“I Claudius” (Press, 7 November 1978)
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Summary: “I Claudius” (Press, 7 November 1978)
In a series of letters to the editor published on 7 November 1978, readers express their concerns regarding the television series "I, Claudius" and the broader implications of television entertainment on society. Mrs A. J. Flanagan responds to an article by Mrs Hazel Kenny, defending "I, Claudius" as historically accurate and relevant to contemporary issues, drawing parallels between the decline of ancient civilisations and modern New Zealand. Flanagan highlights alarming societal statistics, such as the number of abortions, incidents of intoxicated driving, reported incest cases, the prevalence of homosexuality, and drug-related issues, suggesting that current challenges in New Zealand reflect the moral decay observed in historical empires. Conversely, J. W. Knowles and Pat Phillips express their strong objection to the violence depicted in "I, Claudius." Knowles fully supports Mrs Kenny's protests against the episode aired on 2 November, criticising the show's content. Similarly, Phillips reiterates the concerns raised by Kenny, questioning the standards of the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand (BCNZ) and lamenting the impact of such violent content on family life. Phillips recounts her distress over a particularly disturbing scene, whereupon she turned off the sound to shield her children from what she deemed inappropriate viewing. Both Knowles and Phillips encourage others to voice their opposition to violent programming, advocating for higher standards in television content. Overall, the letters reflect a division of opinion about the role of historical dramas in society and the responsibility of broadcasters to uphold moral standards in their offerings.
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