R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

The BBC has admitted it should have broadcast an on-air apology after Radio 2 DJ Sarah Kennedy told listeners how she nearly ran over a black man because she could not see him in the dark.

Fifteen people complained to the BBC and one person contacted media regulator Ofcom after the broadcast on October 24 last year.

In a discussion about road safety, Kennedy said the pedestrian's dark clothes had made him "invisible" and added: "It's lucky he opened his mouth to yawn or do something and I saw him."

The BBC issued a public apology in a press release, rather than an on-air apology, because of concerns it may have had the effect of "perpetuating the original offence".

Ofcom, in its ruling on the broadcast today, said the BBC "recognised the potential of this comment to cause offence to listeners and advised that, with hindsight, an apology should have been broadcast.

"They expressed regret that this had not taken place at the time and did consider broadcasting an apology in a later programme.

"However this idea had been rejected through concern that this may have had the effect of 'perpetuating the original offence'."

The BBC said there was no intention to cause racial offence and said "such off-the-cuff anecdotes and observations are typical of Ms Kennedy's style".

It said her comment about black people being harder to see in the dark was a "statement of fact and that was the context in which it was made".

But it accepted that sensitivities surrounding race and racial stereotypes meant the remark was inappropriate for inclusion.

Ofcom said it would take no further action despite noting its "concern" over potential listener offence, and the fact the remarks had been included in a live broadcast "without due consideration for the way it may have been interpreted by listeners and without any further explanation or apology within the programme itself".

In a separate ruling, TalkSport presenter James Whale was censured for reading out a listener's email address live on air.

Whale read out the email address of listener Paul Anthony after he emailed the veteran phone-in presenter criticising his show in April last year.

Anthony wrote: "One of the downsides of commercial radio is the amount of adverts – in the case of this show they are the highlight."

He later emailed: "I dare you to read out one of my emails – my guess is that your ego will not allow it."

Ofcom said TalkSport had breached programming regulations and upheld the complaint.

Media Guardian.

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One ofcom 15 to the BBC directly and over 5 million tune in. Rolling Eyes

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Sixteen people need to get a life, and Ofcom needs to get a sense of proportion.

James Whale knew what he was doing. He's a pr*t, always has been, always will be, and I don't suppose he could give a fig.
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Ron

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

Re SK, sadly we live in a politically-correct-at-all-costs-world, where a sense of humour is regarded with suspicion and we are all scared of saying anything unscripted.

Yes, Sarah is sometimes a bit careless with words, but so what? 16 people complained, so 5,999,984 didn't!
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MiS

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Sarah Kennedy makes more gaffes on a regular basis than the rest of the presenters put together.

The sooner she is exited the better imho.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

tarahrah bomdiay · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 260

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

How many people officially complained about the appointment of Evans a few years ago? A lot more than 15 I think. Alas he is still there, and no I don't listen. Neither do I listen to Douglas' other golden boy Russel Brand, but I suspect his show often contains inappropriate material. I wonder if Mr Mayhew is campaigning for his removal. Now there is a similar furore over on 6 music about George Lamb, never heard the show myself, but according to messages on the 6 music boards, he commits just about every 'ist/ism in the book most days. I suspect many more than 15 have officially complained about him, yet he's still to pay with his job. We'll have to see if he does or not. I wonder if one of the complainants is one Mark Mayhew.

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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

It was not a joke, just a plain statement of fact; would it have been any different if she had not used the wood black? I am not prejudiced and don't have a problem being called white, although strictly speaking I am not white, the same as people of African descent are not really black. It's another storm in a tea cup; come on if you are dark skinned and wear dark clothing, you are difficult to see in the dark. Is that not a simple fact?

BB Twisted Evil

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Old Bikers Never Die, our leathers just get tighter!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19382 Location: Cheshire

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Does anyone else remember when the advice given was 'At night, wear white' or at least light coloured clothing? This being so that those on foot or riding a bicycle can be seen much more easily by drivers of larger, faster vehicles. As true today as it was then.
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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

Yes, I do - and no doubt that would be considered racist now! The world has gone stark staring mad. Rolling Eyes

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MiS

Gnasty Gnome · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 313 Location: West Wales

Spanners · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 169 Location: Lincolnshire

I think the whole PC things has got out of hand and it is time someone said "enough is enough". Too many people are looking for double entendre in every comment, instead of taking things at face value as merely statements of fact, as indicated by BB. Rolling Eyes

Spanners

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Useful for tightening nuts.

Two stepper · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: