Abstract

Audio-visual entertainment systems have become increasingly common in public transport, with buses and minibuses frequently equipped with such systems to provide passengers with entertainment during journeys. However, concerns have emerged regarding the nature of content broadcast through these platforms. In some cases, material may include indecent language, imagery, or themes that are unsuitable for a diverse audience, including children and families. This raises important ethical questions about the protection of public morality and the regulation of content in shared spaces. This paper examines the need to balance the right to freedom of expression in entertainment with the obligation to uphold public decency in public transport environments. It explores the potential effects of repeated exposure to such content on social values, behaviour, passenger dignity, and overall comfort. It also evaluates whether existing regulatory frameworks governing public transport, broadcasting, and media content adequately address this issue. The study adopts a mixedmethods approach, involving analysis of relevant legislation, guidelines, and academic literature on public morality, media regulation, and audio-visual content in shared environments, as well as consideration of passenger and transport operator perspectives. Findings suggest that while in-vehicle entertainment can enhance the passenger experience, unrestricted exposure to inappropriate content may negatively affect societal moral standards. The study therefore recommends the introduction and effective enforcement of stricter regulations governing content in public transport, supported by interagency collaboration between media content and transport regulators to ensure compliance. It further proposes clear guidelines on unacceptable material and increased awareness among transport operators regarding their responsibilities.

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