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BBC rapped over swearing
09/04/2008 16:33 - (SA)
Peter Griffiths
London - The BBC repeatedly broke
broadcasting rules when it showed pop acts such as Madonna and
Phil Collins swearing at last year's Live Earth concert in
London, Britain's media watchdog said on Wednesday.
Ofcom said the bad language represented a "serious and
repeated" breach of its rules and ordered the British state
broadcaster to report the findings on its two main channels.
The watchdog said the BBC should have used a short delay to
allow it to block any swearing during the live show.
The use of bad language at the event was "both likely and
foreseeable", Ofcom said.
It also criticised BBC bosses for delays in issuing on-air
apologies for the offensive language.
"The breaches involved the repeated use of the most
offensive language before the watershed," Ofcom said in a
written ruling.
Dozens of complaints
"There was in some cases a considerable delay in
the broadcast of an apology.
Dozens of viewers complained after the Live Earth concert at
Wembley Stadium was shown on the BBC last July.
Phil Collins
swore during a performance of Invisible Touch with Genesis,
while Madonna swore as she urged the crowd to jump up and down.
Ofcom said it had decided not to fine the BBC because the
breaches were not deliberate or reckless.
"We note Ofcom's sanctions and will be complying with their
request to broadcast the statement of their findings," BBC said.
Live Earth concerts were staged around the world on July 7,
2007 to raise awareness of climate change.
- Reuters
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South Africa
