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  • The broadcasting regulators specifically wanted to understand the acceptability of broadcasting alternative beliefs, psychic and occult phenomenon on television and how this fits with current regulations.

    To do this, it was necessary to understand: how viewers separate and categorise fringe religions and alternative practises and perceptions of potential harm; where they draw the line in terms of what should be shown on television at different times and on different platforms; and who viewers feel need protecting with regard to psychic and occult programming and from what.

    Most importantly, however, the regulators needed to be able to use the findings to make judgements on existing and new programmes.

    Within the research we identified the elements that combine to create harm to create a model that could be applied to any new programme ? which of course vary enormously in subject matter and execution.

    The full report can be found at?www.ofcom.org.uk.

    ?This research, the first of its kind, is invaluable in helping us understand and anticipate viewer attitudes towards and concerns about different types of alternative practises as portrayed on television. It is encouraging to note that these findings broadly support the current regulations, and they will certainly inform our judgements about the suitability of individual programmes and advertisements, in terms of their content and of their scheduling on different channels, and at different times.?
    Andrea Millward-Hargrave, Head of Audience Research