2.  An activist group founded by Peggy Charren anda group of
"housewives and mothers” in 1968.
 Initially concerned with the lack of quality television
programming offered to children and commercials in
children's television programming.
 ACT was responsible for many cases brought before the
courts in regard to the FCC and its policies concerning
children's television.
 In 1970, the organization received its first funding from the
John and Mary R. Markle Foundation and later received
funding from the Ford and Carnegie Foundations as well.

3.  In 1970, ACT petitioned the FCC to require stations to have
children’s programming.
 In 1971, Action for Children’s Television petitioned to ban
advertising of vitamins from children's programming.
 ACT discovered that one-third of all commercials aimed at
children were for vitamins even though the bottles said, “Keep out
of reach of children”.
 Responding to ACT's criticism, vitamin-makers voluntarily
withdrew their advertisements.
 In 1974, as a response to pressure from ACT, the FCC established
guidelines for children’s advertising and programming but not
specific regulations.

4.  In the 1980s, FCC repealed its commercial
guidelines and ACT was concerned about the
amount of advertising in children’s
programming.Stations often broadcast far more
than twelve advertising minutes per hour,
especially in the larger markets.
 ACT pressured Congress to take action. In 1987,
the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled for the FCC to
reconsider its decision to deregulate. The FCC had
failed to justify its deregulatory approach to
commercial practices in children’s programming.


5.  In 1990, Congress enacted the Children's
Television Act.
 Before 1990, there were no specific limits or
bans connected with children’s television
advertising.

6.  From the Act, only
12 minutes per hour of
advertising on weekdays
and 10. 5 minutes per hour
on weekends.
Many of the ACT’s efforts were unsuccessful
upuntil the 1990 Act.The ACT always wanted
quantifiable limits on children’s advertising
and a minimum threshold for hours/week of
children’s programming.

7.  Once the Children’s Television Act of was
passed, Charren resigned from ACT having
accomplished what she set out to do.
 ACT continues to be a significant presence on
broadcasting, Congress and the FCC in terms
of children’s programming.

8.  Some television critics accused the
Action for Children's Television of
being pro censorship or discouraging
funding for children's programming.