NEWS                                                         August 8, 1996

               Press Statement of Commissioner Susan Ness
           Concerning Adoption of Children's Television Rules

Today the FCC has adopted a children's television broadcasting order that works for children and
their families, works for broadcasters, and works for the Commission.  

Our ruling is entirely consistent with the agreement reached last week between the broadcasters
and children's programming advocates, under the determined leadership of President Clinton.

Today's historic ruling embraces the three-hour safe harbor processing guideline that I have long
advocated.  It establishes a clear level of expectations regarding broadcasters' duty to air "core"
educational programming.  It avoids the ambiguities of our current rules, which have permitted
a minority of broadcasters to neglect their responsibility to children, but avoids the excessive
rigidity of a fixed quota.  

The safe harbor approach we adopt permits broadcasters to fulfill a portion of their obligation
through distinctive performance in the area of specials, short-form programs, public service
announcements, and other efforts that have a significant purpose of meeting the educational and
informational needs of children.  This is an alternate means of demonstrating a comparable level
of commitment.  It does not create a safe harbor for those whose commitment is lacking.

The focus now shifts from the Commission to those who must find ways to deliver programming
that entertains and enlightens, captivates and educates.  There are already encouraging signs that
celebrated directors, producers, actors, and writers are rising to the challenge -- and seizing the
opportunity.  Station managers, schedulers, syndicators, advertisers, and newspapers all have
important roles to play, as do parents, teachers, other caregivers, and community groups.

This is a happy day indeed.  But there is much to be done in New York, Hollywood, and
Anytown, U.S.A. before the seeds the Commission has sown will produce the bountiful harvest
of quality educational programming that our children deserve.

                                  - FCC -