DNH Announces Plans To Combat TV Violence

The Department of National Heritage has formulated a four-point plan which it hopes will deal with public concern over violence on TV.

At a meeting yesterday afternoon with the BBC, the ITC and the BSC a ‘programme of action’ was drawn up which said:

• the BBC, ITC and BSC will continue to ensure that programme-makers maintain proper standards. Any transgressions will be firmly dealt with.

• the BBC, ITC and BSC will work together to help educate viewers about the principles underpinning the codes and guidelines and, inn particular, policies on scheduling and the watershed.

• the ITC and BSC will revise their codes of practice in 1997 (the BBC has recently revised its own Producers’ Guidelines).

• the DNH will explore how broadcasters could improve advance programme information for viewers, whether on-screen, on teletext, in listings or other forms. The DNH will contribute to any research which will be carried out in this field.

Virginia Bottomley, Secretary of State for National Heritage said: “Statistics suggest that the amount of violence on our screens is decreasing and I welcome that. Even so there are times when violence seems too prominent in the schedules, and this can be disturbing for many viewers, young and old.” Mrs Bottomley also said that more work would be done to investigate the issues surrounding the introduction of the V-Chip.

…Today is the deadline for consultation on the introduction of digital TV. The Department of Trade and Industry is then expected to announce a series of guidelines next week.

Department of National Heritage: 0171 211 6200