So What Will Ofcom Pinheads Say?…Cable and Satellite broadcasters propose PIN protected daytime TV that would currently be banned until the watershed

Read more UK TV and Radio News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from guardian.co.uk

Broadcasters including Sky are seeking a rule change so that more adult TV could be shown pre-watershed if protected by a PIN. The proposals being put forward by the Commercial Broadcasters’ Association, a lobbying group for cable and satellite broadcasters including BSkyB. Currently peak-time dramas and comedies are not allowed to be shown before the watershed, unless they are cut to remove swearing, violence and sex. However, pay-per-view programmes and content on premium film subscription channels are allowed before the watershed because viewers have to key in a pin code before they can watch them. Such a system is already in place for online catchup TV services. The group representing broadcasters including Sky, UKTV and MTV, has asked the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for regulations to be changed to extend this pin protection system to cover all other shows on cable and satellite channels. It is understood that audiences would have to enter the pin every time they wanted to watch a peak-time show before the watershed. The Coba executive director, Adam Minns, said: The system of pin protection is well established in the UK. It has proven to be effective technically and is something with which audiences are familiar — it is now used on a range of services. At the same time, it provides consumer protection that is arguably more effective than the watershed regime. Extending such a regime to other services could potentially encourage innovative new forms of content delivery. It is expected that such a move would need a consultation by Ofcom as it would require changes to the TV censor’s broadcasting rules

Fag End TV…Russia opts for all day, and nearly all night, children’s TV

Read more East Europe Censorship News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See  article from  insidetv.ew.com See  article from  rferl.org

A Russian national TV channel is going to censor The Simpsons . In light of a new law banning displays of violence, drinking, and smoking on TV before 11pm, the young adult-targeted channel 2×2 will remove all scenes with the show’s violent spoof cartoonThe Itchy & Scratchy Show starting Friday. The channel’s general director Lev Makarov told AFP: We will retouch in an ironic way all the programs where there are scenes that fall under the new law.  For example, we will black-out the screen and write a jokey message in a rolling caption. Makarov said the animated series South Park , on the other hand, will not be aired before 11pm because creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone insist on killing Kenny in almost every episode. The classic Soviet-era children’s cartoon Nu, pogodi! featuring a hapless wolf trying to catch a crafty rabbit, is another victim of the new censorship law. It features a character with a lit cigarette or ten, dangling from his lips. Longtime fans of Nu, pogodi! are dismayed at the news that it may be relegated to late-night time slots due to the prodigious tobacco use by its star. The new law supposedly aimed at protecting children under the age of 18 from programming featuring drinking, smoking, or drug use comes into force on September 1.

The Riots: In Their Own Words…Rioters’ words banned by court order

Read more UK TV and Radio News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

17th July 2012. See  article from  guardian.co.uk See The making of The Riots: In Their Own Words from bbc.co.uk

A court has banned the BBC from broadcasting a film about last summer’s riots. The film, about the experiences of rioters during the disturbances, was due to be broadcast on BBC2. The two part series is a dramatisation based on the testimony of interviews conducted for the Guardian and London School of Economics research into the disorder. It features actors who play anonymous rioters speaking about their experiences of the riots last August. In a blog posted before the film was pulled, a BBC producer on the project said that using the important and illuminating interviews in the drama would provide insight into why and how the riots had happened . The BBC did not give details about the nature of the court order. Update: Murder trial judge banned documentary over possible issues of sub judice 20th July 2012. See  article from  guardian.co.uk A judge prevented the BBC from broadcasting two documentaries about last summer’s riots without having watched the films — and later prevented the media from reporting his injunction. Mr Justice Flaux, who was presiding over the murder trial of eight men who were acquitted at Birmingham crown court on Thursday, made the injunction on the grounds that the film raised issues which echoed arguments put before his jury. He used an unusual power under section 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, which in some circumstances grants crown court judges the same powers as those used by the high court, to prevent the film from being broadcast. The BBC and Guardian had sought to challenge the ruling, on the grounds that the films made no reference to the case being considered by the jury and did not even mention rioting in Birmingham. However, the judge rejected the appeal, saying the films touched on issues related to his case, and if he were to allow the films to be broadcast, jurors could potentially have social contact with others who watched the programmes. The end of the trial rendered the orders redundant.

Gambling on More Censorship…David Cameron alludes to another route to suffocating people’s fun and the economy

Read more UK Government Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from publications.parliament.uk

Prime Minister’s Questions. 18th January 2012. Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): I was shocked to discover that mainstream terrestrial television carries adverts for online bingo at 5 o’clock in the afternoon and that 31 hours and 55 minutes each week is dedicated to live casino betting and gaming, which has been classified as teleshopping since 2009. At a time when there is ฃ1.45 trillion of personal debt in this country and when we are encouraging people to be moderate in their expectations and behaviour, will the Prime Minister please protect consumers, children and the vulnerable from this kind of activity by asking for a review by Ofcom— The Prime Minister: The hon. Lady raises an important issue about gambling advertisement on television. I am all in favour of deregulation and trying to allow businesses to get on and succeed. Gambling programmes and betting advertising were not permitted until the last Government allowed them in 2007 and they are strictly regulated by Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority. It is not just a question of regulation, as it is also a question of responsibility by the companies concerned. Anyone who enjoys watching a football match will see quite aggressive advertisements on the television, and I think companies have to ask themselves whether they are behaving responsibly when they do that. Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op): On the subject of gambling, Hackney has 90 bookies—three times the national average. Will the Prime Minister listen to the debate that took place yesterday and take action this Friday and instruct his Ministers to support the private Member’s Bill that will be before the House and will give local authorities more planning powers over bookies? The Prime Minister: I will certainly look at the debate the hon. Lady mentions and the ideas expressed in it. We are all for localism and giving local authorities greater powers in these sorts of regards. I will look at the suggestion she makes.

Proves Nothing Except to the Daily Mail…Radio 4′s The Media Show discusses research into children’s TV viewing

Read more UK TV and Radio News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Thanks to sergio Listen to recording from bbc.co.uk

The Media Show Special: Children and Television. First broadcast 16:30 Wednesday, 28th December. Steve Hewlett discusses research on TV’s impact on children and claims of possible harm.

For Fear of the Daily Mail…ITV axe Woody Allen Jesus song from the Jonathan Ross Show

Read more TV and Radio News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Thanks to David See article from westsussextoday.co.uk See video from youtube.com

Tim Minchin has blasted ITV bosses after he claimed a specially-written track was pulled from the Jonathan Ross Show for fear of upsetting Christians. Tim – who is behind West End hit Matilda – has written a furious blog pointing the finger at the network’s director of programmes Peter Fincham, suggesting he was nervous about a backlash. Tim said compliance staff and lawyers had given the go-ahead to his lyrics long before the recording of the programme.. But he said the humorous song – which drew parallels between Woody Allen and Jesus – was pulled when Fincham watched the show. In his blog Minchin said: Peter Fincham demanded that I be cut from the show. He did this because he’s scared of the ranty, shit-stirring, right-wing press, and of the small minority of Brits who believe they have a right to go through life protected from anything that challenges them in any way.  I have to admit I’m really fucking disappointed. An ITV source lamely claimed that the decision was less about religious sensitivity and more that tonally, it wasn’t right for the show.

Chewing on Life’s Gristle…The BBC to dramatise the story of the Life of Brian

Read more TV and Radio News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from guardian.co.uk

The BBC is to dramatise the unholy row over Monty Python’s Life of Brian The religious controversy that engulfed the Monty Python film on its 1979 release was no laughing matter, and is now to be the subject of a BBC drama. Holy Flying Circus, written by Tony Roche will air this autumn on BBC4 and aims to use the Life of Brian controversy to explore the subject of free speech. Monty Python’s irreverent take on the story of Jesus Christ revolved around Brian Cohen, a reluctant fictional Messiah in first century Judea who is eventually crucified. Church leaders in the US and the UK protested, claiming it mocked Christ, and the film was banned in several countries including Ireland and Norway as well as by several UK local authorities. The film was heavily criticised by the Roman Catholic journalist and satirist Malcolm Muggeridge and the Bishop of Southwark, Mervyn Stockwood. It was later claimed that Muggeridge and Stockwood had arrived late to a screening of the film and did not know that Brian and Jesus were different characters. Terry Jones told the Guardian: How Muggeridge and the bishop had the gall to slate the film when they’d missed the first 15 minutes is quite extraordinary. It is a very good story. None of the surviving Pythons are involved with the creation of Holy Flying Circus.

Top Gear Top Notch Mexican Offence…Lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, and easily offended

Read more TV and Radio News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from bbc.co.uk

The BBC has apologised for remarks made on the television programme, Top Gear, that caused ‘outrage’ in Mexico. The comments about Mexicans were made when they were discussing Mexican sports cars. Reviewing the Mastretta, Richard Hammond said vehicles reflected national characteristics: Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat. The presenters, known for their edgy jibes, then described Mexican food as refried sick. Jeremy Clarkson added that he was confident he would not receive any complaints about their comments because the Mexican ambassador would be asleep. But somebody on the ambassador’s staff must have been awake, as the ambassador demanded an apology, calling the remarks offensive, xenophobic and humiliating. In a letter to Mexico’s ambassador in London, the BBC said it was sorry if it had offended some people, but said jokes based on national stereotyping were part of British national humour. Our own comedians make jokes about the British being terrible cooks and terrible romantics, and we in turn make jokes about the Italians being disorganised and over dramatic, the French being arrogant and the Germans being over-organised, the BBC said. It added that stereotype-based comedy was allowed within BBC guidelines in programmes where the audience knew they could expect it, as was the case with Top Gear. Whilst it may appear offensive to those who have not watched the programme or who are unfamiliar with its humour, the executive producer has made it clear to the ambassador that that was absolutely not the show’s intention. Hundreds of Mexicans contacted the BBC Spanish-language website BBC Mundo to protest about the remark  More expressed outrage in e-mails to Mexican newspapers and websites, where the Top Gear jibes have received huge coverage. The matter was also raised in the Mexican senate, where lawmakers were considering a motion of censure. An all-party group of British MPs also urged the BBC to apologise, calling the remarks ignorant, derogatory and racist.

Not In Bweach…Jonathan Ross cleared over gay quip about Hannah Montana MP3 player

Based on article from ofcom.org.uk Read more Ofcom TV Censorship on MelonFarmers.co.uk

Jonathan Ross BBC Radio 2, 9 May 2009, 10:00 During a live and unscripted part of his Saturday morning radio show, Jonathan Ross discussed the prizes for the week’s competition with his producer, Andy Davies. The prizes were primarily made up of Hannah Montana merchandise, which included a Hannah Montana MP3 player. As part of this discussion, Jonathan Ross said: If your son asks for a Hannah Montana MP3 player, then you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption in later life, when they settle down with their partner. Ofcom received 61 complaints from listeners who were concerned that Jonathan Ross’ comments were offensive and derogatory towards the gay community. Ofcom considered these complaints under Rule 2.3 (material that may cause offence must be justified by the context). Ofcom Decision: Not in Breach Jonathan Ross’ BBC Radio 2 show has been broadcast since 1999. It has an established format that is largely made up of quirky, humorous stories and on-air chat with the show’s producer, Andy Davies. The comment complained of was made during a live and unscripted element of the programme as part of a light-hearted discussion between Jonathan Ross and Andy Davies. In Ofcom’s opinion, the comment was clearly presented as a joke intended to make light of the reactions that some parents may have if their child chooses a toy that is very widely recognised to be designed and marketed for the opposite sex. The humour was therefore based on the absurdity of the scenario and was not intended to cause offence. The fact that this comment was intended to be a joke was illustrated further by the reaction from Andy Davies, who was heard laughing. Ofcom therefore considered that the nature of the joke and the tone and manner in which it was presented made clear that it was not intended to be hostile or pejorative towards the gay community in general. Ofcom took into account that Jonathan Ross is a well known personality, who has an irreverent, challenging and at times risqué humour that is familiar to audiences. Ofcom also recognised that the comment was clearly aimed at an adult audience. Importantly, if children did hear this comment it was unlikely that they would have understood it or its implications. In light of this, Ofcom considered that there was little potential for the comment to be imitated by children, for example in the playground. Ofcom considered that the comment was in keeping with the usual light-hearted and humorous style and format of the programme. The nature of the joke would have been well understood by the vast majority of listeners and would not have exceeded their normal expectations for the programme. Taking all these factors into account, Ofcom considered that on balance the material was justified by the context and met generally accepted standards. The programme was therefore not in breach of Rule 2.3 of the Code.