Enough raunch! Joan Bakewell joins the anti-Gaga lobby
Comments come as David Cameron prepares to confront music bosses over raunchy music videos
BROADCASTER Joan Bakewell is the latest public figure to speak out against gratuitous sex and near-nudity in music videos. The 78-year-old has questioned the effects of racy pop culture on children, complaining that a recent televised Lady Gaga concert was spoiled for her because the pop star was "playing up the raunch".
The danger, said 78-year-old Bakewell, is that when children grow up and "get to their own sex life" they are either going to be disappointed or they are going to "do it badly".
Bakewell, who made the comments at the launch of her new novel, joins a growing list of adults concerned by the phenomenon. Scantily-clad singers, including Rihanna and Katy Perry, have attracted thousands of complaints from outraged parents, anti-rape campaigners and even Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders.
Their fears may be appeased sooner than expected as David Cameron appears to have gone full steam ahead in the war against the over-sexualisation of young children.
Last year a report, carried out for the Prime Minister by Reg Bailey, chief executive of the Mothers' Union, recommended that the music industry take action to prevent sexually explicit music videos being seen by children.
But while Bailey recommended an 18-month breathing period for music and internet companies to bring in controls, Cameron wants more immediate action.
According to The Sunday Times, the Prime Minister has organised a meeting this month with music business chiefs and warned the industry it could face regulation if it fails to police itself.
Measures could include digitally embedding warnings for music videos downloaded on the internet or mobile phones; tools to allow parents to block videos or allow their children to see censored versions; and parental filters for explicit music videos akin to those used for porn sites.
Will it be enough to stop children being bombarded with bump-and-grind videos and songs that glamorise the sexual exploitation of women and violence? Don't bet on it. ·
