Cable in New York

INITIATIVES

Family and Community Critical Viewing Project
In October 1994, the cable industry and the National PTA formed a media literacy partnership, the Family and Community Critical Viewing Project, to address parents´ concerns about television and the impact of television violence and commercialism on children. The Project trains cable operators and PTA leaders how to conduct Taking Charge of Your TV workshops for parents, educators and organizations in their communities. The goal is to help families make informed choices about the television programs they watch and to improve the way they watch those programs. In addition to the workshops and media literacy materials, the Project initiated the first-ever National Critical Viewing Day in 1998 to emphasize the importance of media literacy and increase awareness of the resources available that help families make television viewing a positive and educational experience.

Media literacy materials are important elements of the Project, and are distributed free of charge to parents, educators and organizations across the country. All the following materials can be obtained through: your local cable operator, or by writing to the National Cable Television Association.

Tools to Use to Help You Choose
A Family Guide to the TV Ratings System. A 10-minute video hosted by the original "Captain Kangaroo," Bob Keeshan, who helps parents better understand and use the TV ratings system. The "Tools" video was developed by the cable industry and the nation´s leading advocacy organizations from the fields of education, health and child development as part of a public education campaign. It was introduced in February 1998 at a press conference featuring Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) joined cable industry, PTA and children´s advocacy organization executives at a February 1998 press conference to introduce the video.

TV Smarts for Kids
A three-part video designed especially for children ages 5-7, 8-11 and 12-17, providing an introduction to media literacy. Developed in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., this video features Sharon, Lois & Bram of TLC´s Skinnamarink TV and Irene Ng of Nickelodeon´s The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo who encourage children to ask important questions about television. In June 1998, Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Congressman Jim Greenwood (R-PA) joined cable industry and Girl Scouts executives at a nationally televised press conference, the premier event for the first National Critical Viewing Day.