Viewers’ views on violence

Press, 15 October 1976, Page 11

Viewers’ views on violence

Sir, —I have travelled across the United States, Europe. Asia and Australia, and in none of those countries have I experienced violence, either personally or to someone else. Desperation, hatred, poverty — yes, but physical violence, never. I’ve seen violence on television news, and read of it frequently in the papers, there is no reason to doubt it’s existence, but it has not yet touched me. Neither has the violence of “Starskv and Hutch” or the “Sweeney” induced me to scuttle over to my neighbour and slash her throat. I’m sure she would not appreciate it, and it would probably damage our friendship. It seems to me that when we blame TV for the “upsurge” of violence, we are missing the basic point. Why violence in the first place? Why war? Why programs? And why street violence? Boredom, greed, loneliness? There must be a better solution than alcohol and rugby. Is there too much emphasis on defence? Should we maintain men to defend and kill, when there is no-one to kill? I do feel violent when faced with the insulting inanities of “Love Thy Neighbour” and “Not On Your Nellie” and the embarrassing syrupy piati-

tudes of “Lucas Tanner” and “The Waltons.” What are we doing even even arguing about such drivel? Well, my husband and I have finally come to our senses. We’re abandoning “M.A.S.H.” and the “Survivors.” We are going to start talking properly to each other again, paint, read, bake bread, take the dog and the baby out for walks on the warm (please) summer evenings. We’re getting rid of the TV, and we WON’T be getting another. —ROWENA KING.

Sir. —I am writing in response to your invitation to express our feelings on the standard of television programmes presented on TVI and 2. I fully support the concern of the St Albans’ Residents’ Association sub-committee. As a student nurse I have studied human growth and development, and appreciate the inevitable negative influence of violent and sexually pre-occupied programmes on receptive and vulnerable young minds. This harmful effect is demonstrated by the rapid upsurge of deliquency in our country in recent years. Television has great potential positively and negatively, especially on the large num-

bers of children and adolescents who spend many hours a week engrossed in it. I would like to see its potential or good utilised, by the showing of warm, “family” typj programmes that portray desirable human interrelationships combined with adequate excitement to capture children’s interest. Examples of such worth-while programmes are “Little House on the Prairie,” “Hannibal Hayes and Kid Curry,” “Lassie.” Peak viewing times from 7 to 10 p.m. should not be filled with unsuitable programmes such as “Starsky’ and Hutch,” “Kojak,” and other similar series which cheapen human life and cause impressionable individuals to feel that cold, merciless, vicious qualities are the ultimate in human dramas. Also many of the comedies shown at times when many youngsters are watching TV are filled with suggestive, lewd jokes that encourage viewers to develop a similar pre-occupation with sexuality that distorts their appreciation of its real beauty and meaning. Surely there are other comedy scenes available that provide genuine entertainment and humour without continually dwelling on sexual relations and perversion. I’m con-

vinced that there are many concerned adults in New Zealand society who are unhappy about present television programme standards, and who need an opportunity to register their dissatisfaction. How about organising an indepth survey of the publics attitudes?—KATHßYN VICKERS.

Sir, —For some time I have been concerned about the amount of violence shown on television, and also the poor quality of many programmes. In the children’s section American cartoons like “The Atom Ant Show” and “Inch High Private Eye” are absolute rubbish. Although “Sesame Street” has its good points, it is not really suitable for New Zealand children, and shown week, after week it becomes repetitive. Television can be both enjoyable and educational. More programmes like “Spot On,” “Rainbow,” “Scribbles” for the children, and “A Place in Europe”, “Lord Peter Wimsey,” and “Fall of Eagles” for the adults would be appreciated. The average viewer must be sick of the crime, violence, and kitchen sink drama, which appears frequently on the screen.—JULlA ANN NEWSOM