Madam, - Dónal O'Sullivan (April 10th) makes a valid point when he refers to the link between violence in the media and subsequent violent anti-social behaviour. This link has been confirmed in numerous scientifically conducted studies.
It is incumbent on bodies that are entrusted with media standards, such as the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to carry out its remit, that is: "to prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with, and rules and practices to be observed, in respect of the taste and decency of programme material, and, in particular, in respect of the portrayal of violence and sexual conduct in such material. . ."
This is the requirement given to the BCI by the Broadcasting Act of 2001. It is a statutory obligation.
The BCI has published its Code of Programme Standards Consultation Document, Phase 2, and is again asking for the views of the public.
This document includes a summary of the outcome of its Phase 1 consultative process and also an attitude survey conducted by Lansdowne Market Research for the BCI.
One of survey's key findings was: "When asked, unprompted, to name the type of material that has caused concern, the top four sources of offence on radio and TV were as follows: violence, violence against children, sex and swearing."
However, despite the findings of its own survey, when it comes to proposing principles or rules for inclusion in its Code of Programme Standards the BCI fudges its mandate by using the qualification, "unless it is editorially justified", or a similar phrase.
This leaves the field wide open. If an editor feels justified in including graphic violence and/or sexual conduct of whatever nature in his or her programme, then according to the proposed "rules" of the BCI, that is all right.
The Phase 2 Code of Standards Consultation booklet is available from the BCI, 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2, or from its website www.bci.ie.
Submissions from the public must be in by May 16th. - Yours, etc,
LORETTA O'CONNOR, Halldene Grove, Bishopstown, Cork.
