1.  Describe Walt Disney Company's new advertising guidelines for its TV channels, radio stations a websites intended for children.

2.  When will the new guidelines take effect?  Why not immediately?

3.  a) What goal did Disney announce 6 years ago for the food served in its parks and resorts?
b)  In six years, have they accomplished this goal? Explain your answer.

4.  What do you think is Disney Company's motive for its decision to no longer accept these types of advertisements?

5.  Do you think Disney's new policy will affect its advertising revenue?  Explain your answer.

6.  a) What ban is Mayor Mike Bloomberg trying to pass in New York City?
b)  Is there a difference between a government agency regulating what you can/can't eat versus a private company deciding what food it will advertise or sell?  Explain your answer.

7.  Readers had mixed responses to Disney's decision to ban junk food ads.  Many applauded Disney's decision.  Others had various reactions.  Read some of the reader comments below.  For each one, state whether you agree or disagree and explain your answer.

1. "Instead of banning the food ads, why doesn't Disney just tell the kids to TURN OFF THEIR CHANNEL and go outside and play!! Just take Disney off the air all together and then the kids won't veg out in front of the t.v. with mindless programs. Somehow I don't think Disney would go for that!!"
2. [Banning junk food ads is necessary.] "However, programming portraying sassy kids with no intelligent authority figures will still remain intact. Mental junk food is much sneakier and more dangerous."
3. "It's about time! I think that's a wonderful idea, now let's work on parental figures on these shows. The ones that DO have parents are all portrayed as fools, idiots, easy to trick morons. How about some REAL parenting? Come on Disney, a little reality goes a long way."
4. "I suppose better late than never. But revising the content of their shows would be even more [appropriate]. The kids on their "sit-coms" are 100% disrespectful to parents and each other. I won't let my kids watch most of what that channel puts out. So fix your shows first, then worry about who's advertising what in between."
5. "It would be really nice if they would also banish backtalk, inappropriate sarcasm and the general portrayal of parents as idiots, too."
6. "No government mandate here.....capitalism at work.....Disney makes a decision that has an effect only on itself. Disney will still make lots of money with different food ads. If you do not like it, do not purchase their products.....or better yet, turn off the TV and get off the couch and go outside to exercise."
7. "When I was a child in Pennsylvania, my father was a trackman for the PRR and laid off during the winter. We had little money and seemed to live on stewed potatoes, eggs and buttered bread. We didn't have a TV until I was about 8 or so. I remember watching Saturday morning shows advertised by Sugar Pops. I had a paper route and finally was able to buy a box for myself from the grocer store uptown. From the day that I ate those Sugar Pops, my life went downhill, I was ruined. No, seriously, they were OK at the time, but today had no effect one way or another on the course of my life. When my daughter was 8, we watched TV together on Saturdays as saw ads for other bad food items. Sometimes she wanted them, sometimes not, and sometimes I bought her something to try, sometimes not. In any event, the commercials had no effect on her and my lives over time. In my opinion, banning this or that advertising is short sighted. It comes down to the parent's responsibility to decide what to purchase for their child and themselves. The economy (other than illegal items such as drugs) should be free to promote their products to their most likely audiences."