LOS ANGELES (February 19, 2013) – Today, the Parents Television Council applauded Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) for releasing a new report, “Youth Violence: What We Need To Know,” by the National Science
Foundation (NSF) that details three major risk factors associated with mass shootings, including exposure to violent media, mental health, and access to
guns. (See
report)
“On behalf of children and families across the country, we commend Rep. Wolf for keeping the issue of media violence at the forefront by requesting
this report. Wolf has long been an advocate for measures that would protect children from violent and sexually explicit media, and we see this report as a
positive step towards meaningful change,” said PTC president Tim Winter.
“Nearly every day we are faced with tragic news of lives lost due to real-life violence. A media environment that celebrates – and is saturated
with – so much violence contributes to the problem. And once again we are faced with evidence showing a strong correlation between violent media and
an child’s increase in aggressive thoughts and behavior, as well as a decrease in empathy for others. If we strive for a less-violent society, then
we must address the root causes of our violent culture. The entertainment media’s obsession with graphic violence is one of the root causes.
“Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of violent content in video games, on television, or in films. The problem is compounded by a television
content ratings system that is woefully inadequate. The entertainment industry is allowed to assign its own content ratings, leaving parents with a deeply
flawed and largely inaccurate system.
“We hope this report will help bring to light the severity of the issue of violent media content and will lead to an overhaul of the current system
by which the industry produces, underrates, and then delivers to children a steady stream of media violence on a daily basis. And we hope that the hearings
scheduled for spring will bring about an opportunity to enact real change,” concluded Winter.
The Parents Television Council® ( www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education
organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and
profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members and 56 chapters across the United
States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to
children. The PTC™ also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC
produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided
free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.