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permission . The Daily Star stated that the website was not private and was accessible with a name and email address – there was no need to pay a fee . It also said that its journalist may not have seen Ms Pearce ’ s full profile ( and so the disclaimer ) because he had only taken the information that was publicly available .

IPSO found that the information on Ms Pearce ’ s profile was of a nature which most would consider highly private , but as she had disclosed it on a public website she had no reasonable expectation of privacy . The Daily Star article had not given her name or given any further information about her beyond her profile photograph and username .

IPSO therefore found no breach of the Code . It did , however , welcome the fact that after receiving Ms Pearce ’ s complaint , the Daily Star had removed the screenshot of her profile from the article . This is a useful decision for content producers , affirming that even inherently private information about an individual will not attract a reasonable expectation of privacy where the individual has placed , or consented to the placement of , that information on a website easily accessible to members of the public .

OFCOM – report on offensive language on television

n Ofcom has released a report on public attitudes to offensive language entitled Attitudes to potentially offensive language and gestures on TV and radio . The report includes a ranking of swearwords , from milder words which people generally have little concern about , to the strongest words , which are highly unacceptable before the 9pm watershed , but generally acceptable post-watershed , if justified by the context .

Unsurprisingly the strongest words were ‘ cunt ’, ‘ motherfucker ’ and ‘ fuck ’. Lower down the scale , however , there were some surprises : ‘ tits ’ was considered more offensive than ‘ bugger ’, and ‘ bastard ’ more offensive than ‘ arsehole ’.

Those involved in the study thought the 9pm watershed to be

Beef curtains

Bellend

Bint

Bitch

Bloodclaat

Bloody

Bollocks

Bugger

Bullshit

Clunge

Cock

Cow

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Low recognition . Seen as vulgar and distasteful , especially by women .

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen by some as a childish word often said in jest . More aggression or specific intent to hurt heightens impact .

Medium language , potentially unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen as potentially derogatory by women , but men also find the word problematic .

Medium language , potentially unacceptable pre-watershed . More aggression or specific intent to hurt heightens impact .

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Low recognition . Among those familiar , seen as vulgar and crude . Strongly disliked by women when meaning discussed .

Mild language , generally of little concern . Frequently used in everyday language to express emotion , and not usually as a directed insult .

Medium language , potentially unacceptable pre-watershed . Not generally offensive but somewhat vulgar when used to refer to testicles . Less problematic when used to mean ‘ nonsense ’.

Mild language , generally of little concern . Frequently used in everyday language to express emotion when making a mistake . Seen as much stronger when used in a clearly sexual context .

Medium language , potentially unacceptable pre-watershed . Older participants more likely to consider the word unacceptable .

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Not always recognised . Seen as vulgar and distasteful , especially by women .

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen as vulgar and distasteful by many . Less problematic when used in a humorous context .

Mild language , generally of little concern . Commonly viewed as a humorous insult .

Crap Mild language , generally of little concern . Strongest language , problematic for some even post-watershed . Vulgar ,

Cunt derogatory and shocking for both men and women . Especially distasteful and offensive to women and older participants .

Damn Mild language , generally of little concern . Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen as vulgar and

Dick distasteful by many . Less problematic when used in a humorous context , and generally considered slightly milder than ‘ cock ’.

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen as vulgar and

Dickhead distasteful by many . Less problematic when used in a humorous context . Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen as crude ,

Fanny particularly by women .

Feck / Effing

Flaps very important in protecting children , and also for adults who wanted to avoid strong language . Swear words were generally considered more acceptable if used in a context in which they would be used in everyday , ‘ real world ’ speech .

Medium language , potentially unacceptable pre-watershed . Often seen as humorous . Older participants more likely to consider the word unacceptable .

Strong language , generally unacceptable pre-watershed . Seen as crude and often derogatory , particularly by women .

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