See
the eyebrows arch, the lips tighten, the fists clench at the mere mention of Channel
One, a 12-minute news program that’s beamed via satellite into over 12,000
U.S. middle and high schools every day — including AISD schools. (Once a
product of the always-controversial Whittle Communications, Channel One was purchased by K-III Communications in 1994.) From the moment of its
inception in 1990, Channel One has ignited debate over the degree to
which we’re willing to let American big business colonize and subsidize our
classrooms — the service doesn’t cost schools anything, so it’s paid for with
two minutes of advertising of youth-oriented products.
On the surface, it seems to be a pretty simple equation: Watch some TV, maybe
learn a little something, see some commercials. In Austin, however, that means
students watch up to six hours of television advertising every school year,
right at their desks. Understandably, many American parents have objected to
the use of Channel One because of the advertising (the program was
banned in the State of New York, for example). But now, anti-Channel One parents and like-minded school administrators may have new ammunition against
the electronic invader. According to a new study released yesterday by the
media watchdog group Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), Channel
One‘s program content is also “of questionable educational value.”
The report, authored by Vassar College sociology professor William Hoynes, is
reportedly the first study to actually analyze what’s in Channel One broadcasts. Among the findings: A great portion of the programming is devoted
to promoting Channel One itself; black people interviewed for Channel
One stories are usually either athletes or residents of correctional
facilities; and social problems such as adolescent alcohol use, crime,
pregnancy, and the like, were chalked up to “choices” that individuals make (as
opposed to exploring the role of poverty in those problems).
FAIR’s report was made possible in large part through the efforts of an AISD
parent. Brad Rockwell, who is an attorney, was already concerned about the
commercialization of schools. He was hired by TV-Free America, a Washington,
D.C., public interest group, to investigate the use of Channel One in
Texas. Rockwell says AISD officials stonewalled and resisted his requests for
materials and information related to Channel One, and relented only when
faced with legal action.
What’s more, Channel One is only available via the equipment the
company itself furnishes. No videotapes of the program are made, and therefore,
this “instructional” material is unavailable for parental review — which, as
Rockwell points out, is in direct violation of Texas state law and State Board
of Education rules. After Rockwell met with the parent-teacher association at
his son’s school, several weeks’ worth of Channel One programming was
recorded there in 1995 — by placing a camera in front of a video screen! These
tapes became the source material for FAIR’s important and fascinating report.
Board news: Inclement weather on Monday, January 13, prompted the AISD Board
of Trustees to move its regular meeting to Thursday, January 16. (As she has
been in recent months, trustee Liz Hartman was absent from the meeting because
of an illness in her family.) The board voted 7-1 to approve April 24, 1997,
which is “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day,” as a program day. AISD
students who accompany their parents to work that day will be considered on a
field trip and counted as present at school (for funding purposes). Trustee
Melissa Knippa made a “symbolic” vote against the proposal — because the
activity could just as easily take place during the summer, and not intrude on
the school year, she said.
Thought for the new year: This begins the fourth year of “AISD Notebook.”
Remember, good stories have great sources. Don’t omit your name or phone number
when submitting story ideas, or else it’s almost impossible for me to follow up
on your tips. Thanks.
This article appears in January 24 • 1997 and January 24 • 1997 (Cover).