Television Hygiene

One thing seems certain: Children are increasingly learning their values from the television set. Another thing seems also true: This is not such a good thing.

I just hope this is not the final word.

Television Hygiene

During the Reagan regime, the Federal Communications Commission "relaxed" some of their rules regarding television for children. Actually it was more like they overdosed them on valium: Everything from G.I. Joe to Huckleberry Hound was justified as educational programming. The Reaganauts never met an animated gun (or real one for that matter) they didn't like.

After years of organizing, Peggy Charen and her watchdog organization Action for Children's Television (ACT) ensured passage of the Children's Television Act of 1990, which required strict definitions of "educational programming." But the regulators remained in the Bush White House, so the law's teeth were pulled.

What a difference an administration can make. President Bill Clinton and the "new" FCC have reimplanted incisors into the regulatory apparatus. Now Congress has scheduled hearings to review stations' compliance with the intent of the legislation.

Unfortunately, increased oversight creates new problems. Although commercial television is mandated to improve its offering for kids, cable TV, which is not required to provide educational programming, can do whatever it wants. And since they can, they will. Several cable networks have in development new—and more violent—kids programs. They sense that kids will drop away from network viewing while the "good" shows are on, so they will offer even trashier programs to lure the disinterested.

Isn't the marketplace wonderful?

Kids in the 'Hood

But sometimes even good programs survive. The longest-running PBS program—Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood—just hit 25 years old. This successful program is not experiencing the angst of early adulthood. No, it remains remarkably committed to its consumers: kids.

Mr. Rogers—produced by WQED in Pittsburgh—is the best of PBS. Not dictated by the MTV-pace of Sesame Street or the smarminess of newly the rage Barney, Mr. Rogers offers a unity of thought in presentation; its message and style are one.

Fred Rogers has been the butt of many a joke over the years. I knew more from the parodies (Johnny Carson, David Robinson, Eddie Murphy) than from his show...until I had kids of my own. Only then could I appreciate his genuineness and concern for the growth and development of children. What adults don't get is that Mr. Rogers teaches values, not numbers, and therefore he creates citizens, not accountants.

This should be no surprise, as Fred Rogers is an ordained Presbyterian minister. Writing his own scripts and songs, he has a devoted congregation of kids. And every day he shares with them the good news of their value, their specialness.

Now 65 years old, Rogers is not talking about retiring. And why would we think such a thing? You never really retire from being a neighbor, do you?

Commercial Developments

PBS has another obvious, and increasingly important, advantage for concerned parents. While it is true that Toyota's and Holiday Inn's sponsorship of Where in the World Is Carmen San Diego? is beginning to make PBS look like a commercial network, public broadcasting provides a safer environment in terms of violent content.

Recently the local affiliate "Sonshine Station" (Pat Robertson's network) ran the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I thought my 4-year-old was ready for such a show, having already seen Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music more times than the actors. And she was. She was less prepared for the advertisements. One of the gentlest commercials sold by the station was for a Terminator movie. From there, it went downhill...except for the continual station breaks during which the station manager reminded viewers how lucky they were to be watching such good children's programming.

And this is entirely legal. The only prohibition regarding content of commercials during kids shows is that it is not "indecent," usually meaning no "curse" words.

Perhaps Congress should look at commercials as they consider regulatory legislation for kids programming. Let's give the kids a break.

Bob Hulteen was Under Review Editor of Sojourners when this article appeared.