One of the most serious chronic health problems is childhood obesity. In this context there has been a deal of debate about regulating the advertising of food on television at times when children watch. Such advertisements appear to be a significant factor in the trend towards childhood obesity.
In this debate the creation of a special ABC children’s TV channel has sometimes been posed as an alternative to a ban on the advertising of junk food on TV.
Friends of the ABC (South Australia) Incorporated does not believe this is a simple choice between one or the other. An ABC children’s channel will not, in itself, end childhood obesity. We would very unhappy if the establishment of an ABC children’s TV channel became an excuse for failing to tackle the harmful effects of food advertising on children. In broad terms we support the position of the Coalition on Food Advertising for Children as out lined in their briefing notes.(http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/html/policyaction/campaigns/tvfoodadvertising/downloads/CFAC_BriefingPaper_Jan07.pdf)
However we strongly support the ABC’s plans for an advertising-free children’s TV channel as one measure among a number to nurture both the minds and the bodies of Australian children. The ABC children’s channel is as much about what it does broadcast as it is about what it does not transmit.
We understand that the ABC’s plans for this channel are well advanced, and could be implemented relatively quickly if funding in the vicinity of $20 million a year was made available. Given that the May 2008 budget is in its final stages of preparation we recommend that funding for an ABC children’s channel be provided in the 2009 budget.