Poland

[PL] Youth Protection and Big Brother

IRIS 2002-7:1/26

Małgorzata Pęk

National Broadcasting Council of Poland

On 13 March 2002, the Chairman of the National Broadcasting Council imposed a fine of PLN 300,000 (over USD 73,000) on the private television station TVN for showing violent and erotic scenes during protected time (the blocks were transmitted between 11.30h - 13.15h and 20.00h - 20.45h) on its „Big Brother - Battle" program.

Article 18 para. 5 of the Broadcasting Act of 29 December 1992 (as amended) states that programmes or other broadcasts which may threaten the physical, mental or moral development of minors, may not be transmitted between 6:00h and 23:00h. In order to implement this rule, on 20 November 2001 the NBC also issued a regulation containing detailed methods of classifying, transmitting and announcing such programmes.

The decision stated that the programme promoted violence. It depicted scenes of violence and group behaviour contrary to morality, presented in a positive context; furthermore it contained scenes contrary to moral responsibility regarding actions relating to the erotic sphere of human life. Moreover the programme contained commentaries indicating that such behaviour would be considered correct and normal.