[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TV VIOLENCE IS ON THE RISE

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                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, violence on television has increased by 41 
percent since 1992 according to a study recently conducted by the 
Center for Media and Public Affairs. The study monitored 10 television 
stations over a 12 hour period and found 2,605 violent scenes compared 
with 1,846 in 1992. The numbers and percentages are not important, what 
is important is that violence on television is continuing to escalate.
  These shows permeate our living rooms and expose our children and 
grandchildren to violence on a daily basis. Studies on behavior have 
proven that there is a link between exposure to violence and future 
acts of violence. The American people understand this link and want TV 
violence drastically reduced.
  Last year the Congress held several hearings on this issue and 
concluded that the television industry should monitor themselves. I 
supported that decision then and I still do now. However, the study 
further demonstrates that the television industry has made little 
effort at controlling violent program content and congressional action 
to do so may, in fact, be necessary.
  The television industry must be reminded of the seriousness with 
which Congress views this issue, and take action to address it before 
Congress is forced to do their job for them.

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