13-12-2011, 12:48
For what it's worth, here's my opinion.
The key thing is to focus on the endgame - what we actually want to get out of all this. I think for most people here the endgame is the adult channels being given more freedom in general, with parents being expected to actually be responsible for their own children! So if there is the odd flash every now and then who cares? If two (or more) presenters are having fun with each other who cares? If the encrypted channels want to show R18 who cares? If you tune in to the adult channels then expect to see ADULT material! And if you can't be bothered to figure out how to use the existing protections to protect or remove adult channels from your EPG then don't expect the government to do the job for you.
So, how best to achieve this?
Well, I think we can all agree that over the past few years things have got worse, not better. I also think there is general agreement that a large part of the problem is the channels themselves not being willing to stand their ground.
If we closed this forum, and all others like it, today, would it lead to an improvement in the broadcasting? Of course not.
So doing nothing changes nothing.
If a channel broadcasts something it shouldn't then someone, somewhere, will comment on it, so any self-imposed restraint here is ultimately fruitless. All it does is push away the people who come here in faint hope of finding the odd spicy moment that slipped through as they search elsewhere for the clips they want.
If we went completely the other way and posted every slip that can be found then sure, it may give Ofcom an easy way to monitor the channels' output. But then one of two things will happen - either the channels will get fined out of existence, or they will actually stand up for themselves and argue their case.
So. Do nothing, change nothing. Probably leading to a slow death of the channels.
Or, post everything. Risk the quick death of the channels for the chance to actually change the rules for the better.
My vote would be to post everything, because I do NOT believe that the channels in their current form are worth saving anyway. If you're happy with the channels as they are then the risk may be too great for you.
Incidentally, I'm pretty sure all complaints to Ofcom have to be within a time-limit (I think 8 weeks of broadcast), so if posting is to be restricted then it could be just for that period, rather than permanently.
Cheers
The key thing is to focus on the endgame - what we actually want to get out of all this. I think for most people here the endgame is the adult channels being given more freedom in general, with parents being expected to actually be responsible for their own children! So if there is the odd flash every now and then who cares? If two (or more) presenters are having fun with each other who cares? If the encrypted channels want to show R18 who cares? If you tune in to the adult channels then expect to see ADULT material! And if you can't be bothered to figure out how to use the existing protections to protect or remove adult channels from your EPG then don't expect the government to do the job for you.
So, how best to achieve this?
Well, I think we can all agree that over the past few years things have got worse, not better. I also think there is general agreement that a large part of the problem is the channels themselves not being willing to stand their ground.
If we closed this forum, and all others like it, today, would it lead to an improvement in the broadcasting? Of course not.
So doing nothing changes nothing.
If a channel broadcasts something it shouldn't then someone, somewhere, will comment on it, so any self-imposed restraint here is ultimately fruitless. All it does is push away the people who come here in faint hope of finding the odd spicy moment that slipped through as they search elsewhere for the clips they want.
If we went completely the other way and posted every slip that can be found then sure, it may give Ofcom an easy way to monitor the channels' output. But then one of two things will happen - either the channels will get fined out of existence, or they will actually stand up for themselves and argue their case.
So. Do nothing, change nothing. Probably leading to a slow death of the channels.
Or, post everything. Risk the quick death of the channels for the chance to actually change the rules for the better.
My vote would be to post everything, because I do NOT believe that the channels in their current form are worth saving anyway. If you're happy with the channels as they are then the risk may be too great for you.
Incidentally, I'm pretty sure all complaints to Ofcom have to be within a time-limit (I think 8 weeks of broadcast), so if posting is to be restricted then it could be just for that period, rather than permanently.
Cheers