Limiting Violence on Television

In response to “Big 3 Networks Agree to Tone Down TV Violence,” Dec. 12:

Hurray for the three TV networks agreeing to limit violence in television entertainment. The unfortunate glamorizing and sanitation of violence only condones it and may even encourage it.

As physicians, we see firsthand the immediate and lasting effects of violence. The average viewer has no idea what a tremendous toll violence takes on our society.

This year, the California Medical Assn.’s House of Delegates voted unanimously to condemn media violence. We applaud ABC, CBS and NBC for their decision and encourage cable and the syndication market to follow suit.

RICHARD F. CORLIN MD

President, California Medical Assn.

San Francisco