Channel 4 will commence broadcasting their new "Reality TV experiment" on Monday 18th July 2016.  This experiment involves 23 volunteers who were placed in a 600-acre area of wilderness during March 2016.  

A Channel 4 statement says: "With no prescribed infrastructure, the group will take in with them only what they can carry and the basics needed to kick start their experience, including the tools of their trade. What they do and how they do it is up to them.  The series aims to challenge everything about modern living, raising questions about what we need to be happy, what we want from our communities and how we are influenced by society as a whole."

From the trailers that have aired on Channel 4 so far, it is clear that a part of this so called experiment involves the hunting and killing of wild animals to provide food for the 23 volunteers.  However, this is an entirely false scenario as well as significantly irresponsible given Channel 4's statement that defines "...What they do and how they do it is up to them".  The volunteers have no need to put themselves in this position, there is no argument to justify placing the 23 volunteers in this scenario and this is not a real survival scenario where human lives are at stake.  The only benefit this so called experiment provides is that of so called entertainment, but I, and all of those people who will sign this petition are no longer entertained.  This programme is another long string of programmes that are being permitted to ignore the rights and welfare of both the animals and the natural habitats and environments where they are filmed for the sake solely of entertainment purposes.  This particular programme already had opposition from the local residents around the Ardnamurchan Estate where it was filmed.

I am calling on Ofcom to amend the Broadcasting Code and specifically Section Two: Harm and Offence to incorporate a ruling on the banning of the inhumane treatment of animals and the killing of animals on any programme intended for broadcast, where the content of the programme and the context of the inclusion of any animals that may come under stress, harm or death, can be proven to be predominantly for the benefit of entertainment.

In light of the Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness where an International group of prominent scientists have proclaimed their support for the idea that animals are conscious and aware to the degree that humans are, I see no argument that can be borne not to now amend the Broadcasting Code to recognise the importance of animal welfare within the broadcasting and media arena.  

I implore Ofcom to make these changes and call an end to "for entertainment only shows", such as "Eden" and "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here", including such offensive and falsely created situations where animals can come under stress, harm or death.