We Want Media

Univision will be hit with a record-setting $24 million fine over content labeled as educational programming for children, content which did not meet the FCC's standards.

The United States’ largest Hispanic network has been running the series “Complices al Rescate” (“Friends to the Rescue”) for three years under the guise of educational programming, claiming the show teaches that “happiness is not found in popularity and money, but in true friendship, good will towards others and love,” while the FCC insists the program is merely a soap opera.

To me, this seems like a good enough life lesson as any. But whether the program actually fits such standards of being “educational” is of no concern to me. I find it a bit ridiculous that stations are held to these regulations at all. What is the FCC actually hoping to achieve with such a rule? A child’s learning should not be based upon the programming they catch on television. Wearing my parental cap, I recognize TV shows as an entertainment treat for my children and would never rely on programming as a teaching tool. Opening a book, playing a board game or joining a sports team are much better alternatives to teach children about life concepts. I still have some hope parents aren’t replacing these things with “lessons” from television shows. The FCC needs to have a little bit more faith in parents; leave television content alone and let parents control the remote.