Many studies show that the viewing of violence on television does influence viewers to become more aggressive in their behavior. If our society is to address the causes of violent behavior, then the government must act to limit the influence of violent programming. Developments in first amendment case law show that carefully drawn rules on television violence, such as those proposed in the National Foundation to Improve Television's Petition to the FCC, would not violate the free speech rights of television broadcasters or cable operators. In 1979 a Federal court recognized that scientific evidence of the danger posed by televised violence might justify increased governmental regulation of TV programming. The broadcast networks have refused to support a program-rating system, thus rendering ineffective any computer chip on a television set to screen out violent-rated programming. In addition to supporting governmental action to reduce violence on television, those interested in improving television can encourage broadcasters and cable operators to make good on their promises through phone calls, letters, and visits to station offices. Although recent legal developments show that the regulation of television violence is permissible under the first amendment, recent history suggests that the government will not take action, and broadcasters will not regulate themselves, unless concerned citizens make their voices heard.