Channel 4 Rapped For Brass Eye

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has told Channel 4 to broadcast an apology to viewers offended by its satirical documentary on paedophilia, Brass Eye, but has stopped short of fining the channel.

The ITC recognised the channel’s right to broadcast the programme, which attracted a barrage of complaints when it was shown in July (see Brass Eye Row Continues), but felt that it “resulted in an unnecessary degree of offence to many people.”

The commission criticised Channel 4 for failing to broadcast “clear and specific warnings” as to the “highly sensitive” nature of the programme before it was aired, and felt that the announcements that were given led viewers to expect a genuine documentary.

It concluded that a combination of scheduling, lack of proper warning and controversial opening scenes left viewers “vulnerable to exceptional and gratuitous offence.”

The programme was also rapped for its use of child actors which although “properly cared for and supervised,” were “apparently placed in highly inappropriate and harmful situations.”

The ITC noted that innovation and experiment was part of the channel’s remit and supported the right to produce challenging and disturbing material. It also recognised that the decision to air the programme could not be seen as negligent and did not show wilful disregard for the provisions of the programming code.

Channel 4 have trodden carefully with controversial Chris Morris programmes in the past, running one such programme, Jam, without ad breaks to avoid offending advertisers. However, this was not the case with Brass Eye and some advertisers pulled their ads from the show before broadcast.

ITC: 020 7306 7743 www.itc.org.uk

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