News Broadcasting
US parents favour limiting sex, violence on TV in the early evening
MUMBAI: With recent studies suggesting that television has an impact on teen violence and sex in American society, it should come as no surprise that concerned parents want the content toned down.
A majority of parents in the US have expressed concern about the amount of sex (60 per cent) and violence (53 per cent) their children are exposed to on TV.
According to a survey released by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 63 per cent of the respondents said that they favour new regulations to limit the amount of sex and violence in TV shows during the early evening. At that time children are most likely to be watching. Thirty five per cent have opposed the suggestion.
Television a greater threat than other media: Is the idiot box having a more harmful effect on kids than surfing the net or watching movies? Yes. Overall parents are more concerned about inappropriate content on TV than in other media. Thirty four per cent have indicated that TV concerns them the most, compared to 16 per cent who cited the Internet. Ten per cent cited the cinema, seven per cent music, and five per cent video games. Half of all the parents surveyed have stated that they have used the TV ratings to help guide their children’s viewing,
While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had raised a big noise over the infamous Janet Jackson incident at this year’s Super Bowl, only 17 per cent of the parents were ‘very’ concerned about the impact of the incident on their children.
The survey is titled Parents, Media, and Public Policy. Nearly 1001 parents were surveyed through the telephone from 12 July to 3 August 2004. Fifty five per cent of the parents said that ratings should be displayed more prominently and 57 per cent said that they would rather keep the current rating systems than switch to a single rating for TV, movies, video games, and music.
When read the competing arguments for subjecting cable TV to the same content standards as broadcasters, half of all the parents said that cable should be treated the same.
Parents are satisfied with the prevalent ratings system. Fifty two per cent of the respondents said that most TV shows are rated accurately. Four in ten said that most are not.
Lack of awareness over TV ratings guidelines: What is worrying however is that many parents don’t understand what the various ratings guidelines mean. For example only 28 per cent of parents of young children (2-6 years old) know what the rating TV-Y7 means. It means that the show is suitable for kids aged over seven.
In fact 13 per cent were under the notion that it meant the opposite (directed to children under 7). Also only 12 per cent know that the rating FV means fantasy violence and that it is related to violent content. On the contrary eight per cent think that FV means “family viewing.”
The general level of awareness among parents about what constitutes healthy viewing seems limited. A mere six per cent of parents with children under the age of two are aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children at that age not be exposed to TV at all.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
