Please contact OFCOM if you feel strongly...

[MamaMaiasaura]

about the programme on ITV last night. I smack and am proud,

Katiec put this on another thread: I have already contacted them.

By KatieC on Friday, 22 September, 2006 10:17:25 AMHi all

I've been given permission to post from netmums HQ and just wanted to share with you the NSPCC view on the ITV1 documentary 'I smack and I'm proud.'

The NSPCC viewed a preview copy of the programme and as a result of its content felt that it had to do something to intervene.

The NSPCC went to court to try and get an injunction to stop the programme being shown but the injunction was not granted. The statement about this is below:

'The NSPCC said (21 September) that it was extremely disappointed that an injunction to stop the ITV programme I Smack and I?m Proud being screened at 9pm tonight has not been issued by the High Court.

NSPCC director and chief executive, Mary Marsh said: ?The Society sought an injunction because of concerns about the children involved in the programme. The NSPCC is greatly concerned about the fact that children were filmed and portrayed in this way. The NSPCC will now formally refer the programme to Ofcom for its immediate consideration.?

The NSPCC sincerely hopes that people all over the UK who view this programme tonight will also contact Ofcom to demonstrate their concern that children were filmed and shown to the public in such distressing circumstances.

Mary Marsh continued: ?We believe it was wrong to film the children in this way, and wrong to transmit the programme.?

The NSPCC viewed an advance copy of the programme and asked ITV not to transmit it because of its concerns. Once ITV confirmed that it would not withdraw the programme, the NSPCC believed, regrettably, it had no other course of action than to seek to have the programme stopped by the court.

The NSPCC has not taken action over this programme due to any issue of editorial balance over the physical punishment debate. Editorial balance is an issue entirely for ITV. The NSPCC strongly encourages public debate on the issue.


The NSPCC remains committed to reform of legislation to give children the same protection from assault that adults already enjoy. It continues to campaign for government action to achieve this.

Anyone with concerns about a child can call the NSPCC 24-hour a day Child Protection Helpline on 0808 500 8000. Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 at anytime day or night.

To contact Ofcom about the programme:

Ofcom
Ofcom Contact Centre
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
Phone: 0845 456 3000
Fax: 020 7981 3333
Email: [email protected]

[MamaMaiasaura]

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