs
The Justice Department filed a case in 1979
malence that w erupurg in our communities, on
challenging the advertising sections or the Nation.
our Main Streets. even is our scheelyards.
Newsday
12
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Tuesday, May 4.
MEDIA
Critics Zero In on TV Violence
There are top people in the
stations found no fewer than 100
told the Schroder/Variety sympo-
Senator Simon new an
By Fred Hith
television business who are
violent scenes per hour One-third
shum: 7 am an traplacable for of
sistency in the public's
sharply sware not only of the
of the violence involved We-
consorship by any group, self-ap-
when it comes to violence on TV
Special - - Drawn - -
prevalence of violence and the
threatening amounts. During an
pointed or elected or otherwise.
"K's the same inconsistency I
NEW
voes
growing objections to M, but also
18-hour span, the survey noted
We must not tell creative people
in the Senate," be says. The pub-
of the impact M has on viewers,
1,846 individual acts of violence.
how to tell their stories."
Nc wants lower taxes, but
T
ELEVISION violence the
particularly young ones. Unbri-
The American Psychological
The creative process, Valenti
services and the elimination of
gratuitous,
graphically
died violence has become an into-
Association estimates that the or-
pointed out, % so fraglie, to -
the deficit. The same thing with
eagly. often andistic kind
gral part not only of action
orage youngster will see 8,000
By shattered. I would LJ to direct
violence: The public objects to #
to under attack, and TV broad-
drama, but also of the cartoon
murders and 100,000 acts of bro-
a creative person to soften a no
and yet a is somehow fascinated
casters are paying close and even
fare for the very young.
tality by the time be or she an-
lane scene and still get the name
by k"
anxious attention.
Children's shows are fro-
tahes elementary school. The M-
kind of impact."
James Quello, the temporary
A meeting of top executives in
quently interrupted by commer-
sociation finds a definite
chairman of the Federal
the movie. broadcast-TV, and ca-
clais featuring violence and bru-
correlation between TV violence
Public owereness
nications Commission,
bie andustries to planned for Au-
tality in trailers for forth-
Senator Simon, unlike
warned the an sroused
gust in Los Angales to examine
coming adult action movies.
others who favor a stronger
public might sak Congress to leg-
the issue and the steps that might
"There is a cyniclem in
approach - Y self-regula-
falate against excessive violence.
be taken to at least partially -
this society, and k is hard to
tion doem't work, let's leg-
Outspoken Sen. Robert Byrd (D)
solve &
believe that we may not
ininte" would prefer salevi-
of West Virginia has indicated that
Last December, seeking to
have had some role in k*
sion cleaned to own house.
k could eventually be considered
defuse the avalanche of criticism,
said Howard Buringer, presi-
of don't want to get into the
a violation of the public trust on
the networks agreed on a number
dent of the cas Broadcast
delicate Pink Amendment
the part of the networks.
of vaguely worded standards aim-
Group, at a recent Industry
area," be says. "Ideally, we
k is precisely this threat of
ing to out down on violence and
conference called by Wer.
can solve the problem with
consorship that worries men like
on scenes that "depict violence as
theirn Schroder and Variety,
out the havy hand of gov.
Valenti and others who look
giamorous."
the trade publication
arrument, without setting a
on Hollywood's long and
n CBS, we are going to
procedent which we may re-
struggle against k The petworks
Self-regulation urged
become much tougher on #
gre inter."
don't dany that they have the to
The Hellywood conference has
elence in our Insup this
The American public is
give means to do something
been called at the instigation of
fall," he said % b the chill
sharply sware of the nega-
the abundance of violence - the
Sen. Paral Stmon (D) of Blinots,
of violence the worries me,
live influence of violence on
atc They can act under Senator St.
who has been in the forefront of
not so much the physical ac-
talevision. A recent Times
mon's TV Violence ACL, -
those pointing to the growing tor-
tion. k to the callousness in
Mirror survey found that 72
leg them from antitrust
cidence of violence on the small
volved and the role we have
percent of Americans our-
allowing them to establish
screen (and the big one, for that
in shaping the attitudes of
veyed said there was too
mon rules. The law runs
in
matter) and urging the broadcast-
young people to their vic-
much of is on entertainment
December 1993.
ers to find some means of regular.
time. Gratuitous violence
SIMON The Rimons - has - up on August
programs; an equal percent.
ing themselves when k comes to
has to be crused from the
conformate in Las Angeles - TV.fum
age of parents reported
US-oversons differences
the production of violent Incl-
network. We - admit our
turning off the set to protect
Katherine Malatasta. who sells
dents in drams.
responsibility."
and aggressive behavior.
their children from k
Westinghouse's famous Teanage
7 have hopes, not expects-
k is the Impact on the young
However, the practical success
Television enecutives, profer-.
Mutant Ninja Turties series, -
tions for that meeting." Senator
that particularly concerns mary
of the August conference clearly
ring not to be quoted by name,
derscores the difference
Sumon told the Monthor, "My hope
of those who have watched the
is not a foregone conclusion. Jack
acknowledge that violence exists
the United States and the
of
is that there will be a general con-
rise in the level of violence on TV
Valenti, the president of the Mo-
in TV drams programming be
the world.
sensus that we really do have a
They perceive k as harmful not
tion Picture Association of Amer-
cause of the perception that M as-
n home, we don't -
problem that we have to deal with
only because M is seen itimulating
ice, which represents the major
tracts viewers.
objections to violence in
in a responsible way.
and encouraging aggreasive acts,
Hollywood studios (who supply
They are seconded per-
shows," the says. American
7 hope that this conference
but also because the steady drum-
the vast majority of our television
simistic at the prospects for a w
are used to a. But abrued. It's B
will crusse a general stmosphere
box of on-sir violence threatens
programs). sees a "political prob-
riews dimination of 60-screen vio-
very different mory The
in
that recognises, on the part of ab
to descributive youngsters to the
ism, but expresses the hope that
lance precisaly because of the
Britain wouldn't buy the Turther
the people who have such Info-
pain of those on whom u b to-
the movie industry can tackle no
commercial sepects of a at a time
upless they could edit out some of
ence on the public, that there to a
flicted, and x diminishes their
lance 'M we did eartier in the case
when the networks are having
the violence.
responsibility to move away from
serve of reality and responsibility.
of drugs and alcohol on the
trouble financially. The networks
T's that version that we sald
the pattern of violence that we
A survey run in Washington
screen.
will just pay the necessary Up ser-
to the rest of the world. Otherwise
have."
Inct year by TV Guide on 10 local
At the same time, Mr Valend
vice," observed one.
the Turties wouldn't have
nearly as well."
Americans frequently adit
grans for export to accommodate
the International distante for no
lance. "Over there they
of
but are quite willing to accept SEX
on TV We are the exact
observes Brian Lacy, who markets
the Lodin: company's unimated
series.
While there are objections to
violence in entertainment
M occurs more often in the so-
called "reality" programs that of.
(er news foolage or skillful,
the recreations.
TV news portrays violence but
does not glamonate k,"
says, "but entertainment
do just that That is .
the
problem 15. and that is the pattern
we must move away from."
TV VIOLENCE RATINGS:
TV
THE NEXT SHOWDOWN
July 17-23
BROADCAST A
89¢
GUIDE
HOT-
Showdown
B
ullets will still fly. Thugs
will still kill. Fists will
crunch against noses—
as always. But this fall. fi-
nally, parents eager to
For TV
steer kids away from such
familiar if disquieting im-
ages on broadcast televi-
sion will get some long-
delayed help.
Just how much help
remains unclear. And just
VIOLENCE
why Hollywood decide 1
that this was the time to
lend a hand to parents is
a question worth asking.
For the first time,
Still, a startling united
front suddenly emerged
Hollywood and
last month with the an-
nouncement by ABC,
Washington are
CBS, NBC, and Fox that
beginning next season,
joining forces to
programs containing vio-
lent scenes will carry
limit the endless
warning messages in the
form of parental advi-
Bang! Pow! and
sories. TV violence won't
go away, of course, any
Slash! of television
more than printing the
Surgeon General's warn-
fare. Question is:
ing on every cigarette
Clockwise from upper left.
package stopped all smok-
What weapons
Scenes from -Stephen King's
It "Murder in the Heartland
ing. But at least viewers
will be forewarned.
will they use?
Kung Fu The Legend
Continues -Total Recall
And the networks will
FBI The Untold Stories
be off the hook. Or will
By Neil Hickey
? Untouchables (BDOVE)
they? The new initiative
and THE HOJE idented
required an unusual degree of coopera-
mounting criticism and possible Con-
tion among the competing broadcasters.
gressional legislation.
a unanimity forged by their mutual
How successfully the collaborators
recognition that TV violence does III-
defused the violence issue will be seen
deed have ill effects. and by a shared
Aug. 2. when a "summit conference" on
need to do something in the face of
π violence convenes in Los Angeles
A television
THE
page the are still new being not worked out. the
so we re of
decision facilitate
to
do
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< in
may be
the right direction.
DATE: WAISON/ARC
THE AIR
The mass meeting will draw together
If down their throats." he thundered.
more than 400 broadcast and cable offi-
A1 hearings a few weeks earlier. Rep.
cials. program makers. legislators. aca-
Markey declared himself "discouraged"
demicians. and members of watchdog
that TV people had given only lip service
groups. who will examine all the op-
10 the Television Violence Act of 1990.
tions for reducing violence. and ask
which paved the way for the networks to
some tough questions about the net-
create some tough new guidelines. In-
works' announcement.
stead. he complained. "another May
Still. it's "the dawning of a new era."
sweeps finds us mired in murder and
and a wonderful first step. according to
mayhem." Clearly. Markey said. the in-
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.). Most
dustry "has not gotten the message." To
Hollywood programmers, he points out.
prove it he cited a study by the Center for
now concur that violence in the media
Media and Public Affairs (commissioned
helps cause real violence-and are eager
by TV GUIDE for a special issue on vio-
to cooperate in devising solutions
lence last Aug. 22) that
to the problem. CBS president
Cable mogul
found more than 1800
Howard Stringer told 1000 CBS
station executives in a May speech
Ted Turner
that the medium should no longer
"deny blindly the reality of televi-
delivered
sion violence Death stings. pain
hurts. loss devastates. fear terri-
a furious
fies Murder. even fighting. is not
po tic or balletic. It is ugly and
attack on his
clumsy. Violence is vile." He won a
standing ovation from his fellow
colleagues.
broadcasters.
This new and welcome urge
among TV people to reform has
not happened spontaneously. Far
from it. Leading up to the June 30
announcement and the August
conference has been an unprece-
dented string of hearings in both the
Senate and the House of Representa-
tives in which the industry has been jolt-
violent acts during one 18-hour period of
ed as never before. A parade of witness-
television.
es pummeled the medium for dragging
The floodgates were open. Violence
its feet on dealing with violence.
was suddenly the hottest subject in tele-
Dr. Leonard Eron, a psychology pro-
vision. Lawmakers and public officials of
fessor at the University of Michigan,
every stripe began checking in with
sounded a clarion call: "Ladies and gen-
schemes to bring the television industry
tlemen of the Senate." he said. "the time
to heel once and for all: Sen. Kent Con-
has come for you to act. The TV industry
rad (D-N.D.)-describing May as "one of
has demonstrated that it cannot or will
the bloodiest months in TV history"-an-
not regulate itself." Cable mogul Ted
nounced a nationwide petition drive call-
Turner delivered a furious attack on his
ing for a violence ratings system for
broadcast colleagues. Congress should
prime-time Ti: children's programs. and
forge a strict standard on violence for
movies. The expected lists of names
broadcasters and. if they resist. "ram
would be delivered to the Aug. 2 Los An-
geles meeting. Masterminding the peti-
tame a remedy: Others were concerned
non drive. Conrad saud. would be a new-
because children's cartoons will not be
ly minted body called the Citizens Task
labeled. Rep. Markey said he still hoped
Force on TV Violence.
for a lock-out box that would let parents
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Rep.
block channels and programs deemed
Richard Durbin D-III.) introduced legis-
too violent. Sen. Simon said. "We're not
lation to require the FCC to publish
suggesting no violence we suggest-
quarterly reports listing the acts of vio-
ing no glamorization of violence." Net-
lence on prime-time. Saturday morning.
works worried that advertisers will not
and cable programming. and the names
sponsor shows-even worthy ones-
of the sponsors of those shows.
that contain the disclaimer. The New
Underlying it all was
York Times wrote off the advi-
the growing conviction
Media vio-
sories as a "mild slap." and said
the networks would still get away
lence, says
with murder. Still other critics
wondered if a 'V" label would only
Gerbner, "has
attract unsupervised children.
So the question remains: What
become the
is different this time from all pre-
vious occasions when Congress
new civil-
and the public were up in arms
over media violence, only to have
rights issue."
promises made and then fade
from view? "It is different now,"
says George Gerbner, professor at
The Annenberg School for Com-
munication at the University of
Pennsylvania. "It's like adding
heat to a pot of water. For a long
time it seems that nothing hap-
pens, and then all of a sudden it
starts to boil-and it boils over."
among lawmakers and regulators that
Media violence, he says, has become
the government would indeed step in if
"the new civil-rights issue." After "many
the industry didn't police itself. At the
years of semi-dormancy," Gerbner says.
FCC. acting chairman James Quello said
the current interest by government and
that Congress should give his agency au-
the public was sparked by last August's
thority to regulate TV violence as "a nec-
special issue of TV GUIDE, which bore the
essary next step." And the person who
cover line. "Is TV Violence Battering Our
has been at the forefront of the anti-vio-
Kids?" and. he claims. "directly stimulat-
lence movement more than any other
ed public debate and the current series
public official. Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.).
of Congressional hearings."
hinted that if the fall TV schedules didn't
Whatever the source. it now seems
show authentic improvement. "we're go-
possible that a good-faith effort by Holly-
ing to have to look at alternatives."
wood and the networks exists-even if
Into that atmosphere came the June
forced-and that all parties may intend
30 four-network announcement on warn-
(for the first time in television's history)
mg labels. Lawmakers and activists were
to build on that foundation to help spare
generally pleased with that news. but
children-and adults-exposure to the
some felt that the advisories were too
meaner forms of media mayhem.
'V' for Violence: Ten Talking Points
T
en questions we-and many of our
local newscasts? On tabloid shows?
readers-believe the Aug. 2 TV vio-
At one extreme, showing war, crime,
lence summit must address:
or disaster is a necessary part of keep-
1. Parental advisories are a good
ing citizens informed, young or old; at
step. but what are their guidelines,
the other, "news" violence is presented
and will they be uniformly applied?
as rowdy entertainment. Who will spell
We need a full definition of TV vio-
out the difference? Should anyone try?
lence-any act of aggression, or one de-
6. Cartoons were exempted from
picted in graphic detail? What is "gratu-
advisories. Why?
itous" violence? What is violence that
It may seem silly to those of us
"glamorizes"? Until now, anonymous
brought up on Tom & Jerry. but stud-
network "standards and practices" peo-
ies have shown that "violent" cartoons
ple decided what's OK or not. Should
can adversely affect the very young.
this process now be public, spelled out?
7. Hou about the rest of TV? Promos
2. Not all parents can supervise
for violent shows and movies? What
their children's viewing. What tech-
about music videos?
nology exists to help parents lock out
Again, TV GUIDE'S study showed
programs labeled violent?
these were contributors to TV violence.
Rep. Ed Markey's proposed chip in
8. VCRs are in most of our homes
TV sets would let viewers "lock out"
today. Are the present "advisories" for
programs labeled "V" for violent. Might
movies sufficient to guide parents in
this lead to rigid labeling, programming.
renting tapes for home TV viewing?
or viewing decisions-Roots lumped to-
Parents often debate whether an R-
gether with a gratuitous shoot-'em-up
rated film is a "hard R" or a "soft R," or if
series? Are there other solutions in the
a movie rated PG-13 in 1993 is the same
offing that give parents control more
as PG-13 in 1983. If TV is looking to clean
flexibly, with more information?
its house, should the movie biz, too?
3. What about cable? Some pay
9. If advertisers boycott good shows
channels show violent movies, uncut,
labeled violent, will fewer good shows
that may run around the clock.
be made? Could this have a chilling ef-
We cable viewers don't always dis-
fect on creativity and innovation?
tinguish between network, basic-cable,
Sure could. That's why we should
or even pay-cable shows; we just flip
think carefully about overly simple,
around with the remote. So do our kids,
black-and-white solutions. CBS chief
despite our best efforts. But we pay for
Howard Stringer wamed-self-serving-
premium cable: Should there be time-
ly but correctly-against turning a "vast
of-day restrictions, or none at all?
wasteland" into dull wasteland."
4. What about syndicated reruns?
10. Isn't the !timate question,
In TV GUIDE'S study last year, an in-
"What can we do about the frightening
dependent station showing mostly re-
level of violence in U.S. society. rather
runs had the most violent over-the-air
than just on TV?" Should we take this
shows. Should station managers take
moment in our national life to ask not
responsibility? Should syndicators?
merely what we can take off TV, but
5. What about violence on national
what we am put ON TV to Unimatively
news? On prime-time magazines? On
help this cause?
-The Editors
1. 02. 93 05:58 PM
P03
STATEMENT OF
M. JOYCELYN ELDERS, M.D.
SURGEON GENERAL
U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee
on Government Operations
Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations
Room 2247 Rayburn House Office Building
Monday, November 1, 1993
10:30AM
1. 02. 93 05:58 PM
P 0 4
Good morning!
Chairman Towns, Mr. Schiff, and members of the Subcommittee on
Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations of the House
Committee on Government Operations,
I am Dr. Joycelyn Elders, your Surgeon General. I am a
pediatrician, a mother, a teacher and a citizen In a country and a
city where violence has reached epidemic proportions.
You have asked me here today to talk about "Violence as a Public
Health Issue", particularly the public health consequences of
violence, our efforts at prevention and the Implications for health
care professionals and institutions.
We ordinarily think of violence as a crime, and It Is, but violence Is
a public health problem because It kills and Injures so many
people, especially our young people and our children.
in 1987, there were over 20,000 homicides and 31,000 suicides in
this country. The number of deaths caused by violence, which kills
over 50,000 persons yearly that is 1 every 10 minutes and 137
per day ⑉ai, is greater than deaths caused by AIDS over 30,000
per year or 1 every 16 minutes and 90 per day -- and greater than
those caused by drunk driving - nearly 18,000 persons per year or
1
11.02.93 05:58 PM
P05
1 every 30 minutes and 49 per day. Rape Increased 21 percent
from 1977 to 1984 and 20 percent of adult women have been
physically abused at least once.
Second, violence must be considered a public health problem
b cause the criminal justice approach Is not enough; it treats the
problem after It occurs! Our prisons are overcrowded, our courts
are backlogged, our police are overworked, and, still, our streets
are not safe. We must couple prevention with our criminal Justice
ystem of treatment.
Finally, violence Is a public health problem because It Is a problem
to be solved and must not be considered a fact of life. Violence Is
pr ventable. It is a learned behavior. As your Surgeon General, I
am about preventing problems before they happen.
VIOLENCE HAS PUBLIC HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
In recent years, there have been extraordinary Increases In the
rates of both homicide and suicide among our young people.
Since the 1950's suicide rates among our youth have almost
quadrupled, and homicide rates among young men are 20 times as
high as most other industrialized countries - 40 times higher In
young African American males.
2
11. 02. 93 05:58 PM
PO6
As these rates have Increased, the average age of both the
perpetrators and the victims has fallen, so today we have a
problem of children killing children.
Today, in America, 14 children under the age of 19 will die In
suicides, homicides or accidental shootings. Many more than
that will be Injured.
©
Fifty-seven percent of all African American teenage maies
who died In 1990 were killed with guns. This Is up from 48%
of in 1988.
Children are killing children.
To me, as your Surgeon General, this Is totally unacceptable. if we
are to have true security In health care reform, we must restore
security In our homes, our schools, our streets and our nation.
The costs to this country are too great to Ignore:
The cost of firearm Injuries alone to our health care system Is
nearly $3 billion a year.
The total medical cost of all violence in the U.S. was $13.5
3
1.02,93 05:58 PM
P 0 7
billion In 1992.
In the District of Columbia alone, the costs of criminal
violence to hospitals totalled $20.4 million In 1989.
The vast majority -- 85%-- of the hospital costs for treatment
of firearm Injuries Is unreimbursed care.
In addition to the financial cost, the emotional and psychological
costs are enormous.
What causes violence and what can we do to prevent It? Although
many factors contribute to this epidemic, at Its root Is poverty.
Related to poverty are changing family structures, the plight of our
Inner-citles, and the difficulties In our schools. Other key factors
at the availability of alcohol, drugs, and firearms to our children.
Let me remind you that more children live In poverty today than In
1970. In 1970, one In 7 children were poor; In 1990, one In five
were living below the poverty line; In 1992, one In four were living
In poverty. One of two African American children Is poor. One out
of three Hispanic children is poor. Up to 90% of all Native
American children live In poverty.
There are over 200 million firearms In this country, 67 million hand
4
11. 02. 93 05:58 PM
P08
guns, and over 1 million semi-automatic assault weapons. It Is
often easler for our children to obtain a gun than It Is to find a
good friend, a good teacher, a good school or even a good
minister.
I have already testified before this Congress on the role the
the media, the entire entertainment industry, can play to address
the problem. By airing "prosocial" programming, by helping with
public service announcements, by showing the emotional
consequences of violence, I hope we can work together to turn this
around. 1 look forward to the media's response.
But, to me, more significant Is the violence children see in their
homes, their communities, and on the streets. The newscast is
very real to them. Too many of our children witness fighting
among their parents, and, unfortunately, too many see one parent
beat or murder another parent. These scars last a lifetime.
How do we prevent this tragic public health problem?
1.
We must keep the tools of violence out of the hands of our
children. I strongly support the passage of the Brady bill. In
addition, I support the ban of semi-automatic assault weapons
that serve no other purpose but to klil In our society.
5
11.02.93 05:58 PM
P 0 9
2.
We must Incorporate violence prevention Into our school
curricula. I am convinced that school offers us the best and
easlest way to reach as many children as possible.
3.
We must educate our parents, beginning with prenatal
classes.
4.
We must offer and support early childhood education classes
like Head Start.
5.
We must provide comprehensive health education In all our
schools, from kindergarten through high school.
6.
The final shot of prevention Is labeled HOPE. We must
develop programs to train young people and make jobs
available for them. am concerned that children today are
not learning the skills they need to be employable and
productive In today's work force. I am worrled that 1/4 of all
young African American males ages 20-29 are incarcerated,
on probation or on parole, while only 1/5 are enrolled in
higher education.
IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
You have asked me to address the Implications of violence for
6
11.02.93 05:58 PM
P10
health care professionals. I join with my predecessor Surgeon
Generals in urging our colleagues to recognize violence as a public
h alth threat - and a potential Immediate threat to many of their
patients. Lat me add, when I talk about "health care professionals",
I am talking In the broadest sense to Include not physicians, but
also school nurses, social workers, psychologists, mental health
workers and even teachers.
Health care providers can provide credible Information to their
patients by encouraging them to safely store guns where they pose
less of a risk. Second, they can be alert to warning signs of
violence in their patients and In the emergency room - substance
abuse, threats, Injuries from battering.
CONCLUSION
In closing, I want to highlight what we can do together.
W must care enough to change our Concern to Commitment,
sharing our time, our talents, and our treasure.
We must increase our own Awareness, and the awareness of every
citizen, of the magnitude and cost of this epidemic -- and we must
Advocate for change, and develop Action plans at every level to
attack this problem.
7
1. 02. 93 05:58 PM
F11
We must Reach out to those In our community who may be at risk;
we must take responsibility, and we must use our resources.
And, finally, we must Educate our children and each other about
violence and how to prevent It -- we must empower ourselves to
make changes and then go out and make them. To do anything
else Is to sit back and watch our children die.
As Surgeon General, I know that this is a preventable problem and
I will be more than willing to lead this fight. Thank you.
8
BC/HEC-TUVI File
President William Jefferson Clinton
Remarks at National Italian American Foundation Dinner
Washington Hilton
October 23, 1993
Good evening. Thank you, Frank Stella... Foundation
President Guarini.. Executive Director Rotondaro.. Dinner
Chairman LaFalce. members of the Italian-American
Congressional delegation and foundation members and
friends.
I want to thank my wife for her remarks tonight. She
proved once again that she is a tough act to follow.
Being here tonight brings back fond memories of one
year ago. I was a candidate then, and I was honored to speak
for the first time at the foundation's dinner.
1
NIAF has been an important leader in forging and
growing our economic and cultural ties with Italy. Its good
works are many... from the scholarship and internship
programs that are helping to cultivate a new generation of
Italian-American genius to its undertakings to help
Americans of every background.
I'm honored to be in the presence of tonight's award
winners.. each of whom embodies the continuing legacy of
excellence that Italian Americans have given our great nation.
Armed with little more than determination and quick
mind and an accounting degree, Richard Grasso worked his
way to the highest reaches of the financial world.
2
Phil Rizzutto, the greatest shortstop in Yankee history,
who gave baseball fans some of their greatest thrills, and who
taught all of us how to say "Holy Cow."
And whether he's been the Penguin, or Jack the Bear or
Louie DePalma Danny DeVito has stolen almost at least as
many scenes as Phil has stolen bases. I think they each hold a
record.
Matilda Cuomo -- a ceaseless defender of at-risk
children, an advocate for all young people, and a great First
Lady in her own right.
3
I see so many faces that I know well. I'm happy to say
that many of the people who were here last year are back this
year. But now, a lot of them are in my Administration. I can't
mention all of them, but I'd like to acknowledge some of the
Italian-Americans who are in key positions.
Two of our first appointments at the Cabinet level were
two of our most important ones because they are crucial to
helping put America's financial house in order: Leon Panetta,
Director of the Office of Management and Budget. and Dr.
Laura D'Andrea Tyson, chair of the Council of Economic
Advisers.
4
Andrew Cuomo is a proud son tonight because Matilda
Cuomo is his mother; we're all proud of him at HUD, where
he is Assistant Secretary for Planning and Development;
Joseph Cicippio a patriot and an inspiration to us all. is
Deputy Administrator in the Agency for International
Development.
And during the summer, when we looked for a new
director of the F-B-I... someone who would send the strongest
signal possible about how serious we were about fighting
crime.. we hit a gold mine. I found a man who combined a
brilliant career at the F-B-I with a tough record as a judge and
prosecutor.
5
That man is Judge Louis Freeh. the first American of
Italian heritage to head the F-B-I... and I predict he will help
us make important progress and he will be a great director for
the bureau.
We also have some new appointments. I am naming
Geraldine Ferraro as a Permanent Member to the U-N
Commission on Human Rights. And, in the very near future,
when I formally call a White House Conference on Aging
its Executive Director will be someone a few of you may
know: Bob Blancato of the National Italian American
Foundation. I know he'll make it a success.
6
We are all blessed by being part of a nation that has
drawn great strength from our diversity; not a melting
pot
but undiluted zest to be extracted and experienced by
each of us with each other. The Italian contribution to this
exchange has been enormous and spectacular, touching every
facet of our lives. In the arts, in the sciences, in sports, and in
our most patriotic and humanistic endeavors.
And what I have shared each time I have visited with
Italian Americans from south Philadelphia to the North End
of Boston has stayed with me. It is strong feelings of family
and community.
7
These are communities filled with the daughters and sons
of great men and women who nourished their children's
dreams with their own. And in these places there are always
organizations like yours, dedicated to the transmission of our
values and customs and habits of the heart from one
generation to the next. It is the American way.
As we all work to pass on to our children a more
prosperous and dynamic life than we inherited from our
parents, we work even harder to pass on the stability and
security of our traditions. This is what keeps a dynamic
society that is enduring great change from pulling itself apart.
8
But there is a growing sense in our country that the vital
center of our civilization is being eroded, frayed, by forces as
simple and troubling as the loss of civility, or tormenting as
the barbarous upsurge of violence that is occurring in our city
streets, and now, even in our rural areas.
I don't know where it started, but I know this problem is
malignant, and it will kill us unless we do something.
Perhaps it started thirty years ago when we ignored
Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who warned us of that the
health of our society was jeopardized every time a single
parent gave birth to a broken home.
9
Perhaps it started when "right thinking people" denied
the ability of popular films and television to contribute to
unacceptable behavior by our children. Perhaps it started
when we were lulled into inaction by the naive belief that
drug abuse happened to some other people's children but not
our own.
I don't know where it started, but that no longer matters
to the 376 people who lost their lives in street violence this
year in the District of Columbia.
10
It no longer matters to the children who saw the movie
"The Program," and imitated actions of fictional characters
who lay themselves down in the middle of a busy, darkened
highway, only to find that reality can bring with it tragic
results.
It no longer matters to the people who are lost in the
abyss of heroin or crack cocaine, to their children who are
born with birth defects whose tremors will make your eyes
well, or to their friends with whom they have shared needles
and have now become infected with the virus that causes
AIDS.
11
The explosion of crime and violence is changing the way
our people live. It is making too many of our fellow
Americans hesitant, often paralyzed, with fear at a time when
we need our people to be bold. And children are dying, often
at the hands of other children with guns.
It has prompted the corner grocer to shut down because
he feels threatened. It has made the shopper afraid to enter a
parking garage at night. It has made children think twice
about going to school because classmates have been shot
there. It has made parents order their children inside in broad
daylight because of gunfire.
12
Nothing we aspire to in our country can finally be
achieved unless we do something about the children who are
no longer capable of distinguishing right from wrong about
the people who are strangely unaffected by the violence they
do to others about the easy availability of guns or about the
mindless temptation of drugs.
That means insuring that our people feel safe where they
live, where they play, work and go to school so we can all
strive to achieve our full potential.
13
In some cases, it means organizing our outrage as
citizens and as consumers and demanding change in a chorus
more powerful than any law. In other cases, it means
adopting the toughest, most comprehensive legal remedies
permissible in a free society to push back against the criminal
element. But in all cases, it means freeing ourselves from our
posturing and our political slogans and working on these
problems with unity and purpose.
14
I believe our society would be more civil, and our
children would be more safe, if the movie and television
industries raised their sights a little higher than their profit
margins and began producing films and television programs
with less violence and less sex, and more regard for the
signals that parents want their children to receive.
But I also believe our parents must renew their
obligations to their children. They must spend less time
watching television and more time doing their home work.
We must chaperon them in their choices of movies. We have
to exert more energy as parents, because the schools, the
government and the police aren't responsible for our children;
we are.
15
We must also ask the Congress to lay aside politics and
pass our comprehensive anti-crime legislation. Our bill is
based on a simple philosophy and carries an even simpler
message: More cops, less guns.
We ask Congress to honor the struggle of James and
Sarah Brady by passing a 5-day waiting period for
background checks before a person can purchase a handgun.
We want to pass the Brady bill.
We want to take assault weapons off the streets... and we
want to take all guns out of the hands of teenagers. We want
more police officers on the streets.
16
And, very importantly, we want to put more power in
the hands of communities to protect themselves in partnership
with the police.
We are also re-charting the way we are fighting the use
of illegal drugs... increasing our focus on the hard-core
user
who makes up the worst part of the drug problem and
who fuels crime and violence and drives up our health care
costs.
Every year about 200-thousand convicted criminals enter
jail or prison with drug problems. Right now, they're not
required to receive drug treatment.
17
We will demand they be treated for their addictions, so
when they're released, they won't be as likely to fall back into
the same pattern of drug abuse and crime.
With our program we'll reach out to the youths who can
be saved from living a life of crime and being a burden to our
society the ones who took a wrong turn in life. They'll be
put in boot camps, where they'll learn skills and the kind of
responsibility that can turn a life around.
18
Every time we feel the need to view strangers with
suspicion.. or the need to bar our homes and cars against
intrusion.
or we worry about the well-being of the child we
sent off to grade school we lose a little part of what
America should mean.
Some of these problems were decades in the making, and
we know we won't solve them overnight. But within the
adversity, I do see hope.
19
I believe the American people have decided, simply and
finally, that they do not choose to live in fear any longer, and
they are prepared to support men and women of both political
parties who are prepared to reach beyond the slogans and the
easy answers to support what works, to experiment with new
ideas, and to take these problems on.
I sense more maturity among people of both parties and
all philosophies in dealing with the problems of the American
family. Wherever I go in America, when I say "we are going
to end welfare as we know it," everyone says back "it's
time."
20
While some people in some regions shunned any elected
official who proposed curtailing access to guns, now, even in
the West and in places where the NRA is strong, good people
are rising in indignation and saying "enough is enough."
Something important is happening. To preserve our
security -- to preserve our traditions, and our families, and
our neighborhoods, and our homes -- people are finding the
courage to change. People are recognizing how tightly linked
the ideas of change and security have become in this world.
And that understanding spells the birth of progress for us all.
###
21
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
COMMUNICATIONS
TV Violence: Hill May Not Wait
For More Industry Action
S
en. Paul Simon, D-
grammers seem amenable
III., a longtime de-
to the watchdog group
fender of free
idea, but Hollywood writ-
speech rights, flipped on
ers and producers are in-
his television in a hotel
censed: They fear a re-
room in La Salle County
vival of the climate of
after a long day on the
censorship that envel-
campaign trail in 1984
oped the industry from
and knew he had seen
1922 to 1945 when the
enough: a person being
Motion Picture Produc-
murdered with a chain
ers and Distributors of
saw.
America, run by enter-
It was a scene SO
tainment lawyer and for-
grisly and devoid of
mer Postmaster General
entertainment value that
Will H. Hays, required a
it drove the former news-
"purity seal" on all pro-
paperman, upon his elec-
ductions.
tion, to take a lead role in
For an industry accus-
reining in television vio-
tomed to fending off at-
lence, even at the risk of
tacks from the political
being a liberal accused of
right over depictions of
advocating censorship.
MARILY GATES-DAVIS
explicit sex on television,
In 1990, President
Studies show a link between TV violence and street violence. Congress,
it is all the more shocking
George Bush signed into
which may not be satisfied with recent industry measures, has struggled
to Hollywood that liber-
law a provision Simon
to address the problem without trampling First Amendment rights.
als such as Simon would
authored that gave the major broad-
be asking them to relinquish control
cast networks three years to take vol-
"We are opposed to any
over their product.
untary steps to curb depictions of
"We are opposed to any commis-
blood and gore on American television
commission made of mortals
sion made of mortals who are going to
screens. In June, Hollywood re-
who are going to tell creative
tell creative people what is right or
sponded to that effort by promising to
wrong," said Jack Valenti, president
tone down TV violence and air new
people what is right or wrong."
of the Motion Picture Association of
advisories about programs unsuitable
America. He denounced what he
for children.
called "this gradual. slow, remorseless
But judging by the fall lineup of
intrusion by the government into the
legislation introduced that would fur-
of America
content of television."
ther curb violence on TV, Congress is
But many outside Congress fear
not about to let the industry off that
worries Simon and others who are wary
political momentum could force the
easily.
of trampling First Amendment rights.
issue to its extreme and lead to legisla-
Lawmakers eager to cast votes
"The answer really rests with the
tion so broad as to restrict TV con-
against violence will have plenty of
industry," said Simon. Hollywood. he
tent.
opportunities to do so this fall, rang-
said, "has to make a greater show of
Because there is simply no political
ing from one bill giving the Federal
seriousness than has been shown up to
constituency in Congress for violence
Communications Commission (FCC)
this point."
on television. lawmakers are left with
the power to define "violence" to an-
Simon does not want legislation
little reason to vote against any bill
other requiring television sets to in-
and has hinted that he would oppose
that purports to curb it. Martin D.
clude a computer chip that would al-
bills that go too far. Instead. he wants
Franks, Washington vice president for
low viewers to block objectionable TV
the industry to take voluntary steps,
CBS Inc., said he harbors an "apoca-
shows.
including setting up a citizens' group
lyptic" fear that lawmakers will roll
The bottom line for TV executives:
to monitor the level of violence on
the array of bills pending in Congress
Unless they take further voluntary
television. He also calls for self-re-
on the issue into one big measure to
steps, beyond their new parental
straint by writers and producers, more
restrain TV.
warnings, lawmakers will be all the more
leadership on the issue from execu-
"Other than Paul Simon. I cannot
eager to step in - a possibility that
tives and the elimination of violence-
find a single member who has even
laden promotions for television shows.
suggested he might oppose [television
By Mike Mills
Many broadcasters and cable pro-
violence] legislation," Franks said. "At
2338 - SEPTEMBER +, 1993
CQ
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
Congress and TV: A Chronology
1950s - Rise in youth crime and juvenile de-
1980s Reagan-era deregulation gives me-
linquency prompts congressional hearings on
dia free rein; cable TV, VCRs and rise of indepen-
television violence.
dent networks diminish power of networks to
June 1952: First congressional hearings on violence
control violence on TV.
in radio and television and its impact on children
1980: Founding of National Coalition on Television
and youth are held by House Interstate and Foreign
Violence.
Commerce Subcommittee.
1982: National Institute of Mental Health study
1954: Sen. Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., chairs hear-
says there is a clear consensus on link between TV
ings of Judiciary Subcommittee to Investigate Juve-
violence and aggression.
nile Delinquency on role of TV shows in youth
crime. Networks say no link.
September 1984: Attorney General's Task Force
on Family Violence says evidence is overwhelming
1960s Urban violence prompts more con-
that TV violence contributes to real violence.
gressional hearings and government funding of
1984: American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force
research on TV violence.
on Children and Television cautions physicians and
1961: Kennedy administration Federal Communi-
parents that TV may promote aggression.
cations Commission Chairman Newton N. Minow
1985: American Psychological Association Commis-
tells National Association of Broadcasters that
sion on Youth and Violence notes research showing
American TV is a "vast wasteland."
link between TV violence and real violence.
1967: University of Pennsylvania begins monitoring
1990s Networks issue a joint statement of
television programming.
policies on TV violence, made possible by an anti-
1969: Formation of Boston-based Foundation to
trust exemption passed by Congress. Anti-vio-
Improve Television.
lence advocates step up pressure.
Sept. 23, 1969: Report of National Commission on
1990: Simon-Glickman Television Violence Act
the Causes and Prevention of Violence cites TV vio-
lence as contributor to society's violence problem.
gives three major networks an antitrust exemption
so they can formulate joint policy on violence.
1970s - Surgeon general's study prompts
1991: Minow declares: "In 1961, I worried that my
more congressional hearings; academic studies
children would not benefit much from television.
proliferate; court cases examine liability of TV in
but in 1991 I worry that my children will actually be
cases of real violence.
harmed by it."
1972: Surgeon general's report on violence cites
1992: American Psychological Association study
evidence of link between screen violence and aggres-
shows research on link to real violence is ignored
sive behavior.
and calls for federal policy to protect society.
1975: National PTA adopts resolution demanding
Dec. 11, 1992: Days before House hearings, the
that networks and local TV stations reduce the
three major networks release joint policy on vio-
amount of violence in programs and commercials
lence and agree to hold an industrywide confer-
(reaffirmed in 1989).
ence.
1976: American Medical Association's House of Del-
June 30, 1993: The four major TV networks an-
egates calls TV violence an "environmental hazard."
nounce their agreement to air parental advisories
when shows the networks deem violent are aired.
1979: In Zamora U. CBS et al., parents of a Florida
Fifteen major cable networks announce July 29 that
15-year-old convicted of murdering a neighbor sue all
they will join in the policy.
three networks, unsuccessfully, for negligence in fail-
ing to prevent him from being incited to imitate TV.
SOURCE: CQ Researcher, "TV Violence," by Charles S Clark, March 26. 1993
the moment I assume everything
the late 1940s, as many as 3,000 stud-
broader links between TV and actual
could be law by Columbus Day."
ies have examined links between TV
violence.
violence and real violence. (Box, this
For the last 40 years. the issue has
Forty Years of Debate
page)
waxed and waned in the public con-
The average American child
One of the most controversial, a
sciousness, with Congress threatening
watches 8,000 murders and 100,000
1972 report by the U.S. surgeon gen-
to legislate tough content controls and
acts of violence before finishing ele-
eral, concluded that there is a causal
the broadcast industry promising self-
mentary school, according to a much-
relationship between TV violence and
restraint. The proliferation of TV com-
cited study by the American Psycho-
acts of violence, but only in children
petitors, from cable television to satel-
logical Association.
presupposed to be aggressive. Since
lite channels to rental videos, has only
Since the advent of television in
then, other studies have found
boosted pressure on Congress to act.
CQ SEPTEMBER 4, 1993 2339
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
Attention is only magnified by a
dustry titan Ted Turner.
Rather. he said, violence can be re-
congressional deadline set in the 1990
"Unless you keep the gun pointed
duced only by applying government,
provision by Simon. The provision,
to their heads. all you'll get is
marketplace and interest-group pres-
which was attached to a federal judge-
mumbly, mealy-mouthed B.S.,"
sures on the industry to offer more
ships bill (PL 101-650), gave the
Turner testifed at a Markey hearing
diverse types of programming rather
broadcast networks a three-year anti-
this summer. Television industry offi-
than appealing to the basest mass-
trust waiver allowing them to get to-
cials, he added, "just hope the subject
market interests.
gether and agree on voluntary steps to
will go away."
Markey's proposal, while perhaps
reduce violence on television. That
Critics of the Markey plan range
the most visible, is by no means with-
waiver expires Dec. 1. (1990 Almanac,
from broadcast and movie-industry
out competition.
p. 374)
executives who fear a loss of advertis-
In response, the four major net-
ing revenues to TV violence oppo-
Time-Slot Restrictions
works - NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox
nents who say many families either
On Aug. 5, the day Markey intro-
on June 30 announced their agree-
cannot afford new televisions or lack
duced his bill, Senate Commerce, Sci-
ment to air parental advisories when
the skills to program their sets to
ence and Transportation Chairman
shows the networks deem violent are
block certain programs. Even Peggy
Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., offered a
aired. The 15 major cable networks
Charren, the children's television ad-
bill (S 1383) that would direct the
announced July 29 they would join in
FCC to limit violent programs to cer-
the policy.
tain time slots when children will be
It was the most television has ever
least likely to be watching, much as
bowed to congressional pressure in 40
the agency now limits "indecent"
years of debate on the issue. But crit-
broadcasts. Several courts, including
ics immediately dismissed the adviso-
the U.S. Supreme Court. have upheld
ries as merely a token gesture. For one
the FCC's right to restrict what it
thing, the programmers themselves
deems indecent.
will be responsible for deciding which
Hollings calls his bill "the least re-
shows merit warning labels. And chil-
strictive means by which we can limit
dren's programs or morning talk
children's exposure to violent pro-
shows such as "Oprah" or "Geraldo"
gramming."
would not be affected, only shows air-
Other bills include efforts by:
ing during nightly prime-time sched-
MERLINER STUDIO
Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D., and
ules.
Rep. Richard J. Durbin, D-III., that
would require the FCC to file quar-
The 'V-Chip'
"The answer really rests
terly "violence report cards" to pro-
Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chair-
with the industry.
vide the public with information
man of the House Energy and Com-
merce Subcommittee on Telecom-
Hollywood has to make a
about the frequency of violence by
each television program and its spon-
munications and Finance, called the
greater show of serious-
sors (S 973. HR 2159).
parental advisories "a good first step."
ness than has been
Rep. John Bryant, D-Texas, (HR
He then introduced a second step:
shown up to this point."
2837) that would require the FCC to
a bill (HR 2888) that would require
establish standards of acceptable lev-
every new television set sold in the
els of violence on television and radio
United States to be equipped with a
shows, including cartoons.
computer chip that would allow view-
Television industry executives say
ers to disable their TVs from receiving
the Bryant effort treads the closest
programs that are given a "V" rating
toward government control of televi-
by broadcasters or cable programmers
vocate who along with Markey
sion content.
to warn parents of the show's violent
prompted Congress to enact new pro-
Joseph P. Kennedy II, D-Mass.,
content.
gram standards for children's televi-
(HR 2756) that would require the FCC
The bill straddles the edge of con-
sion, said she opposes any congres-
to set up a toll-free number for the
gressional control over program con-
sional action on the violence issue,
public to call with complaints. com-
tent. It does not require that broad-
preferring instead that parents simply
ments. and suggestions regarding tele-
casters or cable operators send the
shut televisions off.
vision violence. The FCC would be re-
electronic signal needed to allow tele-
George Gerbner, dean emeritus at
quired to publish summaries of the
visions to automatically block V-rated
the University of Pennsylvania's
comments quarterly and to forward
programs.
Annenberg School for Communica-
them to the cable or broadcast station
But should broadcasters refuse to
tion, who since 1967 has conducted
that aired the violent program.
do so, the Markey bill stipulates, the
the longest continuing surveys of tele-
The comments and complaints
device still would give consumers the
vision violence, called the V-chip "a
would be weighed when broadcasters'
option of blocking out channels and
terrible idea" because it does not re-
licenses are up for renewal.
time slots of any programs they deem
duce the amount of violent programs.
Rep. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.,
too violent.
"To say we should trust the indus-
(HR 2609) that would set up a presi-
Markey's bill has won endorse-
try to flag programs they think are too
dential commission to report within
ments by such luminaries as former
violent is kind of silly. It's like the fox
one year on ways to curb TV violence.
Kennedy administration FCC Chair-
guarding the chicken coop," Gerbner
The group would include the U.S. sur-
man Newton N. Minow and cable in-
said.
geon general, attorney general, repre-
2340 SEPTEMBER 4, 1993
CQ
GOVERNMENT& COMMERCE
sentatives from the entertainment in-
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
dustry. crime and education experts
and parents.
Bill Outlines Strategy for Gore's
Hollywood Is Adamant
Rather than face the wrath of re-
Government Efficiency Plan
strictive legislation. Gerbner predicts
that the television industry broad-
casters, cable executives, producers
White House proposal to 'reinvent' bureaucracy
and writers will soon take further
would be guided through maze of committees
voluntary steps toward curbing TV vi-
olence.
"The leaders of the industry are
V
ice President Al Gore will unveil
The main hurdle may be lawmak-
going to do what they can to avoid any
his critique of the federal bureau-
ers who have made careers out of de-
kind of legislation." Gerbner said. "It
cracy Sept. 7, but neither chamber of
fending some of the programs that
seems to me that as long as they move
Congress is ready to "reinvent govern-
Gore wants to reinvent. Weeks before
forward and provide some evidence of
ment."
Gore's report was to be released. law-
progress. there's only a very slight
Roughly half of Gore's suggestions
makers launched a number of pre-
chance of any other legislation going
for cutting red tape, im-
emptive strikes against
through."
proving service and lower-
moves that Gore's staff
But Valenti is adamant that no
ing costs require some
was considering.
such further "progress" is warranted.
congressional action. a
For example, when
He continues to dismiss decades of
draft of Gore's final report
Sen. Ernest F. Hollings.
studies pointing to what most academ-
indicates. The rest can be
D-S.C., learned that a
ics involved with the issue now take as
accomplished by the exec-
Gore aide had recom-
a given: that TV violence does have an
utive branch. a process
mended deregulating the
impact on the aggressive behavior of
President Clinton has
maritime industry. he
those who view it.
promised to start the day
quickly introduced a bill
Valenti maintains that there is lit-
Gore's report is released.
to hold off such a move
tle gratuitous violence on nighttime
Because the proposals
until another special com-
television. save for perhaps the occa-
cross virtually every con-
mission studied the indus-
sional movie of the week. Network of-
gressional committee's
AI Gore
try.
ficials agree, and are promoting their
turf, enacting them could
Other lawmakers in-
new fall schedules as containing few, if
be a procedural nightmare. To sim-
serted provisions in various appropria-
any, examples of the kinds of violence
plify the task, the Senate Govern-
tions bills to prevent the Bureau of
critics rail against.
mental Affairs Committee has pro-
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from
posed using a new commission and
being consolidated with the FBI and to
Faulting 'Porous' Research
special procedural rules to bring
bar the Agriculture Department from
"The research as we have exam-
Gore's recommendations to the House
closing Forest Service field offices - two
ined it is very porous, very loosely fi-
and Senate in a single package.
proposals considered by Gore.
bered and does not withstand scru-
The committee's proposal, which is
Another potential hurdle is the dif-
tiny," Valenti said. "It's a terrible
expected to be placed on the Senate
ference between the Democrats' vision
dilemma. I want to respond to what
calendar soon, has bipartisan support
of reinventing government and the
Congress is saying, but where. first
and the administration's belated
Republicans'. As Gore states in his re-
of all, is this violence taking place?
blessings. Senate Majority Leader
port, the Democrats' goal is to make
And what is the definition of 'vio-
George J. Mitchell, though, said in an
government do what it does better.
lence"?"
interview Sept. 1 that he has not de-
Republicans, on the other hand, are
Simon and other critics of TV vio-
cided whether to support such an ap-
mainly interested in making govern-
lence liken Valenti's dismissal of the
proach.
ment do fewer things.
correlation between television violence
House leadership aides from both
Said Rep. Henry J. Hyde, R-Ill..
and street crime to the tobacco indus-
parties say there has been little dis-
"Nobody yields power gracefully, and
try's practice of disputing research
cussion of how to handle Gore's re-
the Democrats have all the power. So
linking smoking with cancer.
port. The House Government Opera-
based on that, one must look with a
Simon has been talking with
tions Committee, which claims at least
magnifying glass at every word that
Valenti and others in the industry, but
a share of the jurisdiction over govern-
they propose as reform."
the senator is not optimistic about be-
ment streamlining, has no bill in the
The draft circulated in the last
ing able to fend off restrictive legisla-
works akin to its Senate counterpart's
week of August included more than
tion by crafting new voluntary steps to
proposal.
110 separate proposals that touched
curb violent programming.
There is some sentiment in the
every federal agency. The final report
"All or none of these [bills] might
House for letting the Senate take the
drops some of those proposals. yet it is
pass," Simon said at a rare meeting of
first step. There is skepticism, too.
expected to recommend enough sub-
industry representatives and TV vio-
about the Senate Governmental Affairs
stantial changes to cut spending by
lence critics Aug. 2. "I can tell you
Committee's ability to push its pro-
tens of billions of dollars over five
that none of the sponsors of these ini-
posed commission through the Senate.
years - much of it by thinning the
tiatives is losing votes back home with
ranks of management in the federal
these ideas."
By Jon Healey
government.
CQ
SEPTEMBER 4, 1993 - 2341
4
The Broadcasting Newsweekly of Television and Radio
TELEVISION
&Cable
'American Journal'
names team of
reporters 34
WASHINGTON
Interest Groups
And Lobbyists
To Fight Plan
WASHINGTON 18 effi-
(sel
of
Industrial
Counce
Local media
prominent in
budget battle 43
SIMON
ADVERTISING
TO TV:
CUT THE
VIOLENCE
Custom ads at
OR ELSE
generic prices 48
Vol. 123 No. 32
62nd Year 1993 $2.95
A Cahners Publication
Programing
Simon delivers violence ultimatum
Gives industry 60 days to form council to monitor progress and to report to viewers
By Joe Flint
t looked like the ending of an old
spaghetti western. The loner rides
into town and tells the bad guys to
clean up their act, or else.
But this was no Hollywood-written
ending. The bow tie-clad loner was
Senator Paul Simon (D-III.). His mes-
sage to a roomful of Hollywood pro-
graming executives: Reduce the vio-
lence or Washington will do it for you.
"No one suggests that there should
be no violence on TV. There should
be less and it should not be glamor-
ized," the Senator told about 500 in-
dustry leaders.
Simon said he is not claiming that
all crime is caused by violence on the
screen. but that it is a factor. "Twen-
ty-five minutes of attractive violence
sells violence," he said.
Speaking last week at an industry-
ALEX BERLINER
wide summit on TV violence spon-
sored by the National Council for
Among the programing notables on hand for the industry violence summit: (I-r) produc-
Families & Television, Simon spelled
er Leonard Hill; Jack Valenti, MPAA; Warren Littlefield, NBC; George Vradenburg, Fox.
out a seven-point plan to reduce TV
violence that includes the formation of
annually on specifics." Those specif-
Committee reviews mixed
an advisory committee to monitor tele-
ics, he added. would indicate-
vision violence levels. Simon warned
"whether glamorized violence is in-
Mel Harris, president. Sony Pictures
that he would like to see at least seri-
creasing or decreasing on each of the
Entertainment Television Group. took
ous steps taken within 60 days to form
broadcast and cable networks, whether
issue with such a committee.
such a committee.
there is an attempt to avoid the time
"Lots of countries have cultural
"Either you will initiate the effort
periods when children are more likely
ministers; we have never chosen to do
for such a monitoring office, or those
to observe."
that. Such a committee does not fit
outside the industry will do it." Simon
To head the committee, Simon rec-
into the legislative and regulatory his-
also suggested that his approach is a
ommended "someone like Walter
tory of this country. Parents. not mass
more moderate one than those that
Cronkite, John Chancellor or [former
media, are social engineers," Harris
others on the Hill have proposed (see
FCC chairman and describer of TV as
said.
box, page 24).
a vast wasteland] Newton Minow."
Warner Bros. Television President
''I started in this effort as a some-
The advisory group, Simon said,
Leslie Moonves said that the commit-
what lonely voice in Congress, but
would not "pre-censor" product but
tee idea is "worth looking at," al-
now I find many of my colleagues
would comment on the situation. (In
though he is not sure whether he sup-
want to go much further than is
an interview with BROADCASTING &
ports the idea and he would consider
healthy for a free society The sur-
CABLE that begins on page 25, Simon
different heads than Simon.
est solution is governmental interven-
added that the committee could in-
Simon's speech was the highlight of
tion, but it is also the most danger-
clude almost anyone, so long as it was
the one-day conference, which was
ous."
not "a puppet kind of group that puts
long on talk but short on goals and
The committee, Simon said,
an imprimatur on everything they
conclusions.
"would report to the American people
do").
But some saw progress in the event
18
Aug 9 1993 Broadcasting & Cable
PROGRAMING
III the works
groups and Congress over how to keep
the peace.
While the networks said that they
method of senous
would do their part and the cable pro-
iin the industry its
gramers kept emphasizing that they
Simble:
already do theirs, it was the produc-
tion community that seemed most
shaken and confused by Simon's
parents to
speech and Washington's tone in gen-
eral.
Producer Leonard Hill said that Con-
gress has "cowed the networks to a
point where it would be counter-produc-
tive to even pitch some products."
parents.
CBS Entertainment President Jeff
redardurg
Sagansky denied that the door is
quarter the
closed on certain projects. But produc-
stations were have to
er Dick Wolfe countered that any
show with a violence warning will be
"redlined by a group of advertisers.
FCCO eldents, violence In
Other network and programing execu-
tives conceded that ultimately it will
public Chief Sen:
be the willingness of advertisers to run
(D.)
spots on labeled shows that will decide
if and how TV programing content
Wamling programs that are
will change.
Chief proponent Sen. David
"I would use the word cautious, not
chill," said Warner Bros.' Moonves.
of copies Q spots
Moonves said Warner Bros. has
citizens copies of promos
"removed certain projects" because
10: complaints Chickpro 2019 Sen devin (D-Mich)
of violence, but he emphasized that
dential commission consisting of the
that is ''self-regulation.'' Said
general the eneral representatives of the and adver
Moonves: "The networks did not
Industries and italdentify solutions to the problem. Chief
come to us. We are trying to be more
Rep. Charles Schumen(D NY
responsible."
CHE City hurt disallow, tax deductions for the cost of
Veteran TV producer Stephen J.
violent Chief brients Various sen:
Cannell said that it is up to the net-
works to take charge on the issue be-
cause he does not want to be "his own
Safe harber With violent ontent would air only after p.m
critic" nor does he have time. he says,
Chief Terry Rakolla Americans Responsible Television
to play guessing games about what is
acceptable to the networks and to
Washington.
itself.
structure of the event.
"I don't know any sort of writer
"I have never before seen a gather-
Greenfield, she said, played hard-
who can write effectively with these
ing of top guys at all the networks and
ball with researchers who believe that
sorts of parameters." Cannell said. As
every major production company to-
television violence causes real vio-
an example of the networks' making
gether in one room discussing one is-
lence, while he pitched softballs to his
the final cuts, Cannell cited his action
sue. It is an important issue we must
TV colleagues.
show The Hat Squad, a police drama
confront." Moonves said.
But the tone of the day was perhaps
that he wanted to run at 9 p.m. or 10
Americans for Responsible Televi-
best summed up by Greenfield, who
p.m. but which CBS ran at 8 p.m.,
son director Terry Rakolta, however,
said that the summit could represent a
where it failed.
called the event a washout. "I was
"historic moment, or a smoke-
Christine Hikawa, vice president.
naive in having high hopes of working
screen.
broadcast standards, Capital Cities
together. What I saw was a dog and
Greenfield also suggested a reason
/ABC, agrees that certain time peri-
pony show They have trivialized
that Washington is focusing on TV
ods should be a safe harbor for pro-
the subject,' she said.
violence: "TV violence has no con-
graming that contains some violence.
Rakolta added that in hindsight
stituency. If you are looking for a tar-
"We know that there will be some
holding the event in Hollywood
get that has no other side, you have
kids watching at 10 p.m., but please,
should have tipped her that the indus-
found it."
we should be allowed to program for
try would not take anything seriously.
But Congress has a target. And last
adults."
:
She criticized not only the choice of
week that target-the networks and
While many industry executives
ABC News correspondent Jeff Green-
the production community-battled
criticize Capitol Hill for singling them
field as moderator but also the general
with each other, researchers, citizen
out in the battle against violence, none
24
Aug 9 1993 Broadcasting & Cable
PROGRAMING
say they would not work to reduce
violence and to comply with the label-
ing. a stance that brought jeers from
Action for Children's Television
founder Peggy Charren.
'Congress is moving in on the
broadcast industry. Doesn't that scare
the wits out of you?" says Charren.
who believes that to concede on the
violence issue could mean that sex and
other areas would be next for regula-
tion.
If advisories mean advertiser pull-
out. Charren says, she would be
tempted not to air the advisories.
'There are all kinds of reasons for the
industry to shape up, but not because
of Congress.'
The advisories were mostly ridi-
culed by a panel of academics who did
not think that they went far enough,
especially since cartoons will not carry
advisories.
Cartoons feature violence in "inces-
sent repetition," said Leonard Eron. a
research scientist at the University of
Michigan.
Senator Simon's message
ABC's Hikawa took issue with
those who equate cartoon violence
with movie violence. "When I hear
In this exclusive interview with BROADCASTING &
that, their credibility goes right out the
CABLE Executive Editor Harry Jessell, Senator Paul
window,' she said.
By day's end. the subject had been
Simon says that his seven-point violence reduction
beaten to death without any conclu-
plan (see page 26) is a recipe for avoiding tougher
sions being reached. Although. as Ra-
kolta pointed out, the networks of-
scrutiny at the hands of some of his colleagues.
fered no counterattack to the study's
tying of TV violence to real violence,
At the violence conference, Jeff
that would pre-censor things. That's
by the end of the day some in the
Greenfield said the meeting was either
not the idea at all. The idea is to moni-
a "historic moment or a smoke-
Hollywood community were tired of
screen." Which was it?
tor what is happening and to report
being judged.
once a year to the American public.
But Simon is not the only one eye-
It was not a smokescreen. It is proba-
Can this be a committee of industry
ing the anti-violence effort.
bly an exaggeration at this point to say
executives only?
The real threat could be from Rep-
that it was a historic moment. It was,
resentative Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
for the first time. a point where the
That would be a mistake. I think they
industry, with good representation
recognize that.
who is pushing for TV manufacturers
to place a V chip into television sets
from on top as well as from the bot-
Although some consider the moni-
tom. came together to take a look at
toring committee a moderate approach;
that would allow set users to block all
what is a problem in our society and
others feel it will have a "chilling ef-
shows rated violent.
fect." However you cut it, it is an intru-
In a letter to conference partici-
what some still do not acknowledge is
sion on free expression. How do you
pants. Markey said: "TV has made it
a problem in our society.
justify that?
possible for the average American
You urged the formation of an advi-
People who are very active in the field
child to witness 8,000 murders by the
sory committee to oversee the industry
of civil liberties say this is in no way
end of elementary school without ever
effort to decrease violence on TV.
an encroachment on the First Amend-
leaving the living room. It's time for
Who would constitute such a
ment. And I believe that. I am an
committee?
the industry to give parents the tech-
ACLU member myself. Self-restraint
nology they need to reduce drastically
Ideally, I would like the industry itself
is essential for freedom to thrive. So
the violent images now saturating their
to determine that. They can name you,
how do we face the problem without
own homes.
consumers. others. But it can't just be
having the heavy hand of government
With the exception of cable giant
a puppet kind of group that puts an
involved? We have to recognize that
and potential studio owner Ted
imprimatur on everything they do; it
there is a relationship between vio-
Turner, no one in Hollywood has
has to serve a genuine function. Some
lence in our society and violence on
come out in favor of the chip. Simon
people had the idea that this was going
TV. And there are a great many people
is also against it.
to be some kind of Will Hays office
in the industry unwilling to face up to
Broadcasting & Cable Aug 9 1993
25
PROGRAMING
that. just as there are a great many
people in the tobacco industry who are
unwilling to face up to the fact that
he seven-point plan
cigarettes really do harm. The evi-
Form industry, advisory committee on TV violence.
dence is just overwhelming in both
Exercise Grestraint when it comes to violence:
cases.
broadcasters, cable; independents, syndica-
becomes obvious that one branch of your
Is there any programing that is out
of bounds for oversight by your moni-
love money more responsibility, that will not go unnoticed:
toring committee? News? Reality
said
TV?
Clamonized violence should be avoided, harsh realities of violence
The news clearly should be exempt.
and nonviolent problem solving should be encour-
There is too much violence in a lot of
the news, particularly in New York
should be eliminated OF reduced, and certainly avoided
City. But news violence doesn't glam-
when children most likely to: watching.
orize violence. What you get from
18. imedium must be used to help educate the nation about the harmful
Bosnia, you don't think: "I want to go
effects of levision violence.
out and do that." But entertainment
Recognize more clearly the international dimensions of your product.
violence frequently glamorizes
violence.
What about those reality shows?
ers. Broadcasters moved further on
I think there is a problem there, and
this, but I don't want to say everything
At this point. I'm not saying this is
exactly how you handle it I don't
is fine on the broadcast side.
going too far or that is going too far. I
have made it clear that I prefer that the
know.
Doesn't cable deserve an exemption
federal government not get involved.
The broadcast and cable networks
from oversight because you do have to
have agreed to label violence-filled pro-
sign up for it-that is, you have to in-
Can you envision the FCC eventually
graming. And the big three broad-
vite it into your home.
having to step in to relegate violent pro-
cast networks have adopted standards
graming to times when children
aimed at mitigating violence. Why
I don't see that as a justification.
aren't in the audience, as it now does
isn't that enough?
Aren't you punishing broadcasters
with indecent programing?
for the sins of the cable networks? It's
We've seen some progress and I wel-
I'm not saying eventually some kind
the latter, you know, that show the
come that. And I have to say broadcast
unedited R-rated films.
of FCC action isn't going to be part of
networks have been better than cable
the picture. What I do say is I prefer to
networks in responding up to this
The answer is that there is plenty of
see the industry do this on its own.
point. But you still have the ability to
improvement possible in both areas.
Would you actively oppose some of
flip that [on-off] switch; it's not like
No question about it. It's just what's
these other measures?
going to the movies. We still have
on that television set in their living
rooms that concerns people.
If I didn't believe something was
problems.
sound I would oppose it. But we are
Your TV violence law exempted TV
Definitions are important here. How
companies from antitrust liability to dis-
not at the point where we are consider-
would you define inappropriate
violence?
cuss ways of stemming violence.
ing anything right now. We are at the
When that exemption expires, will addi-
point where the question is: Will the
I'm not the person to define it, but
tional legislation be needed to ex-
industry look at this themselves and
tend the exemption?
there are people who can. The British
exercise some self-restraint? One of
do it. Other countries do it. That's not
Will they be able. on Jan. 1, to have a
my colleagues in the Senate who fa-
really the problem. The problem is, is
meeting of cable and broadcast execu-
vors stronger action said to me: "If
there a will to define it?
tives on this question. I don't have an
they can make one more dollar killing
What do you mean when you talk of
answer to that quiestion right now.
one more person. the industry isn't
"giamorizing" violence? Didn't all those
The difficulty with the legislative
going to respond. You have to have
John Wayne movies glamorize
route is that it becomes an easy tool
federal government action." I don't
violence?
for others to stick on amendments that
believe that. I have met with all major
When the hero and heroine can go
are a real opportunity for mischief.
people in broadcasting and cable and
through episode after episode, kill X
In your speech Monday, you warned
many in film. These are responsible
number of people, be in x number of
of proposals from other lawmakers to
citizens who want to do the right
car crashes and not get hurt or injured,
stem TV violence that are "not
thing.
healthy for a free society." What exact-
when you don't see the grieving rela-
ly were you referring to?
Do you fear you have ignited some-
tives of the people who are killed,
thing here that you may not be able to
there is a translation that that is the
I don't think I have to spell it out. But
control, that some other lawmakers
way to solve problems.
there are people who think we should
may run with the issues and do some-
thing really harsh?
You said that cable has been slower
go much further, even further than any
to respond than broadcasters to de-
of the bills introduced so far.
I don't think I have ignited it. I've
mands to clean up the violence.
Does the so-called V chip bill intro-
been the deliverer of the message. If I
duced by House Telecommunications
hadn't come along, someone else
Cable has a greater problem, but the
Subcommittee Chairman Edward
might have come along with a much
greater viewing is still with broadcast-
Markey [D-Mass.] go too far?
different approach.
26
Aug 9 1993 Broadcasting & Cable
TOP OF THE WEEK
**It would have been impossible to stop,'' says National
Association of Broadcasters President Eddie Fritts. Broad-
casters were alone in opposing the fees, he says.
Cable was no happier. "It's another regulatory cost,"
says Robert Sachs, senior vice president, Continental Cab-
levision. And like the $800 million cable now pays in local
franchise fees, he says, consumers will end up paying for it.
"And just because it's 37 cents today doesn't mean it
will be 37 cents a year from now," Sachs adds.
The fees are traced to John Dingell (D-Mich.). The power-
ful chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
said last month that the FCC should become self-funding and
might attach a user fee to the budget package. A Dingell-
backed user-fee bill passed the House two years ago, but died
in the Senate because of opposition from Commerce Commit-
tee Chairman Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.).
According to Hill sources, Hollings had to go along with
Representative Dingell originally proposed the Idea of user fees
two years ago but a bill with his backing died in the Senate
the fees last week. Dingell had enlisted the support of other
because of opposition from Senator Hollings.
key Senate conferees. including Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii),
Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and John Breaux (D-La.). He was
cutting the federal deficit by nearly $500 billion over five
also aided by a letter of support from Leon Panetta, director
years. is a provision authorizing the auctioning of 200 mhz
of the Office of Management and Budget, to House and
of government spectrum to commercial non-broadcast us-
Senate conferees. Panetta called the fees "good policy
ers. The government estimates the auction will raise $7
and fiscally prudent in a time of severe constraints."
billion.
Still. Hollings would not sign off on the fees until he had
The fees cover all FCC-regulated industries. Broadcast
an opportunity to adjust the fee schedule to lighten the load
fees, based on the type of station and market size, range
on small broadcast stations.
from $200 a year for AM daytimers to $18,000 a year for
The FCC currently collects fees on most applications. TV
VHF stations in the top 10 markets.
stations, for instance, pay with their license renewal appli-
"It's a bum deal,' says Clear Channel Communications'
cations. The revenue varies from year to year, but is pro-
Lowry Mays, who will have to pay fees on eight TV
jected to be $45 million this year.
stations and 31 radio stations. "We pay user fees in terms
Taken together, the application fees and the user fees
of public services," he says. "Once you start taxing radio and
should come close to covering the FCC annual budget,
television, you can bet [the taxes] will go nowhere but up.
$130 million for upcoming fiscal 1994.
table
the andusity
60
days
libois in 156 question the my that children
Voteries
are the most affected BV viewers comes to
violen cramings
10000 new
House Pelecommunic ations Sub committee
Washington
Chairman Edward Markey the called V+
of afforts to
chip 00 would require SW sets to containa computer
of Simon
chipienal the parents to Block programs rated-for VIO-
I'em content The technology could also be used to
regulations of
black programs that don't contain a viole rating or
tended IS
specific time stors) Jack Preds Tex the ommit:
SAVE
CBS
items Anking Republican isia co-author
Marila
CVETOM House Telecommunications Sub ommittee.
easonthat
memb 10/2/21 Bryant bill would are the
Second Amend
FCC izo consider afforts to reduce violent
Ceal OF UPIS and
programing atticense renewaltime The bluwood also
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permit the 5CC 10 servicience standards Stations.and
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150 new! asdres
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Borrowing from FCC regula
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tion of indecent programing.
will indeceriev pront Angline airthgiot violent
Senator Emes Hollings h
(b) ograming a times When are Watching
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This legislation moves 11/8 the
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10
USA TODAY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19. 1993 11A
OPINION USA
Violence on TV
Some networks have stepped forward with initial actions like parental warnings, but if
the industry doesn't soon clean up its act even more, Congress will take over, senator warns
Senate hearings this week will deliver a
they sound too much like the
untary self-restraint is solving
message to the industry: Time for talk is
A week's worth of violence
National Rifle Association
this problem.
leaders who blame everyone
In the past year, the broad-
over; it's time for solutions.
USA TODAY looked at TV content of prime-time network programming between April 24-30.
else for the causes of gun vio-
cast networks have shown the
Out of the 94 prime-time programs there were:
lence.
most effort and cable the least.
Violent incidents
276
Now a second question: Is a
My hope is that there will be
The best solution to scaling
are often drowned out by oth-
People killed
57
free society like ours powerless
enough responsible people in
back TV violence is self-regula-
ers in the business who seem
to defend itself against too
the industry who will face the
tion. But the time for self-regu-
intent on calling what they be-
People assaulted
99
much violence on TV? Of
facts so that the federal govern-
lation is now. A Senate hearing
lieve is Congress' bluff, gam-
course not, though some of
ment will not have to act.
convened for Wednesday by
bling that public fervor for ac-
TV viewing and crime
these same industry voices say
The law I sponsored to foster
Commerce
tion will soon fade. That's a
A study spanning 22 years found that the frequency of TV viewing at
TV VS. real life
the First Amendment is an ab-
self-regulation expires on Dec.
Committee
dangerous game for the public,
age 8 to be a factor in seriousness of criminal acts by age 30:
How violent crime rate
solute bar to any meaningful
1. I have made clear to the in-
Chairman
for the industry and for the
45
of television compares
solutions.
dustry that I will wait until Jan.
Ernest Hol-
First Amendment.
40
35
Females
Males
with real crime (victims
The fact is that there are
1 for progress in creating an
lings once
So far, no one in Congress
Seriousness
30
per 1,000 population):
sensible answers that stay
advisory reporting office.
again will
has proposed formal. general
of criminal
25
clear of the First Amendment.
If nothing happens by then, I
deliver the
censorship, which I would
act by age
20
301
15
I have proposed an industry-
will offer appropriate federal
strongly oppose, but many bills
On TV
message
59
10
appointed Advisory Office on
legislation, though my prefer-
that we don't
short of that now are being
5
In USA
32
Television Violence to track
ence is for the industry to act,
want more
floated.
0
AP
Low
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
progress in further reducing
not for Congress to have to act.
talk,
we
With stacks of reports all
By Sen. Paul
Age 8 frequency of TV viewing
glamorized violence on enter-
Television can appeal to the
want more
Simon, D-III.
pointing to the dangers of glori-
tainment programs and to pub-
best or worst in us. In the words
solutions.
fied violence on TV, can any-
1 - System used by New York that assigns a number rating to crimes.
licly report the results annually
of Abraham Lincoln, we can
Some in-
one any longer deny the need
Source: USA TODAY; Leonard D. Eron, Ph.D., now of the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan.
at the end of each TV season.
hope that this industry will use
dustry leaders, particularly the
for real solutions? Many in the
By Elys A. McLean, USA TODAY
The office would not pre-
its powerful medium to "ap-
networks, have stepped for-
television and film industry
This is no longer theory. The
lem has been so studiously ig-
ciety, and we are doing an in-
view or censor programs, and
peal to the better angels of our
ward with initial steps, like pa-
still do, just as there are many
evidence now is just as con-
nored by the TV industry as
adequate job in dealing with
it requires no federal involve-
nature."
rental-warning messages and
tobacco processors who deny
vincing as the evidence on cig-
this one. Parents deserve to
most of them, including gun vi-
ment.
joint broadcast network stan-
that cigarettes do harm.
arettes. The National Institute
know that it is not just their in-
olence, which I have made a
An annual survey would give
Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., was
dards on violence, and the fall
Television is a powerful
of Mental Health has twice
stinct, but also solid research,
high priority.
families a basis for responding
author of the Television Vio-
broadcast schedule is less vio-
sales medium, and too often it
warned about the harmful ef-
that says entertainment vio-
But that does not excuse the
in their viewing selections and
lence Act. a three-year anti-
lent. Movies already paid for
sells violence. It feeds a grow-
fects, and so have a surgeon
lence is harmful.
TV industry from taking solid
in contacts with stations, cable
trust exemption. expiring Dec.
have been canceled because
ing appetite for violence both
general and many other au-
Television violence is only
steps to reduce entertainment
operators, advertisers and oth-
1. which was designed to pro-
they are too violent.
as an answer to problems and
thorities in report after report.
one factor among many that
violence. When some in the TV
ers. It would give policymakers
mote self-regulation by the in-
Unfortunately. their voices
as entertainment.
No major public health prob-
contribute to violence in our so-
business make this argument,
the knowledge of whether vol-
dustry.
USA TODAY 10/15/93
Fanning
the fire
over 'Beavis'
By Donna Gable
USA TODAY
Beavis and Butt-head -
MTV's notorious animated fire-
starters - are on the front
burner with critics.
An Ohio mother says the car-
toon incited her 5-year-old son
to start a fire which killed his 2-
year-old sister. And Austin,
Texas, investigators say three
fires started by kids may have
some connection to the show.
MTV claimed no responsibil-
ity for the Ohio tragedy but
says it's removing fire refer-
ences from episodes of the
weekday show, which features
the antics of two misfit teens.
Dr. George Gerbner, Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, who
has studied the effects of vio-
lence since 1967, says "Vio-
lence appears in 9 out of 10 car-
toons at a rate of 25 times per
hour." But "to pin it on one car-
toon is scapegoating."
The cartoon is expected to
be discussed Wednesday when
Attorney General Janet Reno,
Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.) and
studio execs testify at a Senate
hearing on TV violence.
Simon says Beavis is another
example of kids being influ-
enced by what they see: "TV is
a powerful sales medium, and
too often what it sells is vio-
lence."
TV Violence,
After the
Showdown
While Lawmakers Hold
Their Fire, the Networks
Are Laying Low
By Ellen Edwards
Washington Post Staff Writer
Two months ago at an industry-wide con-
ference in Los Angeles on television vio-
lence, Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.) issued an ulti-
matum. He gave those powerful network
executives and television producers 60 days
to get their house in order
or else.
"If we don't see in the next 60 days that
we are moving in a positive direction, then I
and some of my colleagues will be pushing
hard" for legislation, he said.
That was Aug. 2. The 60 days are just
about over and very little has happened on ei-
ther side.
It does not appear that Simon-or the
television industry-has really been counting
those days. In an interview this week Simon
said, "I made clear I didn't expect any final
answers. But I'm not going to wait indefinite-
ly, and if by the first of the year we don't see
something solid then I don't think I can con-
tinue to ask my colleagues to hold back on
legislation. And I think we have to craft
something that is sensitive to the First
Amendment.
I would prefer no legisla-
tion."
An agreement by the networks to label vi-
olent programs with parental advisories pre-
ceded the ultimatum. The fall schedules
were pretty much locked in place, albeit with
less violent programming than in the past-a
response in part to the outcry over the un-
See VIOLENCE, B10, Col. 1
Sinfon: "If by the first of the year we don't see
something solid then 1 don't think 1 can
continue to ask my colleagues to hold back."
Still, he is angry that broadcast
television has become the target,
when he believes cable. syndicated
shows and movies have much great-
terms of the monitoring group I am
er sins to answer for. "There was
not convinced they are moving in the
810 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1993
great disgust that the movie indus-
right direction." The ultimate effect
try was given 3 pass," he said. "Vio-
of a monitoring group, Simon said,
lence III hig features is what drives
would be to create pressure from
The TV
the entertainment industry
the public and the advertisers that
There are all sorts of scenes we
would keep violent programming off
wouldn't put on television. But we
the air.
Violence
took the accusations seriously and
Valenti says he is opposed to such
responded seriously. and people are
a group. "Mere mortals cannot regu-
generally not interested in what we
late creativity," he said. "I think the
are doing.
Debate
creative community is aware of the
"I don't think anyone is interested
outcry of the public. A great majori-
in knowing we're doing our jobs."
ty of those people who make televi-
In a speech last week to the Inter-
sion have had their consciousness
national Radio and Television Soci-
VIOLENCE, From B1
raised."
ety in Manhattan, Stringer once
usually violent May sweeps pro-
In'addition to Markey's bill, others
again lashed out at the angry mood
gramming. Simon's call in August
in Congress: "The argument that
pending include a measure from
for the creation of an independent
guns don't kill people, but television
Sens. Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.)
monitoring group that would issue
does. finds favor with liberals and
and Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii)
an annual report card has generally
that would ask the FCC to limit vio-
conservatives alike. After all, televi-
been ignored.
sion executives are perfect adver-
lent programming to hours when
Television industry people know
saries. Unlike drug runners and kill-
children are less likely to be watch-
that this time the issue isn't going
ers, we'll show up at a hearing in
ing television; Rep. John Bryant's
away. Still, they are worried that
D.C. Unlike the issues of poverty
(D-Tex.) bill to require the FCC to
Washington is in the driver's seat.
and poor education, attacking televi-
establish regulations to reduce TV
"There is a feeling in the enter-
sion violence on the networks re-
violence, and Sen. Byron L. Dor-
tainment divisions that we caved too
quires no Washington tax increases."
gan's (D-N.D.) Television Violence
quickly in accepting responsibility,"
He singled out Rep. Edward J.
Report Card Act. which would re-
said-one executive.
Markey (D-Mass.) who has intro-
quire the FCC to review and report
"I.don't want to go through anoth-
duced the "V-chip" bill, which would
on the subject. Observers say the
er industry conference," said anoth-
mandate technology allowing individ-
Hollings-Inouye and Markey bills
er in frustration. And on the ques-
ual television owners to block out vi-
have the most momentum.
tion of a monitoring committee,
olent programs, as particularly un-
Hearings are scheduled for Oct.
"People just bridle about that," he
friendly: "Needless to say, the
20 on both the Hollings-Inouye and
said. "Some people think the FCC
networks bear the brunt of his bel-
Dorgan measures, and Attorney
would be better than a bunch of so-
ligerence," he told the group.
General Janet Reno and a variety of
cial scientists."
Christine Hikawa, vice president
network executives are likely to tes-
Simon says it's his understanding
of broadcast standards and practices
tify.
that conversations have been going
at ABC, said that the changes there
Simon said most of the bills under
on at the top levels of the broadcast
"have not been major changes but
consideration have "as a major flaw
and cable networks, but industry
changes that impact what you see on
that they do not deal with the cable
sources say that any such discus-
TV
We look more carefully at
question. And cable, I have to say up
sions have been informal. The only
scripts."
to this point, has been less respon-
organized conversations have been
On a monitoring system, she said,
sive than the broadcast side of tele-
arranged by Jack Valenti, head of
"We have very serious First Amend-
vision."
the Motion Picture Association of
ment questions." Rather, she sug-
America. Valenti held one meeting
Congress currently has far less
gested that there might be some
this month in Los Angeles with rep-
ability to control cable because there
sort of "self-assessment program,"
are no licenses for the FCC to with-
resentatives of the networks and the
either with all the networks together
hold.
guilds-"all the creative people," he
or ABC alone if no agreement can be
said, who are in turn having meet-
reached. "We want to do what is re-
The one thing the networks
ings within each organization. "They
sponsible vis-a-vis what is on the air.
agreed to last summer-the paren-
are discussing ways they can show
You don't get any points for
tal guidance advisory-has been
conflict-good versus evil-and re-
that," she said. "You get points for
used occasionally by each network.
duce whatever gratuitous violence
holding seminars and conferences."
"We have learned," said CBS's
there is."
NBC executives were unavailable
Stringer of excessively violent pro-
Simon, the primary congressional
to speak on the record but issued a
gramming, "that (a) it is not good
advocate on the issue, has not intro-
list of concerns reflecting the net-
ethically and (b) it is not good busi-
duced any legislation yet, but at least
work's commitment to dealing with
ness either, and we won't do it."
eight bills have been introduced by
TV violence. A Fox spokesman said
others, and more hearings are
no one was available to speak to the
scheduled. Congress generally feels
subject yesterday.
it has dealt itself a no-lose hand.
While the networks are showing
CBS President Howard Stringer
less violent programming, at least
said this week that the issue's im-
for now, the counterprogramming of
pact on the network has been great.
"action-adventure"-the euphemism
prompting discussions on the nature
for more violent-programs is still
of violence and acknowledging the
happily in business on cable and in
need to reduce it, which he says CBS
syndicated shows.
has done.
Asked whether he is convinced
that things are moving in the right
direction, Simon said. "I am not. I'm
convinced that temporarily they're
moving in the right direction. but in
TV Industry
WASHINGTON EDITION LOS ANGELES TIMES
Does Little
on Violence
Legislation: Despite a
FRIDAY, OCTOBER I, 1993
Congressional warning about
mandatory restrictions, officials
have failed to act on the issue.
By GREG BRAXTON
TIMES STAFF WRITER
S
en. Paul Simon (D-III.) says the
television industry largely has failed
to act on his warning of last August to
move decisively within 60 days to curb
on-screen violence or risk mandatory re-
strictions imposed by Congress.
"The industry has not acted quickly and
decisively. as I had urged them to," Simon
said in an interview Wednesday, as this
weekend's deadline for action approached.
"I'm disappointed but not startled."
Simon made the warnings Aug. 2 during
a Beverly Hills conference on violence
CALENDAR
attended by network executives, program
producers, writers and anti-violence advo-
cates. He has long contended that violence
on TV is directly linked to the rise of
violence in society.
Despite the industry's failure to respond
WASHINGTON EDITION
significantly, Simon said that he was en-
couraged by discussions that he has sched-
uled within the next few weeks with
several key television executives, and that
he would stick to his original plan to hold
off on taking further government action
against the industry until next year.
"There can't be endless talk about this."
Simon said. "If by the first of the year we
don't have some concrete public action
taken, then we have to look at alternatives
with the, federal government that are
sensitive to the First Amendment but that
apply some pressure to avoid gratuitous
violence."
He added that other legislators are eager
to push for laws regulating television
violence: "Every day I run into senators
who say, 'I want to do something.' 1 think
they will hold off for a while if I ask them
to, but I can't guarantee it."
Simon is the author of the 1990 Televi-
sion Violence Act, which relaxed antitrust
regulations to give the networks, cable
channels and syndicators the legal footing
to develop industry regulations on tele-
vised mayhem. The legislation expires at
the end of December.
A pivotal step being required by Simon is
for the industry to form a citizens advisory
Please see TELEVISION, B9
TELEVISION
"Initially the industry rejected
the idea," he said. "Now it seems to
be picking up a little support. How
Continued from B8
much support I can't tell you."
committee that would make annual
ABC spokeswoman Julie Hoover
public reports on the amount of
said: "We're willing to talk about
violence on each broadcast and
self-assessment, and we're open
cable station. The committee
for discussion. But we're not look-
would play an advisory role to
ing for bureaucratic overlay or a
programmers if asked, he said.
systematic review by an outside
"That committee really is the
organization. We are responsible
key," Simon said. "Without it,
for our programming."
Spokesmen for Fox, CBS and
there is unlikely to be a dip in
NBC either declined or could not
television violence. Next year or
be reached for comment.
the year after, we'll be back in the
The networks say they already
same soup."
have cut back on violence this
But he acknowledged that net-
season and, in response to congres-
work officials have not been en-
sional pressure, have adopted a
thusiastic about forming such a
policy of alerting viewers to pro-
committee since he proposed it in
grams containing strong depictions
August.
of violence.