Channel 4 Sorry Over Swearing

Channel 4 was quick to broadcast an apology after Madonna used the word “motherfucker” during its coverage of the Turner Prize award ceremony last night.

During the ceremony, which was screened before the 9pm watershed, Madonna who was presenting an award said: “At a time when political correctness is valued over honesty, I would also like to say, Right on motherfucker.” Channel 4, which has courted controversy recently with its Brass Eye spoof documentary on paedophilia (see More Power For ITC?), broadcast an immediate apology to viewers and said that no offence was intended.

A spokesman for Channel 4 said: “It is standard broadcasting procedure, if someone makes a comment that is offensive and violates the ITC programming code then an apology will be broadcast immediately.”

Channel 4 was rapped by the ITC last November after its live coverage of the Party in the Park concert featured the word “fuck” on two occasions. The ITC upheld complaints against the channel on the grounds that the broadcast had caused offence to viewers watching on a Sunday afternoon (see Channel 4 Rapped By Regulators For Swearing Incident During Live Broadcast).

Channel 4: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com

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