RTV Theory and Practice - Special Issue

Viewing violence on the screen, particularly that which serves for fulfilling the desires and aims of both individuals and larger groups of people ог of society as a whole, the viewer forms attitudes which accept aggression and violence as a form of everyday Uving and communication, particularly when this kind of behaviour is shown without a certain negative attitude towards iL Aithough the influence of violence is felt on viewers of all ages, it has a greater effect and more serious consequences for the youngest viewers, i.e. children and teenagers. The child’s character is in the process of being formed, certain forms of behaviour, especially moral behaviour, аге not yet fixed and his character is still open to influence. Besides, in childhood, especially the early part of it, the process of formation of the abihty to differentiate between reality and fantasy is not yet completed, and the child has no clear criterion as to what is fantasy and what reaUty. Apart from this, children eagerly imitate models offered by television because they introduce them to the adult world in the most accessible way. DOES ALL VIOLENCE HAVE A NEGATIVE INFLUENCE ON VIEV/ERS? We cannot, however, consider violence in a vacuum, outside certain historical conditions and reigning value judgments and norms in a certain society. In other words, we cannot consider every use of force impermissible and every act of aggression an example which serves viewers to develop antisocial behaviour. Considering violence in a particular social framewerk it must be remembered that some forms of violence are essential for the survival of the community and for the preservadon of the integrity of the individual. With regard to the characteristics of our socialist society, whose goals include the preservation of a free society and man, the promotion of the social community etc., violence used for defence from aggression, violence which must be used to sohe

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