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Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson ‘deliberately used offensive racial term’ Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson ‘deliberately used offensive racial term’
(about 1 hour later)
Jeremy Clarkson deliberately used a pejorative racial term to refer to an Asian man on BBC2’s Top Gear, causing offense without justification and breaching broadcasting rules.Jeremy Clarkson deliberately used a pejorative racial term to refer to an Asian man on BBC2’s Top Gear, causing offense without justification and breaching broadcasting rules.
Media regulator Ofcom ruled on Monday that Clarkson’s comment, during a Top Gear Burma special broadcast in March, was offensive and in breach of generally accepted standards.Media regulator Ofcom ruled on Monday that Clarkson’s comment, during a Top Gear Burma special broadcast in March, was offensive and in breach of generally accepted standards.
During the special Clarkson and co-presenter Richard Hammond were observing their handiwork in building a makeshift bridge across the river Kwai, on which an Asian man was seen walking towards them.During the special Clarkson and co-presenter Richard Hammond were observing their handiwork in building a makeshift bridge across the river Kwai, on which an Asian man was seen walking towards them.
Clarkson said: “That is a proud moment ... but ... there is a slope on it.”Clarkson said: “That is a proud moment ... but ... there is a slope on it.”
Hammond said: “You are right ... [pointing] ... it is definitely higher on that side.”Hammond said: “You are right ... [pointing] ... it is definitely higher on that side.”
Clarkson then narrated, over images of the bridge: “We decide to ignore the slope and move onto the opening ceremony.”Clarkson then narrated, over images of the bridge: “We decide to ignore the slope and move onto the opening ceremony.”
Ofcom received two complaints from viewers who complained that the word Clarkson used was an offensive racist term.Ofcom received two complaints from viewers who complained that the word Clarkson used was an offensive racist term.
The regulator took into account the BBC’s argument that the use of the term was intended as “an inoffensive, humorous play on words”.The regulator took into account the BBC’s argument that the use of the term was intended as “an inoffensive, humorous play on words”.
However, Ofcom concluded that the word was capable of causing offence and the context did not justify its broadcast, finding Top Gear in breach of section 2.3 of the broadcasting code, which covers generally accepted standards.However, Ofcom concluded that the word was capable of causing offence and the context did not justify its broadcast, finding Top Gear in breach of section 2.3 of the broadcasting code, which covers generally accepted standards.
“Ofcom’s view is that the word ‘slope’ is a pejorative racial term which has the potential to be offensive to Asian people specifically, as well as to viewers more generally,” the regulator said.“Ofcom’s view is that the word ‘slope’ is a pejorative racial term which has the potential to be offensive to Asian people specifically, as well as to viewers more generally,” the regulator said.
“Various nationalities have, at some point, been the subject of the presenters’ mockery during the history of this long running programme. The regular audience for this programme adjusts its expectations accordingly.“Various nationalities have, at some point, been the subject of the presenters’ mockery during the history of this long running programme. The regular audience for this programme adjusts its expectations accordingly.
“In our view, however, in this case Jeremy Clarkson deliberately employed the offensive word to refer to the Asian person crossing the bridge as well as the camber of the bridge.”“In our view, however, in this case Jeremy Clarkson deliberately employed the offensive word to refer to the Asian person crossing the bridge as well as the camber of the bridge.”
Ofcom noted that the sequence was scripted in advance and clear consideration had been given to the use of that particular term, to formulate what was intended as a humorous word play around it.Ofcom noted that the sequence was scripted in advance and clear consideration had been given to the use of that particular term, to formulate what was intended as a humorous word play around it.
“There was clearly an opportunity both during filming and post-production to research the word and reach a more considered view on whether it was ‘mere slang’ and had the potential to cause offence to viewers,” the regulator concluded.“There was clearly an opportunity both during filming and post-production to research the word and reach a more considered view on whether it was ‘mere slang’ and had the potential to cause offence to viewers,” the regulator concluded.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “After a thorough investigation, Ofcom has found the BBC breached broadcasting rules by including an offensive racial term in Top Gear, which was not justified by context. Jeremy Clarkson used the word ‘slope’ to refer both to an Asian man crossing a bridge, and the incline of the bridge. This was scripted in advance. The BBC failed to take the opportunity, either during filming or post-production, to check whether the word had the potential to offend viewers.
“All broadcasters must adhere to Ofcom’s rules on offensive material.”
A BBC spokeswoman said: “We dealt with this matter some time ago, the programme apologised at the time and explained the context, and we are now focusing on delivering another series of one of Britain’s best-loved shows.”A BBC spokeswoman said: “We dealt with this matter some time ago, the programme apologised at the time and explained the context, and we are now focusing on delivering another series of one of Britain’s best-loved shows.”
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