State Broadcaster Competes With Porn Sites For Content

Media Release 4 Nov 2017
Family First NZ is writing to the new Minister of Broadcasting Clare Curran asking why the state broadcaster is broadcasting a show saturated with full front nudity and adult sexually-charged discussions throughout the programme and screened on a Friday night when children are more likely to be watching.
Naked Attraction is shown on TV2 on Friday nights at 9.30 and is rated just an AO. It carries a small warning beforehand saying that “it contains nudity”.
“It is shocking that the state broadcaster is trying to outdo sites like PornHub and porn magazines. It’s easy to see why Playboy magazine is going out of business. Teenagers can simply view adult pornographic material on free-to-air television. The show degrades human relationships to animalistic instinct, and promotes voyeurism and a porn culture which is harming our society. It has no redeeming factor,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.
“Full frontal nudity has always been off-limits on television but it now seems that anything goes and that it is a race to the most offensive and shocking content possible. ‘Broadcasting standards’ is an oxymoron. ‘Family viewing’ should now be treated with great caution.”
“This is all part of the ‘pornification’ of our culture led by broadcasters and advertisers, with the watchdog BSA asleep at the wheel.”
“The Broadcasting Standards Authority tries to argue that their standards are reflecting community standards and that there is a ‘softening’ of attitudes. However, it is quite clear that as they allow broadcasters to push the boundaries, the standards are lowered, offensive material becomes more mainstream, and is then used far more in the media. This has a detrimental effect on values in our society.”
Family First has been swamped with complaints from families, including medical professionals, horrified by how the standards of free-to-air television have hit rock bottom because of this show.
Others have raised similar concerns. Ex-Labour MP and now-Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel recently said the “Adults Only” television watershed should be moved to 7.30pm as 8.30pm no longer reflected the content of the shows broadcast.
“It is time we pointed the finger at the entertainment media’s role in promoting the attitudes which are destructive to our families. For too long, the media have had an unrestrained license to broadcast material which has pushed the boundaries of decency and community standards, under the so-called watchdog asleep at the wheel.”
“It’s time we had a national discussion on the role of the entertainment media in undermining the welfare and protection of families.”
ENDS