Watershed means that programmes that are put on television
before 9 should not content that children are not allowed to watch. When the
research questionnaire asked if all programmes should be able to be shown at
any time (and parents should take full responsibility for their children’s
viewing), two-thirds of respondents disagreed. Children under ten are the most
vulnerable and need protecting from things such as sex, violence
and swearing. Viewers and listeners make a contrast between
channels which appeal to a wide ranging audience, including children, and
those that attract a smaller audience, unlikely to appeal to children. Audience
research shows strong support and recognition for the watershed on all
television channels. The watershed plays a vital role for parents and
carers with children aged 5 to 8 and trust in pre-watershed
programming is essential. It is also important that the content of
pre watershed trails is appropriate for the time of broadcast.
Some programmes scheduled to start before the watershed and finishing after 9:00pm
may be of special appeal to children, especially during school holidays.
Depending on the channel and audience it attracts, viewers can be
concerned at strong, adult material immediately after the watershed
when a significant number of children could still be watching television. Programme
makers should always consider the impact that the representation of
the use of illegal drugs, the abuse of drugs, smoking, solvent abuse and the
misuse of alcohol, may have on younger viewers and listeners. Any such
inclusion pre watershed or at times when children are particularly likely to be
listening must therefore be editorially justified.
Violence exists in life and, as such, will be portrayed and reported on by
television and radio programmes. Many citizen-consumers are very concerned
about the potential impact of violence within broadcast material upon
society and, in particular, children and young people. Violence
covers a wide range of behaviour and different situations and children’s
reactions vary, depending on their age group and individual sensitivities.
Audience research is inconclusive about the direct influence of
violence on behaviour, but does highlight how children interpret violence
and what reduces its impact and what causes distress. Research shows that
children may emulate what they see on television. This is mediated to a
certain extent by factors such as a child’s ability to distinguish
between degrees of fantasy and reality and the identification with the
character.
Offensive language is a feature of British life and, in certain contexts; it
has an appropriate place in broadcasting. However it raises concerns
about harm to children and offence in general. There is a concern
that children may imitate offensive language or be upset to hear this
language, when their parents or carers have told them it is wrong,
before they have worked out their own attitude to its use. Milder language in
the early part of the evening may be acceptable, for example, if mitigated
by a humorous context.
Looking and researching this I have learnt it is vital not to use things such
as weapons, drugs, showing sex scenes, smoking, swearing. Because pre-watershed
really means children watching it and it can have diverse effects on them in
reality. As we don’t want children to be affected in real life, we will keep
coming back to look at the research to make sure we don’t put swearing, drugs and
smoking in our sequence.
