evolution of media violence

The evolution of broadcast programming can be identified into four
stages. The first stage covers the debut of commercial radio in the
1920's. At that time the tone was considered proper, and formal. For
several years radio broadcasting emphasized classical or semi-classical
music, and historical drama. Commercials were kept brief and always
discreet In the second stage of programming, which was called The
Golden Age of Radio, shows were action adventures.
Vaudeville-Comedy was also popular. The hard ships of the 1930's and
then World War II, made it important for citizens to be able to relax as
radio brought popular entertainers and adventure stories into their
homes.The third stage of programming lasted from 1945 until the early
1950's, when television had a explosive growth. Television was
preserved as "radio with pictures." Many entertainers and entire
programs were transferred successfully from radio to television. At the
beginning of the fourth stage, known as The Golden Age of Television,
variety shows were the most popular program format. Another television
staple of this era was the western. In the late 1950's action-adventure
became popular. Since the 1960's there has been a increase in violence
in the media (television). In 1968 censorship laws were relaxed in favor
of a rating system that allowed any type of subject matter to be filmed.
This permitted Hollywood to specialize in films featuring excessive
violence. Many individuals and citizen groups have expressed concern
about the level of violence in television programs, particularly in
action-adventure series and cartoons. They feel that viewers, especially
children, may learn to see violence as the way to resolve conflicts.
Television can influence peoples mental picture of the world. This is
especially true for younger viewers who rely heavily on television and
other media for their understanding of the world beyond their
neighborhoods. Television today is failing to provide a complete,
unbiased picture of reality. United Stated has a long standing tradition of
freedom of speech, and freedom of press. These freedoms have

hampered the government in attempting to directly limit censor the
depiction of violence on television. In reason times the networks and
producers have felt pressure from concern citizens who are critical of the
violence displayed on television.