Yahoo News BBC Radio listeners react to Woman's Hour pornography series
Listeners of BBC Radio 4 have shared divided reactions to Woman's Hour's series on pornography, which has been broadcast during the morning.
The long-running radio show has recently been exploring how pornography has been shaping people's lives, including discussions on porn addiction and oral sex.
Some have shared their criticism of the series, notably given the show broadcasts at 10am in the morning.
Related: BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour host quits show for new role
Sharing their reaction on the BBC's Feedback programme, one listener said: "Woman’s Hour is broadcast at 10am but with the current content I think 10pm might be a better time."
Another person said: "Please can someone do something to reign in the current preoccupation with masturbation, pornography and general bodily functions?"
"Woman’s Hour’s been a part of my life for years but I must object to the current series on pornography and the way in which Woman’s Hour has so dramatically changed to become a programme I’d rather not listen to," a third listener complained.
‘Pornography is one thing that we haven't spoken about’
As part of our series looking at how porn is shaping our sex lives and relationships, Dr Fiona Vera-Gray @VeraGrayF told @emmabarnett why she thinks women need to be part of the conversation.
Listen on @bbcsounds ⬇️— BBC Woman's Hour (@BBCWomansHour) March 17, 2024
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However, other listeners defended the programme, one saying: "Thank you to BBC Woman's Hour for making such an intelligent and thought-provoking series. As a father of a daughter coming into her teenage years, it really made me think about the safeguarding measures I will need to put in place to keep my daughter safe."
"I feel Woman’s Hour has tried to present all viewpoints professionally and empathetically," another added. "The interview I heard on Monday's programme moved me so emotionally. Porn is a topic that nobody talks about and I take my hat off to Woman’s Hour for looking underneath this taboo."
A third listener said: "I enjoy hearing the differing perspectives of those sharing their stories, regardless of gender. It's so insightful. It's also useful to hear from men of all different age ranges who learned from watching porn. I hope Woman's Hour does not shy away from topics like this in the future as we need to hear them."
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A spokesperson for Woman's Hour shared a statement in reaction to the complaints: "Woman’s Hour doesn’t shy away from taboo topics and does so in a considered and sensitive way our listeners expect. Discussing pornography is not new to Woman’s Hour. It’s a topic which is culturally relevant and yet often under discussed.
"Women have told us that they are concerned about how porn use is affecting their relationships and sex lives, yet most women don’t feel able to talk openly about it, leaving them feeling confused and isolated.
"Radio 4 has an adult audience and this topic is handled in a manner that is appropriate for the time of broadcast. We are always very careful to signpost clearly subject matter or language to help audiences to make informed choices about their listening."
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