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.
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Rowena Scicluna
Mar 28th 2009, 09:51
I would never approve of such a joke on my son, and I feel for those children who went through that sick joke. It's rare that I agree with the broadcasting watchdog, but in this case, I agree 100%.
Marion Pace
Mar 28th 2009, 07:40
Why was One TV fined? Did not the protagonists agree to such content being shown? Most of the interventions were dental, laser treatment, boob jobs, and liposuction. What about l-Istrina? The disabilities are continually flashed over our tv screen!
Joe Fenech
Mar 27th 2009, 20:48
Now, this is Malta in a sensible dress. Leave children in peace! Well done to all those who have our children at heart!
J Martinelli
Mar 27th 2009, 12:41
"...the children's parents had approved of the jokes".
Good! Then fine the parents as well.
g. scerri
Mar 27th 2009, 12:35
Maybe this is also the result of nonentities achieving "stardom" overnight simply because their faces appear often on tv. There are innumerable documented cases of the sheer ignorance displayed by "presenters". But then, like in politics, a nation gets the fools it deserves.
Alfred Baldacchino
Mar 27th 2009, 11:37
Candid camera shows tend to denigrate the TV stations presenting them. If they have nothing better to show they could always put on a documentary film.
Charles Miallef
Mar 27th 2009, 11:33
WELL DONE BA
This was an amateurish attempt to entertain the viewers...................
H Gatt
Mar 27th 2009, 11:02
Unfortunately most local candid camera programmes are produced and presented by people who are too insensitive to appreciate the simple fact that when they push a (often unfunny) joke too far in order to get cheap laughs at the victim’s expense the whole situation can become psychologically harmful. Hopefully these fines will serve as an eye-opener.
J.Grech
Mar 27th 2009, 10:38
The candid camera programms should stop . If not they are not to reduculate children and
old people. The latter might have health problems.
David Stephen Ganado
Mar 27th 2009, 10:20
Its imressive how two years on from the intriduction of the Euro, the authorities are still calculating fines in Maltese Lira and then converting them! From this article it is obvious that the two fines were actually Lm400 (€931) and Lm500 (€1164). when are we really going to change over to the Euro??
R Attard
Mar 27th 2009, 09:57
Time now to stop ridiculing and humiliating people on the nightly game shows on TV as well. Getting tone deaf and overwieght non hopers to attempt to sing and dance is cheap,not funny and downright pathetic.
Shawn Grech
Mar 27th 2009, 09:51
Prosit Kbira Broadcasting authority. You should have fined them a lot more, as these people should be ashamed to do such a candid on children who will now have to suffer emotionally for the rest of their lives.