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Guest Commentary March 26, 2002
Sexual Material on Television Decreasing
The Honorable Sam Brownback
As the most important national medical and public health organizations have pointed out, there is a direct causal link between violent entertainment and increased aggressive behavior in some children. We know that the typical American child spends an enormous amount of time each week watching television and movies, listening to music, and playing video games.
While every study on this subject has identified the perverse content on television, films and video games, I am pleased with some good news for parents.
Things appear to be moving in the right direction. In some areas, the reduction in prurient content has fallen by as much as 30 percent in the past two years. This is a significant development, a victory of sorts, for an industry that has been criticized on this score for some time.
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From 1999 to 2001, the amount of sexual material on television fell by 29 percent and the amount of serious violence decreased by 17 percent. On the broadcast networks, the amount of sexual material fell by 31 percent and violence by 11 percent. On premium cable, the amount of sexual material fell by 49 percent and violence decreased by 65 percent.
I am pleased to call attention to this progress. While I am still mindful of the targeting of this sexual and violent content to children, I believe that this new evidence of movement in the industry is a big step in the right direction. I congratulate parents across the country, because their efforts are making a difference. Your voices are being heard.
These developments are encouraging, but we shouldn't lose sight of some of the real problems that still exist. For instance, the amount of sex and violence in many other top grossing movies has remained about the same. Among movies with the most sex and violence, the number of R ratings increased from 55 to 60 percent. And the niche market of highly violent movies were significantly more violent than their counterparts in 1998-1999.
The most important leaders in the entertainment industry have shown that good corporate citizenship and a sensitivity to the challenges that parents face can win you more than loyal fans. Doubters should take note, it can be done, and it can be economically successful.
Sam Brownback, a Republican, is a U.S. Senator from Kansas. The above commentary has been adapted from comments by Sen. Brownback at a news conference sponsored by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, March 21, 2002. To contact him, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
