Essayist E. B. White previewed a demonstration of television in 1938 and then offered
the following prediction. "I believe television is going to be the test of the modern
world, and in this new opportunity to see beyond the range of our vision, we shall
discover either a new and unbearable disturbance of the general peace or a saving radiance
in the sky. We shall stand or fall by television - of that I am quite sure."
Judging by the increasing civil disturbances and the news reports of anti-social
behavior, especially by young people, I wonder if we aren't reaping the whirlwind of our
degenerating multimedia environment.
Newton Minow was asked to speak on the 30th anniversary of the "Vast
Wasteland" speech he made in 1961 as the incoming chairman of the FCC. In his remarks
he said, "In 1961 I worried that my children would not benefit much from television,
but in 1991 I worry that my grandchildren will actually be harmed by it."
Media producers want it both ways. They dress up their products in alluring
sexuality or riveting violence to sell to the public. Then they react in feigned innocence
when the connection is made between what people see and what people do.
They endorse visual arts, literature and music as having great power to move people to
think and act. Then they retreat to a position that what they show is harmless fantasy
incapable of affecting anyone or anybody.
It is politically correct and fashionable to be inclusive, open-minded, non-judgmental
and tolerant. Attempts to talk about right or wrong, moral truths and virtue are seen as
squelching free speech and imposing values on others.
How does the electronic media and movies harm children?
- The exposure of explicit sexuality, and vulgarities shown is unprecedented.
Internet pornography is just a few clicks away. Teens and young adults experiment with
premarital sexual relations as a matter of rite of passage without understanding how this
interferes with their ability to bond and make lifelong commitments to one partner.
Divorce in their marriages someday becomes more likely. Their children will suffer.
- The exposure to more and more violence translates into changes in attitudes, values,
and behavior of heavy viewers and vulnerable individuals. Children are desensitized to
pain and suffering, become more fearful of the world around them, and are more willing to
behave in aggressive and harmful ways toward others.
- The cynicism of television and movie humor promotes a knowing arrogance and
insensitivity to others.
- The amount of TV viewing steals time from healthy family activities and educational
progress. Television viewing, by and large, is an escapist activity. The educational
value of television is underutilized.
- Alcohol is advertised and promoted as a delightful social experience among young
adults and indirectly to teen-agers. Alcohol abuse among this group is a major cause
of misery and tragedy.
- Basic values are undermined. Youth are trained as sophisticated entertainment
consumers and spectators. Music videos, movies, music lyrics and TV programs increasingly
push the limits of good taste and conventional morality. Our mass media sells junk images
and experiences, appealing to the lowest common denominator in society.
Through visual media, images are brought into common consciousness that would not
generally be there. What we used to call unusual, abnormal or immoral, we now call
lifestyle and options. Instead of morality, we have moral relativity. Permissible
decadence around the edges affects the center.
Parental responsibility. A growing number of parents are concerned about the
influence of media on family life in the United States. Parents are finding it harder and
harder to raise children in face of a powerful peer and media culture which promote values
that run counter to family life. The mounting toll of depressed, delinquent, discouraged
and unmotivated teens and young adults has been linked to media influences.
Good families, good children don't happen by accident. It takes work and commitment.
Even if families are strong from within, the media environment is still corrosive. As
parents, we can't afford to be passive about morality in the media. The media and peer
culture messages are too strong and too insistent. We need to fill our minds with what is
good and talk about it with our kids. That is our best defense.
As parents and grandparents, we must collectively rebel against the excesses of a media
that makes the morally unacceptable acceptable and even respectable. We need to take a
stand early in our childrens lives on what kind of media is invited into our homes.
Our own example of media consumption will be the greatest influence on childrens
attitudes.
Fighting back. Parents who are concerned about the media environment with its
gratuitous sex scenes, promiscuity, violence and vulgarity can boycott those movies, turn
off those shows and communicate with advertisers.
Hollywood serves its pocketbook. It produces movies that sell. TV advertisers know
their demographics. This isn't about censorship. There is no turning back the clock. This
is about turning the tide of public opinion against the garbage that touches everyone's
lives.
It's about, "a new and unbearable disturbance of the general peace," and,
"harm to the grandchildren."