Audience Complaints

Complaints assessed under the Broadcasting Code

Viewers and listeners in the UK have long enjoyed a rich heritage of broadcasting and quality programming.

But sometimes you may see something on TV – or hear a programme on radio – which you find offensive or think is harmful.

Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, we assess it under the Broadcasting Code to see if it needs further investigation.

The Code sets standards for television and radio shows and broadcasters have to follow these rules.

Broadcasting Code

These rules not only cover harm and offence, but also other areas like impartiality and accuracy, sponsorship and commercial references as well as fairness and privacy.

For example, the Code has rules on what can be screened on TV before the 9pm watershed.

If we find a programme has broken these rules, then it will be found in breach of the Code and Ofcom will publish this decision.

In very serious cases, we will consider further action (e.g. fining a broadcaster).

Broadcast Bulletin

Every fortnight Ofcom publishes its Broadcast Bulletin. This includes the latest decisions about the complaints we've received.

If you would like to learn more you can read our current Broadcast Bulletin.

Complaints

It is not possible for us to list every complaint we have received – but here is a list in alphabetical order of those programmes that received more than 10 standards complaints last week (we do not include fairness and privacy complaints in this list).

    
Report covers complaints received between: Tuesday 31 January 2012 to Monday 6 February 2012

Bouncers, Channel 4, Wednesday 1 February 2012 : 10

Coronation Street, ITV1 London, Friday 3 February 2012 : 50

EastEnders, BBC 1, Tuesday 31 January 2012 : 11

True Stories: Gypsy Blood, Channel 4, Thursday 19 January 2012 : 10

Please Note

Programmes that attracted fewer than 10 complaints are not recorded on this list.
Inclusion or omission of a programme on this list is not indicative that Ofcom is investigating the broadcast.
The number of complaints received is not an indication of how serious an issue is.
All complaints are assessed against the Broadcasting Code.

Current Investigations

If Ofcom considers that a broadcast may have breached its codes, it will start an investigation

As of 18 July 2011, the Investigations List will be published fortnightly in the Broadcast Bulletin

For more information about how Ofcom assesses complaints and conducts investigations go to http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/complaints-sanctions/standards/

For fairness and privacy complaints go to http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/complaints-sanctions/fairness/