Support International TV Turnoff Week April 22 - 28
Media PR execs argue that they’re not dumbing us down, that we still watch “quality television”. Yeah, sure. We all
know that it’s predominantly rubbish. Do the White Dot* thing turn it off.
Some argue whether 16 minutes an hour or only 14 is a reasonable quantity of ads. About how often to repeat commercials
on children’s television time. This year Fair is saying to you just turn it off altogether.
We’re told (in ad promos) that this news makes you think. Ah, but what? About how bad television news has become, maybe.
If you think the news has become bad take a break turn it off AND tell them you have.
Sure you can see great movies on the box. But they’re interrupted so often that it’s barely worth it. Why not walk to
the pictures, take in a movie like they’re supposed to be seen uninterrupted (and if you get there 5 minutes late you
miss all their ads too).
International TV Turnoff week happens all next week, right round the globe. Can’t live without it? try it for a couple
of days, or for the whole of TV Turnoff week you might never find the time to turn it on again.
Next week is a good opportunity to join in with TV Turnoff week I New Zealand the first days of Autumn are a great time
to be outside. Go for a walk, throw a frisbee. South Islanders get the last few jogging sessions in before its too cold
Aucklanders, before you’re rained in. Visit the library. Get together with friends that you never normally have time to
fit in. Do whatever but do the White Dot thing.
Click …. Dzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
* Note for younger viewers In the old days, the TV picture faded reassuringly to a small white dot when the ‘off’ button
was pressed. New TV sets have lost this feature.
A call for media responsibility from FAIR NZ Auckland, New Zealand
FAIR is concerned with the globally linked issues of consumerism, human rights, globalisation and sustainability.
FAIR contact
http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~stu/fair/
Stuart Sontier
Email stu@ihug.co.nz
(09) 620 6018