The
Land Cries Out for the Blood that Was Shed
Revelation TV, 23 June 2009, 15:30
Revelation TV is a UK-based Christian channel that features a range of
programmes with a religious theme. Ofcom received a complaint about The Land
Cries Out for the Blood that was Shed, objecting to the programme's stance
against abortion, and the showing of graphic images of aborted foetuses. The
complainant was concerned that the programme had been broadcast in the afternoon
and prior to a children's programme called R Kids.
The programme was a documentary film, which consisted of commentary and
interviews setting out facts, figures and opinions about abortion. All the
interviewees (drawn mainly from anti-abortion organisations in the UK, the US
and Israel) put forward arguments and opinions against abortion, with the views
expressed being predominantly delivered from a Christian and Jewish perspective.
During the programme, a range of images were shown, which depicted, in
photographic form, aborted foetuses or the process of abortion. In summary, the
Images consisted of the following:
- Firstly, montages of still photographs of late-stage aborted
foetuses shown three times during the programme lasting in excess of
thirty seconds in total
- second, a number of times, brief but discernable “flash frames” of
photographs of late-stage aborted foetuses, shown intermittently
throughout the programme.
The programme also touched on: the legal situation pertaining to abortion in the
UK, the US and Israel; and the United Nations policy concerning abortion. In
addition, a number of interviewees gave their perspectives on the legal
situation surrounding abortion in the above countries, and how it was being
dealt with at the UN.
Ofcom considered Rules of the Code:
- Rule 1.3: Children must be protected by appropriate scheduling
- Rule 2.1: Generally accepted standards must be applied to the
contents of
television programmes
- Rule 2.3: Offensive material must be justified by the context and
appropriate
information should also be broadcast
- Rule 5.5: On matters of political controversy or relating to
current public policy
due impartiality must be preserved.
Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rules
1.3, 2.1, 2.3 & 5.5
Ofcom had two broad areas of concern about the programme:
Firstly, Ofcom noted that collectively the Images consisted of
depictions in photographic form of late-stage aborted foetuses. Ofcom
therefore had to consider whether by broadcasting the Images, Revelation
TV had failed to ensure that people under eighteen were protected, and
generally accepted standards were maintained.
Second, given that the programme was touching on and discussing
Governmental and international policy on abortion, Ofcom had to consider
whether Section Five of the Code (concerning due impartiality) was
engaged, and if so, whether due impartiality was maintained on a matter
of political or industrial controversy or matter relating to current
public policy.
Ofcom considered the Images collectively as being highly problematic,
with real potential to cause harm and offence, including harm to any
children watching.
Firstly, the Montages consisted of extremely graphic still photographs
showing full images of different late stage aborted foetuses outside of
the womb. These images included severed body parts including heads and
limbs. Given the very explicit nature of these photographs, and the
length of time they were visible to viewers, Ofcom considered the
Montages had the greatest potential to cause harm and offence, including
harm to any children watching. There were similar concerns about the
graphic nature of the Flash Frames which included some of the same
stills in the Montages.
This programme was broadcast well before the 9pm Watershed, and in fact,
at a time when children would be arriving home from school. It also was
broadcast only a short time before one of Revelation TV's programmes
aimed at children (R Kids). Ofcom therefore considered that there was a
material chance that some children might be in the audience for The Land
Cries Out. Ofcom considered that the strength and highly graphic nature
of the Images were totally unacceptable to be broadcast at a time when
children might have been watching. The highly graphic nature of the
Montages in particular, would have had, in Ofcom's opinion, the likely
potential to have caused distress and upset amongst any child viewers
exposed to such material. As a consequence, Ofcom considered the content
to be in breach of Rule 1.3.
Ofcom considered that a combination of the Images, and in particular,
the Montages, could not be justified by the context given the time of
broadcast and the failure to provide adequate information about the
nature of the programme, and were, therefore, in breach of Rules 2.1 and
2.3.
Outside of news programmes, under Section Five of the Code,
broadcasters must ensure that they preserve “due impartiality” on
matters relating to political or industrial controversy or matters
relating to current public policy. Having reviewed the programme, Ofcom
noted that The Land Cries Out contained no opinions or viewpoints that
could be portrayed as being from a pro-abortion stance. Ofcom therefore
considered the programme to be in breach of Rule 5.5.
Ofcom considered these breaches of the Code to be serious.
