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'Clockwork Orange' Society
Letter to Irish Times
November 9, 2006
 
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Family and Media Association An educational resource for Families and the community at large concerned about the impact the media has on their lives. Highlights the implications for Christian values in programme content, especially those relating to the family, critically assesses standards of honesty, decency, fairness and truthfulness in the media and makes these assessments available to the public through its publication, media report, public seminars and the internet; makes available relevant research relating to the links between media content and psychsocial development, facilitates effective dialogue between the media and the public by informing both media and public about issues relating to both ; promotes public understanding of the functioning and power of the media, assesses and enhances the value of the media to the individual, the family and the community.

 

'Clockwork Orange' Society

Madam, - In response to Denis Staunton’s letter (The Irish Times, November 6th), I would like to pose the question: should our fears of becoming a "Clockwork Orange" society not prompt us to focus on preventative measures rather than the eroding of civil liberties? 

The harmful effects of violent media images upon the developing minds of children are well established (see 'A longitudinal study, Douglas A.

Gentile et al., American Psychological Society, May, 2004), while recent anecdotal evidence (‘You Tube’ etc) has been a dramatic wake up call for some.

We should be concerned about the media environment which we have imposed upon our children, and its harmful psychological and behavioural effects. The ‘air’ which children are forced to breathe today is toxic, and any genuine concern for children’s welfare will not fail to address this reality.

Clearly defined rules, eliminating the harmful exposure of children to media violence and pornography, is demanded by a society which truly values children’s rights.

If we fail to uphold children’s right to a safe media environment, what sort of future “Clockwork Orange” society are we to expect? Can we be surprised when the visual imprints of the media violence and pornography we have bombarded them with, are reflected back at us in antisocial behaviour. Let’s have ‘clean airwaves’. - Yours, etc.,