Concern about violence on television has been publicly debated for the past 50 years. TV violence has repeatedly been identified as a significant causal agent in relation to the prevalence of crime and violence in society. Critics have accused the medium of presenting excessive quantities of violence, to the point where it is virtually impossible for viewers to avoid it.

This book presents the findings of the largest British study of violence on TV ever undertaken, funded by the broadcasting industry. The study was carried out at the same time as similar industry-sponsored research was being conducted in the United States, and one chapter compares findings from Britain and the U.S.A.

The book concludes that it is misleading to accuse all broadcasters of presenting excessive quantities of violence in their schedules. This does not deny that problematic portrayals were found. But the most gory, horrific and graphic scenes of violence were generally contained within broadcasts available on a subscription basis or in programs shown at times when few children were expected to be watching. This factual analysis proves that broadcasters were meeting their obligations under their national regulatory codes of practice.

About the Author
Barrie Gunter, Jackie Harrison, Maggie Wykes

Reviews

"This book, Violence on Television, represents a good model for how to effectively examine the content on TV. The authors are to be commended for their presentation of the many examples of research studies that are relevant to their analyses."
-Contemporary Psychology APA REVIEW OF BOOKS

Book Information
ISBN 9780805846447
Author Barrie Gunter
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 590g