Broadcasters, lawmakers wrangle over educational television
June 3, 1996 Web posted at: 5:05 p.m. EDT
From CNN Correspondent Louise Schiavone
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- What is educational television? Both broadcasters and lawmakers are now kicking that question around.
Some broadcasters say shows like "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" and "The Jetsons" educate children about life in the future. Cartoons like "The Flintstones" are informative shows about the past, they say.
An increasing number of lawmakers beg to differ.
"Yogi Bear, the Flintstones and the Jetsons are not what parents are talking about when they say they want more educational programming," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts. "They want programming that really does seek to challenge the minds of their children.
We don't think it's a constitutional right of the government to tell us what to do.
-- Jerry Fritz, Albritton Communications
We're talking about using the most important medium in the history of humanity -- television -- to try to help us teach our kids.
-- Reed Hundt, FCC Chairman
Last week, Markey and fellow lawmakers called on federal regulators to put some teeth into the Children's Television Act. A letter -- initiated by Markey and signed by a majority of House members -- said the FCC should require TV stations to air at least three hours of truly educational shows for children each week.
Although some broadcasters already provide such programs, many oppose a government clamp-down.
"We don't think it's a constitutional right of the government to tell us what to do -- to either establish or enforce it," said Jerry Fritz with Albritton Communications. "We do that ourselves, and we think we do a darn good job of it."
FCC may decide soon
The FCC for more than a year has been unable to reach consensus over mandated children's programming. However, FCC Chairman Reed Hundt says the government has every right to regulate public airwaves, and he believes three of the four FCC commissioners may soon go along with the lawmakers' demands by ordering three hours a week of educational TV.
"This is not a game that we're playing here. We're talking about using the most important medium in the history of humanity -- television -- to try to help us teach our kids," Hundt said.
Hundt and others -- pointing to Public Broadcasting Service shows such as "Wishbone," "Bill Nye the Science Guy" and "The Magic School Bus" -- say shows can be profitable and entertaining while being educational.
In the meantime, a new round of filings for broadcast licenses begins this week. Hundt promises to revoke the license of any station failing to show a minimal commitment to educational broadcasts.
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