Despite the intensive spotlight on broadcasters, few in Congress have tried to affect any real change in the amount and nature of violence in television programming. This work explores the complexities of Congressional scrutiny and the dynamics of communications policy-making in the United States.

Congressional scrutiny and public criticism of violent television have spanned nearly four decades with little change in the emphasis of those protests. Despite the intensive spotlight cast on broadcasters, few in Congress have really tried to affect any real changes in the amount and nature of violence in television programming. Although there have been many studies conducted on the effects of television, few authors have explored the political, cultural and societal influences in the battles over television violence. This book explores the complexities of Congressional and public scrutiny and the dynamics of communications policy-making in the United States.