1954
Sen. Estes Kefauver, D-Tenn., chairs hearings of Judiciary Committee panel exploring the role of television in juvenile delinquency.
1969
Report of the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence cites television violence as a contributor to societal mayhem.
1972
U.S. Surgeon General cites link between screen violence and aggression.
1982
National Institute of Mental Health study reports a research consensus on link between television violence and aggression.
1984
Attorney General’s Task Force on Family Violence states that evidence is overwhelming that television violence contributes to real violence.
1990
Congress gives the three major networks an antitrust exemption to jointly develop plan to reduce televised violence.
December 1992
Three networks agree on joint television-violence standards.
June 30, 1993
ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC networks agree to implement parental-advisory plan for programs containing violence.
Fall 1993
Members of Congress call for a Presidential commission to examine problem, federally mandated violence warnings, and other tough measures.
Oct. 20, 1993
Attorney General Janet Reno calls on entertainment industry to act immediately to reduce screen violence or else face federal action.
Sources: CQ Researcher, March 26, 1993; news reports.