BCI urge broadcasters to minimise offence to audiences

A NEW code on the future of broadcasting aims to strike a balance between programme makers and members of the viewing public.

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland yesterday launched the draft Code of Programme Standards for programme makers nationwide. It gives guidance on children’s and factual programming, violent material, sexual conduct, coarse language, portrayal of groups in society and portrayal of drugs, alcohol and solvent abuse.

However, the taste and decency broadcasts code — due out early next year — won’t apply to Sky and ITV programmes beamed here.

Only television and radio stations licensed in the State, such as RTÉ, TV3, Today FM and Channel 6, will be governed by the BCI code.

Broadcasters are being urged to take steps to minimise offence to their audience.

They are being told to take particular care when presenting certain types of programme material.

These include:

*graphic and sexual violence

*self-harm (including suicide)

*violence against children

*portrayals of detailed sexual conduct

*portrayals of relationships between under-aged couples

*coarse language during live programming

*the use of names considered holy or sacred by believers and portrayals of religious belief

*portrayals of people with a disability.

A workshop will be held by the BCI with broadcasters on the practical implementation of the code, BCI chairman Conor J Maguire said.

Under the new code, broadcasters may choose how to advise audiences before showing material that may cause offence.

They are being given discretion whether to give prior warnings, use a watershed (typically 9pm), or a classification system.

Broadcasters will be required to avoid offending commonly held standards in Irish society, Mr Maguire, said yesterday.

But bearing in mind that general community standards developed and changed over time, he said the BCI would produce ongoing research in this area.

Mr Maguire said: “The code aims to balance the requirement to set down broadcasting standards with the need to facilitate programme content that will cater for a diversity of tastes.

“In this context the code will provide guidance and information for broadcasters, listeners and viewers.”

The BCI will now circulate the consultation document to key groups and interested parties. It has set an October 31st deadline for receiving responses, and hopes to finalise the code by the end of the year.

The draft code was launched after two extensive consultation phases on the future of broadcasting in Ireland and took into account the views aired in more than 200 submissions.

nThe code is available online at www.bci.ie and from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, 2-5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2, with all comments returned by Tuesday, October 31st.