Senator Markey is the House author of the Children’s Television Act

Washington (February 13, 2018) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that Republican Commissioner Michael O’Reilly will lead a review of the FCC’s Kid Vid rules. Under current FCC rules, broadcasters are required to air a certain amount of educational and informational children’s programming on a weekly basis, as required by the Children’s Television Act.

“Families around our country, particularly in low-income areas, rely on free, over-the-air children’s programming as a way to educate their children,” said Senator Markey. “Unfortunately, the FCC is now threatening to take away those important educational resources on which so many hard-working families rely. Commissioner O’Reilly says that his goal is to understand Kid Vid rules, but he has already outlined his plans to undo the them. I have serious concerns about his proposal and how it would negatively impact our children across the country and their development. I urge the Commission to listen to a range of voices on this issue before making any recommendations.”

###