Should Soaps And Other Popular Pre-Watershed Programmes Be Used As A Vehicle To Get Certain Public Awareness Messages Over?

[anotheoldgit]

/// 'Bethany's story has been crafted over many months, to create an awareness for viewers about the dangers of grooming. ///

We have all witnessed the obligatory prior announcements ie "Viewers may find some scenes distressing..............".

And at the end of such programmes "If you have been affected by any parts of this programme, please telephone 0800 ****"

[anotheoldgit]

Sorry.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4329466/Ofcom-investigate-Coronation-Street-sex-ring-scenes.html

[emmie]

its a good way of getting important messages across surely?

[Mamyalynne]

It's a balancing act and one that's hard to get right, I think in this case (only based on what I've read) it's as much a matter of the timing of the shows as anything.

[hc4361]

Absolutely

[cassa333]

They have always been used as propoganda in this respect.

Biker Grove did it about drugs and many other soaps and series use current issues. They have more of a duty to get the information right because so many people watch these shows and take their life experiences from them.

[hc4361]

We have had the same question raised over Sarah's pregnancy with Bethany; transgender Hayley; first gay kiss; male victim of domestic violence.

Nobody seems to blink an eye when somebody is brutally murdered or raped on Corrie. Really the story line of a dead Callum lying under Gail's bedroom floor is the stuff of nightmares but no complaints.

[Islay]

Grange Hill I believe was on of he first with Zammo and just say no in the 80's.
I remember all us kids were hooked and all adamant that we would never take drugs!

[EcclesCake]

Without doubt.

Not that I watch soaps I do appreciate the message they try to get across to folk who wrap themselves up in their own world.

Education is a multi-dynamic tool!

[Mamyalynne]

I was expecting some reaction to the parting comment from David Hide on Casualty on Saturday.

Recently they have touched on a fair few issues of this nature.

http://www.ok.co.uk/tv/casualty/1028637/casualty-fans-heartbroken-david-hide-bipolar-plot-robyn-miller-labour-birth-baby-girl-jason-durr

Sorry about the quality of the link - it was either that or Mumsnet.

[CrapAtCryptics]

As many people view soaps and reality shows as likely to rot their brain cells the coverage for these public awareness messages would be considerably less than optimum.

[cassa333]

Oh Islay you're right it was Grange Hill I was thinking of. Biker Grove had the old safety goggle warning when Ant or Dec got blinded.

TBH I haven't watched Corrie for a few years now and I used to avidly watch it.

[EcclesCake]

CAC, twaddle in my opinion. Production and researchers go to extreme lengths to ensure they rigourously research story lines and work closely with associated charities.

[woofgang]

why not?

[anotheoldgit]

Latest:

http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/781552/Coronation-Street-child-grooming-Bethany-Nathan-Emmerdale-Aaron-Ofcom-investigation-ITV

[CrapAtCryptics]

With respect Eccles I think you missed my point entirely.

[hereIam]

What annoys me are all the people moaning to Ofcom about it so that Ofcom have to look into it !

[andy-hughes]

I am not sure they are used as a 'vehicle' as such.

Soaps do need to be rooted partially in reality in order to strike a chord with their audiences.

Add to that the need for fictional drama to maintain interest, and there is inevitably going to be an overlap with issues in society, because for soap characters not to be involved would distance them from reality to an inacceptable level.

I think soaps have always had a moral core, and more often than not, the consequences of bad behaviour are played out as storylines unfold.

Similarly, issues of loss and tragedy make good drama, but do reflect life for viewers as well.