MEDIA RELEASE -
Bouquets and Brickbats for World Television Day

19 November 2003

In the run-up to World Television Day on November 21, Barbara Biggins, Honorary Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council for Children and the Media, trading as Young Media Australia (YMA), agreed that television was probably one of the most powerful influences in shaping children’s perceptions of the world, and had had a distinct impact on Australian culture.

Ms Biggins stated: “The really interesting question to consider as World Television Day approaches, however, is the scorecard of the positive against the negative in respect to children’s television. For example, on the positive side, Australian children are fortunate to have access to excellent, locally produced programs, soundly based in child development theory. High quality programs such as Play School, Bananas in Pyjamas, Round the Twist, Totally Wild, In the Box, Lights, Camera, Action! The Wiggles and many more, play an important role in enhancing children’s development and understanding of the world.

Unfortunately, on the negative side of the card, the Australian community is still expressing its outrage at the axing of the highly acclaimed children’s news program Behind the News. Another disturbing trend is the proposal by CTVA (Commercial Television Australia, formerly FACTS), to drastically cut G programming time. Increased marketing to young children via television is also a cause for concern.”

Jane Roberts, YMA’s Honorary President added: “Perhaps the most constructive way broadcasters, regulators, educators and parents could celebrate World Television Day is firstly to congratulate ourselves on our achievements. At the same time though, more strategies need to be developed to ensure that hard fought gains in the field of children’s television are not lost and that parents are given more help to find positive media experiences for their children.”

YMA, a not-for-profit organisation, is a unique national body whose members share a strong commitment to the promotion of the healthy development of Australian children, with a particular interest in the role the media plays in that development. It is committed to promoting better choices and providing stronger voices in children’s media.

YMA’s outstanding achievement in the past two years has been the establishment and operation of the national freecall Young Media Australia Helpline (1800 700 357) and website (), which both provide information and advice to parents, caregivers and the general community about the impact of the media on children. Total contacts for the combined services since July 2002 now number more than 135,000 and are growing steadily.