While it is not likely to happen anytime soon here in the US.  Major Australian food and drink manufacturers agreed not to advertise junk food during children’s television programs, as they face growing public pressure about childhood obesity.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council’s voluntary code commits companies to directly targeting children under 12 only when it promotes healthy dietary choices and lifestyles.

But the code, which is supported by some 150 companies accounting for 80 percent of Australian sales in highly processed food and drink sectors, will not include hamburger giant McDonald’s and competitor KFC.

The council said the new rules will apply to all television, radio, print, cinema and Internet advertising as well as the use of licensed cartoon and other characters aimed at children.

“The aim of the initiative is to ensure that only healthy foods and beverages are advertised during television shows predominantly watched by primary school-aged children,” the council’s chief executive Kate Carnell said.

What do you think?  Is there too much unhealthy advertising to childern?

Over 200 Teachers and educators have taken the National Educator Survey on Children’s Television Viewing and the Classroom.

Here at the Smart Television Alliance we consistently receive anecdotal evidence from teachers about how inappropriate, indecent, and violent programming or too much television viewing by children plays out negatively in the classroom. We called on educators across the nation to share their views on this critical issue and they have.

We’ve had many insightful responses here are just few:

“Children are great observers but poor interpreters.  Television shows them things about the world that directly impacts their worldview.  They are unable to discern right from wrong, appropriate from inappropriate ways of being.”
“I can tell who watches the wrestling shows within a day of getting a new class.  I can tell what type of shows they are watching by their language.”

The National Educator Survey on Children’s Television Viewing and the Classroom is designed to evaluate the impact that children’s television viewing has on the classroom from an educator’s perspective.

If you are a teacher or educator we ask you to take the survey.  If you’re not a teacher please forward it to one you know!  In a few weeks the Smart Television Alliance will publish a report that will highlight the fantastic feedback we received from teacher all over the country.

http://www.smarttelevisionalliance.org/site/PageNavigator/Alliance%20Site%20Get%20Involved/teacher_survey

Here at the Smart Television Alliance we believe that parents should be able to express their support and concern about children’s television.  Now you can!
The Smart Television Alliance is launching our Television Recommendations Website. Parents can rate and leave comments on hundreds of children’s television shows for thousands of others to see. Rank the television programs your family enjoys and tell us why you think they’re important, entertaining, and most of all educational.
 
http://recs.smarttelevisionalliance.org/recs/

Susan Meddaugh, author/illustrator of the Martha books that inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, “Martha Speaks” wants  to answer your questions!

As any fan of the books or show knows, Martha’s a talking dog who just loves to, well, talk! And now it’s Susan’s turn. PBS Engage invited her to be the latest guest on “Five Good Questions” and she kindly accepted. PBS Engage is a new feature on pbs.org that offers PBS viewers and Web users new ways to interact with our programming and the creative forces behind its content. The goal of Engage is to get the public more involved with public broadcasting.

Two events to put on your calendar (and make you pause) next week:

First, “Week Without Violence” begins October 12th and runs until the 18th. Sponsored by our partners at the YWCA USA, this is a great opportunity to consider the powerful effect television violence has on both our families and our communities.  Let’s start thinking about how we can take back control over excessive and gratuitous TV violence! To find out more, including how you can get involved, click here.

Second, make sure to check out and participate in the “Violent Media Fast” from the 14th to the 20th, sponsored by Smart Television Alliance members United Church of Christ and RainbowPUSH Coalition. This is a great opportunity to both reflect on the power of media in our society, and to actively do something about the violent images we are so often subjected to on TV. And even better, think about taking the time to talk to your kids about media violence.TV entertainment, especially for kids, does not need to be all guts and gore. Check out the website here.

Here at the Smart Television Alliance, we are totally loving the idea of a “Fast” from violent media. What do you think? How do you deal with the violent images coming from TV in your home? Comment below and lets start the discussion.