Alarming research about television viewing

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-AUSTRALIAN-CDHAC

MEDIA ALERT

WELLINGTON, 10 October 1999/MediaNet International-AsiaNet/ - A booklet which contains some alarming research findingss about the television viewin habits of New Zealand children and the related health affects, will be launched in Wellington on Monday lunchtime, October 11 1999, by the Minister of Social Service, Work and Income, Roger Sowry.

Mr Sowry, who is concerned about the affects of media on children, will launch a booklet produced by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians(RACP) entitled, Getting in the Picture: A Parent's and Carer's Guide for the Better Use of Television for Children.

Speakers at the launch include the New Zealand editors of the booklet, which includes statistics from Australia, and the author of the book, Dr Michael McDowell from the Division of Paediatrics of the RACP will be available for interview via phone from Australia.

The booklet suggests that babies in New Zealand and Australia may be already watching an average of 44 minutes a day of television and by the time a child reaches adolescence, he or she could have spent more time watching TV than attending school.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM:

AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGED CARE

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