26 May 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

TV violence, sex and bad language top concerns

Violence, sex and bad language are still the top three unprompted concerns of New Zealanders about TV, says comprehensive new research released by the BSA this week.

But the latest research also shows that New Zealanders, when prompted, rank accuracy as the most important of the broadcasting standards. Considering the interests of children is rated the next most important, followed by standards for balance and fairness.

Eighty percent of New Zealanders over 18 say that they regularly watch the news, 64% regularly watch documentaries and 54% watch current affairs. "New Zealanders are really interested in the quality of this type of programme," said BSA chair Joanne Morris. "This may explain the public’s insistence that the facts presented to them are accurate."

"The BSA was especially interested in what people thought about all kinds of factual programmes, from TV news to talkback radio," said Ms Morris. "Interestingly, for talkback radio, famous for its robust opinion, half of those surveyed still thought that accuracy was extremely important."

The BSA surveys several hundred New Zealanders nationwide every five years or so to monitor changes in community opinion about various broadcasting standards. The new research, Freedoms and Fetters, was launched this week and can be purchased from the BSA. Review copies are available.

ENDS

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