Complaint
During this year鈥檚 coverage of Trooping the Colour reference was made by a contributor to a colloquial term used to describe the Irish Guards. More than 100 viewers contacted the 麻豆约拍 to complain that the term was offensive and should not have been broadcast. The complaint was considered under the Editorial Guidelines on Harm and Offence in particular the section which deals with Portrayal.
Outcome
The 麻豆约拍鈥檚 Editorial Guidelines on Harm and Offence do not say that content must never offend. Material may even exceed 鈥済enerally accepted standards鈥 provided it is possible to offer an editorial justification for it. Those on Portrayal say content may reflect, but should not perpetuate, the prejudice which exists in society. In this case the presenter, Huw Edwards, was discussing the march-past of the Irish Guards with guest Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who considered the display 鈥減retty impeccable鈥 and stated
鈥淭he Micks have this fantastic mix of Guard鈥檚 discipline and pursuit of excellence with that Irish irrational tenth, if I can quote Lawrence of Arabia. Which makes it the best regiment on the planet, I would say that.鈥
To which Huw Edwards responded
鈥 I should as well explain, you said a few minutes ago, Jamie, that the Irish Guards were affectionally known as 鈥楾he Micks鈥. And some people watching might think, 鈥榃ell that's not an altogether nice term', but it is worth underlining that it is what you Irish Guards call yourself.鈥
The guidelines do not impose an absolute ban on any word, even those with the potential to offend. The ECU noted the word is capable of causing offence because of its history as a slur, but concluded the presenter鈥檚 interjection had the effect of drawing this to the attention of viewers, thereby making clear the term was potentially problematic and why.听 Viewers would have understood from Mr Edwards鈥 comment that the fact it was a self-description did not mean the term itself was generally acceptable, or to be imitated.
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