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Ofcom issues findings for Big Brother 'failures'

24/05/2007

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has ruled that Channel 4 made "serious editorial misjudgments" during the Celebrity Big Brother series shown last year.

In its investigation's findings released today, Ofcom has imposed a statutory sanction on Channel 4 requiring it to broadcast a summary of the regulator's findings during the latest series of the reality show which begins next week.

A summary must be broadcast at the start of the first programme of the new Big Brother, which is aired on Wednesday May 30th, and on the first re-versioned programme the following morning as well as the first eviction show.

Ofcom's findings and its directives also apply to S4C, the Welsh channel which broadcasts the Channel 4 show.

The regulator's investigation is related to alleged instances of racist abuse suffered by the Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty while in the Big Brother house from fellow contestants Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.

Ofcom received a deluge of complaints from the viewing public and a media storm enveloped the series, resulting in the eviction of Goody being held in private without a live audience outside the house.

Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: "Ofcom takes allegations of racist abuse and bullying on television extremely seriously. An unprecedented number of complaints were received and, whilst Celebrity Big Brother was still on-air, we launched a full investigation.

"It is essential that Broadcasters are able to air challenging and controversial material but in doing so they must have effective compliance procedures in place and must exercise their editorial duties responsibly."

The breaches of the Ofcom broadcasting code were related to broadcasters ensuring material which may cause offence is justified by context and that children must be protected by appropriate scheduling from unsuitable material.

Channel 4 said it accepted Ofcom's decision to impose a sanction and noted that a review by the channel had prompted it to introduce new measures such as a new intervention policy for Big Brother.

Andy Duncan, chief executive at Channel 4, said: "We accept Ofcom's judgement that on the occasions in question we did not ensure that Big Brother intervened with the necessary promptness or strength. We would like to say sorry once again for the offence caused to viewers as a result.
"Ofcom did not rule this material should not have been broadcast, but that we should have done more to contextualise it by challenging and reprimanding the offending housemates. We believe the initiatives we have announced will help prevent a repeat of the public offence caused by the programme."



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