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For Immediate Release
07/22/09
Contact: |
Jena Longo - Democratic Deputy Communications Director 202.224.7824
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Hearing Summary: Rethinking the Children's Television Act for a Digital Media Age
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Rethinking the Children's Television Act for a Digital Media Age.
Witness List:
Panel I
The Honorable Julius Genachowski, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Panel II
Mr. Gary Knell, Chief Executive Officer and President, Sesame Workshop
Mr. John Lawson, Executive Vice President, ION Media Networks
Dr. Sandra Calvert, Director, Children’s Digital Media Center, Georgetown University
Ms. Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon & MTVN Family Group
Mr. James Steyer, CEO, Common Sense Media
Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:
“The way I see it, there are two needs here. First, there is a need to provide quality media content for children. Second, there is a need to protect our children from harmful content. To provide and protect. We must have both. This is what the Committee would like to explore today. How well the Children’s Television Act has worked, and how it can be updated to reflect the new digital media market. If we value what our children read, see, and hear, we need to hold discussions like this. If we respect parents and their need for tools to help monitor their children’s viewing, we need to hold discussions like this. And if we believe there is some content that is simply not suitable for children, we need to hold discussions like this.”
Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV
“Experience has confirmed that educational and informational fare on television can help prepare toddlers for school and can be a powerful complement to the classroom experience. Studies have shown, for example, that programs such as “Sesame Street” enhance attentiveness and perceptual abilities in young children. Children’s television can also have beneficial effects on the social, emotional and physical development of our children.”
The Honorable Julius Genachowski, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
“Children are not only watching the television screen in the living room, but they are engaging with multiple screens. Television has gone everywhere, it has become interactive, and children are using it. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages six and under are spending about two hours a day with television, computers and video games, which is just about the same amount of time they spend playing outside and about triple the time they spend with books. Older children ages eight to 18 years spend six and a half hours a day with media for recreational purposes, which is more time than they spend doing anything else, except for sleeping.”
Mr. Gary Knell, Chief Executive Officer and President, Sesame Workshop
“With the implementation of the digital television as the standard format for televised broadcasts, the time to reconsider the requirements of the Children’s Television Act is now. We have many children who are struggling or failing in school. Our children’s standardized scores on mathematics, science, and reading literacy assessments trail behind their international peer group. This state of affairs is appalling. Our country knows how to create quality media, and well-designed educational content is effective in lifting the scholastic success of our youth.”
Dr. Sandra Calvert, Director, Children’s Digital Media Center, Georgetown University
“If this Committee were to consider changes to the Children’s Television Act, it should examine the full range of video content – both broadcast and non broadcast – available to children and their parents today before taking action. Only after carefully examining today’s diverse digital, multichannel, multi-screen video marketplace could Congress make reasoned determinations about any need for and the costs and benefits of altering the obligations imposed on the nation’s free, over-the-air broadcasters. In this regard, I note that the FCC has already adopted new rules that apply the Children’s Television Act to the digital age.”
Mr. John Lawson, Executive Vice President, ION Media Networks
“As much as technology – cell phones, videogames and the Internet – has impacted the ways kids and families consume information and interact, television remains an important part of their lives. And one of the statistics that stands out for us is that, despite all of the distractions, co-viewing on kids‘ cable networks does help bring families together. Families today treasure the time they spend together, want more of it, and even as they are pulled in many directions, co-viewing television – the heart of family entertainment – remains something that parents and children can enjoy with one another in their free time.”
Ms. Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon & MTVN Family Group
“As we all know, media and entertainment profoundly impact the social, emotional, and physical development of our nation’s children. And we are at an historic and truly transformative moment in the development and impact of media and technology on our society. Parents and educators need help understanding and managing what their children see, hear, and surf. But who should provide this help? In truth, several key institutions should – nonprofit organizations, schools, the media industry, and government. Each of us has an important role to play.”
Mr. James Steyer, CEO, Common Sense Media
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30th - |
Rockefeller, Boxer Applaud Funding for Rail Safety Grants
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) lauded the Senate Appropriations Committee for fully funding a new railroad safety technology grant program, created by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
The committee passed the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which includes $50 million for the Railro...
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30th - |
Hearing Summary - Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities.
Witness List:
The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President
Key ...
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30th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Remarks on Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities
- Our climate shapes every aspect of our lives. It determines where we build our roads and homes. It affects our health and it controls the amount of energy we need. Over one-third of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product is affected by weather and climate.
Climate change is happening—the scientists agree—we have observed rising temperatures and sea levels, reduced snow and ice...
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30th - |
Rockefeller Seeks Information on Health Care Co-ops
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released three letters seeking information regarding cooperative business arrangements, particularly in the health care arena. The letters were sent to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the National Cooperative Business Association, and the U.S. Department...
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29th - |
Hearing Summary: Nominations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations.
Witness List:
Mr. Christopher P. Bertram, to be Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer at the United States Department of Transportation
Ms. Susan L. Kurland, to be Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International A...
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28th - |
Hearing Summary - Weathering the Storm: The Need for a National Hurricane Initiative
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Weathering the Storm: The Need for a National Hurricane Initiative.
Witness List:
Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Co-Chairman, Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering, National Science Board
Dr. Richard W. Spinrad, Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic an...
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27th - |
Nominees Confirmed
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate confirmed the following nominees by unanimous consent on July 24, 2009:
Ms. Mignon L. Clyburn, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Ms. Meredith Attwell Baker, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Ms. Deborah A.P. Hersman, to be Chairman and Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (N...
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24th - |
Rockefeller Calls for Audit of General Motors and Chrysler Terminations
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller has requested the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) review the methodology of the General Motors (GM) and Chrysler decisions to terminate more than 2,000 dealership franchises across the country.
“There is substantial confusion, even among dealers themselves, as to how GM and Chrysler selected dealersh...
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22nd - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Remarks on Advertising Trends and Consumer Protection
- With this hearing, the committee continues to highlight the Federal Trade Commission’s role in protecting the American people, especially at a time of unprecedented economic crisis. Last week, we explored the increasing frequency and danger of economic fraud and financial scams during tough times.
Today, we will examine deceptive advertising and its power to undermine consumers’ c...
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22nd - |
Hearing Summary: Advertising Trends and Consumer Protection
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Advertising Trends and Consumer Protection.
Witness List:
Mr. David Vladeck, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission
Ms. Sally Greenberg, Executive Director, National Consumers League
Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Director for Technical...
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22nd - |
current Press Release |
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21st - |
Rockefeller Applauds Senate Commerce Committee's Approval of FAA Reauthorization Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C.— Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement today after legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was approved by the Commerce Committee:
“I am very pleased that this important legislation was quickly approved by the Committee and t...
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21st - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds Senate Commerce Committee's Extension of Critical Highway Programs
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, worked today to extend critical highway and vehicle safety programs authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to extend the Nation...
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21st - |
Executive Session Committee Legislation Summary
- Washington, D.C.—Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Executive Session and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominees:
Nomination of Polly Trottenberg, to be Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy of the United States Department of Transportation (PN 549)
Nomination of Deborah A.P. Hersman, to be Chairman and Memb...
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20th - |
Chairman Rockefeller on the 40th Anniversary of the First Moon Landing
- WASHINGTON, D.C.— Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement today honoring the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing:
“Forty years ago, three brave NASA astronauts ventured into the unknown carrying an entire nation’s hopes and dreams with them. When Apollo 11 lan...
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17th - |
Rockefeller and Hutchison Press DOT on Antitrust Immunity Cases
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Committee, joined together and urged the Department of Transportation to exercise its long-held statutory authority and expertise to determine if applications for airline anti-trust immunity are in the publi...
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16th - |
Hearing Summary: Competition in the Health Care Marketplace
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Competition in the Health Care Marketplace.
Witness List:
Mr. Richard A. Feinstein, Director, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission
Dr. Len M. Nichols, Director, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation
Mr. David Balto, Senior Fellow, Center For ...
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15th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Alarmed by Magnitude of Cyber Attacks
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent letters to 11 different federal departments and agencies asking for information regarding their cybersecurity preparedness and the effectiveness of their incident response capability.
Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Snowe recently introduced bipa...
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14th - |
Hearing Summary-The Economy and Fraud: Protecting Consumers During Downward Economic Times
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation continued the fight for American consumers and held a subcommittee hearing today on The Economy and Fraud: Protecting Consumers During Downward Economic Times.
Witness List:
The Honorable Chris Koster, Attorney General, State of Missouri
Mr. David Vladeck, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Fed...
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14th - |
Rockefeller, Hutchison, Dorgan, Demint Introduce Bipartisan Aviation Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Ranking Member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined together today to in...
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13th - |
Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Hutchison Statements on the Nomination of Chris Bertram
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison issued the following statements after Christopher P. Bertram was nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“Mr. Bertram brings a ...
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10th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Adds Another Company to His Online "Mystery Charges" Investigation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced a Senate Commerce Committee investigation on May 27, 2009 into certain e-commerce marketing practices that generate thousands of mysterious monthly charges to consumer credit cards.
Today, Senator Rockefeller sent a letter to the President of Affini...
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9th - |
Hearing Summary: Nominations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing yesterday on nominations.
Nominations Include:
Panel I
Mr. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Ms. Lori Garver, to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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8th - |
Executive Session Committee Legislation Summary
- Washington, D.C.—Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Executive Session and favorably reported out the following legislation:
S. 588, Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009
S. 649, Radio Spectrum Inventory Act
S. 668, Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2009
S. 1194, Coast Guard Authorizati...
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