Quality, Not Quantity

UCLA research finds a new standard of measuring violence on TV

By Hugh Dellios College Press Service

A gruesome murder at the center of an episode of television's "NYPD Blue'' is okay, but a Chuck Norris bloodfest on "Walker, Texas Ranger" is not. After scrutinizing more than 3,000 hours of television programs over the last year, researchers at UCLA concluded that the context of violence portrayed on television is often more important than the mere frequency of stabbings, shootings and other graphic mayhem. The study, financed by the four major networks under pressure from Congress to clean up the airwaves, recommended more consistent use of parental advisories, a rethinking of children's shows where violence is the main focus and more restraint in deciding which big- screen motion pictures to broadcast. Currently, the United States House and Senate are working on a bill that would mandate the installation of the so-called "V-chip" inside televisions so parents can tune out objectionable shows. The study found that of 121 television series that aired during the 1994-1995 season, only 10 raised frequent concerns about violence, including CBS' "Walker, Texas Ranger," which the report described as nothing more than a showcase for Norris' fighting prowess. Five of the 10 programs are no longer on the air.