[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H417-H418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MTV's PROGRAMMING HURTS KIDS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, it seems that Music Television plays a lot 
more than music these days. From reality TV to tasteless dramas, MTV 
has become one of cable's largest purveyors of smut.
  A report released by the Parents Television Council found that the 
level of sex and foul language on MTV is far higher than anything found 
on adult-targeted television. The report says that children watching 
MTV view an average of nine sexual scenes, 18 sexual depictions and 17 
instances of sexual dialogue and innuendo per hour.

[[Page H418]]

  A study done by RAND last year shows that kids this age often adopt 
the sexual behaviors and attitudes of their favorite TV characters. By 
glamorizing drug and alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity and violent 
behavior, MTV lies to our kids. Instead of making them cool, MTV is 
often harming our kids.
  Many say this is no big deal, but they are wrong. MTV reaches 73 
percent of boys, 78 percent of girls ages 12 to 19. That is why this 
study and this report are so disturbing and so important.

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