At its open meeting today the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will consider changes to its rules governing the airing of children's television shows. These proposed changes reflect a compromise reached by both the television industry and child advocates who both objected to an earlier ruling by the FCC in the fall of 2005. The compromise touches issues of air time and marketing to children:

• Broadcasters would continue to be required to air 3 hours of children's programming per channel.
• The limits on airing of commercial websites during children's programming would continue.
• If a children's show does display a website, product selling by TV characters would be in a defined section and the TV character would be separated from the sales pitch.
• Ads during children's shows would still be restricted, but the number will increase because promotions for children's educational shows or children's shows on the same channel will no longer count as ads.

MediaWise parents value high quality educational programming for their children and know the effects of advertising on children. To learn more about children and advertising visit the National Institute on Media and the Family at: www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_childadv.shtml

Find the FCC at: http://www.fcc.gov/
Source: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6373596.html