Station fined over Bigley 'jokes'

mkpdavies · 25-11-2005, 03:22 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...er/4467160.stm

Quote:

A Manchester radio station has been fined a record £125,000 after a presenter made racist comments and joked about the death of Ken Bigley.

Quote:

Mr Stannage also made controversial political comments about the Iraq War and highly abusive comments concerning Muslims, using a mock Asian accent.

Gus McKenzie, Key 103's Managing Director, said: "We completely accept the Ofcom finding and have apologised wholeheartedly.

"James Stannage no longer works at the station, his contract having been terminated earlier this year."

In addition to the fine, Key 103 must also broadcast the regulator's statement of finding three times every day for a week.

Bloke sacked (stations choice) and the station fined.

For telling jokes.

TomPhil · 25-11-2005, 12:51 PM

Here's a link to a copy of the report if anyone wants to read Ofcom's side of the story:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/key103.pdf

The "jokes" are on the last page (page 7) of the report. Judge for yourself whether they are acceptable on radio.

Independent Man · 28-11-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomPhil

Here's a link to a copy of the report if anyone wants to read Ofcom's side of the story:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/key103.pdf

The "jokes" are on the last page (page 7) of the report. Judge for yourself whether they are acceptable on radio.

Thank you for that helpful link.

Although Ken Bigley was brutally killed and I do actually feel sorry for him, I believe the jokes were intrinsically funny and I must admit they made me laugh. There is surely a place for black humour.

As for the other comments, no doubt some people would have found them offensive and therefore they were in breach of the rules. I do not, however, believe that those rules are acceptable since not only are they wholly subjective (you never know when anyone might be offended by anything), but they are a restriction of free speech. As a libertarian I therefore find this whole situation unacceptable.

Alex McKee · 28-11-2005, 05:11 PM

I found the Bigley jokes mildy amusing. However the comments made to some of the callers re: muslims were just plain abuse, nothing funny there. As for whether he should have been fired: yes. The station has every right to do so. Should the station have been fined? No. That certainly does penalise independent and free speech.

Politically correct - yes. Madness- not really.

mkpdavies · 28-11-2005, 05:14 PM

I don't really see what more the station could have done. I think the rulling was harsh on them.

Alex McKee · 28-11-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

I don't really see what more the station could have done. I think the rulling was harsh on them.

yes it was.

25-11-2005, 12:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
TomPhil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stockport Posts: 498 Party: UKIP	Here's a link to a copy of the report if anyone wants to read Ofcom's side of the story: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/key103.pdf The "jokes" are on the last page (page 7) of the report. Judge for yourself whether they are acceptable on radio. __________________ "A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." In Labour we trusted and now we are busted... again. It's the economy, stupid.

28-11-2005, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	I don't really see what more the station could have done. I think the rulling was harsh on them. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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28-11-2005, 05:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,634	I found the Bigley jokes mildy amusing. However the comments made to some of the callers re: muslims were just plain abuse, nothing funny there. As for whether he should have been fired: yes. The station has every right to do so. Should the station have been fined? No. That certainly does penalise independent and free speech. Politically correct - yes. Madness- not really.