TV
The Broadcasting Standards Commission has unveiled a massive rise in complaints about taste and decency on television and radio.
In publishing its Annual Report for 2001/02, the BSC said the number of complaints reached 7183 in total, up 46% from the figure of 4920 reached in 2000/01. However, 24% of the total complaints were provoked by just four programmes, three of which were on television. The total number of programmes and adverts complained about rose by a more modest 11%.
The three television programmes which prompted the massive rise in complaints were the post-September 11 edition of Question Time, a Brass Eye special on paedophilia, and One Night with Robbie Williams. The BSC's Chairman, Lord Dubs, said: "Our caseload last year shows that people still care a lot about broadcasting standards. The BSC is independent of Government and of the broadcasting industry, but in touch with viewers and listeners. It listens to their complaints and researches their attitudes. It fosters improved understanding between broadcasters and their audiences and policy debate on major issues. All these qualities will be needed by the new OFCOM Content Board proposed by the Government."
The Commission expressed concern that the 9pm watershed was continuing to be 'eroded', no doubt referring to the appearance of more adult-oriented storylines in soaps such as EastEnders and Emmerdale, which air prior to 9pm on BBC One and ITV1 respectively - although the BSC was more concerned that radio stations were flaunting the rule than TV programmes, and did say that there had been an increase in the number of occasions on which a broadcaster was willing to remedy mistakes without waiting for an adverse finding from the BSC.
In publishing its Annual Report for 2001/02, the BSC said the number of complaints reached 7183 in total, up 46% from the figure of 4920 reached in 2000/01. However, 24% of the total complaints were provoked by just four programmes, three of which were on television. The total number of programmes and adverts complained about rose by a more modest 11%.
The three television programmes which prompted the massive rise in complaints were the post-September 11 edition of Question Time, a Brass Eye special on paedophilia, and One Night with Robbie Williams. The BSC's Chairman, Lord Dubs, said: "Our caseload last year shows that people still care a lot about broadcasting standards. The BSC is independent of Government and of the broadcasting industry, but in touch with viewers and listeners. It listens to their complaints and researches their attitudes. It fosters improved understanding between broadcasters and their audiences and policy debate on major issues. All these qualities will be needed by the new OFCOM Content Board proposed by the Government."
The Commission expressed concern that the 9pm watershed was continuing to be 'eroded', no doubt referring to the appearance of more adult-oriented storylines in soaps such as EastEnders and Emmerdale, which air prior to 9pm on BBC One and ITV1 respectively - although the BSC was more concerned that radio stations were flaunting the rule than TV programmes, and did say that there had been an increase in the number of occasions on which a broadcaster was willing to remedy mistakes without waiting for an adverse finding from the BSC.
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