CHANNEL 7 news is irresponsible for the regular showing of extreme violence – schoolyard attacks, gang violence, road rage, etc.

Each film clip is shown multiple times – sometimes with a warning – “some viewers may find this distressing” – but still shown anyway.

At other times, these film clips are shown as pre-news advertising, as if this was a highlight of the news service.

The showing of these types of film clips is mostly unnecessary.

Why are they shown at all?

Who are they hoping to attract to their news services?

This type of editorial decision-making was on display during the reporting of the fatal car crash and arrest of a man in Bourke Street on Friday, September 8.

The film of the man being arrested was appropriate to the news story.

The reporter on site was able to effectively convey the key aspects of the story and the sadness of the tragedy that had occurred.

Seven news then decided to repeatedly display film of the car careening along Bourke Street killing five people in January, 2017 and the murder of Sisto Malaspina in November, 2018.

There was no need to show these films during the current report, let alone repeat them several times!

Was there any connection between these past stories and the current news item apart from the Bourke Street connection?

It is important that all people are kept aware of all events occurring both locally and internationally.

But it is totally unnecessary to accompany news reports with repeated showings of violent film clips.

This is especially unnecessary in the 6 o’clock news! Family viewing time!

Most families enjoy time together watching the news. Many schools encourage their students to watch the news to keep abreast of current affairs.

Is it appropriate for children to be exposed to films of school children attacking other children with fists, feet and machetes?

Could this have a desensitizing effect on younger members of society so that they begin to see this type of behavior as “normal”?

Who bears the responsibility for making the decisions to show these images?

Jen Geddes-Davies, Noel Davies. Maindample.