Parents Television Council Launches South Tennessee Chapter

Iron City Pastor Creates Chapter

LOS ANGELES (May 4, 2009) - The Parents Television Council�, a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment, announced Gene Kelley as the director of the South Tennessee Chapter. This is the second chapter in Tennessee and the 55th chapter to join the national grassroots network.

Kelley has been an active leader in his religious community for over 22 years, serving as a pastor, deacon and Sunday school teacher. He has served as a pastor in Iron City for the past 12 years. He continues to bring the issue of TV indecency and the negative impact it is having on children to the forefront of his congregation and surrounding communities. �This has always been an important issue to me, but like many parents, I just didn�t know what to do until I came across the PTC. I knew immediately that this organization had the tools and knowledge that can bring a healthy change to TV,� said Kelley.

The South Tennessee Chapter will show concerned citizens that they can have an impact on today�s programming through contacting local stations, advertisers, and political representatives. �I want people to know that we can cleanup TV,� said Kelley, �I am excited about this opportunity to educate and inform the South Tennessee and Northern Mississippi and Alabama areas. I will give parents resources and better strategies for dealing with unwanted material on television than simply changing the channel. Together, we will make our community into a powerful voice for change.� The chapter will also respond to national and local initiatives by giving speeches in the community about PTC issues, increase awareness on the negative impact of sex and violence in the media and be a source of information on the latest news and research for parents.

Kelley�s other passions include being a grandfather, volunteering at the American Family Association and gospel music. Kelley has a deep and profound love for gospel music. He enjoys singing and composing and worked for WJOR Radio Station playing gospel music every Sunday night.

PTC President Tim Winter said, �What makes the PTC so great is its ability to resonate a simple mission across all fields and backgrounds. It doesn�t matter your religion, race or political affiliation; people want to protect children from today�s potentially harmful programming. A leader in his community, Gene knows that many are fed up with the state of entertainment and with our help, he plans to do something about it. We proudly welcome him 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.