TV censorship

Press, 28 August 1982, Page 14

TV censorship

Sir, — I am entirely in agreement with all your correspondents on the recent example of unbalanced censorship. But in passing, would like to put much more emphasis on the fact that more consideration be given to the really harmful material shown to young people on TV and even more so, the cinema. I am horrified at some of the descriptions advertising films, let alone the films themselves. On the other hand, we should not expect the censor to be solely responsible for the well-being of our young and/or impressionable people, let us therefore try to educate them to reject this trash for the substandard rubbish that it is. — Yours, etc., D. G. HEARD, (Mrs). August 26, 1982. Sir,—l would like to add my voice to the protest over being shown "Brideshead censored.” What justification does the television censor have to destroy the artistic integrity of a programme which has been shown uncut in Britain, the United States and Australia? Are New Zealanders really prudish or is it done because of a censor’s outdated concept. Please may we have the small amount of worth-while television offered in this country left intact. Surely those who' are offended could close their eyelids for a few moments.— Yours, etc., M. MARTIN. . August 24, 1982.

Sir,—Four correspondents (August 26) took the TV censor, Mr Fabian, strongly to task over a couple of scene cuts. Quite possibly, I too might find in them less that is objectionable than in many another not cut elsewhere, but I do not agree with an implication from all four writers that because sexual activity is a part of our life and the actors depict same with artistic skill and the

scene, moreover, has its contribution to make to the theme, exposure of it is therefore our right and in our interests. I prefer that the boundaries we fix to secure some privacies be honoured. In my opinion screen breaches contribute to real life breaches. The gains from a scene have to be considerable to warrant such a price. If the scenes in question have such gains the cuts are unfortunate but still not as bad as censorship I so sparing as to equal default. Mr Fabian should carry on.—Yours, etc., ALEX WATSON. August 26, 1982.