Letter: To see the influence of TV violence, visit a playground

ASKING the broadcasting companies to 'be careful what they show' is to misunderstand the issue. The stewardship of the present government concerning broadcasting policy is manifestly clear: out goes any concept of public service broadcasting and in comes a competitive, market-orientated approach. Franchises were awarded to the independent broadcasting companies according to who made the highest bid. Having paid for their broadcasting licences, these companies must now maximise their audience rating in order to generate revenue to recoup their investment. The quality of broadcasting is going downmarket in order to achieve massive audiences; it is in their interests to be as sensational as possible, a direct outcome of government policy. This is an important reason why I don't and won't watch television - the audience is a commodity to be sold by broadcasters to advertisers and I do not wish to be a commodity.

James Cambridge

Bristol, Avon