Ofcom raps Channel 4 for Big Brother row

by Isabella Piasecka, Media Week 24-May-07, 13:30

LONDON - Channel 4 has been rapped over the knuckles by media regulator Ofcom for its ‘serious failure' to comply with Ofcom's Broadcasting Code over alleged racist bullying in Celebrity Big Brother 5.

It will be forced to issue a series of apologies to viewers during the next series of Big Brother, launching on May 30, after the regulator concluded that Channel 4 had mishandled three instances of offensive material on Celebrity Big Brother, including Jade Goody's reference to fellow contestant Shipa Shetty as "Shilpa Poppadom".In a report published today, Ofcom said it had been forced to take action because viewers has become increasingly concerned that Shetty was being subjected to bullying - some of it racist - after disagreements developed between her, Goody, former S-Club singer Jo O'Meara and model Danielle Lloyd.

Ofcom received more than 44,500 complaints about the alleged bullying during the fifth series of the reality show, first aired on 3 January.

In response to the regulator's concerns, Channel 4 accpeted and regretted that viewers had been offended, but insisted that important freedom of speech issues were at stake. It maintained the broadcasts had been in full compliance with its statutory remit.

Channel 4 has today published its own findings of a review commissioned by the channel's board, which has prompted several initiatives, including a new intervention policy for Big Brother, a new Viewers' Editor and the commissioning of a major research programme into diversity in the UK.

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."