A new system for Brazil
VI – Scenes involving drugs Potential stimuli to drug use (legal or illegal) is particularly problematic in the context of child and adolescent viewers. In general, given the influence of television on the choices made by children and adolescents and its socializing characteristics, the decision to use these substances may not always be based on pertinent information, that is, on the associated risks and pleasures. In other words, it is necessary to ensure that the various audiences are provided comprehensive information on the variables involved in legal and illegal drug use, rather than a partial framing of the issue. At the same time, discussion of the subject should not be avoided, even in programs that are not classified as informational and/or educational. Drugs are part of our social reality, and, as such, citizens (above and below the age of 18) need to be exposed to the question. Yet, as with the subjects discussed above, it is crucial to distinguish productions that offer a more in-depth analysis of the matter from those that simply depict the consumption of those substances.
VII – Discrimination The portrayal of scenes involving various types of discrimination – frequently through the depiction of negative stereotypes – is contrary to human
189
rights and contributes nothing to promoting a culture of peace and mutual respect among children and adolescents. Therefore, the presence of such content should be vigorously repudiated. However, there are potential contexts that can mitigate scenes depicting discrimination. These include cases in which scenes of discrimination are employed to condemn misguided behaviors or clearly offer a positive contribution to the development of children and adolescents.
VIII – Language The language employed in audiovisual content is an important element for reinforcing or mitigating particular messages conveyed by the productions under analysis. As with the other content elements described above, distinctions in the age scales must be made with regard to the recommendations on access to particular types of language (whether oral or gestural). In other words, children and adolescents of specific age groups – given their stage of development in the community, society, and school – are more prepared to interact with the use of certain types of language than others. The type of language employed is also an important piece of information in expanding the power of choice of parents or guardians in relation to programming. While access to offensive terms may be problematic for some families, for