DEBATE

Guide children on correct path

S. T. Arasu

Today, TV has become the most popular medium, exercising, a profound influence on all our people in this country. Of course, there are good and bad effects shown, or screened over the TV, such as varieties of films, teledramas stage plays or shows, dances, music and cultural items, dialogues - conferences, and discussions, sports events (including games).

Live-telecasts of various, vital, cultural, religious (of all faiths) and sports (all games) in our country and from abroad as well. We do whole heartedly, welcome and appreciate all the good work done to the whole society of people and country, by at large!

However, I do think, the germs of violence are being, invaded, or migrated within us, through some of the violent teledramas and crime films (local and foreign) that should be undoubtedly (monitored), or rather curbed on our local TV channels, at the earliest opportunes.

Investigations in the past, have already revealed, that in well advanced of developing countries, it had clearly proved, that the pre-school children and teenagers are quite exposed to aggressive (i.e. violent) Teledramas and (crime) films, etc.

It was found with regret that more than seventy-five percent of the school going children of all ages and teenagers, straight away copied or just imitated the very aggressive responses and actions (with weapons or arms) of the respective heroic actors and actresses.

The innocent children at their tender ages are susceptible to accommodate everything shown over the TV; more over they are absolutely misled and are liable to become unsound minds later on, in their future careers! In fact, our children of today are our masters, leaders to be perfect useful citizens of tomorrow!

This it is our duty that they should be well cared protected guided and lead them on the correct paths, indeed.

Apart from the children, most of the adults too, are unable to watch, or view such horrible type of violence, objectively and dispassionately, especially, when it is indulged by the heroes and heroines.

Thus, we got to be very careful. You will most certainly agree with me that in our country most or majority of our people are peace-loving in favour of non-violence and harmonious atmosphere, surely, averse to adopt to violent methods at all times, particularly due to our historical, cultural, and traditional customs background of real foundation.

But, it is disappointment, that at times, a few people, or so, are forced, or compelled, to be dragged owing to circumstances, or convenience, to fall into the deep well of violent methods of unashamed deadly crimes, when they really fell prey to the sad, unbearable, crude, activities of the unscrupulous elements.

This is my humble view on this vital national issue and I do wish that there will be a reform soon by whom it may concern.

Let the higher authorities concerned and leaders of our country look into this priority matter, in order to save the nation at least, at this stage without any delay.

Let there be some sort of adjustment made or introduced, to the TV violent programmes and crime films as well (of all the TV channels, that are functioning, or operating in our country) to end this tragic sad situation faced, by us all in our little, lovely and beautiful country.

Protect the young

Bandula Nonis

I have always held the view on the danger the juvenile recipients who are subjected to unethical media televised by media institutions in this country.

There are extreme portrayals of illegal acts of violence and indecent language harmful to juvenile recipients in communication. Writers have from time to time have highlighted the use of unethical language in our media. I have to add that this phenomenon is going unchecked in our country. Comments are very often made on the offensive language used in certain media channels not suitable for juveniles.

It is unthinkable how some programmes are televised in between the time when schoolgoing children do enjoy their evening cartoon programmes. There is no regard for children's rights by the Media Lords.

There are new crime programmes televised during school hours and in the evenings that guide children towards unwise activities.

It is equally unethical to name the programmes since there is no legal mechanism that strengthens the civil society for action. It is again the media that can correct the media. Even the language used in some advertising boards are faulty.

Pictures are so powerful that they can enhance our sensitivities. In these advertisements there could be pictorial portrayals of violence. The vivid simulation of brutality made in some commercial advertisements and shameful pornography would possibly pose new social questions to society. Private commercial advertising companies mushroom in this age since there is no regulatory or media shield to arrest these excesses.

Once the U.S. Chief Justice described the situation as an interest of public in the quality of life and to those who protect the people from themselves as well from each other.

When the authorities try to extend a hand of control in the media agencies it is interpreted as action taken to suppress the Media where there is no logic in this. What has to be taken into account is that the juvenile population has to be protected from this rampage by electronic Media institutions.

For example, members of society (children) who are not capable of handling full freedom of communication on matters of sex, violence and killing needs protection from this trend. If those who own radio and television stations have uncontrolled discretion to air as they please and those who view these could seriously damage their reputation and privacy.

Just broadcasting some religious programmes in the morning when the children are asleep is not going to compensate the damage made by Media institutions. Some programmes televised by some private media institutions in the evenings and specially some teledramas are unethical to the juvenile population.

The juvenile population is helpless and most of the parents are not at home when the children watch TV. There is a media culture which is harmful and dangerous to our society and this could be corrected.

The open economy has played havoc in this situation where there is no regard for principles, values or behaviour. It is regretting to note that some private schools do contribute to this dangerous media boom by way of advertising to promote their institutions above other institutions.

Even in developed countries there are some rules and legal mechanisms to control the media. So, it is time that the Ministry of Media call the experts of Media institutions since the electronic media has spread widely in this island in recent times. We must call interested religious leaders to form a think tank before the situation goes out of hand.

Sri Lanka being a multi-lingual country should have a control mechanism for broadcasting since the news can be harmful. Ultimately by the law of the Land, taking these forces into consideration, the people of the country should decide what to watch and what should not be watched.

TV - Inculcate goodness, widen choice

Miran Perera

The introduction of television to Sri Lanka in the early 1980s was instrumental in bringing about a drastic change in the islands media scenario. Since then TV has spread across the country rapidly within a relatively short period of time.

Its growing popularity throughout the country persuaded many communicators to speculate on its likely impact on society specially of crime and violence and on other forms of mass communication channels such as the radio, the films and also newspapers. The ratings tell us that people are watching violence and crime filled programs.

What they don't tell us is what the public might watch if they were offered optional choices. Whatever the option any person using the televised channels or any other media must primarily have inculcated goodness with choices extricated.

Unless such traits are not within the media users there would perhaps be a negative impact on those users.

Any ratings on television programs are only an indication of how many people saw what is on offer.

Most time such ratings reveal the depth of the penetration or the intensity of reaction and it never reveals what the acceptance would have been if the telecasters had given them something better in terms of creativity and imagination.

Many tends to blame the Television for the declining audiences in cinema halls at the time, of its introduction to this country. The impact of television is certainly very strong as it is fully integrated into the socio-cultural contestation fabric of modern consumer societies.

All those who wish to influence the behaviour of the people ranging from producers of consumer goods and services to political parties tend to rely more on the television than on any other media as the purveyor of their messages.

On the other hand the Television has become a site of contestation on diverse issues involving many stakeholders. This is understandable given the diversity of interests and ideas involved.

While many stakeholders wish to use the television for achieving their sectarian objectives others tend to worry about the likely implications of the ensuing intense competition. It is due to these reasons that television has become a subject of much discussion and controversy.

One common missing factor in Sri Lankan television is the sheer absence of sleek interesting and innovative promos that does not contain crime and violence. There is a golden rule required from all viewers of Television.

That is they should have inculcated goodness a fine taste for culture and Arts, a peace loving temperament and the freedom of choice and independence to watch television programmes suitable for themselves. Television has to spend a good amount of money and airtime to promote a programme for it to become successful.

In Sri Lanka television largely use instinct to determine the content of Promos or promotional films, when to Telecast them and how much time to devote to them.

Many countries in the world have developed guidelines to protect children from exploitation and misrepresentation in television. Censorship is the commonest form but the gaps existing in this method continue to grow as television organisations and access to children continue to grow.

As said every viewer must be of peaceful choice be it adults or children developed with refined tastes for those non violent programs. Parents as adults must guide the younger generation for options other than violence and crime founding thrills and excitement in other ways.

In a study involving about media guidelines both international and country specific carried out by Save The Children alliance in 1996.

It was found that only three codes from Russia, Australia, and Sri Lanka made specific reference to children. However two of them dealt with children as victims of perpetrators of crimes.

In television various kinds of investigative process including the actual processes of Tele-journalistic enquiry require confidentiality and therefore concealment in order to guarantee fairness; certain things cannot be said while legal proceedings are in train; There is a convention about what can be said or shown about minor especially the children of public figures.

Even on the other end of the judicial system when media publish or telecast the identity of convicted paedophiles most of us feel uneasy.

It exposes individuals to mob law and does nothing at all to protect children. In violence and crime medical and psychological records are confidential. Sensitive material around national security is confidential. Concealment isn't by definition unfair.

It may be parts of a system guaranteeing fairness. There is no denying that the present day television programming is far behind people's expectations which they will vouch for if they get exposed to the quality of programmes churned out by satellite and cable TV stations in other parts of the world. The television ratings are only an indication of how many people saw what is on offer.

Unfortunately it does not reveal the depth of the penetration or the intensity of reaction and it never reveals what the acceptance would have been if the television gives something better in terms of creativity and imagination.

One of the fundamental aspects in television broadcasting is the role or importance in research. It will be interesting to understand whether any of the television stations in Sri Lanka do any research before deciding on programming strategies or schedule of TV programs.

Likewise the viewers too must not watch TV for the sake of watching just impressing the button but must choose wisely a required program. For this to happen the viewer as said must have the goodness for proper perceiving and freedom of choice.

When television broadcasters are looking for producing a genre that has been hitherto unexplored programming strategy is formulated by designing programmes on what part of the day it has to be scheduled.

There are children, older children, older family members, young adults and mature adults. television programming has to cross pollinate from one age group to the other and not necessarily what everybody wants to see for which compatibility and audience flow is necessary.

A market research is a must to understand the life style of our television audiences to determine not only scheduling but also what type of programme to use thereby creating a flow to the TV programming that meets the needs of the various audience types throughout the day.

An audience survey concerning television programmes containing violence and crime is the best way to accomplish a healthy television balance put to practical use among other considerations.

The rest is left for adult audiences to inculcate goodness on our children and thereafter guide them to make a better choice.

****

Violence on TV: The Broader Picture

Television invaded Sri Lanka in the 1980s and now it has expanded to every nook and corner of the country. There is a surfeit of channels on terrestrial free-to-air television and even more if you have access to cable or satellite. More channels are being added.

Television dominates our evenings, with most people glued to teledramas and foreign teleserials. Today's children literally grow up with television. Children are instantly attracted to this visual medium.

Their growing minds are susceptible to accumulate everything shown on the telly. There is a lot of blood on show on television. Local teledramas as well as foreign series show countless murders, shootings, kidnappings, explosions etc.

There are many who believe that young minds exposed to such violence on television will turn out to be citizens with unsound minds. But can anything be done about it in this modern age when even the news telecasts feature loads of violence? What are your views on 'Violence on Television: The broader picture'. Do write to us on the above topic to Daily News Debate, Daily News, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, PO Box 1217, Colombo, or via e-mail to [email protected] before April 08, 2008. Limit your contributions to a maximum 1,000 words.