The New Tv Ratings System How Is It Playing In Peoria

The V-chip is a highly significant part of the discussion about whether television (or broadcasting in general) deserves some special attention in terms of its accessibility to children, its particular power to affect conduct, and its invasiveness. But as this notion of filtering and labeling has caught the imagination of the regulator, the legislator, and all those who wish to consider new ways to alter bargaining over imagery in society, the very idea of the V-chip or its equivalent is moving across other technologies, including the Internet. The V-chip issue has also fueled the ongoing debate about violence and sexual practices in society, and how representations on television relate to those practices. Although the initial concept of the V-chip is simple, its flow into the public realm raises so many extraordinary questions that the introduction and production of the chip virtually serves as a case study in problems of law and public policy. The very conceptualization of speech in society is being affected by this issue. Accordingly, the place of the V-chip in this debate is increasingly important; indeed, it may be argued that the V-chip's contribution to legal argumentation may be greater than its ultimate contribution to the relationship between children and imagery. Among the questions the contributors address are: *What research basis is necessary to require a framework for labeling and rating? *What relationship between government and the image-producing industries can be characterized--for constitutional and other reasons--as voluntary as opposed to coercive? *Who should evaluate these images? *To what extent should the evaluation process be centralized and/or distributed? *What assessment is appropriate to evaluate whether the experiment is "successful?" In addition to the V-chip's origin's in Canada and its further evolution in the United States, this book discusses the development of the V-chip and television rating systems in Europe, Australia, and throughout the world. It also includes essays which contrast the very different approaches in Canada and the United States in terms of the role of regulatory agency, industry, and government.

Next to the AP Style Guide, the Media Relations Handbook is arguably the most valuable reference available for any public affairs officer, press secretary or Beltway PR professional. The Media Relations Handbook is required reading for Capitol Hill press secretaries, federal agency public affairs officers, political campaign spin doctors, nonprofit PR professionals, lobbyists or anyone involved in garnering media coverage. In this Handbook, Bradford Fitch explores theory and practice, discussing general principles and illustrating each point with real-life examples. This book is for those who are seeking the most effective means to communicate on behalf of a government agency, a national association or nonprofit, or an elected official. It will help you channel your hot passion with the cool guidance that has been gleaned through others' experience. The author professes no unique insight into media relations in public affairs. Rather, this book is an amalgamation of the collective wisdom of hundreds of public relations professionals in the worlds of government and politics. It is an overview of the ideas that have become the accepted rules of communications in Washington, presented in one volume. "[T]his book will be of value to students and professionals of political communications and public relations. Summing up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections." -- CHOICE "Although targeted for new media relations staff or ones starting a new press office, even the most experienced public information officer can learn from this book." -- Gene Rose, Director of Public Affairs, NCSL, in State Legislatures magazine "Offers a wealth of practical advice on public relations that will be of benefit to governmental and non-governmental organizations alike." -- Municipal World A rich 'how-to' lesson for pros and for novices who must negotiate the competitive landscape of America's new media." -- Ann Compton, White House Correspondent, ABC News Summary Table of Contents Introduction Foreword Ch. 1 First Steps Ch. 2 Tools of the Craft Ch. 3 Developing a Message and Communications Plan Ch. 4 Interacting with Reporters Ch. 5 Overview of the Media: Print, Radio, and TV Ch. 6 Web-Based and Online Communications Ch. 7 Dealing With the Principal Ch. 8 Interview Preparation Ch. 9 Internal Issues: Experts, Policy, Numbers, Leaks, Lawyers and Language Ch. 10 How to Interact with Congressional Campaign Operations Ch. 11 Communications in a Federal Agency Ch. 12 Crisis Communications in Public Affairs Ch. 13 Ethics in Public Affairs Appendices Glossary Epilogue Index Complete Table of Contents online at www.MediaRelationsHandbook.com

Human communication is a constant, continuous, and dynamic phenomenon. You cannot not-communicate nor can you un-communicate. For an individual entity, there is only ONE communication. Not multiple, not varieties, only one. That one communication is the culmination of all that has been communicated by the entity until the "now" in time. You cannot go back and un-communicate something. You can only begin from the "now" to create the intended outcome. That outcome is always a negotiation with the receiver/audience/community to cultivate an agreed understanding. For a communication professional, understanding this fact is essential. No matter where you work, someone has been communicating something before you began. You cannot un-communicate it. You cannot create a new beginning; but you can begin now to create a new outcome. Research continues into the changes in communication wrought by the Internet and public expectations that are experiencing mercurial change. As best practices are now being developed, the Media Relations Handbook 2e can give you guidance and ideas that will spark your innovation.