Media regulator OfCom has criticised the BBC for airing artists' swearing during its broadcast of the Live 8 concerts in July 2005. As reported at the time, Madonna, Razorlight, Green Day and Snoop Dogg all swore during their televised sets at the event, all of which aired before the 'watershed'. OfCom have criticised the Beeb for not broadcasting the show with a slight time delay in order to censor such language, and also for failing to properly apologise once swearing had been aired.
Responding to viewer complaints, Ofcom said yesterday: "We consider the BBC should have anticipated an audience for this event, which would include a significant number of children, and we therefore consider that the broadcast of this material was inappropriate, compounded by the lack of any apology."
The Beeb has apologised for the incidents, saying that issues between Live 8 and BBC executives meant the Corporation's staff were unable to monitor the situation to the usual standard. A statement from the broadcaster yesterday said: "a confrontation between the organisers and senior editorial figures from the BBC meant two key BBC editorial personnel missed much of the performance by Snoop Dogg and were unable to set the apology procedure in motion".
The Corporation added that it would take "further precautions" to ensure such problems could not happen again at similar events, adding that it would consider using a short delay in future live broadcasts where problems could arise.
The Beeb may find itself in more trouble over swearing issues after Radio 1's Chris Moyles yesterday called the children of one of his callers "fucking brats". Though Moyles and Radio 1 bosses will be hoping that the fact the presenter immediately apologised for his outburst will help him avoid the wrath of regulators - an immediate apology helping the show avoid getting into too much trouble when guest Elton John launched into a tirade of swearing back in 2004. BBC bosses are yet to confirm whether the children of listener Donna, taking part in a phone in on the show, are, in fact, 'fucking brats'.