European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A fighting for to that makes children think a 1 Ncarol Lawson new York times �w1a flick of a television dial m pcg8y Barren accidentally tuned a in to her calling in Fife. W v it happened one Day when she was at Home in Newton mass. Outside Boston with her younger daughter who was then 4. Charren thought it would be fun to spend some time together watching television. A it Wasny to. A fall they had for children were Wall to Wall monster cartoons a she recalled. That was in 1968, and Charren was off and running. She has worked tenaciously Ever since on behalf of her self appointed Mission to improve children a television. A when she says something is really bad people listen a said Joan Catanz Cooney co founder of the children a television workshop which created sesame Street. A she has gained immense credibility Oyer the years and because of her we now have legislation on the books that can make a real Dif. Terence in children s  the legislation which was passed by Congress last fall and was criticized by the White House As being a constitutionally suspect a is aimed atom pelting broadcasters to offer educational and informational programming for children As a condition for License  measure which takes effect in april will also place time restrictions on television advertising for children. A similar Bill was pocket vetoed to Gay president Reagan in his final Days in office. Charren was a the main Honcho in this legislation always pushing and pushing a said Henry Geller who was an assistant Secretary of com Mcrae for communications in the Carter  this Bill says to broadcasters a you Are not doing Well by children and you have to pull up your socks a a a Charren said. A nonfiction is what is missing from commercial broadcasting for children. Now Congress has spelled out with the Force of Law that children a television has to meet the informational needs of  in the process Charren now 62 and a grandmother has transformed her life from that of a suburban wife and Mother to that of a nationally known advocate for children who testifies before Congress and Speaks out on network talk shows. Charren propelled herself onto the National scene in her role As president of action for child Drens television a lobbying group she founded with three friends who had Young children. By a focusing on children she has become a voice for an audience that according to the american Academy of paediatrics a spends More time watch ing television than any other activity except  a. A a a a a. A a. A a a. A. A to her opponents in broadcasting she is abrasive and annoying. To her supporters including leaders of Many National organizations concerned with children s issues she is knowledgeable and energetic. On one trait just about everyone seems to agree Peggy Charren is persistent. In Gill Era a opinion Charren has shown that a one woman can make a difference she was just a housewife and she decided hell something has to be  by Schneider a former vice president of Nick Loscon a children a Cable network takes a differ. Ent View. He said that while Charren a raised the consciousness of broadcasters with her haranguing a her efforts were ineffective. A Schil Drin a a programming is worse than it has Ever been a he said. Charren blames the deregulation of the broadcasting Industry under the Reagan administration for setting Back her cause. A Reagan decimated children a television a she said noting for exam a a pie that a division for children a programs in lbs news was disbanded soon after the regulatory climate changed. Still through its numerous Legal challenges and. A a a a a. A .v.y-v. Naw York Tima above big Bird and friends read a Book Ori a sesame Street a which at one time was one of the few educational children a programs. A a below Peggy Charron who a been lobbying for Good children a shows since 1968. Appeals to the Federal communications commission and the Federal Trade commission action for children a television has not gone without results especially in protecting children from advertising abuses. A major accomplishment was the pc cd a ban on advertising by the hosts of children a programs. It was a Victory of Over a very old and will accepted practice. A Captain Kangaroo used to say a this is How you Cross the Street this is How you tic your shoes and you need a Schwinn Bike to be Happy a a Charren recalled. A. Action for children a television was also instrumental in the it cd a decision to prohibit Vitamin advertisements on children a programs. A when we started out a Charren said a one third of the commercials were for Vitamin pills even though the bottles said a keep out of reach of children because an overdose could put them in a  r in recent years her group has railed with less Success against programs based Ori toys. The group operates out of a Small cluttered office on Harvard Square. It has an annual budget of 175,000 and a paid staff of four people including Charren who draws a $35, xxx salary. There arem0,000 members around the country. Over the years the organization has forged Aili continued on Page 17 naw York Tima. February 24, 1991 sunday Page 11