News media literacy refers to the knowledge and motivations needed to identify and engage with journalism. This study measured levels of news media literacy among 500 teenagers using a new scale measure based on Potter's model of media literacy and adapted to news media specifically. The adapted model posits that news media literate individuals…

Empowering children for a critical and judicious use and consumption of media is a main objective of media literacy. This paper aims to examine the range of television programs available for children in Portugal through a comparative analysis of the programming for children broadcast by the four Portuguese terrestrial channels (RTP1, RTP2, SIC and…

Compares dubbing and subtitling as alternative language conversion methods for audiovisual media. European television experiences are reviewed and the two methods are contrasted economically, technically, aesthetically, and in terms of audience response. The development of dubbing and subtitling traditions in various countries is also explored and…

Although circulation of public television increased because of cable's extension, the amount of public television viewing as a portion of total TV use fell. This decrease follows no strong pattern of market characteristic, dial position, day part, or age of viewer, but does relate to the kinds of available competition. (MER)

Reports a survey of the role and function of French television announcers. Possibilities for increasing the personalization, naturalness, and efficiency in communications between announcer and audience are explored. (RAO)

Survey results revealed a curious paradox: people who saw both the debates between local candidates and the presidential debates were more influenced by the local debates and perceived the local debates as more informative; however, they also saw the presidential debates as more interesting and influential. (PD)

This investigation considered description, association, and inference regarding television viewing patterns and motivations of aging persons. Among its findings, this study concluded that television--aside from its important role in disseminating information and entertainment--also functions to occupy idle time and to fill a companionship vacuum…

Children's Television Workshop recently commissioned a nationwide survey in which 736 teachers in grades 3 through 6 were asked how they access and present educational programing in their classrooms. Teachers use educational television, and they prefer 15- to 30-minute shows that focus on a single topic. (MLF)

Describes results of a survey of 225 parents that assessed patterns of television-related interaction, viewing habits, and perceptions. Topics include motivations and implications of mediation versus coviewing; and a typology of mediation patterns that includes nonmediation, optimists, and selectives. (Author/LRW)

Uses discriminant analysis to investigate the relationship between television non-viewing and a set of variables reflecting "life style." This study agrees with previous ones in finding that the nonviewer is not easy to categorize. (MER)

Discusses the availability of research on the makeup of audiences for public television as well as the need for and uses of such data. The public television audience is characterized as generally the well-educated, affluent minority. (JMF)

Surveyed 140 adults to examine motivation for watching television. Results showed entertainment was the most frequently cited reason for watching television, followed by learning things and passing time. Life stage was related to five motives and indicated television was a way of seeking intellectual or social involvement. (JAC)

Discusses programs of the New Christian Right, an evangelical group which applies pressures designed to affect censorship and to cause boycotts of products advertised on "offensive" television programs. Methods used in current censorship activities are highlighted. References are provided. (EJS)

Investigates the effects of various programing strategies, commonly employed by the television networks, on program popularity for children. Strategies include counterprograming by type, block programing by type, inheritance effects, starting time, program familiarity, and character familiarity. Confirms the effects of starting time and program…

Deals with an open-government innovation that many cities are adopting: television coverage of city council meetings. Survey data show that less-educated, lower-income, and minority individuals watch the coverage at least as much as the more-advantaged segments of the community. Reasons for television viewing are explored. (PD)