UCLA Study On TV Violence Decries `Shockumentaries'

LOS ANGELES - Violence that is declining in network television series has found a new outlet in gory "shockumentaries" containing footage of accidents, death and crime, a study released today says.

Fox's "World's Scariest Police Shootouts" and CBS' "The World's Most Dangerous Animals" were among the programs cited for their intense and graphic content in the annual UCLA Television Violence Report.

"While the majority of programming deals responsibly with violence issues, reality-based specials do not," said Jeffrey Cole, the report's author and director of the UCLA Center for Communication Policy.

The "shockumentary" genre was virtually unseen on TV in 1994-95, the first season examined by UCLA. But it was represented by five programs the next year and then by 16 in the 1996-97 season, the industry-funded study found.

A call for comment to Fox, home to many of the reality shows, was not returned. A CBS spokesman said the report had yet to be reviewed.

Criticism already has been leveled at such shows.

"They're reprehensible," said George Gerbner, a Temple University professor who studies violence on television. "They exploit the worst fears and nightmares of people."

Fox aired animal attack footage in 1996 that a rival network executive called "one step short of a snuff film."

The UCLA study also found that problems remain in four of the most popular children's shows. "Sinister combat violence" was cited in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Project G.e.e.K.e.R." on CBS, and in "Power Rangers Turbo" and "X-Men" on Fox.

As in past years, theatrical movies contain some of the most intense violence on television, with "Under Siege" and "Tombstone" among the examples offered by the study.

Overall, however, network TV has improved in the amount of violence it depicts and in the context in which it's shown, according to the study, which was initiated by former Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois and financed by ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.

Of the 107 series that aired on the four networks in 1996-97, only two programs ("Walker, Texas Ranger" on CBS and the canceled "Dark Skies" on NBC) raised "frequent concerns" about violence.

That's compared to five series in 1995-96 and nine in 1994-95.

Occasional concerns were recorded about six series in the latest season studied, including the Fox programs "Millennium," "X-Files," "Sliders" (which Fox canceled and the Sci-Fi Network has picked up), and "America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back," as well as ABC's "High Incident" and CBS' "Nash Bridges."

Researchers did more than count episodes of violence; they viewed each incident in context, according to the report. Programs found to use violence appropriately and to show its consequences were not cited as problems.

The biggest improvement has come in on-air promotions and teasers for upcoming TV series and movies. Few emphasized scenes of violence; those with violent scenes weren't shown during periods that attract more young viewers.

Does that mean parents can feel easier about letting children watch TV?

"I don't think they would necessarily let their children have free reign through television," Cole said. "It's not a situation where they cannot pay attention."

Although the center's three-year mandate is over, Cole said he hopes the research into TV violence and other issues will continue with network participation.

Broadcasters had been told by lawmakers that industry efforts to monitor and curtail violence could forestall congressional action. However, "v-chip" legislation giving viewers electronic control over programs has since been enacted and networks have implemented a ratings system.