Parental Control of Television Broadcasting

by Price,Monroe E.

• ISBN13: 9780805829785
• ISBN10: 0805829784
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This project, originally developed for the European Community, examines parental roles in controlling television programs watched by children in Europe. The structure of the study includes: *an analysis of the technical devices available to assist in parental control of television broadcasting services, including descriptions of devices, their cost, availability, and the infrastructure needed to introduce them; *a corresponding analysis of potential ratings or labeling systems to work in conjunction with or in the place of technical devices, enabling a comparative analysis of rating systems used in film, video, and online services; and *an overview and assessment of the educational and awareness measures in the field of protection of minors and harmful content, providing the data for the review of available considerations in this field of viewer literacy. In addition to these main strands of analysis, the study provides for background information and analysis in the following areas: *an overview of the main media theories focusing on the effect and impact of specific types of content on children and their behavior; *an assessment of the economic impact and social efficacy of different protective measures; and *a comparison of the regulatory contexts and rating systems for film, video, television, and online services concerning the protection of minors from harmful content. This volume is intended for scholars and students in comparative media studies, media policy, and regulation.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction and Summary Finding	xi
General Conclusions	xiii
Problems With the V-chip Model	xiv
Looking to a Digital Future	xvi
Positive Approaches to Parental Choice	xvii
Recommendations for the Transition	xviii
Encouraging Pluralism in Approaches to Enhancing Parental Choice	xx
Placing a Premium on Programme Information	xxi
Broadcaster Responsibility and Regulatory Monitoring	xxiii
Media Education and Literacy Campaigns	xxiv
Technical Devices and Rating Systems	1	(42)
Background	1	(3)
Factors in the European Environment Affecting Choice of Technical Device	4	(4)
Technical Devices in the Analogue Setting and Standard Rating Schemes	8	(5)
Shifting the Paradigm: Technical Devices and Plural Ratings	13	(12)
Technical Devices in the Digital Setting	25	(10)
Technical Devices, Ratings, and Watersheds	35	(3)
The Costs of a Negative Approach and the Benefits of a Positive Approach to Child Protection	38	(5)
Rating Systems: Comparative Country Analysis and Recommendations	43	(64)
General Framework and Conclusions	44	(1)
Typology of Rating Systems	45	(12)
Comparative Country and Media Analysis	57	(34)
Conclusions	91	(16)
Family Viewing Alternatives: Economic Justifications Social Efficiency and Educational Support	107	(26)
Economic Efficiency and Regulatory Interventions	108	(2)
Social Efficiency	110	(9)
Media Education and Literacy	119	(14)
Annex 1: Comparative Analysis of Rating Systems	133	(106)
Cinema Rating Systems	133	(34)
Video Rating Systems	167	(15)
TV Rating Systems	182	(36)
Internet Rating Systems	218	(18)
Horizontal Treatment of Media	236	(3)
Annex 2: Methodology	239	(44)
Template: Parental Control of Film, Broadcasting, Audiovisual, and Online Services in the European Union	239	(14)
Country Reports: List of Experts	253	(4)
Questionnaire for Broadcasters	257	(7)
Contact List	264	(19)
References	283	(24)
General	283	(3)
Media and Children: Theories	286	(2)
Websites	288	(1)
International Instruments	289	(1)
European Union (Chronological Order)	290	(1)
Council of Europe (Chronological Order)	291	(1)
National References	292	(12)
Glossary of Acronyms	304	(3)
Author Index	307	(2)
Subject Index	309