Ofcom published the following statement in the latest complaints bulletin: Violence in pre-watershed programmes
Ofcom reminds television broadcasters of the need to ensure that all material broadcast
pre-watershed which features violent scenes is appropriately limited. Broadcasters should consider whether individual acts of violence within a programme are suitable, as well as where the overall tone is malevolent, menacing and threatening, that this
also remains suitably limited.
Given the lack of recent detailed studies specifically into viewers' attitudes to violence on television, Ofcom has commissioned new independent research on this subject. This research will further
inform us about the level of concern about violence included in television programmes scheduled before and immediately after the watershed, and any areas of particular concern to viewers e.g. specific types of violence or genres of programme. The
research should be complete this year and Ofcom plans to publish the results as soon as possible in 2014.
The statement was related to Ofcom's censure of a fight scene in Hollyoaks.
Hollyoaks
Channel 4, 19 March 2013,
18:30
Hollyoaks is a long running British television soap drama set in a fictional suburb of Chester called Hollyoaks. It features a large cast of characters primarily aged between 16 and 35. Its main target audience is teenagers
and young adults. The programme is broadcast each weekday evening on Channel 4.
Hollyoaks regularly deals with controversial storylines such as sexual abuse, domestic violence and drugs. A complainant alerted Ofcom to a scene in
this programme, in which one of the main characters was violently killed by a speeding train. The viewer considered this scene was unsuitable for broadcast before the watershed, particularly as children might have been watching. The scene in question
marked
The scene in question marked the conclusion of a long running revenge storyline between two characters: the former undercover policeman, Walker, and the former drug dealer, Brendan. Walker believed Brendan was responsible
for the death of his brother Cam, who had died from taking drugs supplied by Brendan. This scene was broadcast at 18:54. From the point at which the characters first made physical contact with one another to the immediate aftermath of the train collision
was one minute and nine seconds in duration.
Although the intention was clearly to show an intense fight between these characters, Ofcom particularly noted that, overall, where punches and kicks were exchanged the movements of
arms, fists and legs were tightly edited to avoid showing any shots of the actual impact and the use of fast paced music gave the scenes a stylised tone.
In addition, there were no images depicting the impact of the train as it
hit Walker, or its aftermath.
Ofcom considered, however, that the cumulative effect of the violent fight scene taken together with Walker being hit by the train, broadcast well before the watershed, raised issues warranting
investigation under:
Rule 1.3: Children must...be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them.
Rule 1.11: Violence, its after-effects and descriptions of violence, whether verbal
or physical, must be appropriately limited in programmes broadcast before the watershed...and must also be justified by context.
Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rules 1.3 and 1.11
This episode featured a particularly aggressive fight sequence, ending with one character being pushed into the path of an oncoming train and so to his violent
death. The fight sequence itself was carefully edited not to show the actual point of impact of most of the numerous punches and kicks. However, it was clearly intended to leave viewers with the impression that both characters experienced violent punches
to the head and the body, as was evident from the blood on their faces as a result of these blows, the impact sounds of the physical contact between the characters, and the groans and moans from the characters as a result of the violence.
In this case it is Ofcom's view that this scene was both violent and shocking and had the potential to distress younger viewers as well as raise concerns about the level of violence amongst parents watching with their children
regardless of the editorial context presented or the signposting provided.
For all these reasons Ofcom considered that it was unsuitable for children. Ofcom then went on to consider whether this material was appropriately
scheduled. We have set out above in some detail the nature of the violent content in this programme that Ofcom considered unsuitable for children. Ofcom also assessed the nature of the violent scenes as part of its consideration of whether they were
appropriately scheduled.
In summary, Ofcom's view was that while the fight sequence was limited in duration it was intense and the climactic scene where Walker was pushed into the path of a speeding train was both shocking and
unexpected.
Ofcom acknowledged that the Licensee took steps in attempt to ensure that this sequence complied with the Code. These measures were however on balance insufficient. Ofcom concluded that cumulatively the violent content
in this sequence exceeded viewers' expectations for a drama transmitted long before the watershed when young children were available to view and in this case were watching in large numbers. Ofcom, therefore, concluded that the episode was in breach of
Rule 1.3.
In summary, Ofcom's view was that the cumulative effect of the violence in the final scene was not sufficiently limited for this time of the evening, nor was it justified by context given that a significant number of
younger children were viewing and available to view. Ofcom therefore concluded that this episode was in breach of Rule 1.11.
Breaches of Rules 1.3 and 1.11
Comment: Mediawatch-UK soundbite
29th
August 2013. See article from
telegraph.co.uk
Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch-uk, said there was a concern that because of the success of late-night dramas such as The Fall and Ripper Street, which deal with serial killers, there were signs that violence was beginning to be seen as more
acceptable before the 9pm watershed. She added:
I think it is good that Ofcom are coming in now and reminding broadcasters that violence is not acceptable, but I just hope that when broadcasters are found in breach
Ofcom can show its teeth
