TV
Jowell: CBB is "presenting racism as entertainment"
Published Thursday, Jan 18 2007, 17:26 GMT | By James Welsh
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has said that Celebrity Big Brother is "presenting racism as entertainment."
"They have received an enormous number of complaints," Jowell told reporters outside a media conference in Oxford. "I hope now these complaints will be properly investigated by Ofcom as the regulator. These are not judgements for me as secretary of state. I don't think anyone wants to live in a country where the politicians decide what is shown on television. I don't think that is something for Channel 4 to feel pressured into doing. I'm disappointed that we've got to this position."
Jowell then added her personal opinion of the show.
"I think this is racism being presented as entertainment and I think it's disgusting."
She reiterated, however, that it remains a matter between Channel 4 and Ofcom. "The decisions about what they show is a matter for Ofcom. Channel 4 have a remit which they have an obligation to broadcast to."
"They have received an enormous number of complaints," Jowell told reporters outside a media conference in Oxford. "I hope now these complaints will be properly investigated by Ofcom as the regulator. These are not judgements for me as secretary of state. I don't think anyone wants to live in a country where the politicians decide what is shown on television. I don't think that is something for Channel 4 to feel pressured into doing. I'm disappointed that we've got to this position."
Jowell then added her personal opinion of the show.
"I think this is racism being presented as entertainment and I think it's disgusting."
She reiterated, however, that it remains a matter between Channel 4 and Ofcom. "The decisions about what they show is a matter for Ofcom. Channel 4 have a remit which they have an obligation to broadcast to."
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