4.3
Violence, psychological but especially physical or incitement to violence should be
portrayed responsibly, and not exploitatively. Presentation of violence must avoid the excessive,
the gratuitous, the humiliating, and the instructional. The use of violence for its own sake and
the detailed dwelling upon brutality or physical agony, by sight or sound is to be avoided.
Programs involving violence should venture to present the consequences to its victims and
perpetrators. Particular care should be exercised where children may see, or be involved in, the
depiction of violent behaviour. Specific considerations are as follows:
(i) Offensive violence
a)
The portrayal of violence, whether physical, verbal or psychological, can
upset, alarm and offend viewers. It can cause undue fear among the
audience and encourage imitation.
b)
Such public concerns require due consideration whenever violence, real
or simulated, is portrayed. The treatment of violence must be
appropriate to the context and audience expectations.
c)
Gratuitous and wanton presentation of sadistic practices and torture,
explicit and excessive imageries of injury and aggression, and of blood,
are to be avoided.
d)
The portrayal of violence is permitted to the extent of news reporting,
discussion or analysis and in the context of recognised sports events in
the following instances :
i.
Use of appropriate editorial judgment in the reporting of
audio and visual representation of violence, aggression or
destruction within their content.
ii.
Exercise of caution and discretion in the selection of, and
repetition of Content, which depicts violence.
iii.
Viewers to be cautioned in advance of showing scenes of
extraordinary violence, or graphic reporting on delicate
14
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents