Communications Bill

A message to Parliament from mediawatch-uk

• Many viewers object to "strong" language and profanity, they are offended by sleazy sex and nudity and disturbed by violence portrayed on television, in film and video and on the Internet. Monitoring of 200 late night films shown in 2001 identified over 2000 violent incidents involving firearms, offensive weapons and physical assaults. (click here for 'Promoting a Culture of Violence'*)

· SWITCHING OFF CHANGES NOTHING.

· For too long the broadcasting authorities have failed to secure that programmes do not cause harm or offence to the viewing public.

· The Communications Bill is a rare opportunity to make things better.

· For suggestions click here for our Briefing Paper 'A Fair Deal For Stakeholders' and click here for our Submission to the Joint Select Committee.

· Viewers and listeners look to their elected representatives to safeguard their interests against the interests of the powerful media industry.

· We fear that light touch flexible self-regulation will lead to 'lowest common denominator' standards that will irreparably damage our culture and society.

· PLEASE DON'T LET US DOWN.

ITV Teletext Viewer's Polls indicate overwhelming dismay:

· 11/05/2002 viewers were asked: DO TV SOAPS NEED A CLEAN-UP? 92% said YES!

· 21/05/2001 viewers were asked: ARE YOU SICK OF TV SLEAZE? 98% said YES!

· On BBC TV's 'Heaven and Earth Show' (20/05/2001) viewers were asked:

IS SOCIETY BEING CORRUPTED BY THE MEDIA? 92% said YES!

The present regulators are clearly failing to address the widespread concern about TV programming.

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