Where is the line that separates the use of young children in
reality-television shows from exploitation and entertainment? And is
there one?
The Learning Channel announced Wednesday that their show Jon and
Kate plus 8 will be starting a new season on August 3. Not
everyone is happy about this however. The announcement on Facebook
garnered 3,783 thumbs up out of a fan base of 695,871 - not exactly a
scientific measure but it gets a point across. The discussion board is
a-buzz with those in favor of the return and a growing contingent who
would like to see the show mothballed permanently. This groups concern
is what they say is the perceived exploitation of the children. One
writer referred to continued viewing of the show as ‘voyeurism.”
There is a child abuse watchdog that would agree with the sentiment.
Child AbuseWatch.net (CAN), a national child abuse prevention group,
are watching closely.
Their Executive Director, Evin Daly, wrote an open letter to John
Hendricks, Chairman of the Learning Channel, on June 23 asking that
the show be cancelled. His letter explained his reasoning – that the
children were being subject to emotional abuse and neglect – and he
copied TLC’s Investor Relations Department and the Governing Board.
They did not respond. CAN also notified Pennsylvania Child Protective
Services of their concerns. On the 23rd of July, Child AbuseWatch sent
another open letter advising that they will encourage an advertiser
boycott should the new season air. See links to these open letters
below.
A CAN spokesperson today commented that the role of “watchdog” was not
their primary purpose. "As a child rights and abuse prevention
entity," they said. "we could not ignore what we regard as the blatant
exploitation of a group of young children. " The Gosselin children,
Cara and Madelyn (twins) are aged nine and Alexis, Aaden, Collin,
Leah, Hannah and Joel are aged five.
Last Fall CAN bumped heads with Hewlett Packard by urging HP to ditch
the soundtrack for their Touch Smart ad campaign. HP ran the
commercial featuring a track written by British pedophile Gary
Glitter, who was to receive upward of $140,000 in royalties. Child
AbuseWatch’s press release informing the public of HP’s reluctance to
pull the ad was picked up by over 300 media outlets worldwide. HP’s
global ad campaign was subsequently quietly withdrawn and later ran
with different music in limited markets.
“We are not intentionally combative or confrontational," Mr. Daly
said. "CAN is an organization dedicated to educating the public about
the aspects of child abuse as an effective means of prevention. Our
mission however is ‘the protection of children from abuse’ and we are
quick to step up to the plate to act for those children who do not
have a voice.” Daly is a seasoned professional in the protection of
children in his role as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem in West Palm
Beach where he represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in
court.
No word from John Hendricks or The Learning Channel in response to the
letters.
The Jon and Kate fiasco brings to the forefront the question as
to where the line of decency is where reality TV and children are
concerned. Another TLC show that is accused of skirting that line is
Toddlers and Tiaras which one commentator recently equated with
bordering on child pornography. There's not much more to add to that
comment.
The question perhaps that should be asked is; who is ultimately
responsible for the protection from exploitation of the children on
these reality shows? The parents? The management of the TV channel? Or
both.
Unfortunately, and perhaps unbelievably, the line of responsibility
appears hazy when both parties have a financial interest in the
venture. The children of course don’t have a say and are along for the
ride; consequences be damned.
References:
The Learning Channel: http://tlc.discovery.com/
Child AbuseWatch.net: www.abusewatch.net
07/23/09 Open Letter to John Hendricks at The Learning Channel (click)
06/23/09 Open Letter to John Hendricks at The Learning Channel (click)
