The Broadcasting Association of Ireland (BAI) has rejected a complaint brought against TV3’s Ireland AM for a programme broadcast on February 11 at 7.45am, earlier this year.
The complainant objected to a segment showing a condom being put on a model of an erect penis stating that “this type of material is completely inappropriate on a programme that many households have on in the morning, before children go to school”.
She admitted that there may have been appropriate warnings before the demonstration but having just switched over to the channel, she did not see any evidence of these.
TV3 maintained that the slot was intended to be informative and educational and not in any way sexual. It also specified that no less than three separate warnings were aired prior to exposing the penis. TV3 also stated that it had received positive feedback commending their approach to demonstrating how to use a condom correctly.
“It was a medical and educational model of the male reproductive organ and whilst the topic was in relation to contraception, it was not a conversation in relation to sex.”
The complainant told the BAI that she was “extremely disappointed” and felt that the content was unsuitable for her children. The BAI considered the complaint but ultimately sided with TV3.
“The Forum did acknowledge that the time of broadcast meant that some children could view the programme and that some viewers may have found it inappropriate but noted that there was nothing in the programme likely to cause undue offence or to cause harm.”
