BBC rapped over Live 8 swearing

bbc ^ | Monday, 20 February 2006 | bbc

[chunk2005]

The BBC has been rapped by media watchdog Ofcom over swearing on the televised Live 8 concerts. Viewers complained about language used by Madonna, Razorlight, Green Day and US rapper Snoop Dogg during July 2005's concert in London's Hyde Park.

The show was broadcast live without a time delay, and the language which sparked the complaints was heard before the watershed.

The BBC said it regretted the offence caused to viewers.

React

The corporation said it approached some performers before the concert over the issue of language, but had not been given access to all the stars.

The BBC added a "confrontation between the organisers and senior editorial figures from the BBC meant two key BBC editorial personnel missed much of the performance by Snoop Dogg and were unable to set the apology procedure in motion".

The BBC said in future it would take "further precautions" to protect staff from "unwarranted interference" from third parties, so they were able to react to events as they unfolded.

The BBC was criticised by Ofcom for choosing not to use a short broadcast time delay, of not ensuring a senior editorial figure was given responsibility for monitoring output, and for not making an apology during the broadcast.

Racist

Ofcom said: "We consider the BBC should have anticipated an audience for this event, which would include a significant number of children, and we therefore consider that the broadcast of this material was inappropriate, compounded by the lack of any apology."

The BBC said that in future it would consider the possibility of using a time delay for bands performing before the watershed that might use offensive language.

[chunk2005]

Where Sir Bob when you need him. Give him 5 hours and Ofcom will be on the television apologizing to the BBC.

[theDentist]

What, they haven't learned from the U.S.? How many times in the last 5 years have "live" shows resulted in foul language being used by these "arteeeests"?