Journalists and members of the media expressed their frustration at not being able to tackle taboo issues in their work at a press training seminar hosted by the Health Ministry earlier today.
Addressing the seminar’s panel, local television producer Sandro Kitcher said he had often been confronted with difficulties when attempting to discuss “delicate sexual issues” on the television programmes produced by his production company, Dee Media.
“The authorities need to wake up and realise we are living in 2013. We can’t decide to scrap a programme because children will be home from school,” Mr Kitcher said, adding that children of all ages were becoming increasingly exposed to foreign media.
The press training seminar held at the Intercontinental Hotel, formed part of the National Sexual Health Strategy and was aimed at providing journalists and media houses with information and tips on how to deal with “sensitive topics”.
Addressing the panel of experts, Broadcasting Authority chairman Anthony Tabone said he was committed to continue monitoring the local and international situation to provide a healthy balance on local broadcasting.
Authority CEO Pierre Cassar also expressed his concern adding that more comprehensive seminars on how to deal with these issues in the media were needed.
“I receive several calls from media houses on how to deal with these issues. It’s time they are properly informed,” Mr Cassar said.
Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia described the press as the prime movers in spreading a holistic message on sexual health.
Quoting from an international study, Health Promotion Director Charmaine Gauci said that while the average television viewership decreased steadily in previous years, viewers still spent an average of 1.2 hours a day watching television programmes. Among these viewers, youths were the most vulnerable.
Dr Gauci pointed out that 143 incidents of sexual health related issues appeared on prime time television every week with 80 per cent of international shows containing some form of sexual material.
She made reference to a recent performance of singer/actress Miley Cyrus in a surprise performance with singer Robin Thicke.
Describing it as a “ghetto sex dance”, Dr Gauci’s presentation read: “He knew her when she was a Disney star, not a gyrating, tongue wagging, latex bikini wearing, seductress”.