AN
Andrew
Founding member
The BBC was deluged with complaints after Live 8 performers unleashed a string of expletives before the watershed. More than 350 people protested about the use of bad language in the show which was watched by millions.
The corporation was forced to apologise. But there was concern that acts infamous for their use of profanities had been scheduled before 9pm. The BBC also refused to use a time delay on its coverage so it could censor any outbursts.
U2 frontman Bono set the tone for the day when he used the f-word during a speech to open the concert in Hyde Park. US gangsta rapper Snoop Dogg, whose lyrics are riddled with swear words and references to drugs and violence, appeared on stage shortly after 6pm.
He duly lived up to his reputation by repeatedly chanting "motherf*****" during one song.
In mid-afternoon, British viewers also had to endure American band Green Day swearing in a clip from their performance at the Berlin concert.
And long before the watershed they were subjected to Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell, performing in London, telling viewers to "sign the f****** petition."
Perhaps most gratuitous of all was Madonna, who took to the stage at 7.20pm and declared: "Are you f****** ready London?"
The BBC yesterday apologised to anyone who was offended by the bad language, but blamed it on the performers and organisers. A spokesman for the corporation said: "We had no editorial say in the running order, which was down to those organising the concert. "However, all the artists were made aware that it was being broadcast live and were asked to be mindful of their language."
She said despite the risk of swearing, a decision was made not to operate a time delay on broadcasting to allow producers to cut out expletives. "We were providing a feed to other broadcasters all over the world, so it just wouldn't have been practical."
Dr Adrian Rogers, head of the Family Focus campaign group, said: "The decision to order the concert this way sends out a worrying signal that the BBC simply does not care about the watershed. It's very worrying." He added: "If these performers donated £1million to poverty in Africa every time they swore in public the problem would be wiped away in no time."
Remarkably, one of the rock stars who managed to avoid swearing was Bob Geldof, who is legendary for his liberal use of expletives. Bookmakers William Hill had offered odds of 20-1 that he would refrain from profanities on stage following his infamous outburst in an interview during Live Aid 20 years ago when he used the f-word while urging viewers to donate cash.
Earlier this year the BBC received around 63,000 complaints over the screening of the controversial musical Jerry Springer: The Opera which contained an estimated 8,000 swear words. Some 55,000 of the complaints were made before it was broadcast on BBC2 on January 8.
The corporation was forced to apologise. But there was concern that acts infamous for their use of profanities had been scheduled before 9pm. The BBC also refused to use a time delay on its coverage so it could censor any outbursts.
U2 frontman Bono set the tone for the day when he used the f-word during a speech to open the concert in Hyde Park. US gangsta rapper Snoop Dogg, whose lyrics are riddled with swear words and references to drugs and violence, appeared on stage shortly after 6pm.
He duly lived up to his reputation by repeatedly chanting "motherf*****" during one song.
In mid-afternoon, British viewers also had to endure American band Green Day swearing in a clip from their performance at the Berlin concert.
And long before the watershed they were subjected to Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell, performing in London, telling viewers to "sign the f****** petition."
Perhaps most gratuitous of all was Madonna, who took to the stage at 7.20pm and declared: "Are you f****** ready London?"
The BBC yesterday apologised to anyone who was offended by the bad language, but blamed it on the performers and organisers. A spokesman for the corporation said: "We had no editorial say in the running order, which was down to those organising the concert. "However, all the artists were made aware that it was being broadcast live and were asked to be mindful of their language."
She said despite the risk of swearing, a decision was made not to operate a time delay on broadcasting to allow producers to cut out expletives. "We were providing a feed to other broadcasters all over the world, so it just wouldn't have been practical."
Dr Adrian Rogers, head of the Family Focus campaign group, said: "The decision to order the concert this way sends out a worrying signal that the BBC simply does not care about the watershed. It's very worrying." He added: "If these performers donated £1million to poverty in Africa every time they swore in public the problem would be wiped away in no time."
Remarkably, one of the rock stars who managed to avoid swearing was Bob Geldof, who is legendary for his liberal use of expletives. Bookmakers William Hill had offered odds of 20-1 that he would refrain from profanities on stage following his infamous outburst in an interview during Live Aid 20 years ago when he used the f-word while urging viewers to donate cash.
Earlier this year the BBC received around 63,000 complaints over the screening of the controversial musical Jerry Springer: The Opera which contained an estimated 8,000 swear words. Some 55,000 of the complaints were made before it was broadcast on BBC2 on January 8.
