Astrology and Television
26 November 2003 - ITC Announces Programme Code Revision
 Following
a public consultation earlier this year, the ITC has confirmed
a revision to the Programme Code, which applies to all ITC licensees.
The consultation was on Section 1.10 of the Code, addressing
the issue of "Psychic Practices". The ITC received over
200 responses from licensees, organisations and individuals. After
consideration of these responses, including the need to limit
child viewing of psychic practices, the Code wording has been
revised as follows:
1.10 The Occult and 'Psychic' Practices
1.10(i) Exorcisms and the Occult
Actual demonstrations of exorcisms and occult practices,
such as those involving the purported invocation of unknown
spirits of the dead or negative forces, are not acceptable in
non-fictional programming except in the context of a legitimate
investigation. They should not, in any case, be shown before
the watershed.
1.10(ii) Other Paranormal and related Issues
NB These paragraphs refer only to issues dealt with outside
a religious or doctrinal context. Section 7 deals with religious
programming and issues.
Demonstrations of clairvoyance, clairaudience, and similar
practices are acceptable only when they are clearly and explicitly
presented as entertainment, or when they are the subject of
legitimate investigation. Programmes should not be included
at times when significant numbers of children are expected to
be watching: for example, before the watershed on public service
channels. When presented for entertainment purposes, measures
should include announcements before and at the end of programmes
to indicate their nature as entertainment, and appropriate acknowledgement
of the existence of differing opinions as to the true nature
of clairaudience and clairvoyance. Programmes should not include
specific advice to particular contributors or viewers about
health or medical matters, the law or personal finance or include
specific advice which might significantly influence behaviour
in relation to personal relationships. They should not include
advice which might be damaging or unduly distressing to those
concerned or which might unduly disconcert the likely audience.
Demonstrations of predictive practices, whether 'psychic'
or otherwise (eg horoscopes, palmistry), are acceptable only
when they are presented as entertainment or are the subject
of legitimate investigation. They should not include specific
advice to particular contributors or viewers about health or
medical matters or about personal finance. They should not be
included at times when large numbers of children are expected
to be watching.
Fiction programmes containing 'psychic' or occult phenomena
should not normally be scheduled before the watershed, although
a fantasy context, for example, may justify such a scheduling."
This amended wording comes into force from 8 December 2003.
Notes to Editors
1. The consultation on the revised wording was announced on 18
July (see ITC news release 46/03. On 25 September, the ITC made
public the consultation responses (see news release 54/03)
2. In May this year, the ITC ruled that two programmes on the
satellite channel, Living TV (Crossing Over and 6ixth Sense) were
in breach of the Programme Code, but would not have been had they
been clearly presented as entertainment (see ITC news release
35/03). It was agreed that the Code should be clarified for the
benefit of all licensees.
3. The ITC Programme Code will continue to be used when Ofcom
takes over responsibility for regulating commercial television
on 29 December 2003. Ofcom plans to consult on a new Programme
Code early in 2004.
You can visit the ITCs website at www.itc.org.uk
The AA is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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