Again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8350222.stm

Did anyone complain about the implied use of the word “pikey” - or were those references just a bit too oblique?

Ofcom are worse than useless. They're a bunch of busybodies and there's no doubt in my mind that Ofcom are one of the worst regulators in the country.

Ofcom by themselves can do nothing - it's only when the great unwashed complain can they do anything, which is usually investigate the allegations made by the public and see if there has been a breach of guidelines. What would you have them do differently?

They're supposed to enforce the broadcasting code - they could do so proactively. Most of the other regulatory authorities in this country operate both proactively and reactively.

And even when they do find something wrong the fine is laughable.

As it stands this is all academic - I believe the Tories are going to scrap/significantly alter Ofcom when they win power in June.

Indeed the Tories intend to cripple the BBC and remove Ofcom, leaving the field clear for that nice Mr Murdoch to promote his wierd ultra-rightist views.....

OFCOM is worse then those fake "community support" officers. Actually, they're pretty similar, as OFCOM and the CHIPS (Completely hopeless in Policing Situations) both think they have much more power than they really have, and both fail epically when they try and prove you wrong.

Ofcom seem to react to complaints the way the government reacts to news stories - if it gets enough momentum they'll at least be seen to do something about it

And just like the government, Ofcom's anything but consistent

LMFTFY.

Thing is, not every Ofcom decision or inquiry is reported. Unless you're keeping up on the in's and out's of what Ofcom are doing, then all we're left with is what the press see fit to publish because of some sensationalist angle.

I'm surprised how many of you are familiar with the various regulations on broadcasting, that you're able to comment about the efficacy of what Ofcom do, to be frank...

And I'm standing by my statement

What!? How is that term offensive!?

I'm guessing they took it as rhyming slang

My field is Trading Standards, so I am fairly familiar with both Ofcom's remit, its obligations and the broadcast code.