22 April 2016 Mediaworks TV Private Bag 92624 Symonds Street
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22 April 2016 MediaWorks TV Private Bag 92624 Symonds Street Auckland 1150 Attention: Formal Complaints Dear MediaWorks TV Broadcasting Complaint regarding seven Family Guy episodes: Screened Between 7pm and 7.30pm; Television Four; 6 to 15 April 2016 The Office of Film and Literature Classification has, for the past few months, been providing a service on our public website for people to check whether the free-to-air television shows that they wish to watch have previously been given an official rating or classification. This has been done in response to a recent survey which found that New Zealanders would find this information useful - particularly Kiwis with families and children. The Office, in the process of compiling this information, has become aware of the following, apparent breaches of broadcasting standards and, accordingly, we wish to make a formal complaint. All of above episodes have been previously examined by the Office and found to have content suitable only for older teenagers and adults. The Office has also noted the violence, offensive language, sexual material and other content that may offend in these episodes. The Classification Office has viewed the episodes broadcast on Television Four and compared them with those examined by the Office. One episode has a small amount of material excised for the broadcast version and all episodes appear to have had the words “fuck” and “shit” (and their derivatives) either edited or replaced. Apart from these minor changes, the episodes are virtually identical – retaining violence, offensive language - other than the words “fuck” and “shit” (and their derivatives) – sexual material and other content that may offend. Nevertheless, all of above episodes were allocated a PGR (Parental guidance recommended) rating by Television Four and broadcast at 7pm. Programme Summary Family Guy is an animated comedy that satirises contemporary American society and focuses on the dysfunctional suburban family of Peter Griffin, his wife Lois, children Chris, Meg, and Stewie, and talking dog Brian. The series relies on heavy slapstick comedy and innuendo-laden humour, often with crass sexual references. The Office notes apparent breaches of Broadcasting Standards 3 (Children’s Interests), 4 (Violence), 5 (Law and Order) and 7 (Alcohol). Content of particular concern is summarised below (with attached clips): Breaches of Broadcasting Standards 3, 4, 5 and 7 Broadcasting Standard 3 – Children’s Interests Broadcasters should ensure children can be All of the programmes above contain crass sexual protected from broadcasts which might remarks, including some that are also associated with adversely affect them. sexual depictions. Often they have a comical manner. Sexual phrases such as “banged that stripper”, “had sex 3a Material likely to be considered under this with you”, and references to “boobs”, “dicks”, standard includes : “erections” and “boners” are commonplace. The Office is aware that exposure to sexual remarks such as these is Sexual material or themes often inadvertent in broad social satire and may go over Violent content or themes the head of younger children. However stronger explicit Dangerous, antisocial or illegal remarks, especially those that pertain to advanced and behaviour. specialised sexual proclivities, can prematurely sexualise children and give them a distorted view of adult sexuality. The following programmes include examples of these comments: Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 15 (#JOLO) - broadcast Friday 8/4/16 at 7pm “Last time I drink and masturbate on top of a high wall”. Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 17 (Roasted Guy) - broadcast Tuesday 12/4/16 at 7pm “What’s it like with a scrotum so close to your mouth? Hold on I’ll ask your teenage daughter”. Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 19 (Take My Wife) - broadcast Thursday 14/4/16 at 7pm “I was abused by my dad”. All of these remarks relate to adult sexual humour and will be contextualised by mature viewers. However they introduce impressionable children and young persons to sexual themes and practises before they are at a developmental stage or level of maturity to deal with them. Children may uncritically internalise this distorted portrayal of sexuality given its appealing, cartoon presentation. Two episodes contain content of particular concern. 2 | P a g e Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 13 (Stewie is Enceinte) - broadcast Wednesday 6/4/16 at 7pm, is a fantastical plot about a young child (Stewie) by being impregnated by the DNA of the family dog (Brian). The programme presents references to the sexual violation of a child, forced sexual activity, and pregnancy for humour. These references are appropriate for adults (preceded by a warning) but are inappropriate and highly problematic for children. For example, Brian says “People are going to think I had sex with a male baby”. Stewie is then depicted wearing a long blonde wig in a stirrup chair, legs apart. After telling the doctor that he is underage he says “He didn’t force it on me. I wanted it too”. The doctor looks between Stewie’s legs and declares “your vagina seems to have a penis and two testicles”. Link: https://vimeo.com/163351891 Password: “sexual” The pregnancy theme has a distressing tone when Brian punches the pregnant child in the stomach to terminate the pregnancy. When Brian punches Stewie in the stomach he says “is it dead?” Stewie responds, “what kind of monster hits a pregnant toddler? If you ever lay a finger on me again I’ll burn you in your bed”. Link: https://vimeo.com/163349664 Password: “eceinte” Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 18 (Fighting Irish) - broadcast Wednesday 13/4/16 at 7pm plays with several sexual themes including a celebration of sexual promiscuity, and children being sexually attracted to their parents. It culminates with a brief depiction of Urolagnia, a practise in which sexual excitement is associated with the sight or use of urine. In this clip Liam Neeson orders Peter to “go to the gym, go to the shower and ask strange men to “pee in your hands”. A man 3 | P a g e wearing just a bath towel exposes his penis to Peter who is on his knees. The camera view is of the man’s back. Link: https://vimeo.com/163348217 Password: “shower” Broadcasting Standard 4 – Violence Broadcasters should exercise care and Much of the violence in these programmes has a discretion when portraying violence. cartoon, slapstick style, while occasionally bloody, is Violent content should be appropriate to the confined to brief incidents and is often unrealistic. context of the programme and classified However several of these episodes contain violent carefully. abusive language and sustained depictions of stronger interpersonal violence. Guideline 4a. Any depiction of, or reference to, violence should be justified by context. While the language is intended to be humorous it includes phrases, which if emulated by impressionable younger viewers, would cause them serious social harm. Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 14 (Dr C & the Women) - “I’m going to cut you bitch”. Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 16 (Once Bitten) - “How about you bite me bitch”. Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 18 (Fighting Irish) - “That’s how you keep your bitch in line”. Of particular concern is that the phrases indicate violent attitudes towards women. Two episodes contain assault sequences that depict a high degree of interpersonal violence: Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 14 (Dr C & the Women) - broadcast Thursday 7/4/16 at 7pm In a skit that attempts to satirise extravagant airport security measures Meg is viciously attacked by a co- worker. Marla cuts Meg’s arm and then places a plastic glove over Meg’s head and attempts to suffocate her. Struggling for breath Meg escapes, and uses a lighter and an aerosol can to burn’s Marla’s arm. This leads to the 4 | P a g e next skit about a policeman on a Segway. A witness says to the policeman “A lady is being raped in that alley. The man has a knife”. The inability/unwillingness of the policeman to respond trivialises the rape. Link: https://vimeo.com/163346707 Password: “airport” Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 18 (Fighting Irish) - broadcast Wednesday 13/4/16 at 7pm In this episode the main character Peter confronts action star Liam Neeson. In a long two minute sequence Peter is savagely beaten by the actor. Liam Neeson orders Peter to go to a local gym and ask a man to pee in his hands (related to the sexual act above). Peter refuses and the actor slaps him. In the brutal fight that follows Peter is repeatedly punched, elbowed and smashed. There is a close-up of his face as he coughs up blood. The actor breaks Peter’s wrists, and then knees the bleeding Peter in the face, smashing him into a mirror, (relayed in slow motion). Link: https://vimeo.com/163348413 Password: “trailer” Children, attracted to the cartoon format, are likely to be shocked and disturbed by the savage person-to-person violence in these episodes. The stylised presentation of violence as entertainment may inure impressionable younger audiences to depictions of violence and runs the risk of desensitising them towards violence in general. Broadcasting Standard 5 – Law And Order Broadcasters should observe standards The above violent content has a promotional aspect if consistent with the maintenance of law and considered by a younger audience. Of particular concern order, taking into account the context of the to the Office is the flippant treatment of suicide in the programme and the wider context of the programme Family Guy: Season 14 Episode 15 (#JOLO) - broadcast. broadcast Friday 8/4/16 at 7pm. 5 | P a g e Guideline 5a. Programmes should not The Office has undertaken extensive research on actively promote serious antisocial or illegal depictions of suicide.