Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
January 23, 1991
Opposition to the Commercialization of Children's Programming
Unanimously
WHEREAS,
The Board of Directors of CPB recognizes that the Communications Act provides that it is in the public interest to encourage the growth and development of public radio and television broadcasting, including the use of such media for instructional, educational, and cultural purposes; and
WHEREAS,
The Board of Directors of CPB recognizes that the Communications Act also provides that it is in the public interest to encourage the development of programming that involves creative risks and that addresses the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly children and minorities; and
WHEREAS,
The Board finds that it is in the public interest to recognize the significant contribution that noncommercial television broadcast licensees can and do make to the provision of programming which serves the educational and informational needs of children, as envisioned by the Children's Television Act of 1990; and
WHEREAS,
The Board finds that it is also in the public interest to recognize the potential impact that the Children's Television Act of 1990 and the regulations promulgated thereunder may have on noncommercial television broadcast licensees; and
WHEREAS,
The Board recognizes that it is an integral part of the Corporation's role, as described in the January 31, 1989 role statement, to advocate the public interest in national regulatory matters that affect public telecommunications.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Board of Directors authorizes Management to conduct all research and consultations, and participate in all relevant and appropriate regulatory, judicial and legislative proceedings as necessary to develop and advocate a CPB position advocating the provision of programming that serves the special needs of children and opposing the overcommercialization of children's programming, as well as recognizing the impact of such matters on noncommercial television broadcast licensees throughout the nation, in accordance with CPB Management's January 23, 1991 memorandum to the Board on this subject.
