CODE OF BROADCAST MEDIA ETHICSREALITY TV

Z A R E E N K H A N0 9 0 3 0 3 0 0 3

CONTENTSMedia Ethics

Reality TV

Effects Of Reality TV

Impact On The Contestants

Responsibilities

Solutions

Conclusion

M E D I A E T H I C S

Deals with ethical principles and standards

of media including broadcast media, film,

theatre, art, print media and internet.

Broadcasting Media- Reality TV– Genre Presenting:

• Unscripted dramatics: talk shows or interviews (Maachis)

• Humorous situations: candid cameras or game shows (Tariq Aziz Show)

• Documenting actual events: investigation programs (Crime Scene, F.I.R)

• Job oriented: beneficial for future (Master Chef)

– Features Ordinary People:

• exotic locations or abnormal situations

– Sometimes Contest: Prize Awarded

• Fear Factor

• Nachle

• Bigg Boss etc.

Reality TV Effects – CHILDREN

• Children following reality shows

– Risking lives for adventures/suicides

• Explicit language adoption

• Brain development issues

• Fear and trauma– isolation, sleeping and psychological

problems

• Negative behavior templates -> High crime rates

• Aggressive behavior

• No physical outdoor activities

• No interest in watching dance shows.

• Stunt or Paranormal activity programs can lead to

health issues.

• Aversion on humiliating programs – candid camera.

• Explicit language and exposed clips can be disliked.

• Disregard to decency can result in bad opinions.

Reality TV Effects – ADULTS

IMPACT ON THE CONTESTANTS• Acts are distressing or humiliating.• Refusal may lead to eviction, criticism by fellow

contestants or losing a privilege.• Repute and career at stake.

Prospect of fame, celebrity interviews, pictures in glossy magazines and

invitations to glamorous parties may lure them towards risking their lives!

• Loss of their beloved or special occasions are missed

• Fights after the whole show ends are usual.

Advertisers should NOT underwrite or support any

program that would promote humiliation,

embarrassment, sufferings or harm to people.

Producers and editors should work professional

considering ethical standards of media and

N O T M O N E Y O R P O W E R !

Responsibility Of Reality TV Advertisers and Producers

• No signing for any release that would risk their life

for fun or profit

• Children are sensitive/emotional – not to be sent till 15

• Contestants participate at their own risk:– Reality Show Became Cruelty Show: Clear Men Reality Show

• Saad Khan dies in a water stunt task.

• Life jackets made optional for the task.

• Body found: 30 mins after drowning.

• Unilever took no responsibility.

Responsibility Of Reality TV Contestants

Responsibility Of Reality TV Viewers

• Watch shows that give a positive impact on people like quiz

shows, game shows etc. (Are You Smarter Than 5th Grade)

PROMOTE LEARNING AND EDUCATING SHOWS OTHER

THAN RISKY, UNETHICAL AND DANGEROUS SHOWS.

• Children must be sent away if adults watching Reality TV show.

Humiliation Not As

Entertainment

Strict Actions On Showing Bizarre Criminal Actions

Or Behaviors

Channels That Glorify Such

Activities Should Refrain From Being

Aired

Parental Control Is

Must

Penalty And Punishments For Such Reality TV

Shows That Promote Violence

Promotion Of Pro-social Reality TV Shows Like Merriam Webmaster And National Spelling

Bee Competition.

C O N C LU S I O N

• Where is the REALITY?

– Criticism: Situations altered to make them attractive and

interesting

• Moral Responsibility Care

• Its high time for Reality TV CODE OF ETHICS!

REFERENCES• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_ethics• http://gulfnews.com/opinions/letters/letters-january-02-201• http://larry50.wordpress.com/2007/11/27/effects-of-reality-tv-shows/2-1.959672• http://www.livestrong.com/article/228953-impact-of-reality-shows-on-children/• http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blphil_eth_realitytv.htm• http://reality-tv.lovetoknow.com/Problems_With_Reality_TV• http://izettl.hubpages.com/hub/Reality-TV-Shows-Ruin-Lives• http://www.ehow.com/list_6403313_effects-reality-tv-children.html• http://

www.mediaethicsmagazine.com/index.php/browse-back-issues/138-spring-2007/2923371-the-ethics-of-reality-television-producers

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6702315.stm• http://pakistaniat.com/2009/08/28/saad-khan-unilever/• http://umairmohsin.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/boy-killed-in-unilevers-clear-men

-show/

• http://www.nowpublic.com/world/unilever-denies-responsibility-over-saad-khans-death