TV producers get slap on the wrist

Three television programmes charged with "bad taste" were yesterday let off with warnings by the Broadcasting Authority while another was vindicated.

Venere, the TVM programme which aired a photo shoot held at Addolorata Cemetery, was ruled "offensive" but not because of the theme chosen or the clothing and behaviour of the models. Instead, the BA argued that the location could have offended many people whose loved ones were buried there and certain clips showed the models walking around graves and sitting near a private chapel.

The authority chose to hand down a warning to the station instead of a fine given that this was the producers' first offence.

On the other hand, the TVM game show Ħadd Għalik, which was charged with bad taste because it focused too much on the "disability" of one of its contestants, was not found to be in violation of the law.

The broadcasting watchdog said the comments made during the programme were light hearted, so the charge was dismissed.

The participant, a man of short stature who had opted voluntarily to join the "ugly" team of the show, was furious the regulator had charged the producers on the pretence he was somehow disabled.

Another TVM game show, Deal Or No Deal, was rapped for having an avid poker player on the programme and encouraging him to talk about his "passion" for gambling.

The authority said there were no specific regulations prohibiting such type of "promotion" and it was inappropriate to apply the law of bad taste. But it expressed concern that the national television station was allowing this type of content before 9 p.m.

Deal Or No Deal was fined €1,164 for "surreptitious advertising" in four different programmes.

The One TV drama Amen, which showed a graphic scene of drug abuse but was only classified as "parental guidance", was let off with a warning as this was a first offence.

The authority said it did not object to the scene but could not accept the wrong classification.

The authority said it realised it had to apply the law proportionately without prejudicing the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, including artistic expression.