Public Wants TV Regulation, ITC Report Finds

A new report from the ITC, using two Citizens’ Juries, has confirmed that television regulation, including the watershed, is essential in protecting children.

The report, entitled Television on Trial: Citizens’ Juries on Taste and Decency, also found that both juries felt that if enough information was given for adults to make knowledgeable choices, which could include warnings before and during programmes, they should take responsibility for their own viewing.

Overall, six main guidelines were identified by the juries, which included: the use of warnings before or during the programme along with the use of symbols in TV listing guides; awareness of individual and national sensitivities and avoidance of intrusion into private grief; pornographic material could be shown provided it was legal and limited to pay-per-view or subscription channels; and advertisements should be truthful and not misleading. It was also felt that films should not be subjected to additional cuts if they are scheduled correctly after the watershed – the ITC is now pursuing further research in this area.

The ITC is the first regulatory body to use “Citizen’s Juries” as a way of checking that regulation is in line with public opinion. Two juries, one from Uxbridge and one from Oldham, were asked to look at taste and decency on television. Over four days, they heard “witnesses”, including representatives from the ITC, the Voice of the Listener and Viewers, TV companies, academics and local schoolchildren.

ITC: 0171 255 3000