Recently, I was watching an NHL hockey game and without any warning that "the following scenes can be disturbing" a preview for one of the latest horror movies "Mama" came on. My heart leapt at what I saw and I quickly tried to change the channel, not before some of the disturbing images of this movie were imprinted into my brain. I was appalled that at 8:40 pm, prime time, during a Sporting event they would allow such a preview to be shown.
Immediately, I thought of all the kids who would have been watching the game with their parents and would have just been exposed to that moment of horror.
It was not after 10, or on during a rated "R" show, rather it was shown during a Hockey Game that is rated General (which means for everybody). A game that countless youngsters stayed up to watch with their parents to finally be able to cheer on their teams as the lockout was over. How many kids under the age of 14 would have seen this? How would you explain that movie to a 10 year old?
Every day we are bombarded with commercials and shows that are not appropriate for us, never mind our kids. We have become desensitised as a culture and things that would have made people jump out of their chairs and scream even 20 years ago does nothing to most people. The lines of right and wrong have been blurred and we don't always know what we can do to change this.
Well, this time I did something. In the morning I called the TV station TSN to voice my concern about their choice of advertisement for the time of day as well as for the choice of program. I quickly found out that I couldn't leave a complaint because the mailbox was full. So instead of giving up I wrote an email to them and actually got a response and an apology.
This is part of the response I received from them
"All advertisements appearing on TSN have been screened and approved by the Telecaster Services Division of the Television Bureau of Canada. This voluntary, self-governing organisation issues commercial clearance for broadcasters and confirms that all commercials it screens have met CRTC regulations and industry codes and are suitable for viewing.."
I was grateful to get a response, an apology and that they were going to look further into the timing of such commercials, however I discovered that to win this battle I needed to aim higher. I actually have to send my complaint about what is being shown to the governing body of television.
A step forward
It could be easy for me to just stop there and say I did my part, TSN heard my voice and responded, but reading their response I see that they are just following guidelines that are set at a higher level. If I truly want to see something to change, then I need to write to the Telecaster Services Division of the Television Bureau of Canada and voice my opinion.
It is easier to sit down and be offended and do nothing than to say I am going to stand up and do something. James 4 verse 17 says that if we know the good we ought to do and we do not do it, we sin. How many times do we know what the good is and we don't do it because we are sick of the fight. We are called to be people of influence; we are called to transform society. We are called to stand for justice and righteousness and be a voice for those who don't have one.
If we are not going to stand up and fight the good fight who is going to? Let's stand up for holiness and not put up with commercials and shows that are grotesque, vulgar and pornographic, especially when you might be watching.
Genevieve Wilson is married with two children who served with YWAM for eight years in Brisbane and now serving in mission in Canada as a modern day abolitionist.
Genevieve Wilson's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/genevieve-wilson.html