Programmes, such as C4's Family Guy and TV2's Two and a
Half Men have a kind of cult following in New Zealand,
despite often having a sleazy or sexual theme. Photo
Supplied.
Pressure is building on television networks to reduce the
amount of sleaze in early prime time.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) is expected to
announce a decision next week that will set the new tone.
There is particular concern about sexual content on
early-evening TV.
BSA chief executive Dominic Sheehan said he was aware of
concerns and had spoken to two community groups.
He will be suggesting that the BSA board commission more
research into the issue of how sexuality is presented,
including the effect on early prime time - up to the 8.30pm
cut-off for adult viewing.
He had met the groups - one of which is Family First - and
they had raised convincing arguments that the BSA needed to
develop its research.
There had been issues about the portrayal of sex in the news
and in promotions.
Sheehan stressed that the BSA acted only on complaints.
It cannot act proactively or make subjective decisions.
The authority has been created that way to ensure the
industry is self-regulating.
But self-regulation has gone out the door as the networks
chase ratings.
Sheehan would not discuss an upcoming decision that will have
an impact on how the BSA treats complaints about good taste
and decency.
Television researcher Ruth Zanker has raised alarm bells
about the growing levels of sexual content in early prime
time, warning that children's innocence was being sacrificed
on the altar of higher ratings for TV networks.
But if the number of complaints is any measure, New
Zealanders are happy with sleazy 7pm shows, such as Family
Guy.
The show regularly features a paedophile character and themes
of incest and bestiality.
AGB Nielsen surveys suggest an average 25,000 children aged 7
to 14 watch the show at 7pm each weeknight.
Sheehan said the context of shows - like the different
approach of cartoons and of an edgy channel like C4 - was
taken into account by the BSA.
TV2's early prime time show Two and a Half Men
regularly had a sexual theme
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