Comments on: Should the BBC allow swearing on air?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:36:45 +0000

Some of the views expressed in these comments about others in society (“the great unwashed”, “common people”) are far more offensive than the use of swearing, and should give more cause for concern about the state and future of our society. I’d worry less about children growing up using the f-word, and more about them growing learning from the example of Messrs Schwartz and Davis up to look down upon others.The same rules and standards should apply to all broadcasters, publicly-funded or otherwise. The 9pm watershed should be respected, but I think the most severe swearing should probably be held for after 10pm, maybe later.To Mr/Ms Franklin – the reason you should change the channels is because you have the freedom to do so, and avoid the swearing by only affecting yourself. For you to have it your way affects and restricts the freedom of all the other people, who are not offended by swearing, who want to be able to view programmes, and cannot because of you. That’s why censorship should always be reserved for the most severe, and legitimately dangerous, material.

By: Roy Davis

Roy Davis — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:43:29 +0000

Swearing or bad language should never be used.Instead we should put our efforts into educating the great unwashed. This would give them the ability to express themselves without resorting to gutter speak.

By: D Franklin

D Franklin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:45 +0000

There is no need for swearing on the BBC. It is only a substitute for a word the person cannot think of at the time. Swearing on the TV is getting worse, and why should I change channels, stop the swearing. Still in this day and age the BBC seem to get away with anything they want to.

By: bill

bill — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:20:49 +0000

no i dont see the need the bbc should get its self out of the gutter

By: R Warder

R Warder — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:58:48 +0000

Society is struggling to find the right balance between what it sees as personal freedom, and social control.Unfortunately one mans freedom (for instance of speech) is another mans offense. There will always be extremes at both ends. Balance is hard to achieve.Slowly however we are eroding what I would call core values.How far does that erosion go? Personally I think swearing is not required on TV, definitely not during 6am-9pm. Those families who want to raise kids to be polite should not have to be subjected to foul language during evening TV.If you want to hear swearing, go out to the pub or rent a film. There is no justification for why it is _required_ though.

By: Anthony Midwinter

Anthony Midwinter — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:56:02 +0000

Some of the comments above suggest offensive language should be allowed on TV because it is now commonly heard in real life. I would suggest that it is the frequent use of offensive language on TV that is the cause of it’s apparent wider use in real life. The BBC needs to rethink it’s policies. I don’t allow offensive language in my house so I don’t watch many BBC programmes. BBC should never have allowed swearing in the first place. It is totally unnecessary.

By: Anubis

Anubis — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:49:39 +0000

Being afraid of foul language is a weakness. If such language is the sign of the times then, it has been so for all of recorded history. And as far as nudity, what is wrong with it.If some find such program material or artistic expression too impressionable on the young, I ask what about graphic violence and military conflicts portrayed in movies? Sheltering children from that which they are clearly not mature enough for is incumbent upon the parents, not artists broadcasters and government.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:19:28 +0000

Swearing is a sign of weakness.

By: Peter Schwarz

Peter Schwarz — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:55:22 +0000

Bad language is a sign of the times and as less and less people are educated they look for ways to express themselves. In real life situations one just walks away from this kind of exhibition of low life but sadly television can thrust this kind of garbage into the home environment of decent people and always comes as quite a shock. Abraham Lincoln once said : ” God must have loved the common people for he made so many of them”…….

By: Bon

Bon — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:59:57 +0000

The least we can do is make a difference and leave out the swearing somewhere on this planet. We have enough different languages and dialects. Those who can speek English please keep it alive. Keep and encourage the pure English language, lest we forget it.