MTV Fined Over Swearing

Music video channel MTV has been fined over $500,000 (#255,000) for airing swear words before the 9pm watershed.

The European branch of the broadcast network received the hefty fine from media watchdog Ofcom, which ruled several programs which aired over four MTV channels were “potentially harmful to children”.

Popular reality show Totally Boyband was singled out for broadcasting swearing during its mid-afternoon slot – garnering a string of complaints from viewers over the explicit content.

A spokesperson for Ofcom says, “Pop video and entertainment channels like those controlled by MTV Networks attract large numbers of viewers under fifteen and so have a responsibility to these children and their parents to ensure their compliance arrangements are robust and effective.”

(LR/WNWCTE/IG)