Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The prevailing view does appear to be "let's make racism acceptable again". A sad reflection of "Brexit" Britain.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

Well l did not vote for Brexit nor do l think racism is acceptable as l myself am of ethnic origin and personally l found these old series very enjoyable as they are what they are around that time and many ethnic people actually enjoyed them and found them funny.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The "prevailing view" is to stop being artificially "offended" on behalf of other people, and has nothing to do with Brexit.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

It's not a case of being pro or anti Brexit, just the fact that certain extremist, racist groups have hijacked the Brexit sentiment to promote their extreme views.

I'm not sure that many of the old comedies were really that funny. I often watch dated material and think, did people really find that funny? Some of the material is absolutely dreadful. We moved away from a lot of the poor quality comedy but it is still alive and well in Germany.

I think the real point is that much of this content predates the various Race Relations Acts and the Broadcasting codes they gave birth to. The reason that such content didn't continue to be produced comes from the protection offered by these Acts and codes.

It amuses me that Ofcom is frequently referred to as a toothless regulator, but when it does step up to enforce the Broadcasting Code, it is accused of overstepping its remit.

---------- Post added at 15:41 ---------- Previous post was at 15:37 ----------

See my previous post regarding the Brexit connection. Also accept that this has NOTHING to do with being offended and everything to do with enforcing Broadcasting Codes. Not selectively ignoring broadcasting standards to allow racism back into broadcasting through the back door.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

And yet nobody is actually discussing Brexit, at all.

So an interesting interjection.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The subject is not Brexit. Brexit is, i think, one result of people feeling annoyed at being told what to believe, and a concerted effort by the papers to blame the EU for everything (including us being told what to believe, what to find offensive etc). It's not generally the EU telling us this (in my experience).

But, that is off topic.

I think people (especially now) are too quick to get offended, and in my experience, both left and right wing people are too quick to get offended.

Do I wish for a return of the old days when we could happily walk down the street calling people various combinations of words beginning with N, P and F (all of which are now offensive) while wolf whistling all the women? No. Nor do I wish to be in a situation where we have potentially innocent people losing their career because someone said they said something someone was offended by.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The problem is, as usual, it has gone too far. We need to reign this all in a bit, stop deliberately being offensive, but also stop reacting in a ridiculous fashion to innocent statements and jokes.

I am really non-plussed about the fuss over Talking Pictures. Clearly, culture and standards change over the years. Are we going to ban everything from the 1990s and before?

We really need to get a grip and get over ourselves.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The thread gives the impression that some posters are taking offence at Ofcom enforcing the Broadcasting Code, so you do seem to have a point.

But that's not what this is about. Broadcasters are issued their various licences and are required to comply with the Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Codes and to operate within the terms of their licence. It is up to the broadcaster to ensure that programmes comply with the various acts and codes. If a broadcaster neglects to ensure that programmes comply with the required codes, they can expect to get into trouble with the regulator. If they repeatedly fail to ensure that programmes comply, then they should expect to lose their licence.

The issue isn't whether or not a programme has caused offence, it is whether or not a broadcast complies with current broadcasting standards.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

AFAIK archive material is treated in exactly the same way as new material, so by default, any now deemed inappropriate is effectively banned.

Probably why Love Thy Neighbour has only had one selective repeat in many, many years.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

True, but the Broadcasting Code goes too far. Nearly every programme I see these days carrires some sort of warning, treating us all like children.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The nanny state is what they call it...

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

The point being that children may actually be watching. Such messages are to alert parents that the content may be unsuitable for younger viewers. I doubt that the broadcasters have an OLD BOY in mind when they display such warnings. ;)

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

Well by 10 o'clock, the little perishers should be in bed!

Maybe they should blare out a siren at 8 to ensure everyone understands that.

Re: Talking Pictures in trouble again for broadcasting words offensive to black peopl
 

You've probably noticed that there isn't a consistent approach to this across various broadcasters. Some of those "warnings" are likely to be there simply because the broadcaster wishes to inform the viewer of the type of content. Not always a requirement of the broadcasting code, occasionally just the policy of an individual broadcaster.