March 13, 2008

Dear Friend of the PTC:

This is the time of year when large corporations traditionally report to their shareholders about the company's performance during the previous calendar year. They also take this time to communicate to shareholders a vision for what the company hopes to achieve in the still-new current calendar year.

As the PTC's chief executive officer, it is important for me to report to you, as one of our "shareholders," in a similar fashion. Please take a few moments with me to reflect on the achievements of the PTC during the past year, and to address our goals for 2008. By the end of this letter, I hope you will agree that we are delivering an extraordinary return on your "investment" in the PTC, whether it be an investment of your time, your activism, your concern, or your charitable giving that enables us to do our work.

First, let's talk about 2007. And what an incredible year it was -- clearly one of the most successful in the PTC's history. It was also my first full year as PTC President, during which I've relied on every aspect of my twenty years of work in the entertainment industry; my experience as a parent; my training as a lawyer; and my five years as Executive Director of the PTC, working side by side with our founder, Brent Bozell. This past year's success would not have been possible without Brent's vision and dedication. He and Steve Allen laid the groundwork for the PTC and I'm thankful to be working with you to build on that bedrock foundation.

The PTC had an unprecedented impact in 2007. We solidified our position as the proven leader in the fight against graphic sex, violence and profanity on television. Because of member activism, we were able to engage entertainment industry leaders, television network executives and broadcasters, advertisers, and our public servants in Washington and in statehouses across the country. And we delivered your message loud and clear: Clean Up Television Now!

We exploded onto the scene in January with Dying to Entertain¹, our special report on the overwhelming amount of extreme violence on primetime broadcast television. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps stood with me, along with representatives of our nation's psychologists and pediatricians, demanding an end to the dangerous escalation of violent themes and images being laid out every night in front of our nation's children.

Message from Tim Winter
March 13, 2008 - Page 2

Television content has become so graphic and disturbing, that when I played clips from some of these shows during my testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee, the Senators demanded that the TVs in the hearing room be turned off. I wonder if any of them saw the irony: they couldn't bear to watch what the broadcasters and cable operators bring into their homes every night! And with tragic news reports almost daily about wanton mass-murders at high schools, universities, shopping malls and even city council meetings, they must begin now to address the root-causes of America's violence epidemic.

As we expected, our voice was heard, and media violence immediately hit the top of the policy agenda in Washington. Not only did the Senate hold hearings, but the FCC finally released its own long-delayed report, quoting over a dozen times from research conducted and commissioned by the PTC. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin used the report to build a strong case in support of the PTC's demand for Cable Choice.

At the annual meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters last April, I unveiled The Ratings Sham II: TV Executives Still Hiding Behind a System That Doesn't Work². This exhaustive study proved what the PTC has been saying for years: TV ratings are so inaccurate that they approach the level of fraud; and they actually prevent the V-Chip from functioning properly. Because of the media attention the PTC generated on this topic, we expect to see meaningful ratings reform this year.

This was just the tip of the iceberg for us in 2007. Our Special Report, The Alarming Family Hour: No Place For Children³ documented prime-time network television's abandonment of the traditional primetime period when families could watch television together. Our report exposed the broadcast networks apparent intention to cram ever more violent and inappropriate adult programming into the minds of young children during the early evening hours when millions of children are in the viewing audience.

I testified at two major Senate Commerce Committee hearings in 2007⁴ on issues related to the shocking increase in media violence and the unsavory business practices of the media industry as they seek to consolidate and gain even greater influence. During my testimony I urged the Congress to affirm the FCC's power to punish broadcasters for their use of "fleeting expletives" on television and radio. I also used my testimony as an opportunity to communicate the need for Cable Choice, which would allow consumers -- and not the cable industry -- to determine which cable networks they want to take and pay for.

Speaking of Cable Choice, the PTC continued to force this issue onto the national radar screen throughout 2007. We launched a new website, www.HowCableShouldBe.com, which exposes for the first time the specific, quantified economic impact of the cable industry's extortion-like practices. The site provides a mechanism for consumers to determine what cable bills SHOULD BE if the cable companies allowed each of us to choose only the channels that we wanted coming into our homes. But, as you know, you can't choose your own cable channels. You have to buy them in expensive "packages," "bundles," or "tiers." We are proud to be leading a coalition of pro-family groups and pro-consumer groups in this fight for what is truly a commonsense solution for greater parental responsibility.

Message from Tim Winter
March 13, 2008 - Page 3

If I learned anything in my many years in the broadcast industry, it's all about the money. Ratings don't matter. Emmy Awards don't matter. Advertising dollars matter! I am proud of our Advertiser Accountability campaign, which scored huge triumphs in 2007. We succeeded in persuading nearly 150 advertisers to withdraw sponsorship from television's most offensive programs. And now we actually have advertisers calling us before they make their media buys.

By working closely with television sponsors at the national level and -- more importantly -- at the local grassroots level, we continue to see daily success with our campaign to redirect money away from shows filled with explicit sex, gratuitous violence and extreme foul language; and towards more decent, family-friendly programming.

We are doing all of this work, of course, because some in the entertainment industry seem unwilling to understand the potential negative influence they can have, especially on the youngest Americans. Some in the industry even appear determined to undermine the values that parents work so hard to instill in their children. So despite our work in 2007, we know we have a big challenge ahead of us this year.

We have a clear vision of what we will achieve in 2008, so let me take a moment and give you a few highlights.

Last year we were reminded of the importance of perseverance, of making sure the PTC is always here, standing strong, and constantly ready for battle. You will no doubt recall that two judges in New York federal court lost their moral compass and voted to allow broadcasters to use the "F-word" at any time of day on television -- even in front of children. So we set out an agenda for 2008 to reverse them, and you should expect to see legislative and judicial efforts in 2008 regarding the use of so-called "fleeting" profanity and nudity.

The issue of celebrity-induced obscenities on the television has already been front-and-center this year. A few weeks ago, actress Diane Keaton dropped the F-bomb in front of millions of viewers⁵ on the ABC morning show. Actor Colin Farrel did the same thing a few days later on CNN. Actress Jane Fonda used an even harsher word⁶ a few days later during an interview on NBC's morning show. In all three of these cases, viewers were sucker-punched at times they had every reason to believe they were safe from this kind of behavior. There's no excuse for using this kind of language in front of millions of parents, families and children, and there's no way this is happening by accident. We will be on the case in 2008, working with you and working for you, to put an end to the growing tide of profanity at all hours of the television schedule.

Message from Tim Winter
March 13, 2008 - Page 4

As daunting as television can be, most parents find the new and emerging technologies to be even more frightening and even more harmful to their children. Horrific and explicit unregulated content is being produced and distributed via cell phones and the internet. It is shockingly easy for children today to gain unfettered access to more explicit, more violent and more profane material than ever before. Your team here at the PTC is determined to be ahead of the curve on this new battlefront.

Our new Emerging Technologies Initiative (ETI) is taking root in 2008. This exciting program will bring together prominent producers, advertisers and computer/technology companies to ensure our children are safeguarded from the multitude of inappropriate and downright indecent websites that are out there preying on our children and grandchildren. This is a particularly exciting initiative because we are starting now -- while the horizon is still being molded -- so we can provide meaningful input on the controls that will be established. You will be hearing more from me on this in the coming months.

Violent, sexually charged video games are being sold to children behind their parents' backs, by an industry that refuses to comply with its own standards. We have a bevy of new tactics that we will be unveiling in 2008 to push back against this intentional end-run on parents. The video game industry recently announced their own initiative to buy influence in Washington with campaign contributions. We are ready to expose the name of every congressional recipient to his or her constituents as soon as they cash a check from the video game industry.

Our other programs will continue with ever-sharpening resolve. Our Research Department is committed to driving the national policy agenda, and with our growing use of online communication, record numbers of Americans are hearing and responding to our message. We will increase the volume and intensity of communication with advertisers who ignore the public calls for greater responsibility. And we will continue to promote the positive work of broadcasters, producers and advertisers with our Seal of Approval.

We've already achieved a great deal in 2008. Almost five years after the PTC led the charge against indecent nudity on ABC's NYPD Blue (in a particularly offensive episode where a grown woman stood naked before a young boy) the FCC finally moved to fine ABC and its affiliates over $1.4 million. That's the maximum fine under the rules that were in effect at the time of the broadcast. If it happened today, thanks to the PTC, the fine would be more than ten times that amount!

You can bet the broadcasters are feeling the heat. They say there is a "chilling effect" being forced upon them⁷. But we say that finally -- finally -- the industry is being forced to consider the consequences of its actions and to behave more responsibly.

Message from Tim Winter
March 13, 2008 - Page 5

We are proud that the industry is feeling pressure to be more cognizant of the effects of their behavior, and I hope you are too!

I hope this has been a helpful communication for you. And I hope that when you reflect on all that we've done, you will decide to help us again this year -- both with your activism and with a tax-deductible donation to the PTC. Remember, we are going up against opponents with billions of dollars; our annual operating budget is only about $5 million -- a drop in the bucket compared to our opponents.

I personally pledge the PTC's unwavering dedication to being the most powerful organization of its kind anywhere in the world. But we must be adequately funded if we are going to achieve our goals. Right now, when we're beginning to implement our plans for 2008, it's more important than ever that we know we'll have the resources we need to execute our plans. That's why it's so important for us to hear from you now with a gift of support. With your support we can focus our attention on what matters -- getting the job done and making a difference.

Please give $25, $50, $100, $500 -- whatever you can afford -- because we just can't stop now. We need your support to keep going.

On behalf of our talented and dedicated staff, thank you for working with us to protect children and families from graphic sex, violence and profanity in entertainment.

Warm Regards,

Tim Winter
PTC President

PS -- It's imperative that we hear from you. Without your commitment we will not be able to move forward with our campaigns. The issues are urgent and we need to act now. That's why your gift is so important. If you have any questions or comments please contact me directly at 213-403-1300.

Footnotes:

1 Dying to Entertain - Violence on Prime Time Broadcast Television 1998-2006
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/violencestudy/exsummary.asp

2 Ratings Sham II: TV Executives Still Hiding Behind a System That Doesn't Work �
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/ratingsstudy/exsummary.asp

3 The Alarming Family Hour: No Place For Children �
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/familyhour/exsummary.asp

4 Senate Commerce Committee hearings in 2007
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=1914
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=1879

5 Diane Keaton dropped the F-bomb in front of millions of viewers
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2008/0115.asp

6 Jane Fonda used an even harsher word
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2008/0214.asp

7 They say there is a "chilling effect" being forced upon them
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/03/fcc_has_chilling_effect_on_sho.php

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Parents Television Council - 707 Wilshire Blvd Ste 2075 - Los Angeles, CA 90017
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