The Edmond Sun

Local News

Discussion

November 20, 2008

TV watchdog group courts Edmond supporters

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — A representative from a national television watchdog organization visited an Edmond church Wednesday night, part of the group’s effort to start a local chapter in Oklahoma.

Fairview Baptist Church hosted Gavin McKiernan, national grassroots director for the Parents Television Council, a self-described non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment.

McKiernan’s support-building visit to Oklahoma included Fairview Baptist. The church’s mission statement includes the words “Independent ... Fundamental ... Standing for the Truth of America’s Godly Heritage.”

Fairview Baptist Pastor Paul Blair said he took a rare break from biblical teaching to act on scripture, and cited Ephesians 5:11, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” He also cited a passage in Matthew that directs Christians to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

McKiernan’s visit was about giving the congregation information about how they can be vehicles for positive change, Blair said. In recent decades, decency standards on television have slipped, and indecency is increasingly creeping into American living rooms, Blair said.

“Television producers are obviously not policing themselves,” Blair said.

McKiernan, who stopped by The Edmond Sun office on his way to Fairview Baptist, said the Parents Television Council has 54 chapters across the country, yet there are none in Oklahoma, which does have many members and supporters.

McKiernan said State Rep. Paul Wesselhoft has been a supporter for a while through his activism and donations.

“It seemed they were connected to a lot of people who seemed to be interested in our issues,” he said.

Wesselhoft’s wife, Judy Wesselhoft, introduced McKiernan to some of those people, including Blair, McKiernan said. The council hopes to generate enough interest to start one or two chapters in Oklahoma, he said.

Blair said following McKiernan’s presentation several church members showed interest in working toward a local chapter.

McKiernan said members of local chapters are the council’s “eyes and ears,” individuals who can meet with their legislator, share their concerns with their parent teacher organization or talk to a business that is advertising on a salacious program.

The council, in turn, supports chapters with printings of studies and fliers, McKiernan said.

Air wars

Founded in 1995, the council works to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media, McKiernan said.

During the past 30 years thousands of studies have shown potential harm for youth from witnessing violence and sexual content, McKiernan said.

He cited a recent RAND Corporation study that showed teenage girls who watched more television and other media with sexual content were more likely to engage in sexual acts earlier and become pregnant.

The study, published in the November edition of the journal Pediatrics, was the first to link viewing of sexual content on television to subsequent teen pregnancy.

“Most of it’s common sense, but it’s nice when you get the doctors and the medical experts to agree with what you see in front of you,” McKiernan said.

Last month, the council said it would be filing an indecency complaint with the Federal Communications Commission after CBS aired an episode of “Two and a Half Men” containing a 3-minute strip club scene featuring a lap dance.

“We believe that the patently offensive sexual content in this episode of ‘Two and a Half Men’ crossed the broadcast indecency lines,” council President Tim Winter said in a news release.

CBS declined to comment on the council’s planned action.

marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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