[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 23 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SELF-POLICING BY THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, today I rise to commend DIC 
Entertainment, a leading producer of animated children's programming, 
for its efforts in developing a 12-point code of standards and 
guidelines for children's television programming. DIC produces over 200 
television cartoons per year, including ``Captain Planet,'' ``Dennis 
the Menace,'' and ``Sonic, the Hedgehog.'' Working in conjunction with 
the National Education Association, the University of California at Los 
Angeles, and members of the movie industry, DIC has made a good effort 
to address some of the harmful effects of violence on television.
  These guidelines recognize the powerful impact of television, and 
seek to ensure that television plays a positive role in the lives of 
children. They encourage story lines that promote cooperative behavior 
in children, enhance self-esteem, and advocate positive reinforcement 
of conflict resolution techniques that avoid violence. Additionally, 
the guidelines seek to reduce the inappropriate use of gratuitous 
violence in children's programming.
  These guidelines demonstrate the effectiveness of industry self-
policing. I applaud the initiative taken by these educators and members 
of the industry, in responding to public concerns, and I encourage them 
to continue their efforts.

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