The evolution of broadcast programming can be identified into four stages.
Thefirst stage covers the debut of commercial radio in the 1920’s. At that timethe tone was considered proper, and formal. For several years radiobroadcasting emphasized classical or semi-classical music, and historical drama. Commercials were kept brief and always discreet In the second stage ofprogramming, which was called The Golden Age of Radio, shows were actionadventures.
Vaudeville-Comedy was also popular. The hard ships of the 1930’sand then World War II, made it important for citizens to be able to relax asradio brought popular entertainers and adventure stories into their homes. The third stage of programming lasted from 1945 until the early 1950’s, whentelevision had a explosive growth. Television was preserved as “radio withpictures. ” Many entertainers and entire programs were transferred successfullyfrom radio to television. At the beginning of the fourth stage, known as TheGolden Age of Television, variety shows were the most popular program format.
Another television staple of this era was the western. In the late 1950’saction-adventure became popular. Since the 1960’s there has been a increase in violence in the media (television). In 1968 censorship laws were relaxed in favor of a rating system that allowedany type of subject matter to be filmed. This permitted Hollywood to specializein films featuring excessive violence.
Many individuals and citizen groups haveexpressed concern about the level of violence in television programs,particularly in action-adventure series and cartoons. They feel that viewers,especially children, may learn to see violence as the way to resolve conflicts. Television can influence peoples mental picture of the world. This isespecially true for younger viewers who rely heavily on television and othermedia for their understanding of the world beyond their neighborhoods. Television today is failing to provide a complete, unbiased picture of reality.
United Stated has a long standing tradition of freedom of speech, and freedom ofpress. These freedoms have hampered the government in attempting to directlylimit censor the depiction of violence on television. In reason times thenetworks and producers have felt pressure from concern citizens who are criticalof the violence displayed on television.Category: Music and Movies .
