The report – which included a
very useful quick reference guide
for programme-makers and broadcasters – was the first study of this
nature since 2010. It noted that the
public appear to be becoming less
tolerant of discriminatory language.
Word
For example, words such as ‘spastic’
and ‘retard’ to describe those with
disabilities were as unacceptable as
the strongest racist insults. However, other words relating to mental health such as ‘nutter’ or ‘loony’
were considered fairly mild.
Acceptability
Strongest language, unacceptable pre-watershed. Seen as strong,
Fuck
aggressive and vulgar. Older participants more likely to consider the word
unacceptable.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Seen as crude and
Gash
often derogatory, particularly by women.
Mild language, generally of little concern. Typically viewed as a humorous
Ginger
insult, however more aggression or specific intent to hurt heightens impact.
Mild language, generally of little concern. Tyically viewed as a humorous
Git
insult.
Mild language, generally of little concern when used to express emotion. A
God
concern for older or more religiously sensitive participants when used as an
obscenity. Some recognition that this may offend religious people.
Mild language, generally of little concern when used to express emotion.
Goddam
Seen as slightly stronger than ‘God’ because it is more aggressive. Some
recognition that this might offend religious people.
Mild language, generally of little concern when used to express emotion. A
Jesus
concern for older or more religiously sensitive participants when used as an
Christ
obscenity. Some recognition that this may offend religious people.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Seen as vulgar and
Knob
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 crude and
Minge
often derogatory, particularly by women.
Mild language, generally of little concern. Viewed as a humorous insult.
Minger
More unpleasant than offensive. More aggression or specific intent to hurt
heightens impact.
Strongest language, problematic for some even post-watershed. Vulgar,
Motherfucker derogatory and shocking for both men and women. Seen as very aggressive
when intended to hurt or offend.
language, potentially unacceptable pre-watershed. More aggression or
Munter
specific intent to hurt heightens impact.
Medium language, potentially unacceptable pre-watershed. Neither
Pissed /
meaning – drunk or angry – particularly offensive but more problematic when
pissed off
used aggressively or repeatedly.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Less problematic
Prick
when used in a humorous context.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Not always
Punani
recognised. Seen as vulgar and distasteful by those familiar.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Seen as vulgar and
Pussy
distasteful when used to refer to the vagina. Much milder when used to mean
weak or ineffectual but still seen as problematic by some.
Medium language, potentially unacceptable pre-watershed. Common
Shit
language used in everyday life but problematic when used aggressively or
repeatedly. Concerns about children learning the word.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Seen as vulgar and
Snatch
distasteful by many.
Sod-off
Mild language, generally of little concern.
Son of a
Medium language, potentially unacceptable pre-watershed..
bitch
Medium language, potentially unacceptable pre-watershed. Vulgar or sexual
Tits
use heightens the impact.
Strong language, generally unacceptable pre-watershed. Seen as vulgar and
Twat
distasteful when used to refer to the vagina. Less problematic if describing a
rude or obnoxious person, but still potentially offensive.
This change in attitudes is
something to be aware of both when
making programmes and when repeating older programmes. As we
report on page 9, Ofcom recently
found a segment in an episode of
Harry Hill’s TV Burp, which had
previously been found by Ofcom
not to be in breach of the Ofcom
Broadcasting Code, now to be offensive and in breach – attitudes
to transgender issues and the sort
of language used by Harry Hill
in relation to those issues having
changed in the intervening years.
The study also found that the
public found swearing on the radio
more offensive than swearing on
television. Participants said that
radio was a more intimate medium,
often on in the background at home
or in other places where children
may be listening unsupervised.
Older participants were more likely to find substitute swearwords
such as ‘feck’ and ‘effing’ to be offensive than younger participants.
Overall, Ofcom ranked these words
as medium, meaning they are potentially unacceptable before the
watershed.
Participants were more accepting of accidental use of swear words
before the watershed in live programmes, where they recognised
that it can be difficult to control
the language used, but were less
tolerant if they thought the broadcaster had been careless or had deliberately allowed the swearing.
Apologies, if done swiftly, do assist
in mitigating offence caused.
The Ofcom study also warned
that the bleeping out of swearwords must be done effectively,
and should not be excessive, since
repeated bleeping may simply
draw children’s attention to the
swearing.
Both non-discriminatory and
discriminatory language were rated
in terms of potential offensiveness.
We reproduce the ‘Non-discriminatory language’ table here, courtesy of Ipsos Mori and Ofcom.
zoom-in Winter 2016 | 13