Advice for President Elect Obama on Children's Programming

Max's advice for January 8, 2009

Dear President Elect Obama,

Max grew up as the son of a man who knew 'ALL' the answers to the problems of the world. Max's father said so! Many times, his father let everyone know that anyone who didn't know that he had the answers was a turkey or a knucklehead.

The famous Ma Bell, the second most powerful force in the world (next to God of course), thought so much of Max's father's opinions, that she made him 'Supervisor of Troubles'. This is true!

The advice Max promised you, Mr. President Elect.

Insist that there be television for children that is truly educational.

In the early days of television, programing for children was educational. The vendors had not yet gotten control of the air ways. While it is certainly alright for commercial entities to pay for the things they want, this should not be allowed at the cost of children's health and safety.

Early television programing included shows such as Captain Kangaroo that helped children develop self esteem and understand the world around them. Similar local programs helped educate children on television while at the same time providing healthy and fun entertainment.

The Television Children's Workshop and the development of Sesame Street continued to push the use of television as an educational tool for children.

Romper Room is another notable example of good, high quality programming for the pre-school set.

Nearly fifty years after television stations were granted the right to use the public airways, much of what purports to be good television is full of violence. The advertisements offer children (who supposedly don't have personal incomes) food products that are in many cases unhealthy for children.

Max understands that in a free society we have to tolerate the advertising assault and the gratuitious violence if we choose to allow our children to view these programs. It is part of the thing we call freedom.

Nevertheless, in a society that is challenged with its very survival, preparing our children is not only important, it is essential.

There is some (limited) excellent children's programming provided by PBS, Nickolodeon and Disney, to name a few. PBS is singular and has experienced funding shortfalls from time to time. Nick and Disney are commercial for pay stations which can be limited by cable and satelite providers. The programming is also limited for different age groups from these sources.

With the convergence of internet and cable, it should be possible to bring age appropriate educational programming to all young people that is healthy and fun. This would be in addition to the offerings the existing entities chose to continue offering.

As president you can set the tone. Getting the commercially developed programmers (advertisers, developers, etc.) to alter the programming to be less violent and to devlop advertisements that are less focused on things that are not good for children would be one good goal.

A second goal would be to make sure that public television and radio has aid in funding to allow for a continuation of good, healthy programming following the examples of Captain Kangaroo, Sesame Street and Romper Room.

A third thing you can do is create some kind of annual award for the best children's programs in a number of categories. Commercial ventures love free advertising and non-profits can use the exposure.

Mentioning what you watch with your children watch would set a stellar personal example.

Max wishes you well in all your efforts.

Max writes about greenways, rare diseases, timely topics, places to eat, travel and other issues of interest. He encourages you to add your comments.

Link One goes to Dora the Explorer site from Nick Jr.

Link Two goes to Sesame Street / PBS site

Link Three goes to FCC Children's Programming