Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Senator Buttimer has given me my cue because I react against political correctness, even though much of what I intend to say in dealing with this topic will sound like that. There is much hypocrisy attached to many of the sacred cows that have been developed by certain sections in society who see it as their job to shape everybody's opinion. I am often surprised at the people who would be self-proclaimed liberals with liberal views but they are far from liberal when it comes to taking on contrary views. They are liberal while one agrees with them but when one does not, they lose that label of liberalism.

Broadcasting is an important issue and it is recognised as such. I listened to Senator Boyle espousing his liberal views on this area, but an "anything goes" philosophy is not what is required. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission are in place. The former brought forward principles relating to broadcasting under the code of programme standards. This code deals with many issues and shows there is a need for certain standards to be maintained. Under general community standards, the code states that programme material should not offend against commonly held standards considered acceptable in contemporary Irish society. The latter brings an element of subjectivity into the debate.

The code of programme standards also states that broadcasters should exercise due care by taking measures to ensure viewers and listeners will be protected from undue offence and harm. Everybody recognises the need to protect children. In that context, the code states that broadcasters share a responsibility with parents and guardians in protecting children, that is, those under the age of 18, from exposure to inappropriate and harmful material when scheduling programme material, etc. The code also outlines content rules to deal with issues such as violent programme material, coarse and offensive language and sexual conduct. It states that broadcasters in general must have due regard to the appropriateness of and-or the justification for the inclusion of violent content in programme material, with detailed rules pertaining to each category. We must recognise that broadcasting is influential in the context of shaping opinions and standards within society. It can be a tremendous force for good or bad and its influence depends on the quality of the broadcaster.

It was stated that the liberal approach to broadcasting must be confined by ensuring that standards are maintained. It was also stated that said approach is usually qualified in respect of times when children watch television. I contend, however, that not all standards are the same from the point of view of how sensible, intellectual or mature they might be. Psychoanalysis has unearthed ample evidence which illustrates that overexposure to violence, explicit sexual content — particularly of a deviant nature — and racism on television influences people in certain sectors of society. The genesis of certain serious crimes lies in exposure on the part of those who commit such crimes to influences such as those to which I refer.

I have not heard it stated for some time but when heavy metal music was extremely popular among young people, concerns were expressed that particular song lyrics influenced certain individuals to commit suicide. We must be wary with regard to the impact of the influences to which people are exposed. Such influences can have life-changing, severe and detrimental effects on individuals, on those around them and on society in general.

Senator O'Reilly made an extremely valid point, namely, that we live in a society where freedom of expression in the media is fundamental to the democratic process. I subscribe to that view. During our debates on the Defamation Bill, however, several Members stated that with freedom come certain obligations. Such obligations are not always observed and in many instances they are abrogated.

Senator Buttimer referred to "Hall's Pictorial Weekly", a programme which was extremely enjoyable for those of us who were in Opposition at the time but which also had some political influence on the 1977 general election. Everyone used to listen to "Scrap Saturday" each weekend. It was an extremely funny programme but probably did not have the same political impact as "Hall's Pictorial Weekly". While satire is perfectly acceptable and should be accepted, there should be some way to ensure it does not bring about a shift of the democratic process.