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AFTRA Investigates Abuse of Children on Reality Show

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 24, 2007)—The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is investigating reports of abuse of children on the television show “Kid Nation,” which was produced under an AFTRA contract.

“AFTRA members deplore and condemn the exploitation of children,” said AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth. “We are concerned about reports of abuse arising from ‘Kid Nation,’ which was produced under the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practices for Network Television Broadcasting. Under this agreement, the host, announcer, reporters, and other professional performers on reality and contest programming are specifically covered by the terms of the Network Code, while the amateur contestants are generally not. AFTRA is investigating whether the terms and conditions of the Network Code were violated in the production of ‘Kid Nation.’ We will take all legal and moral steps available to protect the rights of the performers and children on this program.”

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About AFTRA:

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. More than 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists are moving forward together through AFTRA to protect and improve our jobs, lives, and communities. AFTRA members embrace change in society—from new culture to new technology—and incorporate change in our work and craft. AFTRA celebrates and thrives on the diversity of our members and the work we do. AFTRA opens a whole new world of opportunities for success for professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, dancers, singers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet, and other digital media. Visit AFTRA at www.aftra.com.