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Stop promoting alcohol, DJs told DJs criticised for drink comments
(about 4 hours later)
Radio presenters are under fire for comments which encourage drinking. Radio presenters have been criticised for promoting heavy drinking so as to be seen as "cool" by their listeners.
Researchers from the Bristol-based University of the West of England looked at 1,200 hours of output across six BBC and commercial stations.Researchers from the Bristol-based University of the West of England looked at 1,200 hours of output across six BBC and commercial stations.
Less than half the 703 comments made on air about alcohol encouraged drinking, but in extracts involving just presenters that figure was 73%. Under 50% of all comments about alcohol encouraged drinking, but in output from just presenters the figure rose to 73%.
Chris Moyles, BBC Radio 1's breakfast show presenter, came in for particular criticism in the report. BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles came in for particular criticism. The BBC said its presenters did not encourage drinking.
The Ofcom broadcasting code stipulates that TV and radio programmes should not "condone, encourage or glamorise" alcohol misuse before the watershed - unless there is "editorial justification". 'Unthinkable'
Some 13% of the monitored comments encouraged drinking to excess, the research funded by the Department of Health and Home Office found. The study, which focused on radio programmes aimed at young people broadcast between December 2007 and February this year, criticised DJs for using terms such as "ruined" and "lashed" and found some 13% of monitored comments encouraged drinking to excess.
The study focused on radio programmes aimed at young people broadcast between December 2007 and February this year. In total, presenters were responsible for 244 of 703 comments made on air about alcohol.
The stations included BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Kiss 101, Key 103, Galaxy Birmingham and Kerrang! Radio. Where presenters did not encourage drinking, most were neutral, but 2% were negative, suggesting reasons to limit drinking - such as safety, work and health.
The report, which is to be presented to the British Sociological Association in Brighton, criticised DJs for using terms such as "ruined" and "lashed". The stations studied included Radio 1, the BBC's 1Xtra, Kiss 101, Key 103, Galaxy Birmingham and Kerrang! Radio.
In total, presenters were responsible for 244 of 703 comments. The alcohol references on commercial stations, particularly Kerrang! Radio, were higher in volume and more likely to encourage drinking than those on BBC stations, the report said.
New Year "Alcohol was frequently positioned as a marker of the weekend, and a hangover as a marker of a good night out," said lead researcher Professor Norma Daykin.
Lead researcher Professor Norma Daykin said: "Alcohol was frequently positioned as a marker of the weekend, and a hangover as a marker of a good night out.
"The notion of not drinking alcohol to enjoy yourself, particularly at times of celebration such as Christmas and New Year, seemed unthinkable.""The notion of not drinking alcohol to enjoy yourself, particularly at times of celebration such as Christmas and New Year, seemed unthinkable."
But she also pointed out this was not always necessary, with some presenters able to create an identity and connection with their audience without encouraging drinking. But she pointed out some presenters were able to create an identity and connection with their audience without encouraging drinking.
"This suggests radio presenters and producers have a choice: they don't have to encourage drinking to be seen as 'cool' or in touch with their listeners." "This suggests radio presenters and producers have a choice - they don't have to encourage drinking to be seen as 'cool' or in touch with their listeners."The BBC said it did not agree its presenters encouraged drinking
I'd urge DJs to come up with more creative ways of engaging with their listeners Dawn Primarolo, public health minister In one radio segment noted by the report, Radio 1's breakfast show presenter Chris Moyles tried to encourage TV chef Gordon Ramsay to go for a drink.
Where presenters did not encourage drinking most were neutral, but 2% were negative, suggesting reasons to limit drinking - such as safety, work and health. When Mr Ramsay agreed to go for one pint, the presenter responded: "One pint [laughs]... likely.
The alcohol references on commercial stations, particularly Kerrang! Radio, were found to be higher in volume and more likely to encourage drinking than those on BBC stations, the report said.
A Chris Moyles conversation withTV chef Gordon Ramsay, in which Mr Moyles was trying to encourage him to go for a drink, is noted in the report.
When Mr Ramsay agreed to go for one pint, the presenter responded: "One pint! [laughs]... likely.
"Why don't you let me take you out for a few beers and then one of the famous kebabs from the local kebab shop near me.""Why don't you let me take you out for a few beers and then one of the famous kebabs from the local kebab shop near me."
Limit The Ofcom broadcasting code stipulates that TV and radio programmes should not "condone, encourage or glamorise" alcohol misuse before the watershed - unless there is "editorial justification".
Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said: "It's disappointing that so many of our radio stations glorify being drunk. A Radio 1 spokesman said: "We don't agree that our presenters encourage a culture of drinking.
"I'd urge DJs to come up with more creative ways of engaging with their listeners."
But a BBC Radio 1 spokesman said: "We don't agree that our presenters encourage a culture of drinking.
"In fact, throughout this week we have run a high-profile campaign on the radio and online asking listeners to think about the amount of alcohol they drink and how it could affect their health, looks and behaviour.""In fact, throughout this week we have run a high-profile campaign on the radio and online asking listeners to think about the amount of alcohol they drink and how it could affect their health, looks and behaviour."
And a spokeswoman for Kerrang! Radio added: "As a sensible broadcaster Kerrang! Radio works hand-in-hand with Ofcom to ensure that it operates within broadcasting regulations. 'Disappointing'
A spokeswoman for Kerrang! Radio said: "As a sensible broadcaster Kerrang! Radio works hand-in-hand with Ofcom to ensure that it operates within broadcasting regulations.
"Kerrang! Radio has never been found to be in breach of the broadcast rules surrounding alcohol consumption.""Kerrang! Radio has never been found to be in breach of the broadcast rules surrounding alcohol consumption."
Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said: "It's disappointing that so many of our radio stations glorify being drunk.
"I'd urge DJs to come up with more creative ways of engaging with their listeners."
The research, which was funded by the Department of Health and Home Office, is to be presented to the British Sociological Association in Brighton.