TV station fined for ridiculing children in candid camera show

Family Television was fined €931 by the Broadcasting Authority for breaching regulations and ridiculing children during its candid camera programme Issa ċ-Ċans, aired on January 4.

The episode showed children being called into the station's studios for rehearsals. When they started singing, the music randomly stopped and objects were occasionally dragged around them. While some laughed it off, others burst into tears when a man was heard insulting them in the background. Some were also told they did not have the talent to sing or that their clothes did not match or were stained. One of the girls had cried uncontrollably during the programme.

The issue had been raised by the Commissioner for Children, Carmen Zammit, with the station insisting the children's parents had approved of the jokes.

The broadcasting watchdog thought otherwise, saying the jokes could have psychologically affected the children. Moreover, it said, although parents gave their consent, the station remained responsible for ensuring the children's participation in the programme was in their best interest.

The station admitted the accusations.

Meanwhile, another station, One TV, was fined €1,164 for its makeover programme Arani Issa.

The watchdog said that, after reviewing a number of editions aired in November and December, it concluded that in some cases close-ups of physical defects were used excessively. It said the programme's presenter made a number of comments about very personal and private things the person had experienced, which, in the authority's opinion, were unnecessary.