Complaints Over Swearing And Violence

The Broadcasting Standards Council has published its annual report. Complaints about bad language and violence on television and radio are running at a record level.

There was a 60% increase in complaints about swearing and blasphemy, and a 25% rise in concerns about violence, particularly real-life crime reconstruction programmes. The number of complaints actually upheld in this area nearly tripled from 11 to 31. This was despite pledges from broadcasters that they would be more sensitive. There was also a three fold rise in complaints against Radio 4. The council, which monitors taste and decency, is to be merged with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, which deals with complaints of unfair treatment and invasions of privacy.