If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
PBS announced the creation of the PBS Kids Next Generation Advisory Board. The group will provide strategic advice on the role that public media will play in providing content to children.
Based on advance surveying of the Board, the agenda will include an analysis of media and technology’s impact on children’s education and socialization; an understanding of the current pressures on parents and caregivers; how to fill the gaps in early education curriculum, foster a love of learning and build community values; and ways to increase family interaction and play (”down”) time. The Board will also be asked for input on new initiatives in development as well as the viability of current national and local services — from PBS KIDS to PBS Parents and PBS TeacherSource.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting timing. Just yesterday I sent an email to info@sproutletsgrow.com, giving my feedback about the Good Night Show. In that letter I asked if you had such a board as this and offered my services in that capacity. I am including that email, attached below.
It would be an honor to serve PBS in this way. Please respond to let me know if that would be possible. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dave Williamson
From: davew4u@sbcglobal.net
Subject: A comment from a concerned parent
Date: November 13, 2006 9:28:11 PM PST
To: info@sproutletsgrow.com
Dear Sir:
Being the parents of our twin boys, Liam & Joshua, now four, is the most important responsibility we will ever have. Giving them a perspective of people, life and work that is healthy and balanced is guarded with vigilance. What they view on TV every day is among the most guarded of our children’s experiences. We have chosen to not change providers of our service (we have Dish Network) solely because the others don’t offer the Sprout series. So, we want to thank you for the quality programming you provide.
As I complement you, I must also let you know of a concern have. We all know how children are sponges and regard whatever they are exposed to as normal. Weather it be abuse or love and affection, children learn what they live. I found Melanie to be ideal to handle the Good Night Show. My guess is that her contract was up and she went on to bigger and better things. Your decision to replace her with a male role model was also a good one. To choose Leo for that role was a mistake. He comes off as gay. This is not a judgement as to weather or not he is gay, but how I perceive his manner of speaking and acting. Two examples of excellent male role models in children’s programing are Joe and Steve in Blue’s Clues. You can tell they took the time to choose the right person for the part and gave them insightful direction. The same can be said about the Wiggles or the Kratt Brothers. Please provide more positive male role models such as these.
I suspect that the Sprout network has had pressure to provide “equal employment opportunities for all” from the homosexual community. Understandably so, since most sexual abuse has it’s roots in early childhood. They know that if they can influence children to become comfortable and familiar with what they will later recognize as gay mannerisms, then their goals will be met.
This pressure is not overt, but subtile and subjective. Giving a blind eye to their pressure and influence compromises the integrity of the values you have chosen to display. Once firmly placed in position, the gay community will not back off until they have a more direct influence on the programming. That’s a slippery slope you don’t want to go down and a Pandora’s Box you won’t want to open.
Do not forget who your customers are. They do not want their children influenced by the gay lifestyle. They may not be able to put their finger on what they don’t like about a certain person seen every day by their children. Not being able to quantify their perceptions, they would be even less likely to express their concern to people they feel little or no ability to persuade. Please do not confuse the lack of feedback in these matters for a lack of concern.
Now, after completing this letter I searched your site for information and found that you have a replacement for Leo for next season.
(see: http://www.sproutletsgrow.com/good_night/
Possibly this move was based on the concerns I brought up? Whatever the case, I’m glad this decision was made. I would appreciate a response from you in this regard.
I would also like the opportunity to serve as a “parent counselor”, for lack of a better term. Possibly you have a selection of “advisors” that provide feedback to the Sprout Network on a regular basis in regards to programming content. Both my wife and I are actors and can also provide feedback in regards to an actor’s ability.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our concerns and I look forward to getting a response from you at Sprout.
Sincerely,
Dave and Tanya Williamson
Melanie was let go for some “adult” content on websites.
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! ajcjwkojdnoqk