John Leo

In February 1996, media scholars released the first report of the National Television Violence Study, which criticized the prevalence of violence on television. In the following viewpoint, John Leo takes issue with the study and its statistical conclusions. For instance, Leo maintains, the study found violence in 57 percent of all television programs surveyed, but this figure relies on an overly broad definition of violence. The amount of graphic and gratuitous violence presented on television is actually far less than critics claim, he argues, and has been declining from past levels. Leo is a syndicated columnist and a contributing editor to U.S. News & World Report.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What distinctions does Leo make between the different types of violence depicted on television?
2. How does Leo respond to...