2005 Annual Report - Parents Television Council

GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS
Much of the PTC’s strength comes from its army of
grassroots activists. These dedicated hometown
heroes ensure the PTC’s success by carrying out
projects on the local level. PTC’s committed
volunteers meet with advertisers based in their
community; mobilize local civic groups around the
PTC mission; meet with local station managers about
community standards; conduct surveys; oppose FCC
license renewals for local stations that aren’t serving
the public interest; serve as PTC spokespeople, and
participate in press conferences and public hearings
on the local level.
Through the generous support of the Robert D. Stuart
Family Foundation, the PTC’s Grassroots operation
had unprecedented success in 2005. Ten new chapters
were added, and existing chapters grew with
grassroots membership doubling this year. At the end
of 2005 there were 34 chapters operating across the
country.
HIGHLIGHTS
★ Thousands of outraged PTC members flooded the
Carl’s Jr./Hardees headquarters in California with
complaints after the chain unveiled a soft-porn
television ad starring Paris Hilton selling a hamburger.
The PTC issued press releases condemning the ad
and the story was picked up by every major news
organization. Outraged consumers chose to spend
their entertainment
dollars elsewhere,
some franchisees
refused to run the ad
in their markets, and,
as PTC Founder Brent
Bozell predicted,
Carl’s Jr. suffered net
losses as a result.
★ Local chapters in Michigan, Illinois and California
were instrumental in the passage of laws prohibiting
the sale or rental of violent video games to minors.
Dayton Loyd, director
of the PTC’s Central
Illinois Chapter, joined
by Governor
Blagojevich, spoke to
supporters when the
Safe Games Illinois Act
was signed into law.
★ Chapter Directors published
editorials decrying
advertisers that sponsor
raunchy programming. The
editorials ran in 20 newspapers
around the country,
reaching tens of thousands
of potential supporters.
The PTC’s S.E.
Michigan Chapter
Director Rich
Coleman was on
hand to witness
Governor Jennifer
Granholm sign the
new law banning the
sale of violent video
games to minors.
California Assembly
Speaker Pro Tem
Leland Yee, along with
the PTC and others
urge Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger to
sign legislation to
protect children from
ultra-violent video
games.
★ The South East
Michigan chapter
partnered with the
World Champion
Detroit Pistons to
draw attention to
the problems of
violence in entertainment.
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