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Many marchers displayed self-made banners, variously worded; many others carried white balloons signifying the innocence of children. Volunteer stewards in traffic jackets (as required by the police) marched at intervals along the length of the column.
Report on the first ever Media March in February 2000.
Over 250 people participated in the 'trial run' media march on Saturday 12th February, some from as far away as North Yorkshire, Manchester and Liverpool - and from many faiths and backgrounds. Many of these are themselves members of voluntary groups or associations which share the same concern over media content. (see list at end ) The March evidenced a wonderful coming together of people sharing a common concern, deeply felt.
The Marchers set off with a banner board at the head, "Media March - for the children's sake" and placarded messages were held high by individual marchers, whilst others carried white balloons, representing the innocence of children. There was a wonderful atmosphere as we marched down Whitehall and past the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, en route to the Home Office, near St James Park. The marchers were then addressed, outside the Home Office, by the organisers. Further letters to the appropriate Cabinet ministers, plus signed petition forms, were gathered in. Generous donations were also received, to help offset the unavoidable expenses incurred by the organisers.
Soon afterwards, letters giving the reason for the March and setting out our deepening concerns were sent to the Home Secretary, Jack Straw MP and to the Minister of Culture, Media and Sport, Chris Smith MP. The organisers also handed in at the Home Office all the 90 personal letters and the petition forms containing 736 signatures, collected from the marchers.
Organisers summary of the outcome.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, Lord Bassam of Brighton, subsequently met us to discuss the present obscenity laws. However, no commitment was given to any specification by the Home Office on this issue. Also, on Monday 28th February, we met with Janet Anderson MP, Minister for Broadcasting and Film, at the Dept. of Culture, Media and Sport. We handed her 65 personal letters addressed to Chris Smith and reiterated briefly the urgent concerns that led to the Media March and asked her to take our views into consideration when decisions were to be reached on the content of the White Paper on broadcasting and telecommunications (due in Autumn 2000). Sadly, the White Paper gave scant recognition to the only too obvious need for stronger and demonstrably effective laws.
The Minister explained that she was unable at that time to indicate how the Government would be likely to proceed with regard to regulation of programme content as there are many different points of view to be considered first. The general impression gained from this meeting was that the Government is likely to favour less, rather than more, regulation - but could decide to review by what means enforcement of regulations could be improved.
Media March participants in February 2000 included members of the following organisations:-
The Christian community¨The Muslim community (with the official endorsement of the Muslim Council of Britain)The Parents' Network Families Involved in Raising Media Awareness (FIRMA)¨National Viewers' & Listeners' Association (NVALA)¨Christian Voice ¨Family and Youth Concern¨CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education)¨Parents against Oral Contraception for Children¨Protection of Parental Responsibility Maranatha Christian Community¨National Drug Prevention Alliance¨Campaign for Real Education¨South London Morality Forum
The March was organised jointly by FIRMA and NVALA (Bromley Branch).
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