ITV gets Ofcom rap for Midsomer Murders

chris

The d******ly deeds committed in leafy lanes and cosy cottages have become enduringly popular with millions of viewers.

But it would seem that the goings-on in Midsomer Murders are a little too gruesome for some.

The rural crime drama, which stars John Nettles, has come under fire from TV regulators for being too violent for daytime audiences.

Ofcom censured ITV yesterday for showing a large number of unacceptable images before the watershed.

Viewers of the repeated episodes, which have been broadcast at 4pm, saw a man's body smoking after ITV censured for failing to cut scenes of violence from daytime repeats he was electrocuted in his car.

In another scene, a burnt hand was discovered by a couple while another showed a violent car crash and a man's bloody injuries.

This latest criticism comes only months after the regulator warned ITV over the same show.

On that occasion, Midsomer Murders was in breach of rules for both violence and swearing before the watershed.

Despite Ofcom's warning that ITV should take care that material made for an evening slot is suitably edited for daytime, it has happened once more.

The regulator has told the broadcaster that children need to be protected from inappropriate scheduling.

The Midsomer dramas are originally produced for an evening slot on ITV1. But they are also repeated in daytime schedules.

Ofcom said: "There were a relatively large number of violent images, that when taken together made it inappropriate for a 4pm slot, when a significant number of children are available to view."

Channel Television, which is responsible for ensuring the show adheres to broadcasting rules, said all necessary steps had been taken to make sure it was suitable for daytime repeats.

It said that while the show had high ratings, there was a low level of complaint.

It added that it had put a small number of future episodes aside for "further consideration" after earlier warnings.

And a number of them were being edited again as a matter of "prudence".

Ofcom recently put out a warning to broadcasters about the levels of violence in prewatershed dramas. There have been repeated complaints about episodes of shows such as EastEnders in recent months.


Source: Daily Mail

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BGonaSTICK

My family have to endure the sight and smell of burning meat every Sunday lunchtime, but I don't think it's done them any lasting damage.

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