I get what you're saying, but I wouldn't call it propaganda.
[url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propaganda?show=0&t=1283987548]Merriam-Webster[/url]
pro·pa·gan·da
noun ˌprä-pə-ˈgan-də, ˌprō-
Definition of PROPAGANDA
1
capitalized : a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institutions
2
: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
3
: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect
— pro·pa·gan·dist-dist noun or adjective
— pro·pa·gan·dis·tic-ˌgan-ˈdis-tik adjective
— pro·pa·gan·dis·ti·cal·ly-ti-k(ə-)lē adverb
The main problems mentioned in LauraF's quote and your thoughts came across to me as:
1.) Jokes targeted at older viewers in kid's shows.
2.) Kids imitating rude behaviors on TV.
3.) The comment about liberalism and tolerance in mass media.
So that's what I'll address.
1.) Jokes targeted at older viewers in kid's shows.A lot of kid's shows, older and newer, have had
jokes targeted at older viewers* so that the show can appeal to the parents being forced to watch the show with their kids. Those jokes can be badly done, but overall I don't think it's really a problem to have them.
They're certainly not propaganda, though. A reference to an older movie or a sexual joke that goes over the kid's head isn't helping or hurting any cause, it's just there for humor.
2.) Kids imitating rude behaviors on TV.I do think the vast majority of main characters in kid's shows acting rude is unneeded simply from a quality standpoint. That said, it's still the job of the kid's parents to make sure that they're watching something appropriate. If the kid acts rudely, the parents should make it clear that this isn't accepted in their house and punish the kid.
I still wouldn't consider it propaganda, though. A character behaving rudely isn't furthering or opposing any ideas.
3.) The comment about liberalism and tolerance in mass media.LauraF
Of course liberalism can be seen in kids' shows,
we are living in a changing world and the mass media must adjust to suit the opinions of the majority of viewers, and thus must teach children that ethnic and religous differences etc are now accepted in society, which is true on the most part.
This comes across to me as saying that teaching kids that there's nothing wrong with ethnic/religious/etc. differences is bad, which I completely disagree with. Tolerance is something that we really
should be teaching kids, especially since interacting with someone of a different ethnicity/religion/etc. is something that they will do during their lifetime. Kids do need to learn to respect other people.
It would be propaganda if the lesson was that 'Religion X was the best' and pushed for the viewers to convert, but I personally don't see tolerance as propaganda. I know there are people that would disagree with me here, though.
* Warning: TV Tropes is a huge timesink. Don't click if you need to be somewhere in an hour.
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