From:      <sstowel1@ic3.ithaca.edu>
To:        A16.A16(kidstv)
Date:      10/11/95 8:59pm
Subject:   Children's TV Guidelines



October 11, 1995


Secretary of the FCC:

     There has been alot of discussion lately concerning the 
guidelines for children's television programming.  As it is now,
I do not  think that there is a sufficient amount of children's
television programs  on television.  Our children are turning to
the tube more and more  everyday and the values of the media are
enforcing are far from  "educational."  
     Sex, drugs and violence dominate the majority of television 
content.  We, the people and the media, need to understand that
children  are like wet cement, everything leaves an impression. 
By subjecting our  children to shows like, "NYPD Blue", "Married
with Children", and  "Melrose Place" the media is conveying the
idea that the values and  morals presented in those shows are
correct.  If kids grow up watching  and believing these false
"values" they are going to have an unrealistic  view of society,
and possibly cause harm to themselves or others.   Especially
now, in the era of the "latch-key" we should monitor  television
content more closely.  
     As television programming exists now, quality educational 
programming is lacking.  The stations that do claim to run
educational  programming, other than PBS, air the shows on Sunday
mornings at 5:30,  when alot of kids can't see them. Few shows
are going to be viewed under  these conditions.
     According to a sales chief for one major syndicator,
"stations  will tell you that there isn't enough educational
programming available,  but, if they assume that kids won't watch
it, they program it at  ow-viewership times and don't promote it.
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy."
     I suggest that all major networks air three to four hours of 
childrens programming a day, between the hours of 8 and 11 a.m.
or 2 and  5 p.m.  Stations must make greater efforts to comply
with the Children's  Television Act of 1990.  Studies show that
most stations now are only  airing the minimal amount of
educational programming required.  I think  each station should
publish a yearly newsletter or parent guideline,  describing the
content of each show it airs.  The guide should give a  brief
description of the series, the time it will air and certain age 
restrictions they feel apply.  Also, the FCC should monitor each
station  monthly to be sure they are complying with all the rules
and  regulations.  I strongly disagree with the proposal by
networks to pay  other stations to air their shows for them. 
Each station should be  responsible for their own programming. 
By enforcing this rule, it would  provide a broader spectrum of
educational programs for parents and  children to choose from. 
In this respect, parents would have more lee  way in what they
want their children to watch.
     In closing, I would like to urge the FCC to use it's power
to  strongly enforce networks to air more educational
programming.  It will  benefit our children and our nation in the
long run.

                         Samantha Stowell
                         Ithaca College
                         Ithaca, New York


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