Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters

The code was created to self-regulate the industry in hopes of avoiding a proposed government Advisory Board[1] and satisfying parental concerns over violence and other matters.

[2][3] The code was first issued on December 6, 1951, and amended multiple times, especially in the wake of the 1950s quiz show scandals, Congressional hearings into violence (1952, 1954), and concern over the possible blurring of fact and fiction in early docudrama.

Compliance with the code was indicated by the "Seal of Good Practice", displayed during closing credits on most United States television programs, and on some US TV station sign-on and sign-offs from 1952 to circa 1983.

In 1976, the code's program standards were suspended after a Los Angeles federal judge ruled that the Family Viewing Hour violated the First Amendment.

[7] In 1979, the Carter Justice Department challenged the code's Section XIV time standards limiting advertising on children's programming, alleging that they "represented an unlawful effort to restrict supply of commercial availabilities and hence drive up prices for these spots.