Parents Television Council - Orlando Florida Chapter

Parents Television Council Grows Leadership with New Chapter Director and Advisory Board Chairman for Central Florida - PTC Press Release

Government Report Backs FCC Limits On TV Violence

The Associated Press

Violence Up 75 Percent, Report Says

"There are pretty thin pickings when it comes to shows the whole family can watch," said Scott Plakon, a father of six and the Central Florida director of the Parents Television Council.

"American Idol" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" are on the Plakon family viewing list.

"Raising kids is hard enough without broadcast companies that really don't care about families and will put anything on TV that will make a buck," he said Friday.

Plakon, a publisher who lives in the Orlando area, said he joined the council as one of the grass-roots supporters to try to persuade the networks to offer more family-friendly programming.

"We are not about censorship, but the networks should push violence and sexual content to 10 p.m. when adults are watching," he said.

Dan Isett, director of government affairs for the Parents Television Council in Washington, said the entertainment industry holds the "key to meaningful self-regulation."

He said that if the industry "cleaned up its act," regulation would not be necessary.

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBUY80J9YE.html

Parents Television Council Awards Darden Restaurants Advertiser Seal of Approval

Annually, the Parents Television Council names the top ten advertisers that support, through their television advertising, programs that are socially responsible and family-friendly. The award salutes corporations that promote quality entertainment, rather than programs that are filled with gratuitous sexual content, graphic violence or profanity.

"We commend Darden Restaurants for being a responsible advertiser," PTC Executive Director Tim Winter said. "By placing their advertisements on shows that are positive and not violent or sexually graphic, Darden Restaurants shows its respect for American families." ► more

Scott Plakon is one of those parents lobbying to remove profanity and obscenity from TV. He is the Central Florida director for the area's Parents Television Council group, a national watchdog organization working to protect children against sex, violence and profanity in the media.

"It's not just with TV. It's with the computer and Internet," said Plakon, who works in Deltona. "We have gone from 'Leave it to Beaver' to 'Beavis and Butt-head.' "

The group conducted a series of studies for a two-week period in 1998, 2000 and 2002 and found a jump in profanity on "virtually every network" and in every time slot.

It found that during the "family hour," from 8 to 9 p.m., foul language increased by 94.8 percent between 1998 and 2002, and it rose by 109 percent during the 9 p.m. hour in the same period.

"We are trying to teach our kids to go after the most pure things in life," Plakon said, "yet TV has become more coarse."

In an effort to give parents more control, Plakon's group is pushing for legislation that would give parents the right to determine what cable stations come into their homes. And the organization successfully lobbied the U.S. House this year to increase fines to broadcasters for violating the indecency law.

"It seems politicians are starting to get the message," Plakon said. ► more

Susan Schroeder is the chapter director for the Central Florida Chapter of the Parents Television Council. As a parent, she found it difficult to find family friendly programming, �it is like walking through an enormous minefield. I became exhausted at my unnecessary role as a filter; and I longed for the days when families could relax, sit together and enjoy a family program,� said Schroeder. Her motivation to clean up TV led her to the PTC.

Schroeder has spent her life educating and strengthening today�s youth as a teacher and community volunteer. As a physical education teacher, she taught her students the importance of eating healthy and staying active. She is a member of the American Association for Health and a youth marathon coach. Schroeder is an active leader in her community, successfully collaborated with Oviedo Police Commanders in establishing the Substance Abuse Parents Reporting program at Oviedo High School. She is a Big Sis, Girl Scout leader, and an active member at her local church.

She is proud to be part of the PTC�s mission of restoring decency and helping educate parents on responsible programming in Central Florida.