Reality TV
TV watchdog Ofcom has criticised Channel 4 for its decision to air the infamous bottle scene last summer.
The reality TV show was rebuked for showing contestant Kinga Karolczak simulating sex with a wine bottle, as well as scenes of contestant Makosi Musambasi and eventual victor Anthony Hutton getting intimate. 887 complaints were received in total about the series, with 259 of those specifically concerning the Kinga incident.
Channel 4 called the incident "shocking" but said it was necessary to show the scene so as to give a true picture of events in the house. It explained that the images viewers saw were highly edited, and that they went out after the watershed.
Ofcom did not uphold the complaints against the scene, adding that although Kinga's actions "did amount to potentially dangerous behaviour...[the message was that it was] not behaviour to be condoned or encouraged."
However, the regulator added: "We should stress that we only decided this 'on balance' and that our concerns were serious. This programme, in our view, along with the (scenes of) Anthony and Makosi in the pool, operated at the limits of acceptability, in terms of potential harm and/or offence for a programme of this nature, broadcast on this channel and at this time."
Presenter Davina McCall was also cleared of racial discrimination after viewers called her exit interview with Makosi "hostile." Ofcom also said that programme makers Endemol had not used racial elements to boost ratings for the show.
The reality TV show was rebuked for showing contestant Kinga Karolczak simulating sex with a wine bottle, as well as scenes of contestant Makosi Musambasi and eventual victor Anthony Hutton getting intimate. 887 complaints were received in total about the series, with 259 of those specifically concerning the Kinga incident.
Channel 4 called the incident "shocking" but said it was necessary to show the scene so as to give a true picture of events in the house. It explained that the images viewers saw were highly edited, and that they went out after the watershed.
Ofcom did not uphold the complaints against the scene, adding that although Kinga's actions "did amount to potentially dangerous behaviour...[the message was that it was] not behaviour to be condoned or encouraged."
However, the regulator added: "We should stress that we only decided this 'on balance' and that our concerns were serious. This programme, in our view, along with the (scenes of) Anthony and Makosi in the pool, operated at the limits of acceptability, in terms of potential harm and/or offence for a programme of this nature, broadcast on this channel and at this time."
Presenter Davina McCall was also cleared of racial discrimination after viewers called her exit interview with Makosi "hostile." Ofcom also said that programme makers Endemol had not used racial elements to boost ratings for the show.
More: Reality TV, Big Brother
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