AD2000 - a journal of religious opinionAD Books
Ask a Question
View Cart
Checkout
Search AD2000: author: full text:  
AD2000 - a journal of religious opinion
Find a Book:

 
AD2000 Home
Article Index
Bookstore
About AD2000
Subscribe
Links
Contact Us
 
 
 
Email Updates
Name:

Email:

Add Me
Remove Me

Subscriber Access:

Enter the Internet Access Key from your mailing label here for full access!
 

Letters

Media complaints (letter)

Bookmark and Share

 Contents - Sep 2002AD2000 September 2002 - Buy a copy now
Editorial: AD2000's Fighting Fund launched - Michael Gilchrist
Is the self-destruction of Anglicanism to continue? - Nigel Zimmerman
News: The Church Around the World - AD2000
Vocations: Corpus Christi Seminary enrolments bounce back - Michael Gilchrist
Promoting Catholic vocations in the Melbourne Archdiocese - Joanne Grainger
CHURCH ATTENDANCE: The family, feminism and the declining role of fatherhood - Richard Egan
The 1960s 'cultural revolution': from self-sacrifice to self-fulfillment - Fr Gregory Jordan
The strange case of Father Damien and Robert Louis Stevenson - Fr F.E. Burns PE
Australian Rosary CD wins international recognition - Colleen McGuiness-Howard
John Paul II and World Youth Day in Toronto: an Anglican perspective - David Warren
Letters: Church design (letter) - Greg Briscoe-Hough
Letters: Renovations (letter)
Letters: Abortion (letter) - Bob Denahy
Letters: Seminaries (letter) - Andrew Sholl
Letters: Media complaints (letter) - Michael Daniel
Letters: Feminism dead? (letter)
Letters: Teaching the faith (letter) - Kevin McBride
Letters: Zero tolerance (letter) - J. Dekker
Letters: Priestly 'uniform' (letter) - Philip Robinson
Letters: Horse and cart (letter) - Arthur Negus
Letters: Shakespeare (letter) - John Doherty
Letters: Vatican II (letter) - Valentine Gallagher
Books: Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer)
Books: The Arians of the Fourth Century, by John Henry Newman - Peter Westmore (reviewer)
Books: The Lost Shrine of Liskeard, by Claire Riche - Michael Daniel (reviewer)
Books: Christianity for Buddhists, by Frederick Farrar - Michael Daniel (reviewer)
Books: Think Piece: Religious, Ethical and Moral Values, by Sebastian Camilleri OFM - Mark Posa (reviewer)
Marilen Studios: a Christian approach to business - Joe Padero
Music: CD specials from AD Books
Reflection: The Christian way to spiritual maturity - Fr Dennis W. Byrnes PP

The following recent case study may provide encouragement for AD2000 readers contemplating complaining about offensive media presentations.

Following the ABC screening on 6 June of BackBerner, which contained a highly offensive satirical sketch called "Haven't Got a Cluedo" that ridiculed various Catholic sacred symbols - including an implication that a crucifix was used in pedophile activity - I wrote on 7 June to Senator Richard Alston, the responsible Federal Government Minister. My letter concluded: "What adds to the offence is that my taxes and those of other practising Catholics, via the funding to the ABC, are being used to attack our beliefs."

The ABC Code of Practice (2.4), in referring to "Discrimination", states that any "presentation or portrayal of people ... likely to encourage denigration of or discrimination against any ... section of the community on account of ... any religious ... belief" should be avoided.

I subsequently received a reply dated 11 July from the Minister's office which, inter alia, stated: "I have sought advice from the ABC about the specific issues which you raise. The ABC regrets that you were offended by the episode of BackBerner broadcast on 6 June 2002. The ABC advises that, as with many comedy programs, BackBerner presents makers with the difficult challenge of balancing taste, appropriateness and humour. While the ABC tries to make sure that the correct balance is struck, it is clear that you felt it was wrong on this occasion and the ABC apologises for any offence caused.

"The ABC appreciates you taking the time to write about your concerns. Your comments have been brought to the attention of the BackBerner production team."

MICHAEL E. DANIEL
Deepdene, Vic

Bookmark and Share

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 8 (September 2002), p. 14

Page design and automation by
Umbria Associates Pty Ltd © 2001-2004