Perils seen in how media treats children

Published: 2007-01-18

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (CNS) -- The ways in which media is presented to children can act as a two-edged sword, panelists cautioned during a Jan. 12 forum on children and media policy presented as part of the Jan. 12-14 National Conference for Media Reform in Memphis. According to Crystal Aliene Cook, program director of See Jane -- an organization founded by actress Geena Davis whose purpose is to increase the number of female characters, and reduce stereotypes, in children's media -- the popular children's cartoon character Dora the Explorer was originally intended to be a rabbit. Executives at the Nickelodeon cable channel rethought the concept and changed the character to a girl. Susan Linn, a member of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood's steering committee, said Dora the Explorer now nets $1.3 billion in product licensing fees for Nickelodeon, second only to SpongeBob SquarePants, who rakes in $1.5 billion in licensing fees, also for Nickelodeon.

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