Is 'child protection' a hollow mantra? The Family and Media Association welcomes the efforts to fight against the sexual abuse of children as outlined in the Today with Pat kenny Radio programme (9th December 2010). However, given the widely acknowledged problem of the sexualisation of children through the media, the Family and Media Association asks the question, is not the easy availability of adult pornography (and, in particular, the way adequate measures have not been introduced to prevent children from being exposed to such material) a form of 'grooming on a grand scale'? Repeated decisions made by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, its predecessor, the BCC as well as the Irish Film Classifications Office have come down heavily on the side of catering for a "diversity of tastes and interests" with scant regard for the well being of children. Are we not too much concerned about providing adults with choice at all costs and not enough concerned about protecting the most vulnerable in our society? In the final analysis, despite the continual lip service being paid to child protection by sections of the Irish media, is, in fact, 'child protection', for the Irish media, nothing more than a hollow mantra, destined, ultimately to be sacrificed on the altar of (adult) choice? ENDS Donal O'Sullivan-Latchford Family and Media Association Phone: 086 330 9724 Email: info@fma.ie
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