1 September 2005
Support is growing among political parties to have the time moved back when TV channels can show adult programmes.
United Future’s broadcasting policy released yesterday by Marc Alexander supported the campaign by Viewers for
Television Excellence Inc. (VoTE) to move the watershed time on television from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
Sue Kedgley MP from the Greens has long been a supporter of this and of efforts to reduce violence and pornography on
television, especially during the times children are known to be watching. Destiny New Zealand wants the watershed put
back to at least 9.30pm.
At VoTE’s annual meeting in June, the Minister of Broadcasting, the Hon Steve Maharey, said he was ‘sympathetic’ to our
concerns about moving the watershed. VoTE seeks action in this area as all parties say they are concerned about violence
in society.
More than 3,000 studies over 30 years of research demonstrate the connection between violence in the media and violence
in society. The evidence is stronger than the connection between smoking and lung cancer.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority is on record as saying that parents cannot be held ‘solely responsible’ for what
their children see on television: the broadcasters also have a responsibility. Unfortunately the broadcasters are not
responsible during the so-called ‘family friendly’ times, when many children are watching. And after 8.30pm, it appears
anything goes.
New Zealand has the most liberal regime for adult TV programmes of any country in the world. Our young children deserve
protection from the worst of television. The Broadcasting Standards Authority’s research shows many, even very young,
children are still watching television at 8.30pm (especially during the weekends), when unsuitable programmes are often
shown.
Both TV and radio are reported to be facing morale problems and leaking audience share. This is no wonder, when the
programmes they air turn people off. (Ref. ‘The Press’ August 27- 28).
ENDS