BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

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Summary

In an episode of Friends screened on TV2 on 24 April 1996 at 7.30pm, some of the

characters portrayed in the programme had a discussion about the number of lovers each

had had. They also compared their current lovers' skills in bed with those of previous

partners, and a dispute arose over who should have the last condom.

Mr Sheehy complained to Television New Zealand Ltd that the storyline was totally

inappropriate for screening at 7.30pm during family viewing hours, and alleged that

standards G2 and G12 of the Television Code had been contravened.

Acknowledging that the programme had contained some sexual innuendo, but

explaining that it had screened in PGR time, and that there had been no explicit sexual

activity, TVNZ declined to uphold the complaint.

Dissatisfied with the broadcaster's response, Mr Sheehy referred the complaint to the

Authority under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

For the reasons below, the Authority declines to uphold the complaint.

Decision

The members of the Authority have viewed the item complained about and have read the

correspondence (summarised in the Appendix). As is its practice, the Authority

determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

The story line of an episode of Friends broadcast on TV2 on 24 April 1996 at 7.30pm

included scenes which contained sexual innuendoes. One of the characters, who had

apparently had a number of previous partners, was surprised to learn that her current

partner had only had one other partner, his former wife of thirty years. Two of the

other characters engaged in a discussion about the bedroom skills of former partners.

Gerald Sheehy complained to TVNZ that the programme was lacking in originality and

humour, and was totally inappropriate for its 7.30pm time slot. He considered it

unsuitable for viewing by young people in spite of its PGR rating. He considered that

parents should be entitled to expect the 7.30pm time zone to be free of sexual innuendo,

and a PGR warning should signify that the material was suitable for family viewing.

TVNZ assessed the complaint under standards G2 and G12 of the Television Code of

Broadcasting Practice, which require broadcasters:

G2  To take into consideration currently accepted norms of decency and

taste in language and behaviour, bearing in mind the context in which

any language or behaviour occurs.

G12 To be mindful of the effect any programme may have on children

during their normally accepted viewing times.

At the outset, TVNZ noted that Friends was classified as PGR. It pointed out that the

definition of PGR material was:

Programmes containing material more suited to adult audiences, but not

necessarily unsuitable for child viewers when subject to the guidance of a

parent or an adult.

Describing Friends as a well established series dealing with a group of young people

whose relationships were seen to be an important part of their lives, TVNZ observed

that the interplay between characters on sexual themes provided much of the comic

storyline. The discussion of previous relationships between a young woman and her

much older partner was seen to cause her discomfort when she realised that he had only

had one other partner prior to her. TVNZ emphasised that while sexual innuendo was

certainly present in the episode, there were no scenes of sexual activity and no nudity.

On that basis, it did not believe that the programme exceeded currently accepted norms

of taste and decency.

Turning to the matter of its PGR classification, TVNZ observed that while the material

was obviously "more suited to adult audiences", it considered that many adults would

not object to their children watching, provided that they were under adult guidance. It

stressed that it believed that programming for young people was a shared responsibility

between the broadcaster and the adult viewer, and that it endeavoured to present

programmes that complied with the classification guidelines.

With respect to the complaint that standard G12 had been breached, TVNZ responded

that it had demonstrated that it was mindful of the effect of the programme on children

by placing it in the PGR time band. It expressed its regrets to Mr Sheehy that he was

offended by the programme but declined to uphold any aspect of the complaint.

The Authority accepts that the programme portrays a more liberal attitude to sexual

activity than many in the community would tolerate, but observes that this is in line with

modern lifestyles and behaviour.

When the Authority considers an alleged breach of standard G2, it examines the

programme in its context. On this occasion it takes into account the fact that the

programme is designed to appeal to a young adult audience, which is the target audience

of TV2's programmers, and that the storylines are apparently consistent with their

beliefs and values. It also notes that the programme was screened in PGR time, and

agrees with TVNZ that that classification places responsibility on adult caregivers to

ensure that their children are subject to guidance.

While the Authority understands that the themes in Friends are not endorsed by all

viewers, it observes that nevertheless some morally sound messages are conveyed. For

instance, it notes that the young woman, when asked about her previous sexual

partners, appeared embarrassed, especially when she realised that her current partner

had only had one previous relationship. Her partner, who believed that love should

form the basis of a relationship, appeared a more admirable character. Similarly, safe

sex practices were endorsed. Accordingly, it decides that standard G2 was not

breached.

To the standard G12 complaint, the Authority endorses TVNZ's observation that

parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring that children watch programmes

classified PGR under the guidance of an adult. In the Authority's view, TVNZ has

fulfilled its responsibility under standard G12 by classifying the programme

appropriately. It declines to uphold this aspect of the complaint.

For the reasons set forth above, the Authority declines to uphold the

complaint.

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Judith Potter
Chairperson
11 July 1996

Appendix

Mr Sheehy's Complaint to Television New Zealand Ltd - 26 & 29 April

1996

In a fax dated 29 April 1996, which referred to a letter sent to the Broadcasting

Standards Authority on the 26th, Gerald Sheehy of Takapuna complained to Television

New Zealand Ltd that the storyline of an episode of Friends, screened on TV2 on 24

April 1996, was totally inappropriate for its 7.30pm timeslot. He alleged that the

screening of the programme breached standards G2 and G12 of the Television Code of

Broadcasting Practice.

Mr Sheehy maintained that the storyline, which involved a discussion on how many

lovers some of the characters had had, and which compared previous lovers' skills in

bed, lacked originality and humour. He asked that the screening times for this type of

"trash" be urgently reviewed.

TVNZ's Response to the Formal Complaint - 20 May 1996

TVNZ advised Mr Sheehy's that the complaint was reviewed in the context of standards

G2 and G12 of the Television Codes of Broadcasting Practice.

TVNZ described Friends as a well-established series with a well-developed storyline

which a large number of viewers found enjoyable and entertaining.

Noting that the programme was broadcast in PGR time and accompanied by the PGR

symbol, TVNZ maintained that, although the programme was more suitable for adults,

the PGR classification was appropriate. It believed that many caregivers would not

have objected to children watching the programme with adult guidance. Standard G12

had not been contravened as the programme had been scheduled to screen in the PGR

time band thereby demonstrating that TVNZ had been mindful of the effect of the

programme on children.

TVNZ acknowledged that there was certainly some sexual innuendo in the programme

but explained that there had been no depiction of explicit sexual activity which could

have strayed beyond the "currently accepted norms of taste and decency". For this

reason, TVNZ argued that standard G2 had also not been breached and accordingly

declined to uphold the complaint.

Mr Sheehy's Referral to the Broadcasting Standards Authority - 27 May

1996

Dissatisfied with TVNZ's response, Mr Sheehy referred the complaint to the Authority

under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989. He believed that the 7.30pm timeslot

was inappropriate given the programme's content, and that the display of the PGR

symbol was insufficient warning for the sexual innuendo that followed. He queried

whether the timeslot for the whole series should be reviewed.

Referring to standard G2, Mr Sheehy contended that standards of taste and decency

must take into account the time when a programme was broadcast.

TVNZ's Response to the Authority - 5 June 1996

TVNZ advised that it had nothing of substance to add other than it was required to abide

by "currently accepted norms of taste and decency". While it acknowledged and

respected Mr Sheehy's genuine and strongly-held views, TVNZ believed that the

content of the programme would not have caused widespread concern among TV2

viewers.