Call for porn TV to be cut
Campaign group mediawatch-uk has called on broadcasting regulator, the Office of Communications, to revoke all licences granted to pornographic satellite, cable, terrestrial and broadband television channels on the grounds that new Government research has concluded that such material is harmful.
The research, published by the Ministry of Justice in September, concludes that pornography is harmful and that there is now “a substantial body of mutually corroborative evidence of the harm effects of extreme – or other pornographic material”.
Mediawatch-uk says the research reaffirms previous findings that there is “clear and consistent” evidence that “exposure to pornography puts one at risk for developing sexually deviant tendencies, committing sexual offences, experiencing difficulties in one’s intimate relationships and accepting rape myths.”
In the light of the research evidence, John Beyers, director of mediawatch-uk, has written to the chairman of Ofcom’s Content Board saying: “Ofcom has certain statutory obligations to protect members of the public from harmful material, as set out by parliament in the Communications Act 2003.
“Failure to respond to the new evidence of harm, could put Ofcom in breach of the law if it fails to take proportionate action to remove pornographic material from the airwaves.”
Mr Beyer also called for Ofcom to issue a warning over pornographic content transmitted by other TV channels.
