Carol Soelberg
Fortify Your Family against Television's Siege
March 21, 2007
"... I appeal
again to the leaders of the media industry to advise producers to safeguard
the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity
and promote respect for the needs of the family."
Pope Benedict XVI, in a speech to the Vatican's
communications department, March 9, 2007
Parents are fighting a daily battle at home against television
programming. Much of the programming on television is devoid of socially redeeming
standards. Parents are undermined by television as they attempt to teach the
basic values of integrity, truth, respect and dignity to their children. This
battle parents face reminds me of the siege warfare I learned of on a visit
I made to the Masada, in Israel, a number of years ago.
The Masada is typical of the ancient sites in the Middle East that were destroyed
through siege warfare. For protection against attack, ancient people often
built walled cities on tops of hills making it difficult for their enemies
to destroy them. Opposing armies would use the tactic of siege warfare to
destroy these well-protected cities by cutting off all communications and
separating the inhabitants from their basic necessities.
If the inhabitants had prepared for a long siege by stockpiling food and water,
then the attacking army would build ramps and use battering rams and catapults
to break through the walls and force the city to surrender. This is exactly
what is happening to our homes today. Through the “battering rams”
and “catapults” of indiscreet TV, movies and the Internet, the
fortifications of our homes are being pulverized and penetrated. Often, the
walls are broken down by electronic means and families are destroyed.
The constant battering has taken a toll on many parents, many of whom surrender.
Cable TV constantly airs nudity and disrespectful programming, and "basic"
packages include immoral channels, against the wishes and good judgment of
parents. "Family" time programming is not above reproach, and in
the busy pace of life it is very difficult for parents to be present at all
times to supervise the viewing selections of their children.
Annually, the Parents Television Council (PTC) issues a report on the entertainment
industry. Television programming receives lower and lower scores, as sex and
violence increase during prime time, de-sensitizing viewers in the process.
Tim Winter, president of the watchdog organization, said, "The television
industry has repeatedly violated the public trust by airing offensive and
indecent content over the public airwaves and by forcing cable subscribers
to foot the bill for cable networks they don't want, don't watch, and may
actually find harmful or offensive. Then the industry dodges any responsibility
for its own product by saying that it is the public's job to shield itself
if the content is harmful or offensive."
Read below about a recent experience by a UFI staff member, on the break down
of broadcasting decency standards that took place in Phoenix, Arizona. Julie
Lind turned her outrage into action. You can, too. Hold the television industry
accountable today by:
1. contacting your locally elected officials and asking them to allow subscribers
to have more choice in their TV and cable viewing and,
2. filing complaints
with the FCC over indecent and inappropriate programming
Don't surrender to the entertainment industry. Fortify your home against siege
warfare today.
It can Happen to You
By Julie Lind, Executive Assistant, United Families
International
Many families know they must keep a diligent watch over their family's television
viewing and they are continually looking for additional tools to help them
prevent inappropriate programming from being seen in their homes.
Last week in Phoenix, Arizona, thousands of people viewing regular programming
on KPPX TV Channel 51 and Channel 17 were confronted without warning by full-fledged
pornography. According to a news report, KPPX explained that an employee purposely
slipped in a pornographic film over the regularly scheduled program. The explicit
material was viewed by thousands of unsuspecting viewers. One news broadcast
reported that the film might have shown for as long as 10 minutes before it
was stopped.
Parents have expended much effort to hold television broadcasting to at least
a minimal decency standard. The Federal Communications Commission is charged
with enforcing these standards. The FCC is taking complaints submitted about
this incident.
Fortunately, the FFC complaint process is now easily done over the Internet.
It has been recommended by decency advocates to follow up electronic complaints
with both an email version and by regular mail.
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