To quote from Michael Corleone (in The Godfather: Part III):
"Just when I thought that I was out they pull me back in."
"Celebrity Big Brother" returned to haunt Channel Four after British media regulators Ofcom ruled that the program broke broadcasting rules by airing footage of racist insults being hurled at Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. Unseen footage also contained contestants inventing a racist lyric about the Indian actress.
Ofcom stated that Channel Four was guilty of "serious editorial misjudgment" over its handling of the racism row that caused an international furore earlier this year and ordered the broadcaster to apologise publicly at the start of the next series of Big Brother on 30th May. Hertfordshire police are also considering reopening their investigation into events on the show.
It serves Channel Four right for even considering racist bullying was good entertainment on national TV. I would have imposed massive fines as well, to hit C4 and the show's creator, Endemol where it hurts. But I also find it sad that a broadcaster previously praised for showing programs promoting our nation's ethnic diversity like No Problem! and Desmond's should come to this.
Furthermore, I feel the timing of Ofcom's criticism will ironically help to promote this embarrassing twaddle that passes as "reality TV."
Big Brother rapped over race row
Big Brother race row transcript
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