Inappropriate Films And Our Values

The film industry has never been as vibrant as in recent times, and with that, a lot of stuff find their way on our TV stations. We would have expected that with this development, the relevant authorities would consider censoring these so we are not bombarded with unwanted materials. As it is, such policing is virtually either non-existent or not being undertaken effectively to ensure success. These inappropriate stuff compound our social challenges as in the case of bringing up our kids in the acceptable manner; yet we appear to be glossing over them as though nothing is at stake. The word �censorship� evokes negative thoughts, but indeed there are instances where this is necessary to forestall the importation of materials which are injurious to our social development. Some TV stations have not been helpful to our cause. Such channels transmit materials at times when the kids are still around, away from their beds. It is embarrassing for a parent to suddenly notice the screening of obscene materials when the kids are wide awake. When this happens, the parent gets jittery and even confused, as to whether to put off the set or continue watching. There have been instances when the children themselves change the channel out of embarrassment for having dad and mum around. This is a suggestion that they too understand that not all films are meant for them and would try to create the impression that they detest the obscenity contained therein. For other kids however, such instinct to turn off the TV would not be there and they would therefore just keep watching and imbibing the negative aspects of it all. We cannot pretend not to understand the implications of some films on the development of our kids. In spite of the parental guidance and the age limit marks appearing on some of these films, it is our view that some of them should not be allowed into the country at all, let alone finding space on our TV station programming. Given the ease with which some of these materials enter the country, it is doubtful whether any attempts at stopping them would ever work out. Perhaps, ensuring that the TV stations do not screen inappropriate films would be the most effective means of plugging these socially injurious materials. One story which shook many persons who read it last week was about how a 10-year-old child fatally stabbed another child of equal age. Many who read or heard the story could not help turning their attention to the kind of films now common in the country, with some of them appearing on our TV screens, their obscene and dangerous portrayal of crimes in full display. It is therefore not unusual for some kids to mimic what they see on TV. Juvenile murder, as witnessed last week, is traceable to such inappropriate films and their screening by our TV stations. Let the TV stations be therefore circumspect over the screening of films, with the relevant authorities doing their work of ensuring that inappropriate stuff do not find their way into the country.