News releases

Nov. 9, 2009

TO: Editors, news directors
FROM: Kiera Wiatrak, University Communications, 608-890-2166
RE: TIP/MEDIA EXPERTS FOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'SESAME STREET'

The 40th anniversary of "Sesame Street" on Tuesday, Nov. 10, is a reminder of the impact the media has on developing youth. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a number of experts dedicated to making sense of a complicated media world and the role it plays in the lives of children.

Here are some experts in child development and television who are available to answer questions about this milestone year for children's television. Please contact them directly to schedule interviews:

- Joanne Cantor, professor emerita of communication arts, 608-221-0593, jrcantor@wisc.edu. She is an expert in the psychological effects of the media on adult and child emotional health, productivity and creativity; the impact of television and movies on children with emphasis on media violence and fear; the impact of a wired world on emotional well-being; and parenting in a media-dominated age. She has testified before Congress on children's media issues.

- Marie-Louise Mares, associate professor of communication arts, 608-263-2350, mares@wisc.edu. She is an expert in educational and pro-social TV for children, children's comprehension of TV, children's racial and ethnic attitudes, and aging and television use.

- Karyn Riddle, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, 608-263-7836, kriddle@wisc.edu. She is an expert in media violence, children and media, children's fear responses to violence in the news and advertising.

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