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History of Federal Lawmakers Considering the Problem of Media Violence
1952 Congress got involved in the issue in May 1952 when the House Subcommittte on the Federal Communications Commission held hearings to look into television content to determine if programs contain immoral or offensive material. Immoral material was defined as that which places an improper emphasis on crime, violence, and corruption. Chaired by Oren Harris (D-Ark.), the Subcommittee held hearings for 13 days over a six-month period taking testimony from broadcast spokespeople and critics.
It funded no new research, nor did it focus on the existing research.
1954 The Senate Judiciary Committee created a special Subcommittee to investigate Juvenile Delinquency that was concerned with the negative influence of television, movies, and comic books. The hearings were held in June and October of 1954 under the chairmanship of Robert C. Hendrickson (R-NJ), these hearings were devoted primarily to industry professionals and executives. The purpose was limited to having the industry describe its operations and to lay out its own view of the problem of media effects. The industry denied all negative effects and reiterated their voluntary adherence to self-enforcement standards. The TV industry said it was not responsible for any of the bad effects in society. They cited the radio model where there were many critics in the early days of that medium, but where there was no research indicating any negative effects of radio. The Subcommittee concluded that more research was needed.
One of the main recommendations of the resulting report was to call for a coordinated long-term effort of research on this topic.
1955 The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee to investigate Juvenile Delinquency held a second round of hearings under theleadership of Estes Kefauver (D-TN). These hearings focused on theissue of determining the long term effects of television on thecountry's youth. These hearings took testimony from socialscientists who had conducted effects studies.1961-62 The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee to InvestigateJuvenile Delinquency held a third round of hearings under the leadership of Thomas Dodd (D-Conn.). The hearings began in June of 1961 and went until May of 1962 during which time many researchers and industry executives testified. No report was ever issued to the public, nor did it recommend any legislation.
1964 The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee to investigate Juvenile Delinquency held hearings in July and reported that a relationship has been conclusively established between televised crime and violence and antisocial attitudes and behavior among juvenile viewers. However the subcommittee does not believe that television is either the sole or most significant cause of juvenile delinquency.
Action Taken: none
1968 Five days after Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated, President Lyndon Johnson appointed the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence (NCCPV) with Milton Eisenhower as chair. Because the commission was appointed for only about 7 months (to the end of Johnson' term) it relied on existing research and sought testimony from leading experts. It was asked to investigate and make recommendations to: (a) the causes and prevention of lawless acts of violence in our society, including assassination, murder and assault; (2) the causes and prevention of disrespect for law and order; (3) such other matters as the President may take place before the Commission. The NCCPV hearings presented the complexity of the problem of violence and that
The report did not include any recommendations for legislation, instead saying that there is no single explanation of its causes, and no single prescription for its control. The report essentially warned the industry to be more careful in its portrayals of violence and warned parents to be more careful in monitoring the viewing of their children.
1969 The Senate Subcommittee on Communications became interested in this issue, this time under the leadership of John Pastore (D-RI). The Subcommittee held hearings off and on for two years and $1.5-million to social scientists to fund original research into the effects of television violence on children's and teenagers' attitudes and behaviors.
1969 Creation of the Surgeon General's Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior; commissions social scientists to conduct original research into the effects of television violence on children's and teenagers' attitudes and behaviors.
1971 The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency commissioned the Surveon General, William Stewart and his committee which was comprised of an advisory panel of experts in the behavioral sciences, the mental health disciplines and communications, to investigate the effects of televised violence.
Action taken: $1 million was provided for research and another $500,000 - $800,000 for administrative expenses to produce new research that would be published in the Surgeon General's Television and Social Behavior Program
1972 The Surgeon General's Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior, released a five-volume report that concluded that there was a great deal of violence on television and that people are spending more and more time watching this content. Also, they found that viewing violence increases the likelihood that viewers will behave aggressively given certain conditions. However, these conclusions were heavily qualified, and the negative conclusions were largely ignored.
1972 Surgeon General's Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior releases a five-volume report that concluded that there was a great deal of violence on television and that people are spending more and more time watching this content. Also, they found that viewing violence increases the likelihood that viewers will behave aggressively given certain conditions. However, these conclusions were heavily qualified, and the negative conclusions were largely ignored.
1972 Hearings were held on the Surgeon General's Television and Social Behavior Program that supported the claim that television largely exploits children and further close study of television industry practices and impact would be necessary to pursue measures that might mitigate that state of affairs.
1972 After 15 days of hearings in the Senate, the Chairman of the FCC, Richard Wiley, negotiated an agreement with the broadcast industry. The broadcast industry agreed to cut back on adult themes (violence and sex) on programs aired before 9 p.m., thus creating a Family Viewing time. However, analysis of the evenings’ programming showed that there was just as much violence before 9 p.m. as after that time.
Action taken: None taken.
Action taken: None taken
1975 Congress and FCC Chairman Richard Wiley put pressure on television broadcasters to create a Family Viewing Hour. "Richard Wiley, Chairman of the FCC, negotiated an agreement with the broadcast industry in 1975 which he claimed was going to solve the problem. The broadcast industry agreed to limit the number of programs that contained violent behavior. The television industry also agreed to restrict its programming during the primetime family hour of eight to nine p.m. and also for an additional non-primetime hour from seven to eight p.m." (Windhausen, 1994, p. 786).
Action taken: Television broadcasters agreed to add a Family Viewing Hour amendment to the Television Code of the National Association of Broadcasters. It reserved the prime-time hour of 8 to 9 p.m. for programming that would be suitable for a general family audience. It left the considerable interpretation of what would constitute "inappropriate programming" to the individual television networks.
1975 The Writers Guild of America filed a lawsuit against the FCC and the networks arguing that the Family Viewing Hour was an infringement of their First Amendment rights.
1976 Two Congressmen (Van Deerlin and Waxman) held two days of hearings in their districts in Southern California to give people in television production among them a chance to air their grievances. Television heavyweights, such as Norman Lear, Grant Tinker, Gene Rodenberry, and Larry Gelbart explain their opposition to the Family Viewing Hour.
1976 In November, a federal judge ruled that the Family Viewing Hour must be rescinded.
1976 The House Subcommittee on Communications under the chairmanship of Lionel Van Deerlin (CA) held hearings on both sex and violence on television.
1977 In March, the Van Deerlin subcommittee held its last hearing on sex and violence. The subcommittee concluded that the level of violence on television continues to be a cause for serious concern and that responsibility for the level of violence rests largely with the television networks. However, they concluded that: (1) Industry self-regulation is a potentially effective way to limit the level of televised violence and (2) Parental supervision is probably the most effective way to curb negative effects of excessive viewing of televised violence by children.
1982 National Institute of Mental Health funds social scientists to synthesize the fast growing body of research on the effects of television. the report says that 90% of all research focusing on television's influence on behavior appeared in the decade following the Surgeon General's Report in 1972. The 1982 report entitled Television and Behavior: Ten Years of Scientific Progress and Implications for the Eighties is composed of 30 chapters synthesizing the existing research in various areas.
1983 In March the House subcommittee on telecommunications, consumer protection, and finance held hearings on children and television.
1983 In April, the House subcommittee on crime held hearings on crime and violence in the media.
1984 The Senate subcommittee on juvenile crime held hearings on media violence under the chairmanship of Arlen Spector (PA).
1986 In June, the Senate committee on the judiciary held hearings on TV violence antitrust exemption under the chairmanship of Strom Thurmond (SC).
1988-1995 Five Congressional hearings (two chaired by Senator Paul Simon (D-Ill); 88 expert witnesses.
1990 Congress put additional pressure on the broadcast television industry with the Children's Television Act. This Act gave the broadcast and cable industry a three-year exemption form the antitrust laws so they could voluntarily cooperate in establishing standards to limit the showing of violence. This resulted only in an agreement to post warnings before some of their programs. But despite all the violence on Saturday morning cartoons, no warnings were ever posted. Also, this Act also asked local stations to file a list of their educational programing for children with the FCC each year. Compliance was low and those who did file listed such programs as Scooby Do and Power Rangers. Clearly, the industry was not responding to the pressure from Congress or the FCC. So for the first 40 years of television, the networks have had their way. They had not changed violence, even under governmental pressure.Actions taken: Nine new bills introduced to limit violence on television.
1990 Senator Paul Simon proposed the Television Violence Act which gave the broadcast and cable industry a three-year exemption form the antitrust laws so they could voluntarily cooperate in establishing standards to limit the showing of violence. This resulted only in an agreement to post warnings before some of their programs.
1993 Both houses of Congress passed resolutions denouncing programing containing violence. They were part of a tide of bills intended to curb violence on television, cable and radio. (H.Res. 202, S. Res. 122). (Summary of bills to regulate violence on TV. News Media & the Law, 18(l), 40, 41).
1993 In May, companion bills sponsored by Rep. John Bryant (D-Texas) in August and Sen. Dave Durenberger (R-Minn.) In May would require the FCC to establish standards to reduce the amount of programming on broadcast television, cable and radio that contains violence. A station that violated the standards would be subject to a $5,000 fine. Intentional violations could bring as much as a $25,000 fine and repeated violations could lead to a revocation of license. Under both bills, the FCC could exempt "as public interest requires news broadcasts, sporting events, educational programming, and documentaries. (H.R. 2837, S. 943).
1993 In July Rep. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation to establish a presidential commission on televison violence, which would comprise the surgeon general, attorney general and 26 other appointed by the president. The commission would investigate and issue reports linking televised violence and violent behavior by children and violence in society. The commission would seek opinions of children, parents and experts and make recommendations to the president ind Congress. (H.R. -2609).(Summary of bills to regulate violence on TV. News Media & the Law, 18(l), 40, 41).
1993 In July, Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-,Mass.) introduced the "Parents Television Empowerment Act" which would require the FCC to set up a toll-free telephone number for complaints about violence on broadcast and cable television. The FCC would publish quarterly reports that categorize complaints by network, station and program and the reports would name the 50 programs with the highest number of complaints. The reports would also note trends in complaints compared to previous periods. (H.R. 2756).
1993 Senators Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) and Daniel Inouye (D-HA) introduced the Children's Television Violence Protection Act of 1993, which would prohibit the airing of violent content (as defined by the FCC) during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience (again defined by the FCC) ("Violence on television," 1993). Premium and pay-per-view cable programming are exempt. (S. 1383). This bill would also require the broadcast of advisory messages before violent programs (with the exception of shows aired from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
1993 The Television Violence Report Card Act was introduced in the House by Rep. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and in the Senate by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.). It would require the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate and rate television programs on the amount of violence they contain and to publish the ratings quarterly. The law would also require the FCC to rate program sponsors in terms of the extent to which they sponsor television programs that contain a "high degree" of violence. (H.R. 2159, S. 973)(Summary of bills to regulate violence on TV. News Media & the Law, 18(l), 40, 41).
1993-94 Bills were introduced in the House by Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass,) in August and in the Senate in January 1994 by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) would require new television sets to have circuitry, known as the "V-chip," to allow viewers to block programs that have been rated violent broadcasters and cable networks. (H.R. 2888, S. 1811)
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1994 Senator Paul Simon leads the charge on Capitol Hill to rid the airwaves of gratuitous violence; Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ernest Hollings has proposed a TV violence bill that would prohibit broadcasters from airing violent programs during hours when children are watching; legislation proposed to require TV sets to have a V-chip technology that would allow parents to block violent programs from their children's viewing.
1994 In October, the FCC backed off its proposed regulation of pushing the broadcasting industry to clean up its act on violence. Instead, US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Reed Hundt emphasized the importance of self-regulation by the television broadcasting industry as a means to curb television violence in speeches to the National Association of Broadcasters and the International Radio and Television Society. Hundt does not want the FCC to play the role of censor and stressed the educational potential of the medium. (Steve McClellan,; Kim McAvoy, wrote "Hundt rejects fairness, violence regs; but FCC chairman warns broadcasters must justify use of free spectrums' in Broadcasting & Cable (vl24, n43 (Oct 24, 1994, p. 41.
1995 FCC Chairman Reed Hundt said that the precedent held by the courts in regulating sexual material provides a foundation for regulating violent material. He feels that the government has the constitutional right to enact a curb on violent programming. (quoted by Edmund L. Andrews in the New York Times, 7/7/95).
1995 Legislation introduced to provide ratings of television shows on a quarterly basis by Senators Byron Dorgan (D - N.D.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R - Texas). The Dept of Commerce would award grants to a non-profit entity such as a university to do the ratings. The ratings would serve as a report card on violence.
1995 In July, President Clinton endorses Congressional proposals to require television makers to install computer chip that can automatically screen out programs rated as violent (Purdum, 1995).
1995 In August, House of Representatives approves a bill by 305 to 117 that radically rewrites nation's communications laws for first time since 1934. The main provisions of the bill deregulate broadcasting, cable and telephone companies, but the bill also requires that a v-chip be installed in television sets (Landlet, 1995).
1996 In January, landmark Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1996 becomes law. The V-chip provision says that television sets sold in the U. S. after 1998 must include the v-chip technology. In the meantime, the television networks are asked to develop their own ratings system that can be used with the v-chip.
1996 President Clinton summons entertainment industry executives to the White House and receives industry pledge to produce voluntary television ratings system by January 1997 (New York Times, 1996, March 1).
1996 In June, President Clinton announced that television executives had agreed to air three hours of educational programs a week for children. In February, the TV industry agreed to create a voluntary television ratings system by the end of the year to warn viewers about programs with sex and violence. (Chura, 1996).
1999 In August, President Clinton introduced three Public Service Announcements (PSAs) urging parents to talk with their children. (Clinton urges, 1999).
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