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September,
2000
Hollywood
markets Violence to Ghildren
But There may Be an Answer
By Dan
Wooding
Dr. Ted Baehr says
the answer to the Hollywood elite's cynical campaign
is to: Teach everyone media literacy and media
wisdom, beginning in elementary school
HOLLYWOOD CALIF.
(September 12, 2000) - The Federal Trade Commission has
found that Hollywood is cynically marketing violence to
our children, but there is an answer: "teach
everyone media literacy and media wisdom, beginning at
the elementary school level."
That's the view of Dr. Ted Baehr, a renowned Christian
expert on the entertainment media with more than 20
years' experience.
After reading the scathing report from the FTC that
attacked Hollywood's tactics, Dr. Baehr said, "This
report confirms a fact uncovered by MOVIEGUIDE(R), that
Hollywood industry leaders are systematically and
deliberately marketing R-rated movie violence to
America's young children by advertising on popular
cartoon shows and even in comic books.
"The FTC study shows that movie studios have been
advertising violent R-rated movies on television shows
and in magazines where they know the target consumers are
young teenagers. For example, the industry often places
ads on the TV cartoon show THE SIMPSONS, which attracts
many young viewers.
"The FTC found market research showing that violent
material is an effective lure to get kids to buy movie
tickets, music, video games, and merchandise. Thus, from
1995 to 1999, 80 percent of R-rated movies and 70 percent
of electronic games with mature ratings were targeted to
children under age 17.
"Even worse, perhaps, the FTC noted that, in
Hollywood's audience testing system, children as young as
10 previewed movies that eventually got an R rating. The
report added that, when the agency sent teenagers aged
13-16 to buy records and video games, they were able to
buy recordings with explicit lyrics and video games with
mature ratings 85 percent of the time!"
U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) noted, "It's
analogous to beer companies putting on ads about how to
drink responsibly but then marketing intensively on
college campuses."
Dr. Baehr, founder and chairman of the Christian Film and
Television Commission and MOVIEGUIDE(R), a magazine,
radio program and TV show which reviews all movies from a
biblical perspective and geared to parents with children,
further noted, "Despite the findings, Jack Valenti,
Hollywood's sycophantic enabler at the Motion Picture
Association of America, which has come under attack
lately for making some bad decisions in its assignment of
ratings to recent movies, was in a state of denial. He
said any evaluation of Hollywood's marketing practices
can only be subjective and once again praised MPAA's
faulty rating code.
"Mr. Valenti's comments are ludicrous," Dr.
Baehr asserted.
Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the
Senate Commerce Committee, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.)
and other senators are set to begin hearings tomorrow
(Sept. 13) on the FTC's findings.
Dr. Baehr said, "We urge these Senators not to
merely let the entertainment industry police their own
products, especially since they've done such a poor job
with the MPAA ratings. Instead, they should begin a
campaign to teach media literacy and media wisdom to all
citizens."
He noted that his ground-breaking book, THE MEDIA-WISE
FAMILY, is one of several important resources that could
do just that, thereby equipping both parents and
children.
For more information about MOVIEGUIDE(R), its Annual
Awards Gala in Hollywood to encourage filmmakers around
the world, Dr. Baehr's MEDIA-WISE FAMILY speaking
engagements and seminars, and/or the work of the
Christian Film and Television Commission, please call
(800) 899-6684, or write to:
P.O. Box 190010
Atlanta, GA 31119, USA.
Parent's Note:the If you want to train
your own family to be media-wise, call 1-800-899-6684
in North America, to order book, video or audio version
of THE MEDIA-WISE FAMILY, Dr. Ted Baehr's latest teaching
guide. Also, MOVIEGUIDE(R) now offers an online
subscription to its magazine version, at magazine, which
comes http://www.movieguide.org . The out 25 times a year,
contains many articles and reviews that can help parents
train their children to be media-wise consumers.
MOVIEGUIDE(R) also regularly broadcasts several
international TV and radio programs hosted by Dr. Baehr.
Job Hunting?
Poaition Open - Mom!
Submitted by Dorothy
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term team players needed for challenging permanent
work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must
possess excellent communication and organizational skills
and be willing to work various hours, which will include
evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on
call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless
sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not
reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES: This is for the rest
of your life. Must be willing to be hated at least
temporarily, until someone needs $5 to go skating. Must
be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess
the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go
from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this
time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just
crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating
technical challenges, such as small gadget repair,
mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must
screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate
production of multiple homework projects. Must have
ability to plan and organize social gatherings for
clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing
to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the
next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of
a half million cheap, plastic toys and batteryoperated
devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared
for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability
for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also
include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout
the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same
position for years, without complaining, constantly
retraining and updating your skills, so that those in
your charge can ultimately surpass you.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required,
unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a
continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay them,
offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment
is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that
college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest
thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you
actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS: While no health or dental
insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid
holidays and no stock options are offered, job supplies
limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs
for life if you play your cards right.
A Child's Ten
Commandments to Parents
Submitted
by Shabalynn
1. My hands are small;
please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed,
draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please
slow down so that I can keep up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please
let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a
short time, please take time to explain things to me
about this wonderful world and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my
needs. Don't nag me all day long. ( You wouldn't want to
be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you
would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as
God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my
actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining
me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on
the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I
do without criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions
concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn
from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make
the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.
8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes
me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your
expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to
compare me to my brother or sister.
9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend
together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as
parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great
way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please take me to Sunday School and church or
synagogue regularly, setting a good example for me to
follow. I enjoy learning more about God.
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