Necessary, did you say?
I can see that a programme designed to shock young people into realising the unpleasant and dangerous nature of VD could perform a useful service, particularly if treated unsensationally and made specifically for schoolchildren. The particular shots in this programme were designed, however, for medical students and, quite apart from their capacity to embarrass, they could also, I'd have thought, have morbidly frightened some sensitive children, especially girls. It is not enough to broadcast preliminary warn- ings of such programmes either. for such warnings often encourage rather than discourage viewing, and anyhow they are of no avail if someone chances to come into a room or to switch a set on. I find no problem in envisaging the possible corrupting effect of such a programme, if by possible corrupting is meant the creation of an unnatural fear or horror of sexual organs and the diseases to which they are subject. Also, I would be more inclined to sym- pathise with the therapeutic justification if I saw on the screens a general and widespread effort to reduce the incidence of smoking.
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