Wednesday, October 9, 2002
City High students raise concerns about Channel One
By Mike McWilliams
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Four City High students challenged the Iowa City School
Board on Tuesday to reconsider its contract with Channel One, saying
it is more of a detriment than a benefit to its viewers.
The 12-minute satellite news program shown daily to students in both junior
high schools includes commercials for soft drinks and candy.
"The hypocrisy here is almost hilarious, but at the same time disturbing," City
High junior David Heckman said, citing the district’s recent talk of seeking
healthy alternatives in school vending machines. "I think something has
to be done to change this because it has a detrimental effect on the health curriculum."
The board discussed the Channel One issue about two years ago but voted against
taking any action against the teen-based news program.
Board member Lauren Reece said she had heard positive remarks about Channel
One from faculty at South East Junior High.
"It’s a difficult issue be-cause, philosophically, you’re right on target," she
told Heckman. "However, the teachers who use Channel One think the news
program is a powerful tool. They feel their curriculum is stronger and better
because of the news segment."
However, City High senior Sean Williams said the news content is not comprehensive
and tends to neglect the full story. He said students are forced to watch the
program, including the commercials.
Both junior high schools began broadcasting the current-events program in the
early- to mid-1990s. In the contract, Channel One provides televisions to the
classrooms for no charge. Research conducted by the students lists the value
of the televisions in the Iowa City junior high schools at $16,000.
Dan Allen, a City High senior, suggested the board should investigate CNN Student
News – a similar newscast, but without the commercial breaks and free equipment.
The students also said CNN provides more in-depth news coverage during its
30-minute broadcast.
Board member Matt Goodlaxson said he is concerned that students cannot get
the full story during a 12-minute broadcast.
"I’ve been concerned about commercialization for a long time," he said. "But
when the coverage isn’t adding to the accuracy, I get even more concerned.
"If the information we received is correct, for $16,000, we’ve sold our
kids as a marketing tool to Channel One."
The board agreed that commercialism in the schools should be discussed, but
not limited to just Channel One. Talk on commercialization in the district
is expected to take place during the board’s annual retreat Oct. 19-20. The
board also will re-visit the issue during its Oct. 22 meeting.
