Radio warned to mind language

Ofcom, the media regulator, yesterday issued fresh guidance to radio broadcasters in relation to offensive language after a series of incidents in which listeners were subjected to obscene lyrics and commentary.

The regulator took action after BBC Radio 1 broadcast a lewd outburst from the Black Eyed Peas during a live broadcast from its Big Weekend concert. Ofcom also cited a BBC 6 Music programme presented by Nemone Metaxas in which the American comedian Doug Stanhope referred to a child with Down's syndrome as a "retard".

The guidance stressed the importance of shielding listeners under the age of 18 from offensive language.