'Derogatory remarks' banned

Comedy is to come under even tighter scrutiny at the BBC as new guidelines banning ‘derogatory remarks’ come into force.

New restrictions compiled in the wake of the media furore over Sachsgate and Frankie Boyle’s jokes about swimmer Rebecca Adlington are to be introduced next week

The clause most likely to cause headaches for comedians is number 5.4.32, which stages: ‘Unduly derogatory remarks aimed at real people (as opposed to fictional characters or historic figures) must not be celebrated for the purposes of entertainment.

‘Care should be taken that such comments and the tone in which they are delivered are proportionate to their target.’

The guidelines, published today, also urge caution when using stereotypes for comedy, saying: ‘We may feature a portrayal or stereotype that has been exaggerated for comic effect, but we must be aware that audiences may find casual or purposeless stereotypes to be offensive.’

David Jordan, the director of BBC editorial policy and standards insisted: ‘These guidelines can ensure that we continue delivering edgy comedy.’

But he added that any jokes must be ‘consistent with the BBC's enduring editorial values’.

The guidelines are reviewed every five years, but for the first time the BBC Trust asked licence fee payers for their views. It received more than 1,600 responses.

The restrictions on ‘unduly humiliating remarks’ would almost certainly have curbed the 2008 edition of Mock The Week in which Frankie Boyle made comments about Rebecca Adlington's appearance, which was subsequently censured by the BBC Trust.

The new rules take effect from midnight on Monday.

Published: 12 Oct 2010