Show ‘glamorises excessive drinking’

A drink awareness group has criticised reality TV shows such as Tallafornia for glamorising excessive drinking.

Drinkaware.ie told Irish broadcasters they should show the negative results of excessive drinking.

The criticism follows comments by Senator David Norris describing TV3’s Tallafornia as a “seriously drink-sodden programme”.

“Reality TV can leave young people with the mistaken impression that excessive alcohol consumption in the home is normal, is without negative consequences, and can even lead to rewards,” said drinkaware.ie CEO Fionnula Sheehan.

“The stars of reality TV often go on to become well known and publicly recognised, but if they have been depicted on television drinking to excess, then what sort of message does this send out? Are people being rewarded with fame even though they engage in damaging behaviour?”

Ms Sheehan was speaking at the announcement of shortlisted entries by third-level students for the dare2bdrinkaware.ie competition. The theme of this year’s competition is home drinking.

“My fear is that, because of the prevalence of scenes of excessive drinking and drunkenness on reality TV programmes, viewers are becoming desensitised. Such programmes sometimes glorify and normalise excessive levels of home drinking, rather than portraying a truly realistic stance. The reality is more Irish people are capable of enjoying a few drinks in their homes without going overboard.”

Shortlisted entries can be seen on dare2bdrinkaware.ie and the public can vote for their favourite until Apr 18.

Drinkaware was developed in 2006 by Meas (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol), which was set up by alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and trade groups.