BBC Two screened Pulp Fiction too soon after watershed

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 24-Oct-05, 12:00

LONDON - Ofcom has decreed that BBC Two's broadcast of Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' contravened its code, despite the fact that the film was aired after the 9pm watershed.

Nine viewers complained that the film's portrayal of violence, drug abuse and swearing would encourage anti-social behaviour. They considered that the content was unsuitable, given that it was transmitted at 9.10pm, when some children could still be watching TV.

The BBC responded by arguing that the film was a serious cultural achievement and deserved to be shown to a wide audience.

It said that the film had an underlying morality and clearly showed the consequences of violence and drug abuse. Even for this fifth transmission, the BBC stated that it did not neglect to alert viewers who were unfamiliar with the film. It added that there was no evidence to link the content of 'Pulp Fiction' to perceived social trends.

Ofcom said it had no issue with the BBC's points about the cultural and editorial merits of the film. However ,it decided that because the film was shown at 9.10pm on a Saturday evening, and that audience figures showed that 8% (124,000) of viewers were aged 15 years and younger, that the time of broadcast was too early.

The case refers to when 'Pulp Fiction' was aired on BBC Two on Saturday August 7 2004. Ofcom's decision that the broadcast had contravened its code of practice was made by the Content Board following the BBC's third and final appeal.

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