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Five separate complaints over use of 'f*ck', 'sh*t' and 'Jesus Christ' rejected by watchdog

In all five cases, the complaints were made by the same person.

THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY of Ireland (BAI) has rejected five complaints made about the use of bad language which the complainant said in some of the specified cases was used “without apology ” on the national airwaves.

The Executive Complaints Forum of the BAI considered and rejected 12 complaints in meetings held in January and February of this year.

Among the twelve were five complaints made by the same person over programmes on Newstalk, Today FM, and RTÉ. 

In all five cases, the complaints were submitted under principles one, four and five of the Code of Programme Standards.

The Code requires that broadcasters should have respect for community standards, be mindful of the needs of children and have respect for persons and groups in society. 

The first complaint relates to the use of the word shitty on Newstalk’s Moncrieff on 13 December 2019.

The complainant claimed that he tuned into the programme at the end of an audio clip from a film featuring Ryan Reynolds. Following the clip, Moncrieff stated: “I love the way I’m allowed to say ‘shitty’ but Ryan Reynolds isn’t”. 

He said he found the use of the word offensive and objectionable, especially given the time of day “when children might reasonably be expected to be listening”. 

In response, Newstalk acknowledged that the complainant was offended but did not consider that the use of the word shitty contravenes the Code when used on a one-off basis and considered in context.

The BAI ruled in favour of Newstalk, noting that the programme and segment are aimed at an adult audience who are likely to be familiar with the tone and content of this regular segment. 

‘Without apology’ 

Three of the five complaints about the language used on the airwaves were in relation to programmes on RTÉ radio. 

The first was about the language used on the Jennifer Zamparelli show on 2FM during a discussion with a reporter about the Kardashians on 13 November 2019.

The complainant claimed the word shit was used on two separate occasions, while the words Jesus Christ and God were also used as swear words, “without any apology being made”.

The complainant contended that later in the programme the presenter warned two phone-in guests that they were live on-air and stated that they should not curse. The presenter repeated this later in the programme when one of the guests said shit.  

In response to the complaint, RTÉ said that the word was used inadvertently by the programme’s entertainment reporter when she was using a phrase which contains the profanity. 

“The broadcaster states that the language and phraseology was used in the course of a conversation and it was not the intention of either the presenter or the reporter to cause offence. However, the broadcaster acknowledges that the comment did offend the complainant and states that the complainant’s concerns were shared with the editorial team,” the report notes. 

The BAI’s Executive Complaints Forum noted that the language was offensive to the complainant, however, the Forum did not consider that it caused undue offence. 

“The Forum considered the programme in the context of the likely audience, the station and programme type and determined that the content did not infringe the Codes as presented by the complainant. As such, the complaint was rejected.“  

The second complaint related to the language used during a discussion on bullying on Liveline on 13 November 2019. 

The complainant took issue with the word shit and the use of a clip of a malicious message, re-recorded by an actor, originally sent to a person on snapchat.

The complainant states that while the name of the person was bleeped out on several instances, the words bitch and fuck were uncensored. 

RTÉ said the clip originated as part of a longer recording done by a young boy, which was then sent to a 15-year-old girl. An editorial decision was taken to include the clip as it “demonstrated the nature of the material which is on social media and was relevant to the debate”. 

RTÉ added that since Liveline is a live programme in which listeners often give frank accounts of their experiences, sometimes “course language” is used to describe sensitive issues. 

The BAI sided with RTÉ and did not consider that the broadcast infringed the Code of Programme Standards or cause undue offence. 

The third complaint relates to the language used on RTÉ Radio 1’s Arena on 21 January during a discussion on the career of political satirist and producer, Armando Iannucci. 

The complainant takes issue with the inclusion of several uncensored uses of the word fuck during an extract from a programme Iannucci created, called The Thick of It.  

In response, RTÉ stated that Arena is an arts and culture programme and it believes that, given the genre, listeners understand that art often contains language which some people find challenging adding that a warning of bad language was given prior to broadcast.

The complaint was rejected by the BAI after it considered that Arena is broadcast between 7-8pm on weekdays, is aimed at an adult audience, and a prior was given. 

The final complaint was made in relation to language used during a discussion on songs used by political parties during election time on Today FM’s The Last Word. 

“A clip was played from a campaign video made by a former TD and now MEP, featuring several of their contributions during their time in Dáil Éireann. The complainant states that the clip contained the word fuck. The complainant objects to this word being repeated six or seven times without any censorship,” the report states. 

Today FM said that a warning was issued in advance of airing and that the clip was part of a wider topic concerning Irish Election Songs.  

In its rejection of this complaint, the BAI was of the view that the music segment is a regular feature on The Last Word and audiences would be familiar with the adult-nature of the programme. It noted that a warning had been issued prior to the clip which contained bad language.

“The Forum was mindful that the language used was offensive to the complainant, however, it noted that there is no guarantee that programme material will be free from offence. The Forum considered the type of programme, the time of broadcast and the inclusion of prior warnings and did not find the content to be unduly offensive.”

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    Mute abcyz
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    Jun 21st 2017, 9:41 AM

    The pressure of exams is not nice. Peer pressure is awful in this country too. If you are poorest in a countryside school that doesn’t have deis status and your parents can’t afford the school “voluntary” contribution who could be literally embarrassed to death for the money by teachers nevermind fellow bullying students.

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    Jun 21st 2017, 10:28 AM

    @abcyz: Wait till you go to work…

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    Mute Jim
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    Jun 21st 2017, 11:27 AM

    Thanks to the lack of education and awarness, our little country is in the stone age when it comes to the myriad of mental health issues. Much like we were for those with special needs back in the 80s. There seems to be an attitude of, unless you have a problem that is physically visable or can be diagnosed, then anything else is your own problem. Addiction is rife in this country, alcohol, drugs both prescription and non, gambling, sex and the list goes on. Depression, anxiety, as well as other more specific mental issues. The reality..Unless you are strong willed or have funds for private help, you have a good chance of ending up in a morgue. This is the sad truth. To those suffering in silence ending up there is NOT the best option. What you are going through will pass, this is certain.

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    Mute Nick Drake
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    Jun 21st 2017, 12:47 PM

    @Jim: Jim you are pretty much talking out of your hat, if may say so.

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    Jun 22nd 2017, 12:19 AM

    @Nick Drake: Be a tad more specific Nick. Your comment lacks any sort of counter suggestion.

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    Mute Jim
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    Jun 22nd 2017, 12:26 AM

    @Nick Drake: and while you are at it, can you tell me how long the public waiting list is for any individual seeking a mental health professional? Where is their first port of call? You do realise that mental health issues arent cured with a chat and a cup of tea…They require the correct professional, competent in the individuals needs…So lets say i am an alcoholic that also suffers with severe depression. I am working part time….where will i go Nick…the clock is ticking? You my friend are the one talking out of your hat. Where as I see the nett results of this scenario every day.

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    Mute billy Dorney
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    Jun 21st 2017, 2:04 PM

    Very sad ,hard topic,as a father,i can see ,today’s teens,are under awful pressure,from peers,us parents,and society,as a whole,social media most of all

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    Mute Linda Hughes
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    Jun 21st 2017, 10:18 AM

    This country needs a kick in the ass when it comes to mental health. Just because you can’t see a physical injury doesn’t mean that the person isn’t suffering. Not been able to understand or talk about how you are feeling is crippling and to have text book people patronising you is so damaging. When you feel so down and alone in the blackness of your mind all you need is for someone to understand what is going on for you, “I know I’ve been there and still struggle every minute of every day ” there are more suicide’s than there are road deaths and yet all the media keep pushing it in your face! For all the families out there that have been affected by suicide don’t feel ashamed or blame yourself it wasn’t you’re fault at all!

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    Mute billy Dorney
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    Jun 21st 2017, 6:27 PM

    @Linda Hughes: good points boy,but I think we’re getting there,albeit,snail slow,wouldn’t/couldn’t discuss this on an open forum like this a few years back

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