The British public feel that Tv and Radio programmes that are unsuitable for children, or which contain hateful or discriminatory content, should be the priority for broadcast standards while they are less concerned about bad language.
This is according to a study of audiences’ expectations in the digital world, by the regulator Ofcom which highlighted broad support for the broadcasting rules that make sure audiences are protected while freedom of expression is upheld.
Audiences surveyed also agreed that society’s views around offence have shifted in recent years.
According to the survey, people expect regulation to focus on content that incites crime and causes harm, even if it airs on smaller channels or stations aimed at particular communities. Many also want a focus on discriminatory content targeted at specific groups, particularly if it risks harming vulnerable people.
Audience complaints made to Ofcom over the past five years also reflects these shifting priorities. Concerns around swearing, for example, have reduced – falling by 45% between 2015 and 2019, while complaints about racial and gender discrimination have increased by 224% and 148% respectively, during the same period.
Viewers and listeners generally think that people themselves are responsible for choosing what programmes they watch or listen to. They value the variety of content available, as well as their freedom to access it any time in any place.
