CBS has banned reporters from interviewing evicted Big Brother 8 contestants for the rest of the season.

Originally, all housemates who were being sent to the sequester house after being eliminated from the competition were made available to the media, including CBS's own morning programme, The Early Show. This was the case for Dustin Erikstrup, who was evicted on August 16, and Jen Johnson, who was voted out on August 23.

However, following last week's eviction of cocktail waitress Amber Siyavus Tomcavage, who was heard making anti-Semitic remarks on the live feed, contact with the media has been suspended.

Seven of the evicted housemates will choose the winner in the live final on September 18.

"This season, several cast members have made either offensive statements or exhibited controversial behaviour," CBS explained in a statement. "We respect journalists' interest and right to pose questions about these matters, but at the same time believe doing so could provide information that influences the final vote and potential outcome of the competition."