MEDIA RELEASE
Media violence concerns still high

8 May 2003

Barbara Biggins, OAM, President of the Australian Council for Children and the Media, trading as Young Media Australia (YMA), today expressed dismay that the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) had chosen to highlight a drop in community concerns about TV violence in it release of its latest survey, stating that the ABA’s emphasis could result in unjustified complacency on the part of broadcasters and the community.

Ms Biggins stated: “The ABA could equally have emphasised that 64% of adults still indicated that they were quite or very concerned about television violence. Or the 73% who stated they wanted more controls. We know from our experience talking directly to parents on a daily basis that violence in the media is the number one issue of concern for them. Nearly 40% of callers to the Young Media Australia Helpline ask about media violence experienced by their children in either movies, TV programs, promos for movies shown during children’s television viewing times or more recently in the TV news.”

She went on to say “If there is a drop in community concern, we should look at the reasons for it. Research clearly shows that repeated exposure to violence desensitises individuals to violence. We may now be starting to see the results of exposure to media violence over time. In addition, there has been a change in the classification system since 1989 such that very violent material can no longer be shown on television until 9:30pm.

Parents and caregivers are reminded that if their children are having sleep difficulties, nightmares or other behavioural problems as a result of something they have seen in the media, or if they have general concerns about media violence the national freecall Young Media Australia Helpline (1800 700 357) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

YMA is Australia’s only national advocacy organisation representing the interests of children and young people in relation to print, electronic and screen-based media, and provides a valuable resource for legislators, regulators and the media.

For more information please call Barbara Biggins on (08) 8376 2111