“Ireland is changing; broadcasting standards are not black and white; and respect for the individual and groups in society matters most to viewers and listeners”.
These are the key findings of new research into public attitudes regarding programme standards in the broadcast media. The research was carried out by IpsosMRBI on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and the findings were presented as part of a ‘conversation’ on broadcasting standards that was hosted by the BAI this month.
During the event, the BAI heard the views of broadcasters, programme makers, civil society groups and members of the public. The event also featured input from Andrea Millwood-Hargrave, a renowned broadcasting standards expert, who provided insights into the concept of a community standard and the broader international experience in this area.
Speaking about the event, Bob Collins, Chairperson of the BAI said: “The BAI has always regarded the public as its key stakeholder group. What the research undertaken by IpsosMRBI shows is that attitudes are not static. What may have been regarded as being offensive in the past may offend fewer now; and what may have been regarded as acceptable some years ago, may now cause considerable offence. In setting and implementing standards the BAI and broadcasters must have due regard to changing attitudes among the viewing and listening public.”
“The research shows a mature and informed viewing and listening public, with many willing to accept the reality that they may be offended by something that is not regarded by others as being ‘offensive’. The majority of those polled agreed with the statement that ‘broadcasters should cater for all tastes even if some of these programmes offend me’.
“The conversation we are having today is just the beginning of the process of redrafting the Code of Programme Standards. There will be full consultation with the public and with broadcasters over the coming months and everyone will have an opportunity to make their views known”, Mr. Collins said.
SOME KEY FINDINGS OF the IpsosMRBI RESEARCH *
- Ireland is changing; broadcasting standards are not black and white; and respect for the individual and groups in society matters most to viewers and listeners.
- 61% of those polled regarded themselves as fairly or very liberal, while 37% regarded themselves as being fairly or very conservative.
- 71% agreed strongly or slightly with the statement broadcasters should cater for all tastes even if some of these programmes offend me’.
- 80% were offended by scenes/descriptions of rape/sexual assault or cruelty; 50% by explicit/graphic images; and 30% by comedy or reality TV.
- 81% agreed either strongly or slightly with the statement: ‘I have different expectations of different channels in terms of the type of content they broadcast.’.
- Watersheds and pre-warnings are still regarded as good ideas and are the preferred restrictions. The majority agree that broadcasters should bear full responsibility for what children see.
- 26% are regularly or occasionally offended by how lesbian/gays/bisexual and transgender people are portrayed on TV. Figures for portrayal of other groups include women (25%); people with disabilities (24%) and immigrants and travellers (both 23%).
- In terms of language used, the words that people find most offensive are those relating to race, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
- In 1987, 60% of people stated they would miss the church if it was gone, compared to 34% who would miss TV. In 2012 only 30% stated they would definitely miss the church while 55% would miss TV.
- 71% claimed to be very or fairly computer literate, but there were significant differences among the age groups. While 95% of those between 18 and 34 placed themselves in this category, just 35% of those aged 55+ did so.
- The vast majority of people (85.4%) watched TV at home in the traditional way, with one in two having watched something pre-recorded on their TV in the previous week.
- There has been a significant increase over the past three years in people’s use of the social media but this growth shows some sign of tapering off over recent months.
Most of these findings were based on face to face interviews with 1,000 people aged 15+ carried out during October and November 2013. The research was complemented by an IpsosMRBI Attitudes and Values Survey undertaken in 2012.
