Contains Scenes Which Some Viewers May Find Distressing

[Kathyan]

Is anyone else tired of hearing this phrase before programmes or during news items? It's said before practically every programme. Are people really that easily upset these days?

[jackthehat]

Reading the amount of 'complaints' in the Daily Mail (other papers are available) about scenes in TV shows......it would appear so.

[zebo]

Yes!
I wish they would put it, the message, on before the football results, now those can really be upsetting.

[woofgang]

I think, as has been said on here, that TV reporting has become much more explicit so maybe more warnings needed?

[mccfluff]

i think they'd be more complaints if you weren't warned.

[ludwig]

// Are people really that easily upset these days? //

Apparently so. Also people just love to complain about stuff, whether they're upset or not. These disclaimers are needed so that such people can be told 'Well, you were warned, so sod off'.

[maggiebee]

Find it mildly amusing when warnings are given before an episode of A & E which I watch occasionally. "Contains medical scenes which some viewers may find upsetting." Would be more surprised if it didn't contain medical scenes given the title of the show.

[rockyracoon]

I wish I'd been warned about a scene from Spooks a few years ago. It flippin floored me.

[QuizmasterG]

I watched a documentary about Hitler and the warning prior to the programme warned that it "contained scenes of war".
No whatnot Sherlock!

[jackthehat]

Deep-fat fryer, rocky?

[QuizmasterG]

That one rocked me a bit too, Rocky.
Quite brutal!

[mccfluff]

ooo i remeber the deep fat fryer, that was a bit of a shocker

warnings make more likely to watch in some cases...

[gness]

That's the one I can never forget, Rocky.......a warning wouldn't have stopped me seeing it....but I still wish I hadn't.....x

[goodgoalie]

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/may/21/broadcasting

[Islay]

Well it was put on before a news story about a puppy being beaten with a hammer and then microwaved - I for one am glad they did as I did not want to see or hear more of this than I already did!!
Why are people constantly complaining that a bit of consideration to others is being taken into account!
You think that people would be glad but no they just complain its all too 'PC'!!

[youngmafbog]

Islay, your example is perfectly understandable and very warranted. However look at a couple of the examples above and you may get to see why people think it is over the top.

But, I'm with HC - its not so much PC as an ass covering exercise.

[Barmaid]

Yeah I remember that one too. I'd kind of forgotten it too thanks, Jack.

I'm not really tired of it. Sometimes I even find it vaguely amusing. I went to the cinema last weekend to see the new 50 Shades film (yes, really, but it was for my friend who REALLY needed a night out), the warning that came up said "contains serious sex", to which I responded, perhaps rather too loudly "excellent".

[Islay]

Well another example could be a program is going to talk about rape - there could be a victim watching it that now may decide not to watch it as it would be too upsetting

[naomi24]

People do seem to be easily upset these days and moreover very willing to be 'offended'. These warnings are simply damage limitation.

[Barmaid]

It IS a rear covering exercise, but I cant really blame the broadcasters. I really do despair at the amount of people who get offended enough to write in about something they have seen on the TV. I generally take the view that there is an "Off" button.

However, I do also take the view that if there is a warning beforehand it is my own stupid fault for getting upset at something I have seen. I just hope that things do not go to the next natural level and there be a warning constantly displayed on the screen for those who might have missed the beginning!

[rockyracoon]

“Deep-fat fryer, rocky?”

Yep, that’s the one. To be fair, though, a warning would have made me curious, so I probably would have watched it anyway. It was just so shocking. Even thinking about it now, gives me the wobbles