The program opens with the description of a recent murder of 2-year-old James Bulger by two 10-year-old boys in Liverpool, England. The Group then discusses violence on television and televisions role in contributing to youth violence. Guests on the show are Peggy Charren, Founder of Action for Childrens Television; Craig Latham, Forensic and Child Psychologist; Caesar McDowell, Assistant Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Ronald Slaby, Senior Scientist, Education Development Center; Juliette Tuakli-Williams, Pediatrician at South End Health Center. The conversation centers around the concurrent responsibilities of both parents in monitoring children and television as a popular babysitter for children. Peggy Charren cautions against the constant blaming of television for the behavior of children, and instead calls for comprehensive social reform, but the rest of the group agrees that television plays a large role in teaching children to behave violently. The group discusses the role of parents, all agreeing that parents need to pay greater attention to their children and what their children are consuming. The conversation moves to what the networks could do to prevent violence, and the group discusses specific changes such as adding more public education to programming. Finally, the group discusses the new Clinton Administration and the passing of the Childrens Television Act, as well as what role television as a technology in the home. The public, the panel says, has to remember that the airwaves belong to them. The only way change will happen is if society stands up to commercial interests demanding change. In addition, Dr. McDowell says, the public must be allowed back into the conversation, which has been largely left to experts, government officials, and network executives. Morality and religion in schools is briefly discussed at the close of the program. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Daniella Perry. Panelists: Peggy Charren, founder, Action for Children's Television; Juliette Tuakli-Williams, pediatrician, South End Health Center; Ceasar McDowell,President, Civil Rights Project, Inc., Asstistant Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Craig Latham, forensic and child psychologist; Ronald Slaby, senior scientist, Education Development Center.
