Note- OFCOM
in the United Kingdom is (from their website)
"Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the
UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television,
radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services"
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"http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1491990,00.html
Radio | Special report: Ofcom | Television
2.30pm
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"Ofcom says OK to sex with animals
John Plunkett
Wednesday May 25, 2005
Clean-up TV campaigners seeking succour in Ofcom's new broadcasting
rules suffered an immediate blow today when the regulator gave the
all-clear to programmes about "sex with animals".
The comments by Richard Hooper, the Ofcom deputy chairman, came at the
unveiling of its long-awaited new broadcasting code and will have had
the regulator's spin doctors holding their heads in their hands.
Although Mr Hooper was at pains to point out that the new regulations
will not give carte blanche to broadcasters, he said certain offensive
material would be OK as long as it was shown at the right time and
with suitable warnings.
"[What about] a programme about sex with animals? Yes, it's
potentially possible. It all comes down to context," he said.
The new code, which will apply across all TV and radio networks,
allows broadcasters to "transmit challenging material, even that which
may be considered offensive by some, provided it is editorially
justified and the audience given appropriate information".
Mr Hooper's comments recalled Channel 4 bestiality documentary, Animal
Passions, which featured a man who admitted have sex with his pony and
a woman who had sex with her dog.
Although it was cleared by Ofcom last year, it generated 75 complaints
from viewers who said it "normalised bestiality" and could encourage
copycat behaviour."