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BBC censured over DJ who called breastfeeding in public unnatural BBC censured over DJ who called breastfeeding in public unnatural
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The broadcasting watchdog has censured the BBC for applying ‘minimal editorial oversight’ to a radio DJ’s show in which he made misogynistic comments about women who breastfeed. The broadcasting watchdog has censured the BBC for applying “minimal editorial oversight” to a radio DJ’s show in which he made misogynistic comments about women who breastfeed.
Ofcom received 45 complaints about Radio Solent DJ Alex Dyke, who said during his phone-in chat show that only “librarian-type, moustachioed” women breastfeed in public and that it should not be allowed.Ofcom received 45 complaints about Radio Solent DJ Alex Dyke, who said during his phone-in chat show that only “librarian-type, moustachioed” women breastfeed in public and that it should not be allowed.
Ofcom said complainants found his comments “shocking”, “sexist” and “disgusting”.Ofcom said complainants found his comments “shocking”, “sexist” and “disgusting”.
Responding to Ofcom’s formal investigation, the BBC admitted that although Dyke’s weekday morning show was known for debating “bizarre or controversial” views, his comments on breastfeeding went “beyond what was acceptable”.Responding to Ofcom’s formal investigation, the BBC admitted that although Dyke’s weekday morning show was known for debating “bizarre or controversial” views, his comments on breastfeeding went “beyond what was acceptable”.
The corporation said his comments were meant to be the sort of “tongue-in-cheek humour and exaggeration” that regular listeners would be used to, pointing out that Radio Solent only received two complaints.The corporation said his comments were meant to be the sort of “tongue-in-cheek humour and exaggeration” that regular listeners would be used to, pointing out that Radio Solent only received two complaints.
“We were not persuaded by [the BBC’s] arguments,” said Ofcom. “While regular listeners may have been accustomed to Mr Dyke’s form of delivery, we considered that in this particular case his comments were capable of causing considerable offence. We considered that listeners unused to his presenting style would have not been likely to have perceived the presenter to have been adopting a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ approach in this case.”“We were not persuaded by [the BBC’s] arguments,” said Ofcom. “While regular listeners may have been accustomed to Mr Dyke’s form of delivery, we considered that in this particular case his comments were capable of causing considerable offence. We considered that listeners unused to his presenting style would have not been likely to have perceived the presenter to have been adopting a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ approach in this case.”
Dyke broadcast an apology the day after the programme was aired after his comments were picked up and criticised on social media.Dyke broadcast an apology the day after the programme was aired after his comments were picked up and criticised on social media.
He was subsequently given a short suspension and, upon his return, he made a second apology.He was subsequently given a short suspension and, upon his return, he made a second apology.
The BBC said that Dyke was required to undertake “refresher training, ‘listening back’ sessions, and conversations with the editor” before he was allowed back on air.The BBC said that Dyke was required to undertake “refresher training, ‘listening back’ sessions, and conversations with the editor” before he was allowed back on air.
The corporation also said it has hired a second producer to provide “additional editorial oversight” for the programme and that there are now daily pre-broadcast checks on Dyke’s proposed programme content.The corporation also said it has hired a second producer to provide “additional editorial oversight” for the programme and that there are now daily pre-broadcast checks on Dyke’s proposed programme content.
The BBC said there were “ongoing discussions” at the station about providing an opportunity, “when the time is right”, for an “in-depth look at the issues around breastfeeding involving relevant expert groups”.The BBC said there were “ongoing discussions” at the station about providing an opportunity, “when the time is right”, for an “in-depth look at the issues around breastfeeding involving relevant expert groups”.
“In this case, Alex Dyke made a series of statements over a substantial part of his programme which both stereotyped women who breastfed and were likely to be perceived as misogynistic,” said Ofcom. “We were particularly concerned that Alex Dyke had been permitted to broadcast highly offensive comments with apparently minimal editorial oversight and concluded that the programme had breached [the broadcasting code].”“In this case, Alex Dyke made a series of statements over a substantial part of his programme which both stereotyped women who breastfed and were likely to be perceived as misogynistic,” said Ofcom. “We were particularly concerned that Alex Dyke had been permitted to broadcast highly offensive comments with apparently minimal editorial oversight and concluded that the programme had breached [the broadcasting code].”
Ofcom said the comments were a breach of the UK broadcasting code relating to potentially offensive material.Ofcom said the comments were a breach of the UK broadcasting code relating to potentially offensive material.
The BBC Trust also published the outcome of its own investigation into the indicent ruling that it was a “serious breach of editorial guidelines for harm and offence and for fairness, contributors and consent”.
“We take the Ofcom and BBC Trust findings very seriously indeed,” said a spokeswoman for the BBC. “Alex was told at the time in no uncertain terms that his comments were unacceptable, and he apologised for any offence caused on- and off-air.”