Tristani takes networks to task
By BroadCasting & Cable Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/9/2000 8:00:00 PM
FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani last week asked the four major broadcast networks to work harder to educate parents about the V-chip and the TV ratings. "Too many parents still do not know that the V-chip exists and what it can do," she said. A survey that the Kaiser Family Foundation released last week reports that four out of 10 parents know nothing about the V-chip even though one in 10 parents now owns a TV that includes one of the program-blocking devices.
Tristani also said the networks, with the exception of CBS, are not airing enough public service announcements to inform parents about the V-chip. Since January, CBS has aired 54 V-chip-related PSAs, while NBC and FOX have aired only two each and ABC only one, Tristani said. She also may extend her "call to action" to manufacturers, retailers, industry trade associations and the public-interest community, she said.
Meanwhile, Kaiser Family Foundation, retailer Circuit City, Odyssey Network and RCA have put together a free pamphlet to educate parents about the TV ratings and the V-chip. The pamphlet will be available in Circuit City stores starting April 10. Later this year, Odyssey, which airs family-oriented programming on cable, will launch its own national print and broadcast campaign. Kermit the Frog will star. Parents also can call 877-2-VCHIP-TV or log on to www.vchipeducation.org to learn more.
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