Can you warn audiences about the content of pre-watershed programmes?
A. Since programmes before the watershed should, as a rule, be suitable for children, warnings of the type given above should not be necessary i.e. programmes before the watershed should not contain such material. However, there may be times where we may be justified in broadcasting challenging or unexpected material before the watershed e.g. showing scenes of war or disaster in news programmes, which some viewers may find distressing. In such circumstances, clear ‘flaggings’ should be given e.g. “the following report contains scenes of famine and death which some viewers may find distressing”. In addition, there may be scenes which, again, whilst justified may distress or surprise some viewers, including children, e.g. a medical examination, surgical procedure or an animal having to be put to sleep. Again, such material should be clearly flagged up to viewers in advance, including into the programme part containing the material if necessary.
