Page 1 of Cleanup language for British TV

Does anyone know of any moves towards bringing over to the UK the useful "black box" called "TV Guardian" or something like that, which can clean up the foul language used incessantly on TV broadcasts and DVD`s?
I undersatnd that the system uses the "subtitle" part of the siganl and is able to read ahead and "smudge" both the soundtrack and the visible sub title.
I feel that there are many people who, like me, are offended by the sort of words that are now commonplace, and who would never allow them to be used by "invited guests" into our house. Why then do we have to allow them to be used in our sitting room, in front of our children and friends?
If anyone has any comments please post them, especially any news of developing the TVGuardian system for our broadcasting media.

May I suggest an oft ignored device and one that is used less and less nowadays....

The off switch.

No-one is ever forced to watch anything they do not want to.
To be honest, I`ve never been in favour of censorship of any form.
Regulation, especially self restraint is preferable to a big brother state.
I think there should be stricter enforcement of the 9 pm watershed on British television, not to protect us from foul language or innapropriate behaviour, but to ensure that certain subjects and areas be avoided when children are watching. Sometimes certain soap opera storylines seem incredible at 7 pm, Programmes like Trisha and Kilroy will discuss adult matters early in the morning. If programmes like these are giving people the forum to discuss inappropriate behaviour in their personal lives, and even promote their lifestyles as something desirable, then surely the younger generation will be influenced. This is far more dangerous and insidious than a few ill chosen words at inappropriate hours.

But why should someone have to turn ther television OFF just to get rid of some swearing, if there is a device that can filter it out?
You say that you arent in favour of censorship in any form and then continue to say that you think certain subjects shouldnt be discussed before the 9pm watershed? Isnt that censorship? Perhaps you should try turning off the TV with the switch on the front when Kilroy is on.

In my mind, censorship is the altering of original material to make it sanitised and acceptable for all, I`d much rather see my favourite movies and programmes like Buffy etc untouched at a later hour rather than hacked and slashed travesties before nine pm with copious use of "muddyfunster" and other dubious dubbing and crude cuts.

As for my Kilroy and Trisha comments. I`m concerned about the subject matter. At nine or ten in the morning, when discussions like "I want to be a lap dancer" or "I slept with my wife`s sister" are on, do you really want to handle a preschool toddler asking "What`s a crack whore?" Put it on in the old Springer slot, 3am where it belongs. That`s not censorship, it`s just regulation. People aren`t stopped from watching it, and better still all the language that gets bleeped out can go out unaffected.

NB. I don`t watch Talk shows, reality TV or soap operas through copious use of the off switch. I just cite certain examples to illustrate my point. Your suggestion is appreciated nonetheless.

This item was edited on Sunday, 21st April 2002, 15:11

I would find this "smudging" of the soundtrack more offputting than the actual swear word. If for instance someone is talking quickly then the words either side of the offending word may get affected as well? I do think, however, that there is too much "cussing" in films nowadays and it is up to the film makers to use it wisely. Loads of swearing does not equal authenticity, in fact it just draws attention to the fact that it is a film and not real life. 100 or more instances of the F-word are commonplace in films, but if it was any other (`normal`) word being used that many times then the script editor would be round with his thesaurus.
To use a tired old cliche, I think "less is more" when it comes to swearing and you`ve got to keep a word`s "shockability". The Godfather is obviously the classic gangster film but (not that I`m counting!) only contains one "prick" (and I don`t mean Marlon Brando) while the follow-up contains one F*** uttered by that slimey Senator fella and this works to shows up his sinister side. One more example (honest), in Casino the one utterance of the C-word is more shocking than the numerous F-words put together (but even this word is losing it`s `power` thanks to Sexy Beast, Trainspotting, etc. It even cropped up on a Channel 4 sitcom!)

F*ck it

"May I suggest an oft ignored device and one that is used less and less nowadays....

The off switch."

I couldn`t agree more, or try one of the other hundreds of available channels.

Swearing is a fact of life that will be encountered in schools, shops, pubs, everywhere and is generally included in tv programs and films because it reflects society and the way that many people speak.

To alter any form of program or film from it`s original state is totally unacceptable in my view, and if people aren`t happy with the content for whatever reason - sex, violence, drugs or swearing, the should find something else to watch.

Firstly I would say I think censorship on the whole is a very bad thing, and ultimately leads to a government controlled society, something which is an even worse thing.

But, whilst words are just words, I can understand why some people who are offended by them want the right to self censor these words and if a gadget means they can do it without effecting it for the rest of us then I`m all for that.

I also think letting your children see material which isn`t suitable for them is child abuse, and if something contains swearing or nudity or violence that needs to be censored before being shown to a child, then you really shouldn`t be showing any of it to them. :)

speechless..

I`ve never heard of such a device, but in principle I don`t see how such a theoretical application is any different from a v-chip or any other parental control. It seems odd to invest in a device however, when there is a much simpler method of avoiding things one doesn`t like on television (reality shows, repeats, soaps, game-shows... um, everything really) and I don`t feel like repeating the suggestion already given by someone on this post.

But it`s good, and cheap, advice.

--Mike