Empowering children for a critical and judicious use and consumption of media is a main objective of media literacy. This paper aims to examine the range of television programs available for children in Portugal through a comparative analysis of the programming for children broadcast by the four Portuguese terrestrial channels (RTP1, RTP2, SIC and…

Proposes a rethinking of historical analysis of U. S. television history, to begin at the local level. Offers a case study of the place of Washington, DC, as a site for network news. Notes that, as a community, Washington presents an important site where forces such as migration and suburbanization shaped the early history of television. (SR)

Examines a San Francisco television station's decision to accept paid condom advertising. Notes that station leaders debated questions of public interest and public tastes in a city hard hit by AIDS. Finds that the station devised careful guidelines and began broadcasting the commercials on a trial basis. Notes that nearly all public and media…

Discusses the Cook Islands experience in acquiring television and how highlighting push, pull, and temporal factors accounts for the creation and maintenance of dependency relationships. Demonstrates how the dependency relationships cannot be reduced to "natural" market forces but rather a range of strategies which Television New Zealand…

Opines that the study of video production is important in better understanding the aural/visual aspects of television, especially since television production is undergoing a digital revolution. Assesses the impact of new technologies by examining a "cutting-edge" program, "American Gothic." Finds that digital technology offers…

Argues that it is far too premature for composition theorists to extol the benefits of television to composition teachers. Cites flaws and limitations of previous research, describes some of the consequences of television-based instruction, and suggests some further research in the interrelationship of television and print literacy. (RS)

Examines family relationships in domestic comedy; participants evaluated samples of 13 programs from a selection of popular shows during the period from 1950 to 1990. Spousal and parent-child relations were evaluated. The study yielded no support for the claim that family relations have deteriorated in the television family. Three tables present…

Defends the importance for media study of a descriptive and evaluative scholarship grounded in old-humanist perspectives. Uses the television miniseries "Lonesome Dove" as a case study to argue that media texts, like literary works, can and should be evaluated according to the criteria of "formal mastery" and "intellectual coherence." (SR)

The television serial, "Holocaust," is contrasted with two Belgian television documentaries about World War II in their structures and usefulness as educational devices. The Belgian films had greater value for political education than "Holocaust," which had the unfortunate effect of encouraging viewers to blame the victims for…

Argues that political debates can usefully be viewed as a "televisual" form. Shows how audiences bring conventions to the viewing of debates grounded in forms dominating television narrative. Illustrates this perspective by analyzing debates in the 1984 United States Senatorial race between Jesse Helms and James Hunt. (HB)

Describes the use of the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) research and development model in adapting the "Sesame Street" educational television series for use in foreign countries. Licensing standards and policies are explained, several case studies of foreign adaptations are included, and differences in curriculum goals are…

Examines the characteristics of school television programs used in British primary schools in light of attainment targets for the National Curriculum. Describes four case studies that investigated what made the programs a useful teaching and learning aid and how they influenced students' reactions and facilitated their learning from the programs.…

Reviews research into children's use of television and discusses two studies, one from the United States and one from West Germany, that focus on media in families. A study currently being completed is also described that examines the effect of cable television on children's and adolescents' media use in Austria. (LRW)

Describes research and development work done by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) for "Sesame Street." Cooperation between producers and researchers is discussed; three mechanisms used to explore new topics and learn more about preschool children are explained; and a case study is presented of how a new geography curriculum was…