Major's screen violence plea falls on deaf ears
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JOHN MAJOR'S appeal to film, video and television producers to reduce screen violence received only muted support from the Labour Party yesterday.
Tony Blair, shadow home affairs minister, agreed that children were conditioned by everything around them but said the Prime Minister's call fell far short of a strategy to reduce youth crime.
He said: 'The Tories are on the defensive on crime and are more interested in snatching a headline than acting. The Prime Minister is not proposing anything.'
Mr Major told the Conservative Central Council in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Saturday that while he did not favour censorship, he believed there was too much violence in videos and on television. He urged parents to control what children watched and suggested producers ask themselves what effect 'a relentless diet of violence' had on the young.
He instructed television programmers: 'Don't just be careful when you show it - be careful what you show.'
Mr Blair said yesterday that violent children were more likely to be influenced by video nasties than by television programmes such as Casualty, the BBC hospital drama criticised for violent content. Physical and sexual abuse in the home were likely to be even more significant.
Television programmers and film makers have rejected Mr Major's criticism and demanded he provide specific complaints. Ann Clwyd, Labour's National Heritage spokesman, called for more research on the connection between screen violence and real-life aggression.
Kenneth Clarke, the Home Secretary, warned yesterday that tough action was being taken to counter 'the remorseless' rise in crime. He insisted crime was a matter of individual responsibility but agreed improved social conditions could minimise crime.
He said on London Weekend Television's Walden programme that his proposals to lock up persistant young criminals would empower courts that could not impose a custodial sentence.
Violence on television, page 3
Leading article, page 18
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments