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July 1997, Week 5

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Subject:
From:
Chris Worsnop <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 30 Jul 1997 11:18:45 -0400
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>I am researching the question:
>How can we limit the amount of sex and violence on TV? I would like list
>members to respond to some of my questions and comments ..
 
There have already been a number of recent questions and answers on this and
related topics on the list. Is there an echo in here?
>
>How do you define violence? Is violence such as a punch to the face more
>objectionable than someone causing bleeding to someone else? Is a punch
>in the face considered violence?
 
You ask a very important question to begin with. My answer is that whether a
representation  - remember, in fiction programs it IS only a representation
- can be called violent or not depends a lot on its context. Violence in the
Three Stooges is very different from the same thing in a movie of the week.
Who is being punched, with what consequence, in what "entertainment" context?
>
>Do you think using the V-chip will give movie directors in Hollywood a
>convenient excuse for even more violent programs and more sex scenes on
>TV?
 
This question has been answered in earlier messages. I will add one point:
producers will do what sponsors require. If violence continues to generate
high ratings despite the V chip, then violence is what we will get.
>
>What do you think of the V-chip versus the program editor which blanks
>out pre-selected programs?
 
I am mystified by this distinction. The V chip will blank out entire
programs - not just scenes in programs, but the entire programs. So what is
the difference between the V chip and the program editor?
>
>Do you believe the program editor would be better than the V-chip?
>
>Could children somehow deprogram the program editor as some people claim
>the children can do to the V-chip?
 
Already covered in earlier reply.
>
>Will the V-chip cause more bland shows to be aired on TV or will it not
>change program content?
 
The V chip itself is not capable of causing anything. It is only a piece of
technology. People cause things by their actions. What happens to TV content
will be a result of market research and people's preferences.
>
>Do you agree or disagree with this quotation from Rep. Bliley? "The
>government should leave the issue to parents and advocacy groups to turn
>off their TV sets or pressure advertisers not to sponsor objectionable
>programs."
 
I would be more interested in the people having a clear understanding
themselves of what they find personally objectionable. Politicians seem to
seek answers only through avenues of political action. What's more, the
representative seems to be presenting a bit of ideology, by hinting that
s/he is against government intervention. If the public wants to change the
content of TV shows, then all the public has to do is render those shows
unpopular.
>
>Should we trust the networks to rate TV shows accurately?
 
Would you buy a used car from any network?
>
>Do you think TV networks may over rate or even under rate the programs?
 
I think the networks will do whatever they think will generate the most
revenue while causing the least trouble with legislators. You may find that
one network decides to over-rate the shows to appeal to one kind of viewer,
while another might under-rate them to appeal to another kind. Like, guess
which way the Fox network would go!
>
>Should parents watch at least one show with their children to see how
>violent it is? After watching the program discuss the violence they  saw
>and try to explain that most of TV violence can be or is fake?
 
This is a sensible suggestion, but it does not go far enough. Hidden in the
question is the assumption that parents are eager to get away from their
children after watching "at least one program" with them. So long as this is
the case, children are going to have social problems. It is not a nice thing
to realize that your parents do not enjoy your company. Have you read the
short story, "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury?
 
Now we may be on the verge of discovering a cause of antisocial behaviour in
young people. Blaming TV is just too easy.
 
Please excuse me if I seem to have a lot to say about this topic. I am just
getting ready to publish a book about it. The book is called, "Family Lesson
in Media Literacy" and should be available by the end of the year.
 
Cheers,
 
Chris
 
 
Chris M. Worsnop
Consultant, speaker, workshop leader, writer
media education, assessment, writing
 
Homepage: <http://www.screen.com/mnet/eng/speakers/cw/worsnop.htm>
 
2400 Dundas Street West            Email:  <[log in to unmask]>
Unit 6, Suite 107                  Phone:  (905) 823-0875
Mississauga
Ontario, Canada
L5K 2R8
 
 
"Progress might have been all right once, but it went on too long."  Ogden Nash
 
----
Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the 
University of Alabama.

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