Children's Television Act of 1990

2558 Words11 Pages
The Children’s Television Act of 1990 was implemented “to require the Federal Communications Commission to reinstate restrictions on advertising during children’s television, to enforce the obligation of broadcasters to meet the educational and informational needs to the child audience, and for other purposes” (Bill H.R.1677). Congress passed the Children’s Television Act of 1990 with the goal that educational television would benefit children viewers and help their development. The Children’s Television ACT of 1990 was legislation that consisted of two parts. First, required broadcasters to provide both informational and educational content for children’s programming in order to be eligible for the FCC license renewal. Second, was to limit commercial advertisements during children programs to 10 minutes in an hour during the weekends and 12.5 minutes during the weekday programs (Calvert and Wilson, 2008, p. 455). Congress finds that television can assist children to learn important information, skills, values, and behavior, while entertaining them. I argue that there is no clear definition of what constitutes ‘educational’ programming under the Children’s Television Act of 1990 therefore being problematic for television programs enhancing a child’s life. Also that Congress and parents both need to be involved in what our children are viewing and work together for a better solution. BACKGROUND Educational and informational programming for children’s television became an issue that started in the 1950’s. Many parents during this time were concerned about the content that was being shown for children in concerns that some programs would have potentially harmful effects. In 1968, Peggy Charren founded the Action for Children’s television programming, this National Child Organization made effort to encourage programs diversity and eliminate commercial
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