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BBC told to take action after 'inappropriate' Boat Race swearing BBC told to take action after 'inappropriate' Boat Race swearing
(4 months later)
Swearing broadcast during the BBC's live coverage of the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge was inappropriate for viewers of a traditional sporting event shown on a Sunday afternoon, the media regulator has ruled.Swearing broadcast during the BBC's live coverage of the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge was inappropriate for viewers of a traditional sporting event shown on a Sunday afternoon, the media regulator has ruled.
The word "fucking" was broadcast live three times during live BBC1 Boat Race coverage hosted by Clare Balding just before and after 5pm on Easter Sunday, 31 March, after it was picked up from the Oxford cox's microphone.The word "fucking" was broadcast live three times during live BBC1 Boat Race coverage hosted by Clare Balding just before and after 5pm on Easter Sunday, 31 March, after it was picked up from the Oxford cox's microphone.
Ofcom reminded the BBC and other broadcasters to take all "proportionate measures" to prevent swearing being transmitted during live coverage before the 9pm watershed.Ofcom reminded the BBC and other broadcasters to take all "proportionate measures" to prevent swearing being transmitted during live coverage before the 9pm watershed.
Media regulator Ofcom investigated after viewers complained and questioned why the BBC had not put steps in place to cut the feed from the coxes' microphones.Media regulator Ofcom investigated after viewers complained and questioned why the BBC had not put steps in place to cut the feed from the coxes' microphones.
The BBC said that a microphone had been attached to each team's cox for a number of years to add "context and passion to the spectacle".The BBC said that a microphone had been attached to each team's cox for a number of years to add "context and passion to the spectacle".
It said that both teams had made a commitment to avoid swearwords and that an absence of problems in recent years meant that it had not appointed a dedicated member of the production team to monitor the live feeds and deal with incidents of bad language.It said that both teams had made a commitment to avoid swearwords and that an absence of problems in recent years meant that it had not appointed a dedicated member of the production team to monitor the live feeds and deal with incidents of bad language.
On-air apologies were given after the Oxford cox was thrown into the river following his team's win and when the first instance of the most offensive language was heard by the production team.On-air apologies were given after the Oxford cox was thrown into the river following his team's win and when the first instance of the most offensive language was heard by the production team.
Other instances of swearing broadcast during the 159th Boat Race, shown on BBC1, were not heard by the production team.Other instances of swearing broadcast during the 159th Boat Race, shown on BBC1, were not heard by the production team.
The BBC said that from next year, a dedicated member of the production team will have sole responsibility to monitor the cox microphone feeds to identify any offensive language.The BBC said that from next year, a dedicated member of the production team will have sole responsibility to monitor the cox microphone feeds to identify any offensive language.
More than one instance of offensive language will result in the microphone being cut during the Boat Race.More than one instance of offensive language will result in the microphone being cut during the Boat Race.
Ofcom said that it took into account measures taken by the BBC to minimise the risk of offensive language being transmitted but it reminded the corporation and other broadcasters "to take all proportionate measures for live broadcasts before the watershed".Ofcom said that it took into account measures taken by the BBC to minimise the risk of offensive language being transmitted but it reminded the corporation and other broadcasters "to take all proportionate measures for live broadcasts before the watershed".
It considered the matter resolved, but added: "In this case the word 'fucking' was broadcast on three separate occasions during live coverage of the Boat Race: two from the microphone of the cox of the Oxford boat while the race was in progress, and one from equipment placed on the water as part of the coverage of the cox of the winning boat being thrown into the river after the race.It considered the matter resolved, but added: "In this case the word 'fucking' was broadcast on three separate occasions during live coverage of the Boat Race: two from the microphone of the cox of the Oxford boat while the race was in progress, and one from equipment placed on the water as part of the coverage of the cox of the winning boat being thrown into the river after the race.
"This language was clearly inappropriate in the live broadcast of a traditional sporting event shown on a Sunday afternoon at a time when children were likely to be watching.""This language was clearly inappropriate in the live broadcast of a traditional sporting event shown on a Sunday afternoon at a time when children were likely to be watching."
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