The BBC handled over 31,000 editorial complaints between October and December 2005.
These ranged from a small number of complaints about potentially serious breaches of editorial guidelines through to a much larger collection of views about programme content and scheduling.
The key themes which emerged are detailed below:
Offence:
Some listeners were offended by comments made on The Chris Moyles Show about the death of wrestler Eddie Guerrero. Others complained about the sexual content of the first episode of Rome. A number of viewers were offended by innuendo in reference to Gavin Henson and Charlotte Church during BBC Sports Personality of the Year. There were also complaints about the use of the word ‘nigger’ in a live interview about Iraq onThe Today programme (23 December). Within the hour an apology was broadcast.
Scheduling:
Some viewers complained that the omnibus edition of Bleak House was not shown in Scotland on Sunday 6 November 2005. The BBC apologised and made schedule alterations. Others were annoyed that the Bowls was not extended in order to show the conclusion of the quarter-finals on 4 November. There were also objections to the schedule change to the series Big Dig. Some viewers In Yorkshire were annoyed that Rugby League Raw was not transmitted as billed on 15 October due to a technical fault. It was rescheduled for 18 October. Some listeners were annoyed that some editions of Radio 4’s Daily Service were broadcast at different times due to the late running of the cricket.
Presentation and Trails:
Complaints were received in relation to the Faces trail for digital television from viewers who found the disembodied heads distasteful. Some of them felt that it was a particularly inappropriate image for children.
Saturation:
Viewers (and some listeners) complained that there was too much coverage of the deteriorating health and subsequent death of George Best.
Standards of Interviewing / Presentation:
A number of viewers complained that there was too much commentary in the World Cup Draw. There were some complaints about the standard of presentation and the votelines on Strictly Come Dancing.
Watershed:
Some viewers felt that the content of Casualty @ Holby City (24 October) was too violent and disturbing to be broadcast before the watershed.
The BBC's responses to some recent issues are available at
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