Parents Television Council Launches Oxford Chapter

Health Educator Organizes First Mississippi Chapter

OXFORD, MS (May 1, 2009) � The Parents Television Council�, the nation�s most influential advocacy organization protecting children from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media, announced Susan Gail Winters as the director of its new Oxford grassroots chapter. Mississippi is the 36^th state to join the growing network of PTC chapters.

As an educator and a proud grandmother of four, Winters is deeply concerned about the quality of today�s entertainment and the negative impact that images can have on our youth. �We must do our part to end the surge of profanity, sex and violence on our airwaves that assaults us and our children, particularly during the family hour,� said Winters. �I see media�s impact on my students every day and am looking forward to taking on this leadership role with the PTC and joining with other Americans who want to protect our youth.�

The Oxford chapter will give a voice to parents and concerned citizens by calling out advertisers who support offensive programming, filing FCC complaints and contacting local government representatives about cable choice. The chapter will be a free resource for parents on all the latest news and will provide help in finding family-friendly programming through the PTC Seal of Approval�.

A Mississippi native, Winters has been a longtime educator and advocate for community health. She enjoys teaching youth, ages 6-18, about proper nutrition and the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Currently, she is an Expanded Food and Nutrition Program educator for Mississippi State University. Winters also has been active in teaching nutrition and other skills at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

PTC National Grassroots & Membership Director Gavin McKiernan, who officially chartered the new chapter in person as he arrived in Oxford to speak at the Mississippi State PTA Convention, said, �People like Susan, who see problems and stand up to fight them, are what makes America great and are the backbone of the PTC. Her combination of passion and commitment to the community makes her an excellent leader for Mississippi�s first chapter. We proudly welcome her to the PTC grassroots leadership team.�

To speak with a representative from the Parents Television Council, please contact Gavin McKiernan at (213) 403-1300 ext. 2866.

The Parents Television Council� (www.parentstv.org�) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.