The Wrong Message!
By
John C Beyer Director of mediawatch-uk
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the beginning of June Channel 4 TV, which claims a public service remit,
launched its "Summer Season" of programming. This included such undignified spectacles as
a return visit to an American brothel, the 'sexploits' of three couples who
engage in 'swinging', a repeat showing of a series about pornographic film
making and another repeat about people who engage in sex with animals! In addition to this sleazy and disgusting
material Channel 4's summer evenings have been dominated by Big Brother, which has included rioting
and other yobbish behaviour. And, if you think this is bad, a cable channel is
planning a big brother-style show whose 'housemates' will be five women
"porn stars" joined by five eager men. We are promised "the real thing" in this series!
While all this, and more, has been going on the Office of
Communications, the new TV and Radio regulator, published a lengthy
consultation paper on the new Broadcasting Code it is required to draw up under
the Communications Act 2003. Reports
suggested that further relaxation of the regulations on programme content is in
prospect. The proposed new Code rightly
places emphasis on protecting minors from unsuitable material. However, the rest of us will have to educate
ourselves so that we can avoid harmful or offensive programmes by taking note
of warnings and advanced information. A
scheme of classification is also being suggested. Ofcom will require broadcasters to do much more to label
programmes and sanctions will be imposed if scheduling is regarded as
inappropriate or labelling judged to be inadequate. The new regulator makes it clear that "freedom of expression"
for broadcasters is their overriding concern.
Regrettably there is little emphasis on their responsibilities or on the
freedom of viewers and listeners not to be confronted in their own homes by bad
taste and indecency, or offended by obscene or profane language, violence or
explicit sexual conduct.
In a recent meeting with Ofcom to discuss the Code, John
Beyer, Director of mediawatch-uk, said he believed the Code should be the
primary factor in securing high standards.
He said: "By being well defined and, above all, well known to the
viewing public, the Code should provide a firm basis by which programmes can be
judged by everyone. We believe that
such a Code must be an integral part of the overall strategy to develop media
literacy among the public. Whilst we
accept the need to consult widely we also expect leadership from the regulator
and the state of our society, to which broadcasting contributes, should be a
factor taken into account. We also
believe that greater weight should be attached to the concerns of the public
and much more should be done to invite comment and public involvement in media
standards.
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conclusion Mr Beyer said: "By placing the onus on viewers and listeners to
avoid harmful or offensive programmes the wrong message is being sent to
broadcasters. It is evident from recent
programming that some broadcasters, aided by advertisers and sponsors, are
continuing the process of overthrowing all constraints."
Speaking
to Evangelicals Now, Mr Beyer said:
"Unless we all resolve to make our voices heard through public consultations
like this, and through other channels available, we cannot grumble if
television does not fulfil the public expectation that broadcasting should a
force for good."
This article first appeared in September
2004 issue of Evangelicals Now. Visit: www.e-n.org.uk
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