CONTROL OF TV

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29273, 3 August 1960, Page 8

CONTROL OF TV

Independent Body Wanted

An adequate prior investigation of the likely effects of television on the young—so that a' controlling authority strong enough to enforce policy against any commercial or sectional pressure would be set up—was advocated to the Education Commission by the Post-primary Teachers’ Association yesterday. For a clear-cut policy on the use of TV the association urged a controlling body preferably totally independent of party political government. An independent commercial TV authority was strongly opposed. The association recommended control by an independent corporation modelled on the 8.8. C. “It would be profoundly unfortunate if enthusiasts and vested interests were allowed to scramble into possession of their various interests in TV without adequate supervision,” the evidence said. In American homes with TV it was believed that most children watched for 30 hours a week and that in Great Britain and the United States adults watched for between 34 and 38 hours a week. “While this is apparently not always the best means of spreading new ideas, it is stated that it does more to influence conscious morals and standards than any other cultural medium,” the association said. Members were concerned about commercial TV. To get greatest sales the advertiser must attract the largest audience. This inevitably implied that programmes would be directed as of policy to a calculated mediocrity. It was significant that an offer by the British Postmaster-General of £lOO,OOO to raise Independent Television standards was refused.