Tell TV What You Think

Last Sunday, I mentioned the UUA sponsored organization Standing on the Side of Love. One of the primary missions of this organization is to decrease the influence of fear on public policy and legislation. Fear, it seems, is playing a much larger role in public perception of all kinds of issues. Found to be an effective way to influence voters, fear is sometimes actively used by law-makers to garner support for different pieces of legislation. Their ability to do this is greatly aided by an higher level of baseline fear in our cultural disposition. Studies are beginning to show that this perception of the world as a threatening place is largely influenced by television and other media.

This upcoming Sunday we will reflect on the way that our cultural mythology has been usurped by a few multi-media conglomerates. One of the ways that we can begin to reclaim the stories that warp our view of political and social realities is to give tv stations feedback. They do not have any vested interest in more violence, for example, on their shows. They are just trying to please customers. Let them know if you are pleased or not. Below are the addresses of the major television networks and stations. I encourage you to let them know when you are disappointed or pleased with what they are putting out there.

ABC/Audience Info Dept.
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023

NBC/Audience Services
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

CBS/Audience Services
524 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

PBS
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314