Welcome to the PTC

How to get the most out of your PTC membership

 

	1. Arm Yourself with Information
	2. Become an e-alert activist
	3. Take Action on issues important to you
	4. Join a PTC grassroots chapter
	5. Subscribe to the Insider
	6. Spread the word
	7. Donate to the PTC

Thank you for your interest in the Parents Television Council. We'd like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about our organization and offer ways that you can get involved and help to protect your children from entertainment’s negative effects.

Arm Yourself with Information: The PTC aims to provide parents with the tools they need to make informed television viewing decisions. We do this by monitoring primetime television shows on broadcast TV and reviewing many PG and G rated movies. We log all content that could be considered questionable by parents and we give them traffic light ratings according to the amount of sex, violence, and profanity incorporated into the series or film.

We also write a short summary of the series or film and list specific content examples to let parents know what they can expect when viewing the show or movie with their children. However, our traffic light ratings are not meant to take the place of the parents' discretion. Each parent should carefully evaluate the content of the program and decide for his/her own family what is suitable and what is not. We just hope to help make those decisions by acting as a quick reference or guide. Our Family Guide to Primetime Television also helps serve as a quick reference for "what's on TV tonight?" and our PTC Picks will list some more options including cable television shows for every day of the week.

Listed in the right-hand column of our homepage (or under the publications heading in the left menu of our website), we feature several columns and studies which keep readers up to date on the latest outrageous TV content and trends. The Best of Broadcast TV column highlights child-friendly programs with positive messages, and which can comfortably be viewed by the entire family. By contrast, the Worst on Broadcast TV, Worst on Cable TV , So You Think You Can Rate a TV Show, and TV Trends columns serve to warn parents against programs dangerous for children, describing in detail the violence, sex, profanity, and other negative behaviors shown. In addition, there are other columns on entertainment, politics and culture by PTC Founder L. Brent Bozell; Parenting and the Media by Parent Previews founder Rod Gustafson; and Culture Watch, an occasional column which explores various issues related to the entertainment industry.

In addition to our reviews, columns, and studies, we also provide contact information for the sponsors of the programs and the networks themselves. There are many times that a parent may see something inappropriate on television and want to contact the persons responsible. We try to make that easy for you by placing up-to-date contact information on our website (use the links found under the "Take Action" heading in the left column). If the content seen rises to the level of indecency, parents may also use our website to file a formal complaint with the FCC (also found in the "Take Action" menu).

The PTC has also organized campaigns that encourage more action to be taken by legislators and other entities involved, such as our Cable Choice Campaign, and our Violent Video Game Campaign. When learning about these campaigns you may feel the need to contact your elected officials and ask them to help. You can do so easily by choosing our "Action Center" from the left menu (found under the "Take Action" heading). Just enter your information and search for your House, Senate, or State representatives. You can then click on their information and e-mail them right from that website.

Our "Action Center" website can also be used to find contact information for media agencies such as your local newspaper or radio station. Just choose "Find Media Contacts" and perform your search. This feature can be used to send letters to the editor or other types of comments relating to your local community. It's a great way to get the word out about the PTC.

Here are some things that you can do in the fight to reduce Hollywood’s harmful influence on our children:

Become an e-alert activist: Sign up to receive our free weekly bulletins the Weekly Wrap. This electronic communication keeps you informed about fast-breaking news important to you and your family, movie and DVD reviews and more.

We’ll frequently send you “Take Action” e-mails and ask that you write the FCC, your elected official or an advertiser. The only thing it takes to be a PTC e-alert activist is a computer, internet connection and a willingness to take action when asked. It’s one of the most important jobs a PTC supporter can do.

Take Action on issues important to you: There will be many occasions that you find something that you'd like to comment on to the FCC, your elected officials, the networks, the advertisers, or your local media outlets. All these people or entities need to hear from you. And with our easy to use "Take Action" options you don't have to wait for us to initiate this correspondence. You can use the resources found on our website to easily communicate your concerns and praises. Our PTC "Action Center" has many uses. Just click on the type of person you'd like to contact, enter your information to search locally, and send them an e-mail. You can also find information for these groups on our campaign pages.

Join a PTC grassroots chapter: Currently there are more than 40 chapters throughout the country that help implement PTC national issues on the local level. Check out the far left column on our website home page, click on “Local chapters” and see if there is a chapter in your community. If there is one then e-mail the chapter director and volunteer your time. Every chapter is different but it only takes a few hours a month to spread the PTC word in your community.

Not a chapter in your town? Then start one. Click on “Local chapters” from the home page menu and scroll down to find out what’s needed to start a chapter. We won’t be happy until we have a chapter in every town in the country! So help us achieve this goal.

Subscribe to the Insider: Another way to be an activist for change is to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, the Insider. You’ll get all the important information about television indecency, delivered right to your mail box. Not only are you kept in the know, but your subscription helps to financially support the PTC’s mission! It only costs $15 a year!

Spread the word: The only way we can achieve our goal is if we work together. There really is power in numbers! Please help spread the word about the PTC by passing out flyers or copies of the PTC newsletter, the Insider at PTA meetings, your church or other local community events. You can also tell a friend about the PTC via e-mail. Just use this form and add your own personal message.

Donate to the PTC: Want to support the PTC mission but don’t feel like you have time to "Take Action"? Then write a check to the PTC to continue our efforts to eradicate sex, violence, and profanity on television. You can make your safe and secure donation on our website (“Support the PTC” link at the top of our home page) or you can send in your check payable to the Parents Television Council at 707 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2075, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Either way, your donation is tax deductible. Remember the cable companies are putting up nearly half a billion dollars to try and stop our efforts to achieve Cable Choice for America’s families.

Select one, two or even three ways to help the PTC. Whatever membership level fits your activist lifestyle and pocketbook, your contribution of time and/or money is appreciated. The power of the PTC is in its members! We need you to help us continue to fight for you and your family.