Repeat's complains rejected

Complaints about the repeat of Chris Morris' Brass Eye special on paedophilia have been rejected.

Television watchdogs ruled that the warning Channel 4 broadcast before the show was screened in May was enough to alert viewers to the content.

More than 1,500 viewers complained to the Broadcasting Standards Commission when the satire was first broadcast, in July 2001. This time the figure was 28.

Before the repeat was aired, the announcer stressed that the programme contained disturbing scenes and explained that the children taking part were not placed at risk.

Making its ruling, the watchdog said: "The Commission considered that, on balance, the broadcast of the programme in this context, late at night on a minority channel, preceded by the strengthened, specific warnings, had not exceeded acceptable limits."

Channel 4 also said that the show attracted "such notoriety" following its original broadcast that there could be few viewers who were unaware of its content.

Published: 27 Jun 2002