SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.
Complaint over ‘raunchy’ soap opera upheld Kirsty Johnston Stuff News 20/09/10
A “raunchy and sexually charged scene” from an episode of Home and Away has earned TV3 a slap on the wrist for breaching standards of good taste and decency….
Full story: http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4146025/Complaint-over-raunchy-soap-scene-upheld
TV sleaze backlash gathers steam
By John Drinnan Sep 17, 2010
Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10674013
Pressure is building on television networks to reduce the amount of sleaze in early prime time. The Broadcasting Standards Authority is expected to announce a decision next week that will set the new tone. There is particular concern about sexual content on early-evening TV.
BSA chief executive Dominic Sheehan said he was aware of concerns and had spoken to two community groups. He will be suggesting that the BSA board commission more research into the issue of how sexuality is presented, including the effect on early prime time – up to the 8.30pm cut-off for adult viewing. He had met the groups – one of which is Family First [a highly respected registered charity]- and they had raised convincing arguments that the BSA needed to develop its research.
There had been issues about the portrayal of sex in the news and in promotions. Sheehan stressed that the BSA acted only on complaints. It cannot act proactively or make subjective decisions. The authority has been created that way to ensure the industry is self-regulating. But self-regulation has gone out the door as the networks chase ratings.
Sheehan would not discuss an upcoming decision that will have an impact on how the BSA treats complaints about good taste and decency.
Television researcher Ruth Zanker has raised alarm bells about the growing levels of sexual content in early prime time, warning that children were being sacrificed on the altar of higher ratings for TV networks. But if the number of complaints are any judge, New Zealanders are happy with sleazy 7pm shows such as Family Guy.
The show regularly features a paedophile character and themes of incest and bestiality. AGB Nielsen surveys suggest an average 25,000 children aged 7 to 14 watch the show at 7pm each weeknight.
Sheehan said the context of shows – like the different approach of cartoons and of an edgy channel like C4 – was taken into account by the BSA.
TV2’s early prime time show Two and a Half Men regularly had a sexual theme. Another sign of the times in 2010 telly? A programme this week has included a promo for a show where a character is sexually attracted to pregnant women.
From the Archives: Concerns raised with BSA by SPCS re TV3 depiction of gratuitous violence. See: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0404/S00048.htm
NZ Herald Friday Sep 3, 2010
A respected children’s media expert is lamenting that kids have been sacrificed to sleaze under New Zealand’s TV standards system. Ruth Zanker is a lecturer at Christchurch Polytechnic and a researcher who has specialised in children and the media. She has noted a change. “There is a general sexualising that has gone on with tabloidisation of media – sex is the easy way of making a hit and it boosts ratings. Children are being sacrificed on the altar of ratings,” she says. Zanker has noted an increasing level of sexuality creeping into early prime time as the TV networks chase ratings. It is a difficult time and parents are either unwilling or unable to police their kids’ viewing. Zanker says New Zealand’s broadcasting laws have created the problem. The Broadcasting Standards Authority acts on complaints. But few complain and the BSA has steered at freedom of speech rather the protection of children, she says.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670696
[Article highlighted on website by Family First NZ – A well-respected charity registered with the Charities Commission. See www.familyfirst.org.nz and www.charities.govt.nz ]
NZPA 11/00/2010
The billboard image of a naked woman on all fours with a large arrow provocatively placed below her and preceded by the words “entrance this way” was an unacceptable way to advertise the Erotica Lifestyles Expo, the Advertising Standards Authority decided.
The Erotica Expo, promoted by [the hardcore porn company] Eden Digital and its former director, porn tycoon Steve Crow, is an adult entertainment convention held annually. Steve Crow resigned from the company in May. [John Malcolm Carr has remained on as its sole director].
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4011581/Naked-woman-billboard-ruled-unacceptable
Internal Affairs Minister Nathan announced on 29 June three new appointments to the Film and Literature Board of Review. Dr Don Mathieson has been appointed as President of the Board with Andrew Caisley as Deputy President. Dr Laurence Simmons also joins the Board.
Wellington lawyer Dr Mathieson is well qualified for this role. He is Queen’s Counsel and a former lecturer who currently works as a part-time Special Counsel to the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
“Mr Caisley is a founding partner of law firm Kiely Thomson Caisley. He has longstanding experience in theatre and arts organisations having served on the Council of Creative New Zealand, the Silo Theatre Board and as the founding Chair of New Theatre Initiative.
“Dr Simmons is Deputy Head of the Film, Television and Media department at the University of Auckland. He is fluent in Italian and is the author of many books, articles and other publications. Dr Simmons was awarded a Senior Fulbright Fellowship in 2002.
“All new members have been appointed for terms of three years.”
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new+appointments+film+and+literature+board+review