ITC rules on paranormal programmes on Living TV

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) have ruled that two programmes on the Living TV channel were in breach of the ITC Programme Code, primarily because they were not clearly presented as entertainment.
Editions of the series, 'Crossing Over' and '6ixth Sense', in which mediums purported to be making contact with the spirit world and passing on messages to members of the studio audience, were ruled to be in breach of section 1.10 of the ITC Programme Code, which states: "Actual demonstrations of exorcisms and occult practices, such as those involving supposed contact with spirits or the dead, are not acceptable in factual programming except in the context of a legitimate investigation. They should not, in any case, be shown before the watershed.
"Horoscopes, palmistry and similar 'psychic' practices are only acceptable where 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."
The Commission judged that the programmes were in breach of the Code since they were not clearly presented as entertainment, with no acknowledgement made of the existence of differing opinions as to the true nature of clairaudience and clairvoyance.
However, Living TV, the Commission judged, should be permitted to continue showing such programmes provided that additional safeguards are put in place, including announcements before and after each programme. The nature of these safeguards must be approved in advance with the ITC.
In arriving at their decision, the Commission agreed that section 1.10 of the ITC Programme Code should be clarified. The revised Code, Members decided, should include details of what kind of "supposed contact with the dead" should be considered occult and what kind of scheduling restrictions on terrestrial and other channels should be made to protect children.
Proposed revisions to the Code will be put out for consultation in due course.
(GB)