Worthy FM

[marathonsteve]

Ofcom has ruled the on-site radio station for Glastonbury Festival breached rules for playing a song which contained racially offensive language. 

The regulator decided Worthy 87.7 FM breached standards for playing an unedited version of Miss Understood by rap artist Little Simz.

The track was played on 23 June this year at 18.41 BST.

The station apologised for the error but not immediately after the song was played, as presenters missed it. 

The song contained two words, one of which was deemed to be "racially offensive" and another deemed to be "the most offensive" language. 

The lack of on-air apology was deemed a "heightened" factor in Ofcom's ruling- issued on 19 December - that the words would cause offence.

It judged the song used "offensive language, including the most offensive language" and was "broadcast at a time when children were particularly likely to be listening and when listeners of all ages would not expect to hear it". 

Ofcom also ruled the use of "racially offensive language was not justified by the context" and was therefore in breach.

Ofcom said rules 1.14, 1.6 and 2.3 were breached.

 

IMAGE SOURCE, SARAH JEYNES/BBC Image caption, 

Presenters were not aware they were not playing the radio-safe version of the song by Little Simz, pictured

The licensee, Joanne Schofield, apologised during Ofcom's investigation and accepted "a mistake was made in playing" the song. 

The station only plays music from artists who are appearing or have appeared at the festival.

The mistake occurred when presenters wanted to promote Little Simz headline slot and searched the radio's computer, not realising it searched all tracks - not just safe-for-radio ones.

The song had not been in the playout library and was in a "non-compliant electronic folder of tracks containing bad language". 

But presenters believed they were searching Worthy FM's music folder and not the whole computer, so thought the track was safe to play.

The radio team were then busy greeting the next guests, and did not realise the song contained bad language, therefore missing the opportunity to "fade it down immediately and apologise on air", Ofcom said. 

Worthy FM's licensee told Ofcom changes would be made, including the strengthening of compliance controls in light of the incident, the computer only containing safe songs and the studio being treated as a closed set to minimise presenter distraction. 

They added the broadcast desk will not have access to the internet to ensure only broadcasting content is played, and only authorised people can add content to the computer with daily reminders of controls given to crews. 

Ofcom acknowledged the song was played in error and the radio station has taken steps to ensure the mistake is not repeated. 

 

 

 

[Skip997]

FFS I'm sick of this nonsense. Let's stop sanitising things and continually playing safe, safe, safe with everything. How many brilliant artists wouldn't even exist if their songs were shut down for having lyrics people can't cope with. Those lyrics often reflecting their life.

I don't know the song in question, but knowing a bit about Little Simz and her music, I'd guess there was a good reason for what ever lyric it was.

[4AssedMonkey]

I saw that on the Beeb earlier.  Such bullshit.  Honestly.

[Crazyfool01]

I wonder who would have been listening that felt the need to complain … utter madness 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

The ghost of Mrs Goode strikes again

[marathonsteve]

Goode V Eavis

[Leyrulion]

This seems like an appropriate time to tell everyone about my favourite ofcom radio complaint of all time.

 

Funky Sensation with Mike Vitti

Jazz FM, 18 February 2012, 19:15

Jazz FM is a commercial radio service available on the national digital multiplex, DAB radio and via satellite platforms. It broadcasts a combination of classic and contemporary jazz, blues and soul music. 

Three listeners alerted Ofcom to offensive language and inappropriate content broadcast on Jazz FM at 19:15 during the above programme. Ofcom noted that at around 19:15, and lasting for approximately five minutes, the broadcast included the clearly audible sounds of sexual activity. The material included breathing and groaning and nine uses of the word “fuck”. This content was broadcast over a music track and advertisement break. 

 

https://radiotoday.co.uk/2012/02/19/jazz-fm-turns-blue-after-studio-incident/

 

[kalifire]

This is such a pathetic reach by whoever complained. Miss Understood is off the outstanding SIMBI album from last year. I’m familiar with it.

You have to get through the intro, all of the first verse, the refrain, and half of the second verse before anything is said that would be of interest to Ofcom. Even then Simz has a laid back delivery and you have to be actively listening to pay attention to lyrics. 

Here are the lyrics I assume caused offence:

Both have valid context, and are blink and you miss them. 

Fun fact: there are more references to God than there are swear words on the track. BUT!! There are WORDS!! BAD WORDS!!! Words that Ms Griffiths and Ms Goode don’t like! And the ladies know what Ofcom won’t like either, so they’re going on the clipboard stripped of artistic or narrative context. Let’s judge them based on just the word in the cold light of day! 

WWJD? He’d be jamming to it, joint in hand. 

[Neil]

15 hours ago, marathonsteve said:

Ofcom has ruled the on-site radio station for Glastonbury Festival breached rules for playing a song which contained racially offensive language. 

The regulator decided Worthy 87.7 FM breached standards for playing an unedited version of Miss Understood by rap artist Little Simz.

The track was played on 23 June this year at 18.41 BST.

The station apologised for the error but not immediately after the song was played, as presenters missed it. 

The song contained two words, one of which was deemed to be "racially offensive" and another deemed to be "the most offensive" language. 

The lack of on-air apology was deemed a "heightened" factor in Ofcom's ruling- issued on 19 December - that the words would cause offence.

It judged the song used "offensive language, including the most offensive language" and was "broadcast at a time when children were particularly likely to be listening and when listeners of all ages would not expect to hear it". 

Ofcom also ruled the use of "racially offensive language was not justified by the context" and was therefore in breach.

Ofcom said rules 1.14, 1.6 and 2.3 were breached.

 

IMAGE SOURCE, SARAH JEYNES/BBC Image caption, 

Presenters were not aware they were not playing the radio-safe version of the song by Little Simz, pictured

The licensee, Joanne Schofield, apologised during Ofcom's investigation and accepted "a mistake was made in playing" the song. 

The station only plays music from artists who are appearing or have appeared at the festival.

The mistake occurred when presenters wanted to promote Little Simz headline slot and searched the radio's computer, not realising it searched all tracks - not just safe-for-radio ones.

The song had not been in the playout library and was in a "non-compliant electronic folder of tracks containing bad language". 

But presenters believed they were searching Worthy FM's music folder and not the whole computer, so thought the track was safe to play.

The radio team were then busy greeting the next guests, and did not realise the song contained bad language, therefore missing the opportunity to "fade it down immediately and apologise on air", Ofcom said. 

Worthy FM's licensee told Ofcom changes would be made, including the strengthening of compliance controls in light of the incident, the computer only containing safe songs and the studio being treated as a closed set to minimise presenter distraction. 

They added the broadcast desk will not have access to the internet to ensure only broadcasting content is played, and only authorised people can add content to the computer with daily reminders of controls given to crews. 

Ofcom acknowledged the song was played in error and the radio station has taken steps to ensure the mistake is not repeated. 

 

 

 

as 6music are censoring dylan's 'hurricane' i guess the word is now not-broadcast able, and with a bit of luck this rule will help kill off its use by rappers(the last place its in everyday use) which i think is now  the main reason the word is sustaining, 

[The Nal]

RTE 1, the Irish BBC (but a lot shittier) played the proper version of Fairytale of New York yesterday.

The DJ, well known, said hes not playing the edit and if any parents have an issue with it then its up to them to explain to their kids how certain phrases are (rightly) more offensive now but happened in the past.

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

6 minutes ago, Neil said:

as 6music are censoring dylan's 'hurricane' i guess the word is now not-broadcast able, and with a bit of luck this rule will help kill off its use by rappers(the last place its in everyday use) which i think is now  the main reason the word is sustaining, 

Not just rappers, to be fair. 

Is it white people's place to dictate what words black people should and shouldn't use? There's a very long and complex history around the use of the word, including its use in modern culture. FWIW, the censorship of it in this circumstance is ridiculous, considering the context of its use. 

[Neil]

Just now, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

Not just rappers, to be fair. 

Is it white people's place to dictate what words black people should and shouldn't use? 

no, but white people can have an opinion on its use and the effects of its use. words are powerful things.

[Neil]

5 minutes ago, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

censorship of it in this circumstance is ridiculous, considering the context of its use. 

i agree, and its definitely that with dylan's 'hurricane'. i understand why ofcom want to stop its use in broadcasts. but i think they could allow a nuanced approach, a  warning beforehand, that sort of thing, etc (they do that for other things, scenes of sex or violence).

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

1 hour ago, Neil said:

no, but white people can have an opinion on its use and the effects of its use. words are powerful things.

100%. There's definitely a discussion that involves everyone, education is key and you're right about the power of words. There's an argument to suggest that the word in question is used, in certain context, as a means of reclamation. It's incredibly divisive within the black community, too.

Preventing an artist like Lil Simz from expressing herself is censorship, ultimately completely misses the point and in itself possibly has racial undertones. It's all very complex, isn't it? 

[Neil]

Just now, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

There's an argument to suggest that the word in question is used, in certain context, as a means of reclamation. It's incredibly divisive within the black community, too

not just that.  dylan uses it in an anti racism song.

[fred quimby]

2 hours ago, Neil said:

. words are powerful things.

Sticks and stones may break my bones 

But words cause permanent damage

[Haan]

The N word debate will always be hugely contested. Akala has some brilliant takes on it, and like Akala I still listen to and love artists who use it all the time: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/924627867564167168.html 

[4AssedMonkey]

Don't know if this is still True, but Jon Holmes used to hold the record for the largest ever radio Ofcom fine for playing swearing hangman for the under 10's on his late night Virgin radio show.  A 9 year old girl was playing and spelling out the phrase "Soapy Tit w*nk".  1 complaint.  £150k fine.

[p.pete]

On 12/23/2022 at 8:26 AM, The Nal said:

RTE 1, the Irish BBC (but a lot shittier) played the proper version of Fairytale of New York yesterday.

The DJ, well known, said hes not playing the edit and if any parents have an issue with it then its up to them to explain to their kids how certain phrases are (rightly) more offensive now but happened in the past.

Tried to find this story and only came up with this

If correct he played the sanitised version and then apologised for not playing the original, rather than the other way round.  Trying to get my head around him saying he'd "always" played to original version versus he'd potentially get sacked for his comments if it hadn't been his second-last show.  Did he play the original last year?  Would it have been sackable to have played the original this year (assuming he either didn't play it last year or did but wasn't sacked)?  How long has there been a sanitised version available anyway?  All nonsense.

That Ronan Collins and Joe Duffy exist speak volumes re how shitty RTE is!