TV Watchdog Warns Against Rise In Soap Violence
The Broadcasting Standards Commission has revealed a 7% year on year increase in complaints during 2002, in its last annual review to be published before handing over control to the new super-regulator Ofcom.
The watchdog noted the rising levels of violence and offensive language on television in general and expressed particular concern over an increase in complaints about the content of soaps broadcast before the 9 o’clock watershed.
The report shows that viewers became increasingly disturbed by the levels of sex and violence in British soaps during 2002 and the number of complaints relating to EastEnders, Coronation Street and the Bill rose significantly during the course of the year.
The BSC said in its annual review: “We acknowledge that soaps are well known for tackling sensitive issues in a realistic manner, but we concerned about the increase of scenes featuring intense and protracted violence in domestic settings, broadcast before the watershed.”
An episode of EastEnders featuring Phil Mitchell’s attack on nephew Jamie attracted 31 complaints; while the Coronation Street scene in which Richard Hillman killed Maxine Peacock prompted complaints from 21 viewers. An episode of the Bill which featured Sgt Gilmore and PC Ashton in a gay kiss attracted 97 complaints.
However, the largest number of complaints about a single programme related to a scene in an episode of the BBC1 drama, Spooks, in which a woman was tortured by having her head immersed in a vat of boiling oil.
Overall, documentaries continued to attract the most complaints at 39%, but the increasing popularity of gameshows and reality TV also proved to be an area of concern as they became a “regular part” of the television schedules.
Commenting on the report, Paul Bolt, director of the BSC, said: “Our continuing caseload and our research show how much people still care about broadcasting standards. The new regulator, Ofcom, will need to take that concern on board in preparing its own approach to content regulation.”
Ofcom will assume its full responsibilities at the end of this year when the Government’s Communications Bill comes into force. The new body will take over form the five existing regulators, which also include the Independent Television Commission, the Radio Authority, the Radio Communications Agency and Oftel (see Ofcom To Be Fully Operational By December This Year).
BSC: 020 7233 0544 www.bsc.org.uk
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