Channel 4 Rapped By Regulators For Swearing Incident During Live Broadcast

Channel 4 learned the hard way about the dangers of live broadcasting this summer, and recieved a slap on the wrist from TV regulators the Independent Television Commission (ITC) this month as a consequence. The live broadcast in question was Capital Radio’s “Party in the Park” concert, which was broadcast in the early afternoon on a Sunday in July under the youth television T4 banner.

During the broadcast shouted instructions which included the word “fuck” on two occasions, could be clearly heard. This attracted complaints from five viewers, despite the fact that the presenter at the event apologised after the performance concerned and a second on-screen apology was broadcast at the end of the programme.

Channel 4 accepted that the offensive words were clearly audible, as a result of a technician shouting near to an open mike. The broadcaster pointed out that the annual event had a previously unblemished record in this area and that an extensive range of eidtorial, legal and compliance measures to guard against offence had been taken. However, despite accepting that “significant steps” had been taken by the channel, the ITC decided to uphold the complaints.

ITC: 020 7255 3000

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