Children's Commissioner slams candid camera programme

Maria Caruana

Jan 13th 2009, 14:40

If such a program had aired in any other country the producers and broadcasters would have been fined considerably and also been sacked. I hope this action is taken against these producers as quite clearly they have no sense of what is ethical or what is good television is about.
as for the parents, well I think social services should get involved. NO child deserves to be bullied especially by their parents. Family TV should be ashamed of themselves, there is no excuse that justifies this sort of behavior. I hope the Broadcasting authority takes firm action against them.

D Galea

Jan 13th 2009, 13:09

@ Andrew Farrugia

I'm surprised that you justify the programme by saying the parents were there and even in some cases encouraged the teasing ... was a pyschological assessment of each child made prior to the actual show to actually prove that they would be able to take this (what you would call 'form of entertainment', and what anyone in the reasonable world would call 'abuse') prior to the actual exercise? I haven't seen the programme and don't intend to. This isn't the 1800s where anything you did to kids was considered 'character building' with the kids left to deal with the backlash thereafter.

Kids have rights, which rights cannot be infringed (1) in the name of entertainment; and (2) notwithstanding the consent and/or participation of the parents ...

In any other country anyone who was remotely connected with this poor excuse for a TV programme would be suspended and fined at the very minimum, or more appropriately fired and prosecuted.

We wait with bated breath.

C Galea

Jan 13th 2009, 12:52

this is simply disgusting. have we lost all sense of humour? is this all that's left? - abusing (because that's what it is) our own children and leaving them with a definite sense of insecurity for entertainment purposes? will we be throwing them to the lions next?

P. Vincenti

Jan 13th 2009, 11:02

Mr Farrugia's comments worry me as he seems to be implying that children's rights are limited by what their parents seems to think is acceptable. These kind of comments are reprehensible. These are innocent little children who need protection from exploitation either by the parents or from people with commercial interests. They had no idea that they were being exposed to the public and parental concession does not make the matter any less significant. In the interst of Justice, the relevant authosrities should take action to verify what actual happened and protect the vulnerable.

Martin Bugeja

Jan 13th 2009, 10:35

FAMILY TV? My foot!

Emerson Farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 10:34

@Andrew Farrugia
The consent of the parents does not justify your programme's actions; it simply disgraces their parents.

Which part of "public relations" don't you get?

Lawrence Bonello

Jan 13th 2009, 09:35

Thankfully I didn't get to watch this particular programme (even because I rarely manage to stick local TV stations for more than a few minutes).
However, I think many of us would agree that what happened is just the tip of the iceberg. It is symptomatic of the revolting, sub-standard, amateurish and shoddy fare that is being thrown at us by local so-called TV stations and pseud-presenters whose only gift is their inability to be ashamed of themselves.
When its not rubbish soap-operas, its tele-shopping, when its not tele-shopping its tele-cooking, tele bla bla bla and so on and so forth!!
As one of my fellow-bloggers put it, "Thank God we have our awards at the end of each year."

Joe Cassar

Jan 13th 2009, 09:29

How shocking to hear Mr Andrew Farrugia say that " the parents of the said children were with us in the studio control room to see every action" and even worse "Some parents were even giving the crew involved hints on how to tease their children"!

What kind of parents are these? What kind of families?

I think the police/social services authorities should step in and investigate. These children could be at risk.

Bridget Mifsud Pavia

Jan 13th 2009, 09:21

@ Andrew Farrugia
This makes matters even worse!!! It is amazing how we are still far from being aware of the needs of the children. Shame!

Charles Micallef

Jan 13th 2009, 09:15

Again, I totally agree with the sentiments of The Commissioner for Children. I have been laughing my socks off for a long number of years more than I care to admit, to the various Candid Camera Programmes produced worldwide, but regret to note that most of the material that is produced in the Maltese versions is so amateurish that it does not raise a smile let alone make me laugh, it is not funny at all.

Although some might think that it is harmless fun, BUT anyone who thinks that making children cry under any circumstances will make viewers laugh, they should really think again

I am surprised that the relevant authorities allow this material to be broadcast at all!

Joseph Agius

Jan 13th 2009, 09:04

We can laugh with someone or laugh at them- a minor difference in words but a major difference in outcome. Although there are many positive attributes to humour, sometimes it backfires and sometimes it can be painful to laugh. This was a case of being unethical and immoral. Well done Commissioner of Children.

G. Scerri

Jan 13th 2009, 09:00

I think what Andrew Farrugia said in justification is terrible. We are all aware of the educational and intellectual deficit of many parents in Malta. To claim that the parents were present and even supported the proceedings, to me simply means that these so-called parents are failing seriously in their duty towards their children. And all this on a channel that calls itself Family TV. Was payment involved?

Francis Attard

Jan 13th 2009, 08:23

Something has to be done about certain programs on our media. Many of them are explicitly commercial and are far from being a means of educating people. Immediate action is needed before it's too late.

J Farrugia

Jan 13th 2009, 07:55

andrew farrugia , if their parents were irresponsible then shame on them and shame on your TV for allowing these obscenities to occur. Your licence ought to be suspended and I will take it upon myself to protest to the BA as soon as it is legally constituted. Rest assured that I will make such a protest and unless action is taken by the BA, I will make a boycott on your station. And I hope that other parents will do the same. shame on their parents and on your station. Using children like Hamas. Can one ever stoop so low just to entertain idiots?

Joe Galea

Jan 13th 2009, 07:47

I agree with the Commissioner. This joke could traumatise the children who are not perfectly capable of separating reality from fiction.

Even grown ups are sometimes not capable to handle such jokes.

nmifsud

Jan 13th 2009, 07:45

@ andrew farrugia
if the parents were with you in the studio, shame on them as well. You never have the right to insult or tease anyone, let alone children. Their minds doesn't work like grown up's, they surley went trough a trauma. Even Paprati, not all the jokes are really jokes!!!!! If you're out of ideas just do NOTHING.

D Fenech

Jan 13th 2009, 05:14

I totally agree with the Commissioner for children's comments. Shame on who devised the programme and approved it.
And what about the rubbish shown during last Friday's Xarabank!
To discuss the delicate issue of prostitution in Malta requires a professional,sensitive and intelligent approach. With all due respect, the panel chosen were a farce. Peppi's telling us that he had to wait till the stroke of 9pm to start the "discussion" because of children was an even bigger farce!
Can somebody please tell me what exactly was achieved through the programme apart from sensationalism of the lowest quality?
What did we learn? That a father took his 14 year old son to a Russian prostitute-to break him! That groups of Maltese couples visit her! That business men visit her during their breaks and then go back to their wives! Did we need Peppi to tell us this? Is this quality material for a National Station?

S Attard

Jan 13th 2009, 01:52

I just wonder if the parents of these children were asked permission! I hope not because it will be more disgusting than it is already!

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Jan 13th 2009, 00:37

I hope that the parents of these children sue the "producers" of these candid camera abuses.

Besides the police should institute criminal proceedings even if the "producers" manage to agree on an out of court settlement with the parents as to what compensation should be due to the victims. This programme was broadcast and great social harm has been done.

Andrew Farrugia

Jan 12th 2009, 23:50

It is sooooo easy to jump to conclusions. In each and every case, the parents of the said children were with us in the studio control room to see every action. No further comments are necessary, since all parents agreed to the pranks being played on their children. Some parents were even giving the crew involved hints on how to tease their children!

J.Chircop

Jan 12th 2009, 22:18

why not make fun with gorg/george or sumting ejj..
i watched the program since i know some of those who were the victims and was totally ashamed at the people making fun of some 7/8 year olds without them even underwtainding whats happening.
we try to copy american and italian programs.. yeah its cool, but come on, LETS BE ORIGINAL.
i agree with the commissioner. i fully agree.

Oscar Cassar

Jan 12th 2009, 22:17

I viewed only few seconds of the program in question as I didn’t find it entertaining at all. I agree with Byron Camilleri that by such a statement the Commissioner for Children simply gave the programme in question more promotion. A formal request had to be submitted from the Commissioner to the Broadcasting Authority to stop further programmes in the future and not just urging the audiences to show their disapproval by boycotting the viewing.

Children are very sensible and they already go through a lot of pressure, unfortunately sometimes even from their parents, in connection with similar ‘talent’ opportunities on TV, song festivals ecc. Although indirectly this could have been a form of publicity for the young singers, it does not make any sense if the same Broadcasting Authority who stopped Tele Tubi (a TV programme that used to be aired on One TV) for example, does not take any action on such a matter. As a Nation we are good in protesting against a Circus who uses animals for the sake of entertaining but then we simply urging the audiences to show their disapproval by boycotting the viewing of programmes using kids for the same purpose.

Dr.Emmy Bezzina,LL.D.,B.A.,

Jan 12th 2009, 21:40

I do not watch television,in fact I do not possess one - the waste of time it induces is simply not worth it bearing in mind the overall low standards on practically all Tv Stations: only a few programmes are exempt.However,if what is reported here is correct,then the Station`s Licence should be suspended outright as the fundamental rights of children have been violated to the extent that legal proceedings should be taken against the Station in question:the question is where is the Broadcasting Authority & its Chief Executive: REPLY..the Broadcasting Authority is not even constituted apart from the fact that its eventual constitution violates the Constitution that legally safeguards it as it is a prejudicial Authority nominated by the two main political parties: what a prejudiced idiotic country!!! The Children`s Commissioner should be congratulated,but above all what are the parents of these children going to do...are they seeking redress against this Station or are interests involved that it would be best if we attempt to zip our mouths and pretend that this atrocity never occurred? Finally,who is going to see to the protection of the children`s interests: minors have here been violated by this abuse,so what`s going to happen?

Wilfrid Buttigieg

Jan 12th 2009, 21:04

I fully agree and believe the candid was emotionally and psychologically disturbing for the majority of the children involved.

It was disturbing to viewers as well, since it was not an entertaining due to the way the candid was carried out.

It would be interesting to know if this candid was carried out with the consent of the children's parents.

Jos Vella

Jan 12th 2009, 20:57

This shameful act on children merits only the board of discipline. Believe it or not this is pure harassment. If you lack ideas of what to show on TV just show an old film of Laurel & Hardy, you will make the audience laugh through actors and not victims. S*H*A*M*E .

Brian Maloret

Jan 12th 2009, 20:56

I totally agree with the comments made by the Children's Commissioner about this programme. I watched part of this programme and it felt painful to watch the children being humiliated and put under duress in the name of entertainment. Those who thought up this crazy idea and all those adults who took part in this act of cruelty should hang their heads in shame. Entertainment it was not.

apgrech

Jan 12th 2009, 20:50

If anyone wants to watch a stupid programme s/he should watch Maltese Candid Camera programs. I have no idea how the Broadcasting Authority stoops so low and approve them.

The above comments include Paprati.

I urge victims to sue if they are filmed irrationally.

Wayne Flask

Jan 12th 2009, 20:49

Says a lot about plummeting TV standards. Thank God we have our awards at the end of each year. Prosit tassew eh!

Byron Camilleri

Jan 12th 2009, 20:39

'The Commissioner said she was urging audiences to show their disapproval by boycotting such programmes. She also urged broadcasting stations to invest in quality programmes.'

Actually, the commission just gave the programme more promotion.

michael seychell

Jan 12th 2009, 20:38

It would be very interesting to see what action will be taken by the Broadcasting Authority. No action on such a case would be tantamount to approval of what happened by the MBA.


Michael Seychell
Pieta.

Johanna Scicluna

Jan 12th 2009, 20:34

Glad action was taken. My mother watched this programme and told me it wsn't nice at all, but since I didn't have first hand information I didn't report.
Well done.