News Should Have Warnings to Protect Impressionable Children: by Katie Castellano

Introduction:

I.                  Attention-Getting Device:  I’m sure we can all remember being younger and wanting to see that R rated movie. Whether it was American Pie, Scream or the Matrix we would try to sneak in or convince our parents to take us.  However, as we matured we realized these ratings served a purpose.  To protect our young minds from being exposed to violence, sex and drugs at such a young age.  So, what makes the news different?  Should a 13 year old be able to easily turn on the news and see similar acts a R-rated movie would contain?

II.              Thesis: Clearly, there needs to be a warning on news stations before impressionable children are shown images they are not ready to see. 

Problem:

I.                  Over the past couple year’s television news has been filled with school shootings, war, acts of terrorism and kidnapping of children.  Seeing this everyday can confuse as well as frighten any young kid.

II.                It is important to remember that unlike R rated movies and entertainment shows on television, the news is real. 

a.     As researcher George Comstock states in an article titled “Violence and Suffering in Television News,” realistic acts of violence may actually increase levels of involvement, aggression, and damage their view of the world as a safe place. 

b.    Once children realize that the news is real--containing real people and events, they can become more influenced.

III.            A clear example of this is a case were a ten-year-old boy saw Saddam Hussein’s execution on CNN news.

a.    (I will show u part of the clip now start at one minute) 

b.    Taking a look at this clip from YouTube it is clear to see the tape shows how to hang oneself.

c.     In a news article titled “Pakistani Boy Dies Copying Saddam Hanging” the family and police officials claim that he saw the act on television news and believe the boy tried to experiment it, not knowing it would lead to his death.

d.     This boy wasn’t the only one who copied the execution the news aired.  According to wikipedia many other kids imitated the act.   In Pakistan, a 9-year-old boy copied the television execution as well as in India a 15-year-old girl hung herself after seeing the execution and becoming extremely depressed.

e.      As you can see, this effected young children everywhere.

IV.             So, what makes it okay for the news to show images that the kids can’t see in unrealistic movies?

V.                 A survey conducted by Joanne Cantor, who is a professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that “one quarter of US children have a television set in their own bedroom and that in a significant number of homes, television is turned on all day.” 

a.    This is a good indicator that children are regularly confronted with cruel accounts of murders, war, accidents and other sufferings. 

VI.            Since news is more readily available than R rated movies this should be a big concern for not only parents but for the sake of children such as our young brothers, sisters and relatives.   

a.    These are the same kids who copy their admirable older siblings, celebrities and peers.

b.     So, seeing events on the news that they are unfamiliar with can lead to their curious, naïve minds wanting to experiment inappropriate acts that the news always contains.

Solution:

 

      Transition: Now that the problem is known, it is time for a change to be made.

       

I.                  Undoubtedly there should be ratings on the news. 

a.    A warning should appear across the screen warning parents that what is about to be aired may not be appropriate for young children.

b.    It could simply read “this report contains graphic content, viewer discretion is advised” 

c.     By doing this, parents can judge if they want to let their child be susceptible to what news is about to show.  

d.    An article in the New York Times titled, “Clinton Seeks Uniform Ratings in Entertainment for Children” contains a quote from Hillary Clinton as she favors a rating system for not only the news but television in general.

II.              Now, many may wonder what images and events should earn a warning. 

a.    That would be anything that falls into the category of what makes a movie R rated.

III.           It is important to not confuse this adjustment with making news censored. 

a.    Many people, myself included, need to see what is going on in the world. 

b.    But sensitive, young children aren’t ready.

c.     They are not able to realize the seriousness of certain acts and this warning will simply serve as a means of protection.

IV.            I know many of you are also wondering what if a parent isn’t around to see the warning. 

a.    Well, yes that is a problem that is unfortunately unavoidable.

b.    But even if one parent sees this rating and turns off the news, that can save one life.

c.     One life that could have been the kids who copied Saddams execution, who did not know any better…it would definitely be well worth it.

d.    Also, if a child sees the warning when alone, hopefully they can learn that what is about to be shown is not something that is good, and should know it earned a warning for a reason.

Conclusion:

        Transition: So, what can we as a class do?

        I.      Let’s write in to our news stations and get them to understand the importance of this matter, for the sake of our younger brothers, sisters, and if were parents one day, our future generations to come.  Let’s face it, certain news makes adults cringe. Now that we know the negative affect it has on children it is up to us to prevent it.

References

Cantor, J (1996).Children's fright reactions to television news. Journal of Communication. 4, 139-152.

Comstock, George (1994). Communication Research. Retrieved August 6, 2007, from The Effects of Television Violence on Antisocial Behavior: A Meta-Analysis1 Web site: http://crx.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/4/516

Hernandez, Raymond (2005, March 10). Clinton Seeks Uniform Ratings In Entertainment for Children. New York Times http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=805489441&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1186454652&clientId=9874

kimxxx85, (2006, Decemeber 30). YouTube. Retrieved August 6, 2007, Web site: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KwfDHXT7RBM

Roque, J (January 2, 2007). AHN global news for the digital news. Retrieved August 6, 2007, from Pakistani Boy Dies Copying Saddam Hanging Web site: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006013621

Execution of Saddam Hussein. In wikipedia [Web]. Wikimedia Foundation Inc.. Retrieved August 6, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_of_Saddam_Hussein

 

 

 

Comments:

 

Katie! Judging by your attention getter this looks like a really amazing speech. Make sure you watch your time though because a lot of people have been going over. I'm sure you'll do awesome! . Something you should consider though is to not use Wikipedia for sources. Besides that I can't think of anything else. I can't wait to hear this speech!

-Ryan Aukerman

 

Katie! awesome speech i thought u did amazing. The onyl thing i would say is you stumbled a little bit on the Q&A part, but u stayed strong! good research!- Kara

 

Katie!  Your speech was really good today.  I can tell that you worked hard on this...you improved a lot!  I liked your transitions and visual aid.  My only recommendation would be to not read it as much next time, but other than that, great job!-Katie

 

Katie, your speech was awesome! I really enoyed how your incorporated your sources into your presentation. I thought your speeched flowed very well throughout your main points. I would say to add a touch more eye contact... but that's all you need! Nice job!! - Alan

 

Katie C -- I really liked your solution, the news is really bad these days! Your speech had good flow and a clear message! :) -- Aimee

 

Katie, I really liked your speech today, I thought you chose an interesting topic and did a good job explaining it.  You also did an excellent job during the Q and A portion.  For next time, work on not going up and down from your notecards so often. <3 Chelsea