C4 sticks with Big Brother as it reviews reality TV show

by Staff, Brand Republic 23-Jan-07, 08:45

LONDON - Channel 4 is to review 'Big Brother' following the unprecedented international racism row and will allow the current series of 'Celebrity Big Brother' to finish its run.

Media watchdog Ofcom has now received more than 40,000 complaints about the racism row between former 'Big Brother' contestant Jade Goody and Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

In a statement, Luke Johnson, the Channel 4 chairman, said that many people had been offended and that the channel recognised an important debate had been triggered.

"The Channel 4 board recognises that the events of the last week on 'Celebrity Big Brother' have provoked an unprecedented level of public complaint. We believe this has triggered an important debate.

"Clearly many people were worried and offended by what they saw. I want to reassure them that we take the views of our audience very seriously and profoundly regret any offence that may have been caused.

"On behalf of the board, the chief executive and I have commissioned a review of the editorial and compliance processes that support 'Big Brother'. The board will receive a full report and seek to identify any lessons that can be learned for the future. The programme remains on air for a further week and the channel is focused on its completion."

He added that Channel 4 was committed to ensuring that it continues to fulfil its remit to explore important social issues. Many have argued that Channel 4 has lost its way with 'Big Brother' and that the channel should axe the show, which now dominates its schedules twice a year.

The statement issued by the Channel 4 chairman came under attack last night. Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, was unhappy that it did not acknowledged any error.

Phillips said: "What I had hoped was that the Channel 4 board would at least acknowledge that what we witnessed was racial bullying."

Goody was evicted at the weekend by an overwhelming public vote and has since been doing fire fighting interviews in an effort to save her career. She has apologised and said her comments were a mistake, but Channel 4 has been accused of coaching her.

Goody shares the same agent, John Noel, as 'Big Brother' presenters Davina McCall and Dermot O'Leary.

In a statement, Noel said: "Jade is completely distraught and is receiving medical attention for shock and depression. She has publicly apologised to Shilpa and to the country on national television. Jade has had the courage to say sorry, to face her critics and to try to make amends."

Noel is trying to refocus media attention and has accused the media of bullying his client who helped drive viewing figures to around 8.8m for Friday night's eviction show.

However, after her departure ratings on Saturday settled back down to around 3m. Shilpa is now odds-on favourite to win the show.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.