Television and other forms of communication (such as radio) are neutral. It is how we utilise them that determine whether they are a channel for good or evil. It has been calculated that 98 per cent of adults in the UK watch television.
In 2013, the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom released details of its survey, where 35 per cent of viewers believe that there is excessive violence on television, a massive drop from 55 per cent six years previously (‘All this
violence on the TV? Bring it on…’, Metro, 1 August 2014).
Professor Barrie Gunter of the Department of Media and Communication at the University of Leicester commented: ‘Boundaries have been pushed back, such that portrayals that would have offended or upset the majority 30 years ago might only offend or upset the minority today.’
He continued: ‘Viewers have become more accepting of certain types of portrayals over time but have they become totally desensitised? No. Viewers still display standards which show they will not tolerate programmes that they believe have gone too far – either for them or for their children.’
With regard to the watershed (before 9 p.m. when programmes have to be suitable for children), Professor Gunter thinks that it not so relevant: ‘With the recording, playback and non-linear capabilities accorded to viewers, it can be circumvented. This is especially true for children who know how to use all these new devices as well as, if not better than, their parents.’
He also stated that context and detail are everything (especially in dramas like ‘Game of Thrones’ and soaps such as ‘Hollyoaks’): ‘Seeing a bad guy shot by a good guy and falling down at a distance does not bother most viewers. Watching a captive being tortured in close-up detail is likely to evoke more powerful emotional responses.
We are encouraged in the Bible regarding: ‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.’ (Philippians 4: 8)
Indeed, Jesus uses strong words about wrong viewing habits: ‘if your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell’ (Matthew 5: 29) What He is saying is that we need to do away with those things, including unhelpful television programmes, that would cause us to sin. We are encouraged elsewhere to shut our eyes against contemplating evil (Isaiah 33: 15). John wrote: ‘For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world.’ (1 John 2: 16)
We have to be prudent as to what we watch in order that we can be educated, informed and uplifted.
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