Violence on canadian television networks

Area of Science:

• Media Studies
• Communication Research
• Sociology

Background:

• Extensive research over two decades highlights public concern and scientific evidence regarding the negative behavioral impacts of television violence.
• Broadcasters, policymakers, and the public advocate for reduced on-screen violence, particularly in children's programming.
• A study analyzed 1,000 programs from 1993-2001 across major Canadian networks (TVA, TQS, CTV, Global, CBC, Radio-Canada).

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify trends in television violence content on Canadian networks.
• To compare violence levels between public and private broadcasters.
• To assess the timing of violent programming in relation to child viewership.

Main Methods:

• Employed a classic content analysis methodology.
• Defined acts of violence as the primary unit of analysis.
• Systematically coded violent content across selected Canadian television programs.

Main Results:

• Despite stated intentions, the overall amount and per-hour frequency of violence on Canadian television increased between 1993 and 2001.
• Private networks broadcast three times more violent content than public networks.
• A significant proportion of violent programming aired before 9 PM, increasing children's exposure.

Conclusions:

• The study indicates a rising trend in televised violence on Canadian networks.
• Psychological violence is increasingly prevalent in Canadian television content.
• Findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and potential regulation of violent media content, especially concerning child exposure.