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Jeremy Clarkson strike comments acceptable, says Ofcom | Jeremy Clarkson strike comments acceptable, says Ofcom |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Jeremy Clarkson's comment that striking public sector workers "should be shot" was not in breach of broadcasting rules, media watchdog Ofcom has said. | Jeremy Clarkson's comment that striking public sector workers "should be shot" was not in breach of broadcasting rules, media watchdog Ofcom has said. |
Asked about striking workers during November's public sector walk-out, Clarkson said he would "execute them in front of their families". | Asked about striking workers during November's public sector walk-out, Clarkson said he would "execute them in front of their families". |
It resulted in 31,000 complaints to the BBC, and 736 to Ofcom. | It resulted in 31,000 complaints to the BBC, and 736 to Ofcom. |
But the broadcasting standards body concluded that the Top Gear presenter's comments "were not made seriously". | But the broadcasting standards body concluded that the Top Gear presenter's comments "were not made seriously". |
It added that Clarkson's words "were not at all likely to encourage members of the public... to act on them in any way". | It added that Clarkson's words "were not at all likely to encourage members of the public... to act on them in any way". |
Ofcom acknowledged the comments were "potentially offensive" but were justified by the context. | Ofcom acknowledged the comments were "potentially offensive" but were justified by the context. |
The exchange came as Clarkson was asked his opinion of the people engaged in a day-long industrial action over pensions. | |
His initial response was: "I think they have been fantastic. Absolutely. London today has just been empty. Everybody stayed at home, you can whizz about, restaurants are empty." | His initial response was: "I think they have been fantastic. Absolutely. London today has just been empty. Everybody stayed at home, you can whizz about, restaurants are empty." |
However, he added: "We have to balance this though, because this is the BBC. Frankly, I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families." | However, he added: "We have to balance this though, because this is the BBC. Frankly, I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families." |
Apology | Apology |
Ofcom's ruling came in a letter to the assistant general secretary of Unison, Bronwyn McKenna, who had made a formal complaint following the broadcast. | Ofcom's ruling came in a letter to the assistant general secretary of Unison, Bronwyn McKenna, who had made a formal complaint following the broadcast. |
The watchdog noted that presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones had alluded to Clarkson's reputation for making controversial remarks when they introduced him. | The watchdog noted that presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones had alluded to Clarkson's reputation for making controversial remarks when they introduced him. |
"It would have been clear to most viewers that his comments were not an expression of seriously held beliefs or views that would be literally interpreted," it added. | "It would have been clear to most viewers that his comments were not an expression of seriously held beliefs or views that would be literally interpreted," it added. |
Ofcom also pointed out that Jones had made a "wide-ranging apology" regarding Clarkson's comments at the end of the programme. | Ofcom also pointed out that Jones had made a "wide-ranging apology" regarding Clarkson's comments at the end of the programme. |
The BBC also later apologised for any offence caused. | The BBC also later apologised for any offence caused. |
Ofcom also made clear that Clarkson was warned ahead of transmission that "it was not appropriate to make any remarks he later went on to say". | Ofcom also made clear that Clarkson was warned ahead of transmission that "it was not appropriate to make any remarks he later went on to say". |
Clarkson apologised soon after the event. Unison accepted his apology and invited him to spend a day with a healthcare assistant. | Clarkson apologised soon after the event. Unison accepted his apology and invited him to spend a day with a healthcare assistant. |
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