Beeb to broadcast Ofcom findings

BBC bosses have been ordered to broadcast the TV watchdog's findings about swearing broadcast during the Live Earth concert.

Viewers complained about six instances of bad language during the concert, which was shown live before the watershed in July 2007, and the statement will be broadcast on BBC1 and BBC2.

Ofcom said the breaches of the broadcasting code were "serious and repeated".

It said the BBC had "failed to deploy effective and appropriate procedures to prevent the broadcast of the most offensive language".

Ofcom had previously warned the BBC after offensive language was broadcast at another live music event, Live 8.

But the corporation failed to put a time delay on Live Earth on the basis that an event billed "as live" should be broadcast live.

The watchdog said: "Ofcom considered that the BBC had not sufficiently taken into account Ofcom's previous decisions in cases similar to Live Earth.

"This was particularly important since this programme involved the broadcast of the most offensive language before the watershed at a time when children were likely to be in the audience.

"In light of the serious and repeated nature of the breaches, and having given careful consideration to the BBC's representations, the Committee decided that it was appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances to direct the BBC to broadcast a statement of Ofcom's findings on each of BBC1 and BBC2 in a form to be determined by Ofcom and on a specified occasion."

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