Save Kids TV and the Call for Homegrown Programming

Following a report by Ofcom into children's television programming, calls have been made to increase the number of homegrown children's television shows.

Whilst exposure to other cultures through television is extremely important, I think it is important that we strike an appropriate balance.

Nowadays kids can access over 20 tv channels devoted to childrens media.

In spite of the enormous increase in programmes available to children, there has been a marked decline in British shows, with most networks chosing to import American TV instead.

Experts and media representatives have flagged up the problem of losing our oultural identity at an early age.

I think the issue goes beyond this.

Television provides children with role models and aspirational futures.

Television is a media by which children can be inspired, challenged and motivated.

Whilst American characters can obviously still achieve these things, I think it is important for children to be able to associate with the characters and presenters they see on TV.

In the same way it is important to reflect the various backgrounds and ethnicities of viewers in the shows, it is also important to form bonds with the audience through shared local knowledge and experience.

I believe it is the duty of the terrestrial channels to maintain these ties with the audience, and show children that homegrown characters and stars can do just as many amazing and fun things as characters thousands of miles away.

A second issue highlighted by the Ofcom report was the dominance of cartoons amongst children's media.

Cartoons now total over 60% of the shows designed for younger viewers.

Again, whilst escapism and imagination are important elements of childhood, it is social interaction and adult communication which helps children grow into young adults.

Cartoons are lazy television.

Great as they may be to relax to, they seldom stimulate or inspire - something which presenter interaction, and young adult drama can achieve.

Recent viewer ratings for BBC kids' shows can be shown to reflect this.

The top five CBBC shows include the magazine style show 'Blue Peter', the current affairs show 'Newsround', and two drama series.