- Title: POLAND: Teletubbies under scrutiny in Poland for gay undertones
- Date: 30th May 2007
- Summary: (BN12) WARSAW, POLAND (MAY 29, 2007) (REUTERS) CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST MAREK SWIETOPELK ZAWADZKI IN HIS OFFICE CHILDREN'S TOYS AND BOOKS ON SHELF (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST MAREK SWIETOPELK ZAWADZKI, SAYING: "If children don't have this forcefully explained, its fine for them to watch it. But if somebody points out to them 'this is bad', then it is wrong. I would
- Embargoed: 14th June 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Poland
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA44E0FB38HZ58IMBOA8LIZLH84
- Story Text: Poland's conservative government took its drive to curb what it sees as homosexual propaganda to the small screen on Monday (May 28, 2007), taking aim at the children's programme "Teletubbies".
Ewa Sowinska, government-appointed children rights watchdog, told a magazine published on Monday she was concerned the popular BBC children's show promoted homosexuality.
She said she would ask psychologists to advise if this was the case.
In comments reminiscent of criticism by the late U.S. evangelist Jerry Falwell, she was quoted as saying: "I noticed (Tinky Winky) has a lady's purse, but I didn't realise he's a boy." It also quoted here as saying: "At first I thought the purse would be a burden for this Teletubby ... Later I learned that this may have a homosexual undertone."
Later that day she held a news conference in which she denied the quote.
"The problem appeared in the media and I didn't look into why it appeared in the media. I don't know the first source, but you can tell me where you found it out from. It's not about my statement, it's about the media. I never said anything about this myself," she said.
Child psychologists did not appear to be concerned by any messages that the TV characters might be giving to children.
"If children don't have this forcefully explained, its fine for them to watch it," said child psychologist Marek Swietopelk Zawadzki in an interview with Reuters.
"But if somebody points out to them 'this is bad', then it is wrong," he added.
Zawadzki said "Teletubbies" should not be forbidden.
"But parents should remember, when a child asks you why the Tubby has a purse, explain to them that it is only for fun. Don't pay too much attention to it," he said.
Polish Education Minister Roman Giertych has proposed laws sacking teachers who promote "homosexual lifestyle" and banning "homo-agitation" in schools.
In a sign that the government wants to distance itself from Sowinska's comments, Parliamentary Speaker Ludwig Dorn said he had warned her against making public comments that he said might turn her department into a laughing stock. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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