Ofcom's CBB probe continues (press report and discussion)

[Red Moon]

Ofcom's CBB probe continues
Ofcom said today its investigation into alleged racism on Celebrity Big Brother would continue despite prosecutors deciding not to bring charges against any of the housemates involved.

The regulator said it was waiting for Channel 4 to file its submission about the programme before ruling whether it had broken the broadcasting standards code.

A police investigation last week concluded that scenes from the show were "offensive but not criminal".

"It could go backwards and forwards for a while until we get the information we need," a spokeswoman for Ofcom said.

Ofcom took more than 45,000 complaints about Celebrity Big Brother during its run in January, easily the largest such protest on record, while Channel 4 is believed to have fielded more than 10,000.

Viewers objected to the allegedly racist bullying of Indian star Shilpa Shetty by some of her white housemates.

Housemates refused to learn Shetty's name, referred to her as "the Indian" and "Shilpa Poppadom", and one said she should "**** off home".

Last week it emerged that the police had interviewed four former housemates in the course of an inquiry into possible racial abuse and tried to speak to another two, who declined to help, understood to be Jade Goody and her mother Jackiey Budden.

The police said Channel 4 and the show's producer, Endemol, would not hand over unedited footage.

"They declined to co-operate and stated they would contest any application to court," Hertfordshire police said last week.

"Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, it was felt that it would not be in the public interest to effect arrests or to pursue footage through the courts.

"The CPS has concluded that whilst what occurred was clearly offensive, it was not criminal."

Source: The Guardian (http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,2032004,00.html)

[Mrluvaluva]

If this is going to go on & on then they should go to court to get them to hand over the tapes. I do not understand, if there is nothing incriminating on them, why they will not hand them over? There is obviously something to hide.

[GiRTh]

They're not handing over the tapes because they don't have to. Because I'm more criminal minded than you I completely agree with their stance. They should only hand over the tapes if they are slapped with a court order. They're doing the right thing. In my opinion.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by GiRTh
They're not handing over the tapes because they don't have to. Because I'm more criminal minded than you I completely agree with their stance. They should only hand over the tapes if they are slapped with a court order. They're doing the right thing. In my opinion.

But by handing them over, it would surely stop all this speculation on what Jack said, and the alleged song, and whether the row was edited etc. If they did not find anything then all this would stop. Whilst people do not know the truth, this is going to go on & on don't you think?

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by BAZG
[But by handing them over, it would surely stop all this speculation on what Jack said, and the alleged song, and whether the row was edited etc. If they did not find anything then all this would stop. Whilst people do not know the truth, this is going to go on & on don't you think?

Yes. But there are no criminal charges to answer and ofcom have the right to privacy. I agree that handing the tape over will stop all the speculation but what if there is incriminating evidence on the tapes. Ofcom would be screwed. If they don't have to hand over the tapes they never will.

[Mrluvaluva]

[i]Originally posted by GiRTh
what if there is incriminating evidence on the tapes. Ofcom would be screwed. If they don't have to hand over the tapes they never will.

Well there obviously is. Imagine the scandal if there is, and a court order is taken out for them to hand them over. Things would get out of control. Remeber that story when there was comments written on the back of run sheets saying things like "we're ****ed"?

[Sasha]

You shouldnt be asking should they hand the tapes over you should be asking WHY they aint handing them over

Channel 4 is a part publicly funded channel whose management infrastructure is paid for via TV licencing. Its ridiculous that they are operating like they have no accountability

[spacebandit]

Without having seen the unedited footage - you have to ask the question, How do the CPS know what was said would not constitute a criminal act.




Theres something rotten in the state of Denmark.

[nodisharmony]

I can't see them handing over the tapes.

It is not a good financial decision. It may cost them money in the long run.

Destroying three lives is okay! where money is concerned.

It is more profitable than "Birdwistling" out offensive remarks.

Any further undesclosed footage could open up a can of worms, which Endemol don't want opening.

It's a political thingy, "Way above our heads".:conf2:

[MarkWaldorf]

It's just going to go on and on isn't it. BB might aswell end now if it does. It's just gonna be bad publicity on the show.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Markus™
It's just going to go on and on isn't it. BB might aswell end now if it does. It's just going to be bad publicity on the show.



If people take a leaf out of what Davina says, it could be a great show.

But sadly, many wish to scrutinize and will.

Click on this link:- http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=56514

I added the link to the Youtube Davina interview.


Says it all really!!!

[Dr43%er]

Are you saying that if anything racist was said it should be bird whistled out? I would rather people could see what someone is rather than protecting them. They should take responsibility for their own words and actions. Not rely on others to cover their ass.

I also don't set my morals by what Davina says

[GiRTh]

They won't hand over the tapes because they don't have too.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Dr43%er
Are you saying that if anything racist was said it should be bird whistled out? I would rather people could see what someone is rather than protecting them. They should take responsibility for their own words and actions. Not rely on others to cover their ass.

I also don't set my morals by what Davina says


I am sure that all the housemates that go into Big Brother 8 would have seen CBB in January.

I think they might tread carefully in that area.

I do feel that friendships between an Indian person and any other housemate will be great.

I am sure that they will get on and shake hands, "How do you do" and "How are you, etc.."

It will be so, so friendly.

If there is a disagreement between two different races. Then, it will be dealt with like a woman holding hands with another man that she loves and then picking some nice daisies in a field.

So friendly, polite and politically correct...

But, if a white person from Scotland and a white person from Wales start getting into arguments 10 times as bad and 10 times as personal, it will make great viewing.

and guess what, "Dr43%er", there will be No Death Threats or a group of people setting anything on fire in India.