The document discusses various topics related to controlling and regulating the media, including: 1) Mary Whitehouse expressed concern that depicting violence as normal on TV could lead to a more violent society. 2) Mediawatch-uk believes media have a moral responsibility to society, though others argue TV only reflects existing societal trends. 3) Journalists are expected to report fairly and accurately per rules set by the British National Union of Journalists, though these rules are sometimes broken.

1. Controlling The Media
The Watershed
TV has a policy that before 9pm their programmes should be
suitable for audiences that include children. After the 9pm
watershed, warnings must be given if programmes contain
sex, violence, bad language or anything that could cause
offence.
Mary Whitehouse said “if violence is shown as normal on tv, it will lead to a
violent society.” She was the first and most famous person to express fears
about the effects of television on society. As a Christian and a teacher, she
believed that TV was attacking Christian values an undermining family life.
1) Copy out what Mary Whitehouse said.
2) Do you agree with what she says? Give reasons and examples for your
answer.
Mediawatch-uk (otherwise known as National Viewers and Listeners
Association NVALA) believes that media have a moral responsibility to society.
However, other people take the view that television only reflects what is
happening in society.
3) What do YOU think? Does television influence the decline in marriage,
increase one-parent families and divorce, the rise in sexual offences etc??
Controlling the Press
The British National Union of Journalists (NUJ) – defends the freedom
of the press and sets rules for publishing and deals with complaints.
However, journalists must:
Report fairly and accurately
Not encourage discrimination, ridicule, prejudice or hatred
4) Do you think the Press always follow these rules? Give reasons/examples
4) Can you thinkopinion. examples where these rules have been broken in
to back up your of any
relationcould the use of adult papers/magazines be seen as wrong in
5) How to religion?
Christianity?
6) How could young people be influenced by the press?

2. The Religious Broadcasting Act 1990
This requires the BBC, ITV and the Radio Authority to:
• Act responsibly in terms of religious broadcasting
• Have respect for listeners and their beliefs
• Avoid broadcasting anything which might be offensive towards the views
and beliefs of members of a religion or denomination.
Religious programmes must not be used for recruiting followers, nor must they
seek to persuade or influence listeners by preying on their fears.
7) Do you think that we need this law?
8) Do you know any religious programmes that are regularly on TV?
9) Can you think of any non-religious programmes that encourage people to
live a moral life?
10) How is religion presented in soaps?
From the 16th century to the mid-19th century, blasphemy against Christianity
(applies mainly to the Church of England) was held as an offence against
common law. It was only in 2008 that this law was abolished by the Labour
government. Some of the contents are now covered in The Racial and Religious
Hatred Act 2006.
The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the
United Kingdom which creates an offence in England and Wales of inciting
hatred against a person on the grounds of their religion.
11) Do you believe that any of the programmes/films/cartoons we have
looked at could be inciting religious hatred? Give reasons for your opinion.