Television is among the most powerful influences in our children's lives.
That influence can be overwhelmingly positive because the medium has incredible potential to educate and enlighten our children. Or, television programs may raise concerns about children's exposure to excessive advertisements or inappropriate content. Broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest, including the specific needs of children. Since the passage of the Children's Television Act, broadcasters, parents, child advocates, and government have worked together to provide parents with educational programming choices for their children and to protect children from excessive advertisements. I am pleased that the Commission is taking steps to further both of those goals in the digital television era.