MEDIACOM-RELEASE-AUSTRALIAN-CDHAC
MEDIA ALERT
CANBERRA, 7 October 1999/MediaNet International-AsiaNet/--A booklet which contains some alarming research findings
about the television viewing habits of New Zealand children and the related health effects, 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 effects 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, aand
the author of the book, D 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.
Date: Monday 11 October 1999
Time: 1 PM
Place: Hill Street Early Childhood Centre
68 Hill Street, Wellington
SOURCE:
Australian Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care MEDIA ALERT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND AGED CARE --------------------------------------------------------------
RELEASED BY MEDIACOM