Diluted Bangladesh?

Addressing another U.S. social problem almost as widely debated, the U.S. Surgeon General last week defended a report issued earlier this year calling for a reduction of violence on television. Appearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Dr. Jesse L. Steinfeld asked for "appropriate and immediate action" to diminish violence on television because of its possible effects on children. While Steinfeld's appeal did not constitute an official threat, touchy network heads were quick to react. Said ABC President Elton Rule: "Even greater emphasis is being placed on presenting children's programs which resolve conflict situations through wit, charm, intelligence and imagination." NBC President Julian Goodman added: "The real question for us is not to condemn all action and conflict because it can be called violent, but to present all these elements, when they are necessary to the story, in a way that does not glorify violence."

In essence, all agreed with the principle that violence begets violence, but also apprehended the basic paradox: one can dilute Gunsmoke and The Mod Squad, but how to make blithe stories out of Bangladesh and Bogside?

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.