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Chairman Robert Pitofsky presented Federal Trade Commission testimony today before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the Commission's report titled "Marketing Violent Entertainment To Children: A Review of Self-Regulation and Industry Practices in the Motion Picture, Music Recording & Electronic Game Industries." The report, which was issued Monday by the FTC, was conducted in response to a request from President Clinton on June 1, 1999, as well as similar requests from members of Congress.

According to the testimony, although all three industries studied have self-regulatory systems that purport to rate or label their products to help parents make choices about their children's entertainment, the Commission found that members of all three industries routinely target advertising and marketing for violent entertainment products directly to children. The Commission believes that these advertising and marketing efforts undermine each industry's parental advisories and frustrate parents' attempts to protect their children from inappropriate material.

In response to the findings, the Commission believes that all three industries should take additional action to enhance their self-regulatory efforts. In addition, the Commission believes that continuous public oversight is also required and that Congress should continue to monitor the progress of self-regulation in this area.

The Commission approved the testimony by a vote of 5-0.

The views expressed in the written testimony represent those of the Federal Trade Commission. The oral presentation and responses to questions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or any individual Commissioner.

Copies of the FTC's report "Marketing Violent Entertainment to Children," today's testimony, and the Chairman's separate statement are available from the FTC's web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; toll-free: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710.

Media Contact:

Eric London

Office of Public Affairs

202-326-2180

Staff Contact:

Mary Engle

Bureau of Consumer Protection

202-326-3161

(FTC Matter No. P994511)

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