Radio 1 has been told off by media regulator OfCom for the introduction to a Zane Lowe fronted show on 16 Jun all about punk culture and, to be honest, it's not all that surprising. Despite the theme of the programme, and the fact a warning about the language about to be used preceded the show, it was quite brave for Zane to open his 7pm show with the line: "If, like me, you are offended by such words and phrases as arse, bollocks, tit, wank, tit-wank, rotter, mother licker, mother sucker, mother fucker, twat, minge juice, bottler and, of course, bastard - then you might wish to turn over, or fuck off".
Responding to listener complaints about the show's opening, OfCom ruled that: "Given the potential child audience for Radio 1 at this time, we believe that the use of such strong language, with such intensity, at the start of the programme was inappropriate". While recognizing that the BBC station had given a warning about the show, OfCom said: "The right to deal with such subject matter comes with the responsibility of ensuring material is appropriately scheduled with the potential child audience in mind. While this was a legitimate approach, its application here was seriously misguided."
It has to be said that OfCom did have to object really. It's not that we object to Zane swearing - there's nothing we love more (well, may be a few things) - but given the strict rules that govern the use of such language on commercial radio, it would be a bit unfair if BBC Radio, already operating under a slacker rule regime, got away with such pre-scripted swearing unchecked.