Hobovillia
21-02-2006, 07:05
"BSA unable to stop South Park episode
21 February 2006
Any moves by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) to stop a controversial Virgin Mary cartoon being aired would be state censorship, chief executive Jane Wrightson says.
Canwest-owned TV Works is pressing ahead with plans to show the Bloody Mary cartoon in an episode of the South Park show on C4 on May 10.
The episode shows a statue of Mary bleeding, which is taken to be a miracle, until Pope Benedict suggests it is simply menstruation. The statue then starts spurting blood.
Catholic bishops have reportedly urged their congregations to boycott Canwest's TV3 news and its advertisers.
Ms Wrightson said the BSA could take no action until a complaint was made, and that could not happen until after it had screened.
"We have no power to operate before the event," she told NZPA.
"That would be censorship by a state organisation and that's not what we do."
The debate was between the public - "or particularly the Catholics of New Zealand" - and the broadcaster.
If the episode aired and a complaint was made, it would initially be dealt with by the broadcaster.
"If the complainant is unhappy with the response from the broadcaster when they have their decision on that complaint, then they can come to us," Ms Wrightson said.
The BSA had received "a number of email contacts" on the issue already, she said.
"But we've told them all the same thing - there is nothing we can do."
I found this particulary funny as even the PM had something to say about it (Although it was on a new program) she said "I find it tasteless. I don't get what is funny about a religious statue menstrutating on a cartton. I just don't get it" I get it;)
21 February 2006
Any moves by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) to stop a controversial Virgin Mary cartoon being aired would be state censorship, chief executive Jane Wrightson says.
Canwest-owned TV Works is pressing ahead with plans to show the Bloody Mary cartoon in an episode of the South Park show on C4 on May 10.
The episode shows a statue of Mary bleeding, which is taken to be a miracle, until Pope Benedict suggests it is simply menstruation. The statue then starts spurting blood.
Catholic bishops have reportedly urged their congregations to boycott Canwest's TV3 news and its advertisers.
Ms Wrightson said the BSA could take no action until a complaint was made, and that could not happen until after it had screened.
"We have no power to operate before the event," she told NZPA.
"That would be censorship by a state organisation and that's not what we do."
The debate was between the public - "or particularly the Catholics of New Zealand" - and the broadcaster.
If the episode aired and a complaint was made, it would initially be dealt with by the broadcaster.
"If the complainant is unhappy with the response from the broadcaster when they have their decision on that complaint, then they can come to us," Ms Wrightson said.
The BSA had received "a number of email contacts" on the issue already, she said.
"But we've told them all the same thing - there is nothing we can do."
I found this particulary funny as even the PM had something to say about it (Although it was on a new program) she said "I find it tasteless. I don't get what is funny about a religious statue menstrutating on a cartton. I just don't get it" I get it;)