Passing Moral Judgment on Televised Violence

• NCJ Number: 151051
• Author(s): D B Sachsman
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the International Conference on Violence in the Media, New York, NY, October 3 and 4, 1994

Annotation

This analysis of violence on television and the responses of government officials and advocacy groups argues that professional football is far more violent than programs such as NYPD Blue and that it is crucial to protect First Amendment rights by fighting legislation against television violence.

Abstract

Academic research has documented both that professional football is the most violent programming on television and that it increases the aggressiveness of viewers. However, both liberals and conservatives focus only on programs such as NYPD Blue. They appear to be trying to legislate morals in the guise of eliminating television violence. However, if we are worried about what television is doing to our children and we are most worried that it is making them aggressive, we should blame football and the evening news along with programs like NYPD Blue. However, proposals from Janet Reno, Hillary Clinton, and others are overlooking the research findings. Therefore, none of the legislation will take away the real and harmful violence of professional football. Author biography and 18 references (Author abstract modified)