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March 31, 2005
Oregon Court of Appeals Hears Channel One Case
Today, the Oregon Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in our lawsuit to expel Channel One from every school in Oregon.
Channel One is a company that forces 8 million children to watch two minutes of ads in schools each schoolday.
Most of today's argument were over procedural questions regarding whether or not a parent has standing to sue on his child's behalf, or because his interests in his child's education are being compromised.
The case is Gary Boyes v. Salem-Keizer School District (Case no. A123176).
Posted by Gary Ruskin at March 31, 2005 12:42 PM
Comments
This is why I'm moving to Portland in July, so my son can more safely enter kindergarten. But, here in Washington state, when I emailed my state legislators about Channel One, several responded by telling me that since the Superintendant of Public Instruction has deemed that a "local" issue, that they as legislators could do nothing, and suggested that I contact my local school board. Thanks for the help. Since I've heard about this, and in conjunction with the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Adgenda, I've sent them the new info and asked them to do whatever they can to support it! Wish us luck.
"I try, I try, or else I might just cry..."
Posted by: nikki at March 31, 2005 05:53 PM
I know that many states continue to use the "local control" argument when dealing with Channel One (C1) contracts. I know that state education boards set curriculum standards for the state, but shouldn't they also have the authority to block things that would work counter to their goals, things such as C1?...I do believe in local control of schools, but I also think that there are things that should be handled at the state capitals (the decision to allow C1 to operate in a state is one of them), and in Washington D.C. Essentially, I believe 95% of decisions should be handled locally, but when a private NATIONAL company (Channel One) comes into a STATE to do business with LOCAL schools, it should be up to the STATE to decide whether the company should be allowed to operate within their borders, and if allowed to, then LOCAL boards should have the decision to make contracts with these companies. The STATE would always reserve the right to reverse their decision about a company at any time. That is my philosophy on how C1 should be handled.
Posted by: Ken M. McNatt at March 31, 2005 06:22 PM
Three cheers for Linda Williams, our volunteer attorney, for taking this on! Thank you Linda.
Posted by: marnie at April 1, 2005 12:21 PM
Another reason to get rid of Channel One:
The March 4, 2005 episode of the program had 4 minutes and 36 seconds of ads, more than double the contractually agreed upon ad time the program can have.
Breakdown of that day's ads:
SEGMENT ONE
Cingular Question of the Day – Responses to Previous Day’s Question – (0:41) – Category: Advertising
Cingular Q of D Logo Going into break (+0:05 ad time)
COMMERCIAL BLOCK ONE
The Starlet – WB’s New Reality Series – (0:30) – Category: TV Programming
(PREMIERES SUNDAY 8/7 CENTRAL ON THE WB’S STARLET SUNDAY)
Winterfresh Gum (Pop-Out Pieces) – (0:15) – Category: Food Products
Bush, Sr./Clinton Tsunami Relief Effort – (0:15) – Category: PSA
Sponsor: USA Freedom Corps and the Ad Council
COMMERCIAL BLOCK TWO
1-866-SpeakUp – Call if there is a weapon threat in your school – (0:30) – Category: PSA
Sponsor: pax.com
Gatorade (“Street Sports”) – (0:30) – Category: Food Products
SEGMENT THREE
Gatorade Play of the Week (ENTIRE SEGMENT IS AN AD FOR GATORADE)
Gatorade and Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director Magazine National Soccer Players of the Year – (1:50) – Category: Advertising
In closing, add it up, 4:36! I rest my case...breach of contract!
Posted by: Ken M. McNatt at April 5, 2005 10:16 AM
"Play of the Week" above should be edited to say "Players of the Year". Thanks!
Posted by: Ken M. McNatt at April 5, 2005 10:18 AM
