JULY 2010

 

Toni Applegate is proof that PTC members do not have to belong to a local chapter to get involved and make a difference! Toni was very concerned about the pornographic "apps" which previously were featured in Apple's iTunes store; so she started a website and Facebook group (at last count, with over 600 members), which led to interviews on radio, TV, and newspapers -- which even included the London Times. Within hours of Toni's interview on ABC, over 5000 apps were removed from iTunes.

"What we're asking for is NOT censorship. We just want the 'adult' applications in a separate, password protected category. You don't see toddler movies right next to x-rated movies in a video store. It's just common sense," Toni says. The PTC applauds Toni for her initiative…and stands ready to help others who want to get involved in protecting children from media indecency.

► To visit Toni’s website on App store safety, click here.
► For more on what you can do to help the PTC, click here.

 

JUNE 2010

 

Hilda Bennett is the new Membership Coordinator of the PTC's Miami chapter. Feeling the need to take action to protect children from the ill effects of the media, Hilda has been of great assistance, not only in keeping the membership database updated, but also in helping with community events. Notes Miami Chapter Director Miryam Knigge: "It is amazing that all of our committee members have only adult children; so much for the 'I don't have small children' excuse not to get involved!"

 

 

MAY 2010

 

Don Eck has been a member of the PTC’s Chicago Chapter for more than a year. Don arranged the location of the first chapter meeting, has had information about the PTC printed in his parish bulletin, and hopes to reach out to other churches. He has been instrumental in signing up 47 new members to the PTC.

Don states his firm belief in the mission of the Parents Television Council: “The situation is well documented, with an abundance of studies: many of the current TV programs are detrimental to the moral, emotional, and mental development of pre-teens and teenagers. I want to do what I can, while enlisting the help of others, to counteract the negative effect of much of today’s TV programming. We need to get more of these programs off the air!”

Thanks to Don, Chapter Director Bob Sherman, and the entire Chicago chapter, for their tireless work on behalf of the Parents Television Council.

 

 

APRIL 2010

 

Substitute teacher Randy J. Russell has been a member of the PTC's Colorado Springs Chapter for several years. Randy joined the PTC because he was "looking for an organization that was committed to battling the obscene material our children are witnessing" on television. Randy was particularly disturbed by commercials for erectile dysfunction medication, which often feature explicit descriptions of the drugs' side-effects, and which frequently air during major sporting events and the evening news.

Randy was impressed with the PTC's e-alerts, which serve as a useful tool and rallying cry to get members involved, and with the way the PTC website facilitates the submission of FCC complaints via e-mail against inappropriate TV shows. "The PTC simplified getting involved and fight the battle using these e-mail methods. They make it so much easier for me to make my voice heard."

 

 

MARCH 2010

 

A newcomer to the Parents Television Council, Tony Gutberlet joined after hearing PTC Minnesota Chapter Director Phyllis Plum ask for volunteers to help educate the public about the importance of media issues. Tony immediately got involved. Tony says, "We are just concerned people who want some decency during family viewing time. When Phyllis speaks, I envision a picture of Uncle Sam with Phyllis' face, saying to Minnesotans, 'We want YOU to help us clean the airwaves to keep our children safe!' " Chapter Director Phyllis Plum says of Tony, "He brings fresh energy to Minnesota's PTC chapter. Thank you, Tony -- you are an inspiration!"

 

 

FEBRUARY 2010

 

Marie Harris and Ian Schroeder share the honor of being named member of the month for February.  They both are members of our Central Florida Chapter which has recently had a number of successes in holding local advertisers accountable for the programs they sponsor.

 

As you recently read in the weekly wrap, this chapter contacted Publix and Rooms to Go among others about their sponsorship of Family Guy.  While there is still work to be done at the other sponsors, these two both thanked the local chapter for bringing the issue to their attention and that they will no longer be a sponsor in the future.  The PTC is always looking for more people to help us with this important program in communities across the nation, contact grassroots@parentstv.org if you would like to help.

 

Marie has been a member of the PTC since 2008.  Marie has a “theatrical-entertainment” business that strives to bring about social change in our society and see’s the Parents Television Council’s work as a perfect compliment to what she has been working on for years.  She has signed up several new members and has been instrumental in the PTC’s local secret shopper initiative while also attending national and local PTC meetings and events. 

 

Ian is one of our younger members and enjoys displaying brochures and helping his mom get the word out about why the PTC is important.  Ian also helps by reporting inappropriate programs that kids are watching so that his mother can bring them up to other parents in their community.

 

 

JANUARY 2010

 

Richard Holloman has been a member of the PTC since August 2007. "I got involved because I feel that network programming has sunk to extreme lows morally. I have six grandchildren that I don't want exposed to the unhealthy messages that are an everyday part of many network -- and cable -- shows that are scheduled in prime viewing time," says Richard.

Since joining the PTC's Chicago chapter, Richard has helped tremendously by taping and reviewing two of the most problematic programs on television, then reporting which businesses ran commercials during them. This enables the PTC to target advertisers who are sponsoring offensive programming. In just a few minutes per week, Richard is helping to protect youth from harmful media content. Thank you to Richard and the many other members who make the work of the Parents Television Council possible.