Complaints about PIFs

I don't see why you'd want to make an official complaint about the content of a PIF today, because they're so sanitized and so rarely seen on TV, but if you did you'd go to Ofcom: http://www.ofcom.org.uk. Until 2003, television complaints were handled by the now - defunct ITC (Independent Television Commission) and now I've found an archive of complaints they received about various TV advertisements from 2003 right back to 1999 or thereabouts: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/complaints_report.asp-type=complete.html. However, some of them are not adverts but PIFs, and I've had a look at the accompanying reports.

Archived on December 1st 2002, we've got this one: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/show_complaint.asp-ad_complaint_id=747.html

COI - Fire Safety Euro RSCG

Complaint from: 7 viewers

Background

A fire safety awareness campaign encouraged people to make an escape plan in the event of a fire in their home. It showed a number of individuals in different circumstances trapped in their homes during a fire. One scene showed two young children cowering in their smoke-filled bedroom crying for their dad. Another showed an elderly woman in a very distressed state banging on her door for help.

Issue

Complaints reported that children, aged between 3 and 6 years, had been deeply affected by the images. Three of the children suffered nightmares and sleeping problems. One of these was frightened her house would burn down and started bedwetting again after 2 years. Another was too scared to sleep alone at night and has had to sleep in the same bed as his parents. Others were too scared to be on their own including one 6 year old who refuses to go into any room alone including the toilet, despite his parents' reassurances.

I do remember that particular film, and I think I only ever saw it once. The report goes on to say that the scheduling of the PIF was a breach of ITC Code 7.3.6, and it was decided that from now on it could be shown only after 7.30pm. So all was well that ended well.

Then we have some misleading information in a PIF about saving energy: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/show_complaint.asp-ad_complaint_id=525.html and also in one about computer training: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/show_complaint.asp-ad_complaint_id=440.html. Both of those were handled as appropriate. We've also got reports of a couple of "honourary" PIFs (as Wikipedia calls them) by the NSPCC and RSPCA; I'll write about honourary PIFs in the future. 155 viewers complained about a nursing recruitment PIF on the grounds that it gave the wrong impression of what nurses really earn: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/show_complaint.asp-ad_complaint_id=317.html. I'll bet it did!

There were further complaints about the "Alan and Kate" campaign, a mini soap - opera of sorts that broadcast over four days, following a man with a habit of speeding and a young woman in a new job up to the point where he runs her over. That's another one I want to post about, and until then, here's the report: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/show_complaint.asp-ad_complaint_id=159.html. Complaints not upheld in that instance. A report on a PIF about the euro (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/advertising_complaints/show_complaint.asp-ad_complaint_id=137.html) was more interesting, with some of the viewers arguing that it glamourized office bullying and the rest taking it as political propaganda in favour of Britain adopting the single currency. Meanwhile, "Julie" (you may remember her from here: http://takingthepif.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html) received 255 complaints about the amount of visible blood and the scheduling of the PIF.

I will do some proper research into this. I know that the infamous "Parents" PIF about fireworks was removed after complaints during the 1970s, and according to helpful commenter Discogod, the cut - down version was still being shown around 1985 - 1986. That's yet another one I hope Film Images will let me look at, and as soon as I do, you'll be able to read all about it.