Seanad debates
Tuesday, 4 November 2003
Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
The forum also refers to the future of RTE and the susceptibility of young people to advertising. This issue was aired at the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I know that BCI is taking steps in this direction and is examining the type of advertising going on. I remind people that if they sit and watch any children's programme at this time of year, and I know the Minister has children himself, they will notice a huge level of advertising of toys. While this is understandable coming up to Christmas, which starts early on television, there is constant pressure from children of three, four or five years of age who want everything they see. This insidious type of advertising is geared in a certain direction. One should look at the Scandinavian model. In Scandinavian countries that type of advertising is done late at night so that parents rather than children are the arbiters of whether they wish to get the toys for their children. I look forward to the BCI addressing this issue.
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