ITC Rules Against Channel 4: As If

The ITC has censured Channel 4’s broadcasting of an episode of teenage drama As If after viewers objected to the sexual nature of the programme, claiming it was unsuitable for younger viewers.

The episode in question, which was shown at 12.30pm on Sunday 27 January, focussed on the developing relationships of three of the main characters and contained a degree of “sexual activity and discussion” that viewers felt was unacceptable.

Channel 4 stated that the programme was clearly aimed at young adults and argued that it dealt with the relationships of the three main characters in a realistic and sympathetic way that managed to avoid any sexually explicit activity.

However, the ITC felt that Channel 4 had not taken sufficient account of the fact that a significant proportion of the programme’s audience would be children and concluded that the episode was in breach of the programming code dealing with family viewing policy.

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

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