Jana Arnston, Grandfather leads local protest over too much sex and violence on the tube, The Huntsville Times, June 26, 2005.

Like a lot of parents, Alison Smith of Huntsville is concerned about what her children might see on television these days.

Smith, who asked that her real name not be used, has two impressionable teenage sons and a 5-year-old daughter, and she has employed various weapons in her fight to keep her kids from seeing sex and violence on the tube.

It has been a hard fight, but now Smith and other weary local parents have a new ally. A national advocacy group called the Parents Television Council, or PTC, has opened a North Alabama chapter.

Founded in 1995, the PTC was organized to "ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and other media," according to parentstv.org.

Parents can go a long way toward influencing what their kids see on TV. "We block some channels," Smith said, "and they don't have TVs in their bedrooms."

Monitoring what kids watch is the No. 1 way parents influence what their kids see on TV. But with the growing consumption of all forms of media by today's kids, this can be a tough job.

"Our kids only watch TV in the den, so I can always be looking. And I don't allow them on the Internet," Smith said. "I feel like the media police."

This is why it is important to address the source of these issues. And this is what the PTC does.

According to parentstv.org, the PTC agrees that parents have the greatest responsibility. However, the PTC challenges everyone from actors to advertisers to "get serious about the vital role they play in shaping America's culture."

George Goff, director of the new North Alabama chapter, is the grandfather of five. After writing several letters of concern to the Federal Communications Commission and to Congress, Goff decided to begin a local chapter of the PTC. "No one," he said, "was stepping up to the plate in Alabama."

Goff's primary concern is that so much sex and violence is being viewed by children during prime-time programming hours.

"The laws state that questionable material can only be broadcast after 9 p.m.," PTC Executive Director Tim Winter said. "We just want the broadcasters to be respectful of the audience."

Goff has been working to get the chapter off the ground and running. He's also been writing more letters to the FCC, corporate broadcasters and advertisers.

"We can get a lot accomplished through writing letters to corporate sponsors (already) showing great responsibility as well as to those that might be unaware of what kinds of shows they're sponsoring," he said.

In addition, Goff plans to speak with local TV stations and hand out literature in places such as pediatricians' offices frequented by families.

Family-friendly cable access is an idea that Goff would like to see implemented. "That way," he said, "families could pick and choose what they want to watch."

And he is currently seeking volunteers.

"Having a network of local activists helps in two ways," Winter said. "It allows us to be more effective, and it helps in times when there is a local situation that may need a national push."

A lot of parents, experts say, have resigned themselves to ridding their homes of cable. Monitoring is the alternative chosen by parents such as Smith. She also talks with her children about the negative effects of what is shown in the media.

"We always try to talk with our kids about what Hollywood's standards are versus our standards," she said. "It's good to know that there is an organization that can help sway these negative influences at the source."

Contact George Goff via e-mail at northalabamachapter@parentstv.org or by phone at (800) 853-5591.
 

• www.al.com

• www.parentstv.org