Mary Whitehouse is a name that often leads to confusion over the correct spelling. The IPA phonetic transcription can help clarify the correct spelling of this name. The name is pronounced /ˈmɛəri/ and the second part is pronounced /ˈwaɪthaʊs/. This means that the spelling should be Mary Whitehouse, with an 'e' in the first name and 'ou' in the last name. It is important to use the correct spelling when referring to this prominent figure in British media activism.
Mary Whitehouse was a prominent British activist known for her campaign against what she perceived as the decline in moral standards within media and society during the latter half of the 20th century. Born in 1910, Whitehouse is often associated with conservatism and a strong belief in traditional family values. As a dictionary definition, Mary Whitehouse can be described as a significant figure who campaigned for censorship and regulation of television and other forms of media to protect public decency and uphold moral values.
Whitehouse founded the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association (NVALA) in 1964, which later became the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association. With her organization, she actively criticized and lobbied against what she considered offensive content in television and radio broadcasts, particularly focusing on violence, sexual content, and explicit language. Her campaigns often targeted specific programs, broadcasters, and publications for allegedly promoting immoral or harmful content, often collating public complaints and seeking legal action when necessary.
Although Whitehouse faced criticism for her conservative views and censorship advocacy, she was seen by many as a champion for traditional values and a defender of societal morals. She believed that media had a significant impact on society and that it was necessary to ensure that content complied with accepted standards of decency. Whitehouse's influence on media regulation and the debate around freedom of expression has undeniably left a lasting imprint on the British media landscape. While some viewed her as a censorious figure, others appreciated her efforts to safeguard public morality and protect vulnerable audiences from potentially harmful content.