May 2005
Vulnerable individuals on TV programmes

The Maltese Psychological Association has through the past months expressed its concern to relevant authorities about the exposure of real life stories involving children in TV programming. The recent measures implemented by the Editorial Board of the Public Broadcasting Services to safeguard minors involved in such programmes is a positive first step in the right direction. The requirement that vulnerable children appearing on such programmes are screened by professionals is commendable.

While MPA is aware that such programmes may impact positively some participants, one cannot dismiss the intense psychological turmoil and reactivation of past trauma that is at times triggered. Professionals working to re-establish severed family relationships know that such delicate work requires months of careful preparation of the children and adults. Even than a substantial risk is involved and subsequent support is required as a follow-up. We are not aware that such provision is currently being offered to the participants in these TV programmes. Moreover, the financial resources made available to these families in moments of need may obscure the fact that such public displays of personal life stories increases their vulnerability, particularly when one considers the local social context. Finally, MPA is seriously concerned about family members who actually refuse to take part in such programmes but whose story is still exposed through the involvement of their relatives.

MPA hopes that PBS will continue to implement increasingly stringent measures in the best interest of the public and quality broadcasting in Malta.


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