Watchdogs' mixed reaction

Broadcasting watchdogs have criticised some aspects of the controversial Brass Eye satire about paedophilia

Both the Broadcasting Standards Commission and the Independent Television Commission defended Chris Morris' right to tackle such a difficult subject, but they ruled that the show was wrong to cause offence.

Channel 4 will now have to broadcast an apology.

The ITC also upheld complaints about the scheduling, directly after Big Brother, and that the warning about the show's content was insufficient.

However, the BSC found in Channel 4's favour on those points.

Both watchdogs cleared the show of exploiting the child actors who appeared in it, taking particular note of the care that producers took during filming to ensure the youngsters knew the context of what they were doing.

The BSC criticised the July 26 show for causing "strong and genuine distress" because of "the cumulative impact of the images of children seen in a sexual context".

In its official response to the 242 complaints about the show, it said: "Whilst there can be no taboo areas for satire, it does not have an unlimited licence."

The commission also received a complaint of unfairness from a celebrity contributo, but has deferred a ruling on that, and a further 171 letters in support of the programme.

Channel 4 told the commission that it would never make light of paedophilia and that the programme had received the most comprehensive editorial and legal scrutiny, but that it was right to argue that an hysterical and unreasoned reaction to paedophiles exploited by the media did not serve the victims.

The furore following the programme only highlighted the validity of the issues raised, Channel 4 argued.

For the full BSC verdict
For the full ITC verdict

Published: 6 Sep 2001