Television and contraception
Klein, L.
Planned Parenthood Review 6(1): 9-12
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0275-5122 PMID: 12340617 Document Number: 343577
This article consists of excerpts from a speach made on October 19th at the 1986 annual meeting of the Association of Planned Parenthood Professionals by Dr. Luella Klein, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) between 1984-85. The speaker described the reaction of US television network to the ACOG's request that the networks air a public service announcement encouraging responsible sexual behavior among the nation's young people. In 1984 the ACOG initiated a public information program aimed at reducing the high number of unwanted births among young people. The ACOG with the help of an advertising agency developed a 27-second public service announcement stressing responsible parenthood and informing young people that they could write or call for further information. A booklet, entitled "Facts," was prepared for distribution to those who inquired. It advised young people to consider postponing sexual intercourse but to use the most effective methods of contraception if they decided to be sexually active. Oral contraceptives for females and condoms for males were recommended as the most effective methods. When the 3 major television networks, i.e., the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), and the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), were requested to carry the announcement, all 3 networks claimed the announcement was too controversial to air. These same networks do not hesitate to show blatant, irresponsible sexual behavior repeatedly during their entertainment programming, and commercials with sexual innuendos are routinely accepted for airing by the networks. In July, 1986, the ACOG called a news conference in New York City to inform the news media about the rejection of the announcement by the networks. The conference stimulated considerable interest, and the story was carried by many newspapers and by radio and television news programs. Many of the news accounts of the story contained the public service announcement itself. As a result, young people began calling and writing for the booklet. Editorials critical of the networks' handling of the ACOG request appeared in numerous publications. The author then wrote to the presidents of each network asking them to reconsider the ACOG request. The presidents of ABC and CBS flatly rejected the request, but the president of NBC agreed to meet with the ACOG to work out an acceptable announcement. The networks must be encouraged to promote a more responsible and realistic image of sexual behavior than the image currently being conveyed in television programs and ads.