because our children are watching®

Prints 4/4: 4-Color Process 11" x 17"

FEBR

UA

RY 2

016

PAGE 3Become a member - receive a Little Boy DVD!

PAGES 1 & 2GUN CONTROL vs. Mental Health: The New Debate on Mass Violence

PAGE 2TV content ratings need reform!

PAGE 4An Evening of Rhythm & Romance

A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF PARENTS TELEV I S ION COUNCIL

Our nation is gripped by societal violence and mass shootings, whether a grade school in Connecticut, a high school in Colorado, a community college in Oregon, a university in Virginia, or the streets of Chicago; we have grown weary of the far-too-frequent and tragic reality of mass shootings and societal violence. We search for solutions. We seek answers. And we debate remedies.

The national media focuses its attention on gun control and mental health, and the debate is robust. But they won’t shine a light on their own complicity in a violent society.

America Debates Gun Control, Mental Health But Is Silent About Violent Media Culture

For more information about Parents Television Council

Mailing Address: 707 Wilshire Boulevard #2075 Los Angeles, CA 90017 www.parentstv.org

Phone: (213) 403-1300 Toll-Free: (800) 882-6868 Fax: (213) 403-1301

But why isn’t the national media talking about the vast influence of a media culture increasingly saturated with extreme violence?

Scene from Scream Queens

AN EVENING OF RHYTHM ROMANCE WITH KENNY G On Saturday, November 21, 2015, the Parents Television Council held a Gala Dinner and Concert Charity Event, featuring the incredibly popular, Emmy-winning jazz saxophonist, Kenny G. Steve Hester, a Chick-Fil-A executive and long-time benefactor for PTC, helped put the fundraiser together.

Chick-Fil-A’s Senior Director Steve Hester and his wife, MarciaIn just the last two years, TV viewers have been deluged with television programs glorifying serial killers—The Following, Hannibal, Aquarius, Stalker, Wicked City, Scream Queens, Bates Motel —to name a few.

And, if it is even possible to make the glorification of violence on TV worse...

In 2010, there were only 8 scenes of decapitation on prime-time broadcast TV; and 4 of those were silly comic ones on the family-friendly cartoon The Simpsons. By contrast, in 2015 there were more than 30 decapitations just in the period January through November!

We all know that what appears in television programming is considered a mirror of what is occurring in the world around us and represents a diary of who we are as a society. But when do we as a people say there are some topics that simply are not acceptable for our viewing entertainment?

Is it truly okay to mimic and popularize the most extreme acts of violence by

A recent PTC study uncovered that decapitations

on prime-time TV are up 275% in the past 5 years!

“The media is trying to steal children’s innocence; there’s so much junk on TV now.” ~ Steve Hester

Y162894-PTC16-NWSLTR.indd 1 1/14/16 2:15 PM

because our children are watching®

Prints 4/4: 4-Color Process 11" x 17"

FEBR

UA

RY 2

016

PAGE 3Become a member - receive a Little Boy DVD!

PAGES 1 & 2GUN CONTROL vs. Mental Health: The New Debate on Mass Violence

PAGE 2TV content ratings need reform!

PAGE 4An Evening of Rhythm & Romance

A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF PARENTS TELEV I S ION COUNCIL

Our nation is gripped by societal violence and mass shootings, whether a grade school in Connecticut, a high school in Colorado, a community college in Oregon, a university in Virginia, or the streets of Chicago; we have grown weary of the far-too-frequent and tragic reality of mass shootings and societal violence. We search for solutions. We seek answers. And we debate remedies.

The national media focuses its attention on gun control and mental health, and the debate is robust. But they won’t shine a light on their own complicity in a violent society.

America Debates Gun Control, Mental Health But Is Silent About Violent Media Culture

For more information about Parents Television Council

Mailing Address: 707 Wilshire Boulevard #2075 Los Angeles, CA 90017 www.parentstv.org

Phone: (213) 403-1300 Toll-Free: (800) 882-6868 Fax: (213) 403-1301

But why isn’t the national media talking about the vast influence of a media culture increasingly saturated with extreme violence?

Scene from Scream Queens

AN EVENING OF RHYTHM ROMANCE WITH KENNY G On Saturday, November 21, 2015, the Parents Television Council held a Gala Dinner and Concert Charity Event, featuring the incredibly popular, Emmy-winning jazz saxophonist, Kenny G. Steve Hester, a Chick-Fil-A executive and long-time benefactor for PTC, helped put the fundraiser together.

Chick-Fil-A’s Senior Director Steve Hester and his wife, MarciaIn just the last two years, TV viewers have been deluged with television programs glorifying serial killers—The Following, Hannibal, Aquarius, Stalker, Wicked City, Scream Queens, Bates Motel —to name a few.

And, if it is even possible to make the glorification of violence on TV worse...

In 2010, there were only 8 scenes of decapitation on prime-time broadcast TV; and 4 of those were silly comic ones on the family-friendly cartoon The Simpsons. By contrast, in 2015 there were more than 30 decapitations just in the period January through November!

We all know that what appears in television programming is considered a mirror of what is occurring in the world around us and represents a diary of who we are as a society. But when do we as a people say there are some topics that simply are not acceptable for our viewing entertainment?

Is it truly okay to mimic and popularize the most extreme acts of violence by

A recent PTC study uncovered that decapitations

on prime-time TV are up 275% in the past 5 years!

“The media is trying to steal children’s innocence; there’s so much junk on TV now.” ~ Steve Hester

Y162894-PTC16-NWSLTR.indd 1 1/14/16 2:15 PM

2 parents televis ion council parents televis ion council 3

TV content ratings need reform!

In 1996, the entertainment industry achieved a coup in shirking their responsibility. Prior to that time, TV networks were responsible for the content of programs they placed on the airwaves. But after the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the V-Chip allowing “parental controls” was placed into all new TV sets, and a ratings system for TV shows (similar to that used by the movie industry) was put in place.

So it was that programs pushed into our homes by private networks over the publicly-owned airwaves became the PARENTS’ responsibility, not the networks’. Basically, this was like a factory being allowed to belch poisonous fumes into the air, then saying, “We’ve put warning signs up. If you don’t like it, don’t breathe.”

But the scenario is even worse than that — because the ratings system doesn’t work.

Shows are consistently misrated — and always in the direction of allowing ever younger viewers to watch ever more extreme content. Here’s just one recent example: the Esquire Network’s drama Spotless featured scenes of murder and necrophilia, and upwards of 30 instances of extreme profanity…yet it was rated as acceptable for a 14-year-old child!

Nor is that unusual when it comes to the TV content ratings system. In fact, on broadcast TV, nothing is EVER rated TV-MA “for mature audiences only”—no matter how much explicit sex, gore, or foul language it contains!

For almost 20 years, the TV networks have told viewers and parents that they have all the tools they need to make informed decisions about what their children can see…all while rating the most extreme content acceptable for 14-year-olds or children even younger!

It is long past time this farce was ended…and that’s where the PTC comes in. We have gained momentum over the past 6 months, with your support, and we will continue to hold Hollywood’s feet to the fire. We have implemented our Ratings Reform initiative to ensure more accurate ratings for television programming. We are working closely with like-minded organizations in garnering their support to push for a public hearing on the issue of Ratings Reform. We’ll demand that Congress use its oversight power to demand changes to the ratings system—changes that will make it truly accurate, consistent, transparent and publicly accountable. With your continued support, we’ll convene a symposium of media and mental health experts to suggest better ways for the ratings system to work. Most of all, we’ll be sure that the entertainment industry is being true to its word and providing parents like you with the information you need to make informed programming choices.

But we need your help! We have gathered tens of thousands of signatures to date but to keep our Ratings Reform initiative moving forward, we’re asking you to sign the Ratings Reform petition as well, either on the PTC website or at Change.org or Care2.org…or all three!

Please sign our demand for Ratings Reform…and help us stand up for the health, safety and innocence of our children and grandchildren.

Surprised? Entertainment Industry Leaders Support the PTC

Mark Burnett is a legend in the television industry. From his beginning as creator of the reality show boom with his program Survivor, Burnett has gone on to other reality successes, such as The Apprentice, Celebrity Apprentice,

Roma Downey is beloved to a generation as the lead character, the angel Monica, on the inspirational CBS series Touched by an Angel.

Together, Mark and Roma are fervent supporters of the PTC’s

mission and are quoted as saying, “We’re a PTC family!”

The PTC is proud to count such outstanding and responsible “media citizens” as friends. In recent years, the couple has created and funded even more inspirational— and at times, openly Christian—entertainment, such as the History Channel miniseries The Bible and its NBC sequel, A.D.: The Bible Continues, as well as the theatrical movie Son of God (in which Downey played the Virgin Mary).

In addition to the productions in which they’ve starred or have created themselves, through their company LightWorkers Media, Roma and Mark have funded and produced several other inspirational, Christian-themed

films and programs, such as the CBS miniseries The Dovekeepers (about the siege of Masada), the forthcoming theatrical film Ben-Hur, and the movie Little Boy, winner of the PTC Seal of ApprovalTM. Little Boy is the tale of Pepper Busbee, a “little boy” who prays for his father’s safe return from World War II—and of the moral lessons he learns along the way, including befriending an outcast Japanese resident and helping him survive the town’s intolerance. Little Boy is a dramatic and deeply moving story of family and friendship, and teaches that the true transformative power of faith lies not in overt physical “miracles,” but in the way it changes people’s hearts.

We’re thrilled to announce that, by special arrangement with Mark and Roma’s LightWorkers Media, the first thousand people to renew their 2016 Membership at the $100 level will receive a FREE DVD of Little Boy. Don’t miss out on the chance to support family-friendly entertainment.

According to the broadcast networks, every single program in prime time is suitable for a child.

Mark Burnett and Roma Downey

serial killers and ruthless terrorist groups in TV shows?The fact is that media influences viewers. The proof of point is the billions of dollars that are spent on TV commercials every year, after all, to influence the viewer’s behavior. It is time to stop the madness and the PTC, with your support, will be demanding Ratings Reform in 2016 to do just that.

“Anyone who thinks the media has nothing to do with

this is an idiot.”~ CBS President Les Moonves, in the wake of the school shootings at

Columbine (New York Post, May 20, 1999)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

COMING SOON: 2016 PTC Membership Drive

The mission of the PTC is to protect children and families from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media, because of their proven long-term harmful effects. Our vision is to provide a safe and sound entertainment media environment for children and families across America.

Shark Tank and The Voice.

Y162894-PTC16-NWSLTR.indd 2 1/14/16 2:16 PM

2 parents televis ion council parents televis ion council 3

TV content ratings need reform!

In 1996, the entertainment industry achieved a coup in shirking their responsibility. Prior to that time, TV networks were responsible for the content of programs they placed on the airwaves. But after the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the V-Chip allowing “parental controls” was placed into all new TV sets, and a ratings system for TV shows (similar to that used by the movie industry) was put in place.

So it was that programs pushed into our homes by private networks over the publicly-owned airwaves became the PARENTS’ responsibility, not the networks’. Basically, this was like a factory being allowed to belch poisonous fumes into the air, then saying, “We’ve put warning signs up. If you don’t like it, don’t breathe.”

But the scenario is even worse than that — because the ratings system doesn’t work.

Shows are consistently misrated — and always in the direction of allowing ever younger viewers to watch ever more extreme content. Here’s just one recent example: the Esquire Network’s drama Spotless featured scenes of murder and necrophilia, and upwards of 30 instances of extreme profanity…yet it was rated as acceptable for a 14-year-old child!

Nor is that unusual when it comes to the TV content ratings system. In fact, on broadcast TV, nothing is EVER rated TV-MA “for mature audiences only”—no matter how much explicit sex, gore, or foul language it contains!

For almost 20 years, the TV networks have told viewers and parents that they have all the tools they need to make informed decisions about what their children can see…all while rating the most extreme content acceptable for 14-year-olds or children even younger!

It is long past time this farce was ended…and that’s where the PTC comes in. We have gained momentum over the past 6 months, with your support, and we will continue to hold Hollywood’s feet to the fire. We have implemented our Ratings Reform initiative to ensure more accurate ratings for television programming. We are working closely with like-minded organizations in garnering their support to push for a public hearing on the issue of Ratings Reform. We’ll demand that Congress use its oversight power to demand changes to the ratings system—changes that will make it truly accurate, consistent, transparent and publicly accountable. With your continued support, we’ll convene a symposium of media and mental health experts to suggest better ways for the ratings system to work. Most of all, we’ll be sure that the entertainment industry is being true to its word and providing parents like you with the information you need to make informed programming choices.

But we need your help! We have gathered tens of thousands of signatures to date but to keep our Ratings Reform initiative moving forward, we’re asking you to sign the Ratings Reform petition as well, either on the PTC website or at Change.org or Care2.org…or all three!

Please sign our demand for Ratings Reform…and help us stand up for the health, safety and innocence of our children and grandchildren.

Surprised? Entertainment Industry Leaders Support the PTC

Mark Burnett is a legend in the television industry. From his beginning as creator of the reality show boom with his program Survivor, Burnett has gone on to other reality successes, such as The Apprentice, Celebrity Apprentice,

Roma Downey is beloved to a generation as the lead character, the angel Monica, on the inspirational CBS series Touched by an Angel.

Together, Mark and Roma are fervent supporters of the PTC’s

mission and are quoted as saying, “We’re a PTC family!”

The PTC is proud to count such outstanding and responsible “media citizens” as friends. In recent years, the couple has created and funded even more inspirational— and at times, openly Christian—entertainment, such as the History Channel miniseries The Bible and its NBC sequel, A.D.: The Bible Continues, as well as the theatrical movie Son of God (in which Downey played the Virgin Mary).

In addition to the productions in which they’ve starred or have created themselves, through their company LightWorkers Media, Roma and Mark have funded and produced several other inspirational, Christian-themed

films and programs, such as the CBS miniseries The Dovekeepers (about the siege of Masada), the forthcoming theatrical film Ben-Hur, and the movie Little Boy, winner of the PTC Seal of ApprovalTM. Little Boy is the tale of Pepper Busbee, a “little boy” who prays for his father’s safe return from World War II—and of the moral lessons he learns along the way, including befriending an outcast Japanese resident and helping him survive the town’s intolerance. Little Boy is a dramatic and deeply moving story of family and friendship, and teaches that the true transformative power of faith lies not in overt physical “miracles,” but in the way it changes people’s hearts.

We’re thrilled to announce that, by special arrangement with Mark and Roma’s LightWorkers Media, the first thousand people to renew their 2016 Membership at the $100 level will receive a FREE DVD of Little Boy. Don’t miss out on the chance to support family-friendly entertainment.

According to the broadcast networks, every single program in prime time is suitable for a child.

Mark Burnett and Roma Downey

serial killers and ruthless terrorist groups in TV shows?The fact is that media influences viewers. The proof of point is the billions of dollars that are spent on TV commercials every year, after all, to influence the viewer’s behavior. It is time to stop the madness and the PTC, with your support, will be demanding Ratings Reform in 2016 to do just that.

“Anyone who thinks the media has nothing to do with

this is an idiot.”~ CBS President Les Moonves, in the wake of the school shootings at

Columbine (New York Post, May 20, 1999)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

COMING SOON: 2016 PTC Membership Drive

The mission of the PTC is to protect children and families from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media, because of their proven long-term harmful effects. Our vision is to provide a safe and sound entertainment media environment for children and families across America.

Shark Tank and The Voice.

Y162894-PTC16-NWSLTR.indd 2 1/14/16 2:16 PM