VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA

October 1999
		Are depictions of violence on film and television on the increase? Center for Media and Public Affairs President Robert Lichter, Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne and director Rupert Wainwright take your questions.

Forum introduction Are movies and T.V. accurately depicting reality? Should sex and violence be lumped together in ratings systems? Are Americans alone in blaming violent images for violence on the streets? What about violent images in news programs? Should parents or Hollywood decide what children see on screen?   Sept. 24, 1999: Three views on violence in the media. May 10, 1999: A discussion on the influence of media violence. Dec. 4, 1998: A report on the relationship between violent programs and commercial advertising. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the media.     The Center for Media and Public Affairs NBC ABC CBS FOX The Motion Picture Association of America

According to a new study released by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, not only are violent films and television shows growing more plentiful, but often the most violent of pictures and shows are rated as appropriate for teenagers. The study says television and movie viewers see, on average, an act of serious violence -- murder, rape, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon -- once every four minutes. "It's remarkable the degree to which violence in entertainment is presented as a relatively harmless, necessary, and even laudable way of solving problems," CMPA President Bob Lichter said on The NewsHour. "We found that good guys commit violence almost as often as bad guys in both television and movies." CMPA rated CBS -- the most watched network last year -- as the most violent, with an average of 10 violent acts per episode. The network's "Walker: Texas Ranger" was the most violent program, with the study citing 82 scenes of serious violence per episode. Many other contend the study's conclusions are too broad and do not consider programming's context. "It's ridiculous to label CBS, the home of 'Touched by an Angel,' 'Cosby' and 'Kids Say the Darndest Things,' as the most violent network," a CBS spokesman told The Los Angeles Times. "It is a question of context. 'Walker, Texas Ranger' is an action-oriented show about the good guys getting the bad guys and the bad guys always lose. It never has violence for violence's sake. It shows the consequences of violence." Are film and television growing too violent? Are current ratings systems working? Should the government regulate violence in the media? Center for Media and Public Affairs President Robert Lichter, Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne and director Rupert Wainwright respond to your questions.