Nothing infuriates critics of children's TV more than cartoon shows that are produced or partly financed by toy manufacturers. Mattel, for example, used He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to help sell an estimated $175 million worth of toys last year, while Hasbro's Transformers helped generate sales of $214 million. Under President Reagan, the Federal Communications Commission has removed all limits on advertising in children's programming and refused to take action against shows that detractors call "program-length commercials."
Now activist groups, including Action for Children's Television, have mounted a serious court challenge to the FCC. In two rulings, the second...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
