September 10, 2006
Overwhelming call for phone blockers in UK theatres
Seven out of ten theatre professionals and theatregoers want mobile phone jamming technology installed in theatres to prevent audience members’ ringtones interrupting shows - an occurrence which has reached epidemic proportions, according to The Stage in a survey. [via Zero paid on digg]
"Following an online poll of more than 1,000 people, made up of cast, crew and theatregoers, The Stage can reveal that a huge majority - 90% of respondents - have had shows that they were either watching or performing in disturbed by a mobile phone going off.
Alarmingly, around 10% claimed phones went off every time they visit the theatre.
Meanwhile a clear majority of respondents - nearly three-quarters - were in favour of the stance taken by actors such as Richard Griffiths, who had suspended shows because of interruptions from telephones.
More than 80% felt that theatre managements needed to do more to sort out the problem, with installing technology to block mobile phone signals being by far the most popular option, with imposing fines also popular with around 30% of people.
Both practices would require a change to current law, as phone jammers are currently illegal and legislation that would make phones going off in theatres illegal would have to be introduced for fines to be imposed."
Related:
-- NY bans cell phones in "places of public performance"
-- Sydney Pollack Teams With Cingular to Promote Cell Phone Courtesy at the Movies
-- US movie theaters may ask to jam cell phones
-- Cell Phone Jammers Authorized in French Theaters
-- US Theater owners want cell phones blocked
-- Lawmaker may propose banning cell phones in theaters, stores
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/ringtonia/archives/2006/09/013493.htm
| Tweet |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
