CAB Violence Code

Commentary Re Statement of Principle

In CIII-TV (Global Television) re Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (CBSC Decision 93/94-0270 and 0277, October 24, 1994), the Panel enunciated certain fundamental principles regarding the Code’s designated purpose:

Since, as stated above, this is the first violence complaint to be considered under the new CAB Violence Code, the Council considered it appropriate to remind Canadians that the protection of children was one of the pillars of the Code’s existence. Furthermore, those who drafted the Code were conscious of the need to create this protection in an environment in which preservation of the freedom of expression remains a paramount but not immutable principle. Public Notice CRTC 1993-149 provides (at p. 2):

The Commission is generally satisfied that the CAB’s revised Code achieves the appropriate balance between preserving freedom of expression and protecting the viewing public, especially children, from the harmful effects of television violence.

The Public Notice returns to this theme again at pp. 3 and 4:

The Commission is pleased that the Code establishes clear guidelines for the depiction of violence in children’s programming that take into account the particular vulnerability of young viewers. [...]

Studies indicate that [realistic scenes of violence] may alter the emotional reaction of some children to violence, and could result in such effects as desensitization and increased tendencies towards aggressive behaviour.

[Top]