MEDIA
RELEASE
Friday 28 April 2000
Australians Tune In To Turn Off
Over
100,000 Australians are estimated to have joined TV Turn Off Week (22-28 April)
which ends today, after organisers reached more than six million people across
every state and territory through a high-profile public health campaign. Over
five million people are reported to have joined the TV Turn-Off
internationally.
"The
response has been overwhelming positive," reported Australian co-ordinator
Ms Libby Davy, a former marketing executive. "Feedback has clearly shown
many Australians were waiting for TV Turn Off Week to reassess the role of
television in their lives."
"The
crying shame is that our own major TV networks have been less democratic than
those in America. Every attempt to pay good money for airtime has been denied.
Our message is one of personal health and happiness yet every commercial
network has tried to prevent us sharing it for commercial reasons alone.”
“The
national average for television viewing is over three hours per day. That’s 20
times longer than we spend talking and reading with our children. It’s a
national epidemic with widespread consequences for all Australians. It is
ethically and perhaps even legally wrong for the purely profit-driven networks
to have it all their own way,” Ms Davy said.
The
good news is that community stations Channel 31 Perth and Melbourne have
donated airtime to this worthy cause just as the first major TV Turn Off Week
campaign in Australia officially draws to a close today. Australians will
finally have a chance to view the 'uncommercial' that promotes TV Turn Off Week
in the tradition of the equally controversial AIDS 'Grim Reaper' campaign.
Channel
31 Melbourne will air it at 7.13pm, 10.39pm and 11.15pm Friday 28 April and again
on Saturday and Sunday nights. Screening times for Channel 31 Perth included
Thursday 9.30-10.30 and, still to come, Saturday 29 April between 9.30-10.30.
Dedicated
TV Turn Off supporters can of course wait until Saturday 29 April to tune in if
they want to follow their TV-free diet for the full seven days.
Rodney
Vlais, psychologist and co-ordinator suggests that "The widespread
coverage of the campaign has been due to its welcome message, and because of
its relevance to ordinary people."
"A
recent study showed that every extra hour per week spent in front of the TV
corresponds with an average consumption increase of $333 per year. For people
facing the stress of paying off credit card debts, among many other issues, TV
Turn Off Week has been a extremely well received."
Approximately
20 high-rating radio stations and newspapers around the country have shown
strong support for the campaign in Australia. Many stations have even played
the compelling audio version of the 'uncommercials', including 2UE &
3AW. ABC TV's Backberner
has also given it a welcome plug, proving that some television workers can
enter
the debate with their hearts and minds open.
-- MORE --
There
has been unlikely support from Channel Nine's The Today Show who aired the 'uncommercial' while attacking the
campaign last Saturday.
Interviews
have been held on nearly every major radio station, with 3AW topping the lot
after three consecutive interviews over two days.
Other
high-profile, responsible broadcasters are also planning to run stories, and a
documentary is in the making.
Extensive
feedback over the last few weeks of campaigning revealed that TV Turn Off Week
has been tremendously helpful for individuals wanting to cure their
'affluenza', and for children and adults trying to kick the narcotic television
habit.
The
TV Turn Off campaign has not attempted to take the high moral ground or suggest
people should never watch television.
Rather, it has challenged people to try going just seven days out of 365
week without it - and to see for themselves what a positive effect this can
have.
Those
who haven't seen the 'uncommercial' can watch Channel 31 at the above times or
go to www.adbusters.org for this and further inspiration.
Background
to the Australian campaign is also available on the Adbusters website or by
e-mailing tvturnoff@barkingowl.com.
-- ENDS --
·
Rodney
Vlais on (08) 9337-7217 (in the first instance) ecoheal@mail.iinet.net.au
·
Libby
Davy 0419 943 989 (back-up for urgent media messages only) tvturnoff@barkingowl.com
·
Melbourne
website (including instructions on tuning in) http://www.channel31.org.au/
·
Perth
website http://www.ctvperth.com.au.
If you can get SBS you can usually get Channel 31 (turn band
selector to UHF). Tuning info for Perth at http://www.watrotting.asn.au/chann31.htm
Available
on request
·
PAL Beta & VHS tape of the
uncommercial on request. Three versions on-line for viewing and radio broadcast
at http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/tvturnoff/toolbox/uncommercial.html
·
Further background material
Rodney
Vlais is a clinical psychologist, change
facilitator and social activist. Barking
Owl (www.barkingowl.com) is a
campaigner for TV Turn Off Week and founder of the Sustainable Business Network
(www.barkingowl.com/sustainable).
Both are also involved in Buy Nothing Day, another event inspired
in part by the Adbusters Media Foundation. See www.barkingowl.com/cc and the Adbusters
website at www.adbusters.org for more
on Buy Nothing Day (each year in November/December).