Date: Thu, 16 Nov 95 17:22:00 MET
From: REEKIE Alan Fraser <aree@dg13.cec.be>



According to a front-page report on the results of new audience research 
done for the public-service BBC TV in today's "The Independent" (London),
"The largest shift in attitudes has been towards homosexuality. Between 1985 
and 1995 there has been a 20% fall in the notion that homosexuality is 
offensive on television. Forty percent of women over 55 now find it 
acceptable, as do 55% of middle-aged men (35-55 years old) and 70% of young 
men (aged 18-34)."
The survey also found that audiences had become less concerned by sex and 
nudity: "older women's tolerance has gone up by 8% to 41%, while middle-aged 
women have gone up from 44 to 59%". Although "bad language" is less 
disturbing now than previously, only some 38% of older women accept it, 
while 75% of young people do so.

BTW, one indefatigable elderly woman does not appear to have become more 
tolerant; Mary Whitehouse is reported to have objected to the broadcasting 
of the feature film "Four Weddings and a Funeral" after 21h on Channel 4 TV. 


 - Alan Reekie (usual disclaimer)