BSC Puts BBC Breakfast Show Under Pressure

BBC Radio One’s breakfast show, hosted by Sara Cox, has been investigated by broadcasting watchdogs after accidentally playing a cocaine-snorting sequence on a record by Eminem.

The Broadcasting Standards Commission launched an investigation after a breakfast show listener complained about the incident in May.

However, they decided to take no further action after the BBC said the time available for editorial checks before airing the record had been shorter than usual and the sound effect had not been picked up. The BBC also claimed it had spotted the sound after the broadcast and edited it out before further plays.

This is the third time Cox’s breakfast show has been censured but there is bound to be further criticism that the BSC is a toothless regulator.

In a separate ruling, the BSC upheld complaints against the alleged sexual content of advertisements for Vodafone. Similar complaints about poster ads for the mobile phone company were held up by the ASA last month (see ASA Censures Sexually Gratuitous Vodafone Ads).

The censorship powers of unelected regulators were put in focus after it emerged the BACC had banned satirical ads for 2DTV featuring an animated George Bush, telling the producer he would need the US president’s written permission in order to broadcast them (see BACC Accused Of Humour Bypass).

BT: 0207 469 2337 www.bt.com BSC: 020 7233 0544 www.bsc.org.uk

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