Media
Ofcom clears Five's 'Guide to 21st Century Sex'
Published Monday, Jan 29 2007, 16:22 GMT | By James Welsh
Ofcom has cleared A Girl's Guide to 21st Century Sex, ruling that the Five programme did not breach the Broadcasting Code.
21 viewers complained to the regulator, claiming that the programme contained "shocking and explicit" material worthy of an R18 rating from the BBFC. The complainants also claimed that the programme could impart "inappropriate information to vulnerable young girls."
The show contained footage of sexual activity including the filming of ejaculation in a woman's vagina. Topics ranging from masturbation to STIs were discussed in detail.
In its response to the complaints, Ofcom said that the programme was "factual" and "educational", and noted that there was no ban on the broadcast of non-simulated sexual intercourse on television. The regulator said that images of "real" sex "should not automatically be equated with BBFC-rated R18 material," and added that "the portrayal of sex in this programme genuinely sought to inform and educate rather than stimulate or arouse sexually."
21 viewers complained to the regulator, claiming that the programme contained "shocking and explicit" material worthy of an R18 rating from the BBFC. The complainants also claimed that the programme could impart "inappropriate information to vulnerable young girls."
The show contained footage of sexual activity including the filming of ejaculation in a woman's vagina. Topics ranging from masturbation to STIs were discussed in detail.
In its response to the complaints, Ofcom said that the programme was "factual" and "educational", and noted that there was no ban on the broadcast of non-simulated sexual intercourse on television. The regulator said that images of "real" sex "should not automatically be equated with BBFC-rated R18 material," and added that "the portrayal of sex in this programme genuinely sought to inform and educate rather than stimulate or arouse sexually."
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