NCJ Number
84747
Journal
Correctional OPTIONS Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1982) Pages: 48-55
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
An effort is being mounted in Canada to provide organized consumer input for television programming, so as to try and maximize the use of TV for the development of positive values, knowledge, and behavior while minimizing negative influences.
Abstract
There is no one study that provides irrefutable evidence of a direct causal relationship between the portrayal of violence and crime on TV and violent and criminal behavior by television viewers; nevertheless, John P. Murray, a noted researcher in the field, concludes that the weight of the accumulated evidence does establish a link between violence on TV and aggressive behavior by TV viewers. While there is strong opposition to limiting freedom of expression in television programming and the freedom of viewers to watch whatever they choose, there is growing pressure for a greater variety of TV programming which will give parents viewing options for their children that they deem to be more positive than current programming. There are two regulatory groups composed of industry people who voluntarily agree to comply with standards developed in various areas of media operations. Although these groups welcome input from viewers, there is evidence that consumers are organizing to try and influence television programming in a more powerful way. The most glaring lack on the Canadian scene is a national organization for television consumers. The TV Programming Committee of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Crime has now endorsed a 3-year project to establish such an organization through a national conference and a community development effort which will be a model for the creation of a network of community consumer groups. Eleven footnotes are provided.