Violent Videos
Strong pressure has been made on the Government to curb the sale of violent videos. Over 200 MP’s backed an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which would prevent children gaining access to films likely to cause them harm. Even leading psychologists have asked the Home Secretary to curb the availability to children of video nasties. Parents are warned of the danger to their children of violent entertainment. Professor Newson of Nottingham University attacked film-makers for using images of vicious cruelty as entertainment and said that those responsible for protecting children should not wait for the makers of video nasties to exercise restraint by setting their own standards. The film industry has tried to maintain that there is no connection between actual violent behaviour and the watching of these videos. The James Bulger case called in question this outlook. The entertainment industry generally are opposed to restrictions but their failure to act responsibly make it imperative for the Government to impose restrictions to safeguard viewers, especially children.
Health Education Authority Booklet Banned
The Health Education Authority was set up some years ago to run publicity campaigns for the Department of Health. It has a budget of £36 million of tax-payers’ money. Already its anti-AIDS publicity has been withdrawn after being considered offensive. Now 12,000 copies of a Sex Education booklet have been banned by the Health Minister, Mr Brian Mawhinney on the same grounds. The Bishop of Peterborough said it was shameful for a Government-funded body to publish such a book. It is time that the misuse of Government funds in this way was prevented and the minds of young persons protected from perverted teaching in the realm of sexual relations. If Biblical principles were inculcated much promiscuous behaviour could be prevented and the rise in the number of single mothers curtailed. Only Scriptural moral teaching will lift the nation out of the mire into which it has sunk in this area of its life.