Television Violence

The phenomenon of television violence has received much attention and debate. Its definition, implications, and rationale have been questioned and studied by policymakers, media scholars, and practitioners. Television violence has remained at the center of debates over television policy, particularly in reference to children and children's programming.

The difficulty in defining television violence lies in the breadth of the definition. Some consider violence to include only physically violent actions. Such a definition is easily quantifiable but overlooks other actions and behavior with potentially powerful consequences. Verbal threats and the implication of physical violence are important, particularly in terms of violence portrayed on television, where the violent act may not be actually depicted. It is also important to consider the possibility of psychological violence, such as verbal abuse and degradation.

Television violence is, therefore, defined as the transmission of violence, broadly defined, through the medium of television. In 1998, the National Television Violence Study (NTVS), a multiyear attempt to quantify the presence of violence on cable television, defined television violence as falling into any of three categories: credible threats, behavioral acts, and harmful consequences. This definition encompasses physical acts as well as the possibility of verbal and implied violence. Visual cues such as scars, bandages, blood, or hospitals can denote violence without actually showing it.

Public concern over television violence stems from the portrayal of both fiction and nonfiction. Nonfiction televised material and journalism tend to depict actual violent events such as wars, insurgency, and civil disputes. Television journalists covering war now have the capacity to report from the war zone, enabling the presentation of gun-fighting, people being killed or maimed, and the aftermath of such violence. Televised nonfictional violence can also be seen in Cops-style reality dramas, in which real people are dramatically portrayed in their interactions with law enforcement. Critics of nonfiction violence suggest that presentations are exaggerated and sensationalistic. Reality-based entertainment programs are open to such criticism; however, journalists argue that their work merely represents events in the real world.

Televised portrayals of fictional violence cannot as easily claim to represent reality. Instead, fictional accounts tell stories and dramatize events. Fictionalized violence is often less realistic than real violence. Cartoons and prime-time dramas alike employ unrealistic and inconsistent violence in their programs. For instance, some characters are blown back 10 feet by gunshots whereas others get up and continue fighting after having been shot multiple times. In addition to this, fictional characters using violence are sometimes portrayed in unrealistic or antisocial ways. For instance, heroic protagonists are often rewarded for using violence against their enemies.

The NTVS states that violence on television has been linked repeatedly with antisocial and aggressive behavior (NTVS, p. 5). Their conclusion is substantiated with findings such as:

• Nearly 40% of the violent incidents on television are initiated by characters who possess qualities that make them attractive role models.
• Fully 71% of violent scenes contain no remorse, criticism, or penalty for violence at the time that it occurs.
• Less than 20% of the violent programs portray the long-term damage of violence to the victim's family, friends, and community.
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• At least 40% of the violent scenes on television include humor.
• Less than 5% of violent programs feature an antiviolence message. (NTVS, p. 26)

The significance of television violence for American youth lies in its implications, based principally on two factors. First, television usage is nearly ubiquitous among children in the United States today. Nearly all American children live in households with televisions, and the average child watches between 3 and 4 hours of television each day. Second, television as a medium is thought to influence through its portrayals. Children are thought to be more profoundly affected by televised violence than the general population. Scholars cite children's lesser ability to distinguish between reality and fiction, lack of understanding of consequences, and inexperience in the world as particularly meaningful. Children may adopt unsuitable role models and develop inappropriate problem-solving and conflict resolution practices as a result of their viewing violence and its glorification on television.

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