France

[FR] Reality TV - Participant’s Death Obliges CSA to Re-Open Case

IRIS 2013-5:1/24

Amélie Blocman

Légipresse

The reaction of the audiovisual regulatory authority (Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel - CSA) was not slow in coming, following the announcement of the death of a participant during filming of the new season of the successful adventure reality TV broadcast Koh-Lanta (an adaptation of Survivor). Since the launch of the first reality TV programme (Loft Story, in 2001), the CSA has considered a number of the issues raised by these programmes (see IRIS 2001-5/9). Its concern has taken the form of a Deliberation in 2005 on young viewers, and the establishment in 2011 of a list of recommendations on broadcasting and participant protection in respect of these broadcasts (see IRIS 2011-10/18), a report on which was drawn up in October 2012. The recent Koh-Lanta tragedy has therefore led the CSA to reinforce its general request for prevention of the risks that reality TV programmes may entail. To achieve this, the Commission for considering programme evolution has been asked to carry out a concertation with the channels over the next few weeks, paying particular attention to both respect for human dignity in all circumstances and the protection of young viewers and minors.

The CSA announced that this concertation with the channels ought to lead to a re-examination not only of current legislation and regulations but also of the conventions with the channels, broadcasting times, etc., in order to establish a new general recommendation. A good practices charter inviting, on a voluntary basis, producers and broadcasters to respect common principles on the behaviour, in the interests of participants, film crews and viewers, should also be drawn up. Olivier Schramek, the CSA’s new Chairman, stressed that “it is not a case of the CSA stigmatising, generalising or taking the place of editorial responsibilities in devising programmes; the CSA is neither a censor nor a moraliser.”