Why doesn't the watershed apply to radio?

[OhFlipMama]

Just listening to a drama on radio 4 (The Heart of a Woman) and there's a fair bit of swearing. Wondering why watershed rules apply to tv but not radio.

[FadedRed]

Often wondered the same, Op, but presume that Rafio4 is primarily an adult channel, so it’s listeners should be aware that adult themed programmes might include stuff like this?

[OhFlipMama]

Maybe. It's a bit awkward when I have the children in the car!

[TheEfficientBaxter]

I've been wondering the same thing for a couple of years now.

Everything (except the F and C words) seems to be acceptable now - even on quizzes like ISIHAC and JAM, without pre-broadcast warnings.

Not sure if I like it or not.

[TheEfficientBaxter]

I know it's not exactly swearing, but I was a bit when someone said 'shagging' on The Archers recently!

[OhFlipMama]

I'm not keen, @TheEfficientBaxter. I'm not prudish by any means but I like to know I can trust pre-9pm entertainment to be family-safe.

[Eastpoint]

I don’t like it either, we don’t swear because we just don’t, other people can do as they wish in their homes & I don’t think it’s appropriate.

I haven’t noticed swearing on Radio 5 or on commercial radio stations, maybe because they don’t have dramas?

[DollyWilde]

www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1738_respect/page10.shtml

I wondered this when there was a very sweary play one weekday afternoon when I was off work.

[DrWhy]

To be fair I’d be a bit wary of Radio 4 with children in the car regardless of swearing, their news and documentary programs can be quite hard hitting - it really is designed for adults or at least to be considered on a program by program basis. My 2 year old is getting increasingly verbal and understanding a lot more of what he hears and I’m starting to be aware of having to change station now. My mum used to inflict radio 2 on us which I always hated but I can see why now - it’s pretty blandly inoffensive!

[OddBoots]

I'm not sure BBC R4 is the right station for young children and with older children you can discuss the use of words for the right context, it's nothing they won't hear at school in most places.

That said, I would rather children heard a few swear words on the radio than watched the dysfunction and aggression on the likes of Hollyoaks and EastEnders.

[exorcisingarrrgggghti]

There is usually a warning before anything on R4 about containing ' strong language'.

[PaintBySticker]

Radio 4 does seem prone to swearing / adult content in the day. This thread has reminded me of a ‘book of the week’ when we were in holiday that contained child sexual abuse. Which involved a quick switch over as our 7 year old was in the car (I don’t think he was listening / noticed what was going on).

[toomuchfaster]

This reminds me of a thread a while ago where there was a discussion about Santa not existing on Dilemma with Sue Perkins. The OP was livid as she was listening with her children in the car just after 6pm. I think most posters agreed that R4 is not child friendly!!

[TheEfficientBaxter]

Oooh! On The Archers this evening, Lily said 'bloody'

What is the world coming to?

[R4]

It's funny, isn't it. The BBC seems to be on a continual search for young/next generation listeners but then scores own-goals like broadcasting adult material which results in parents switching channels.
I think that Woman's Hour these days make a conscious effort to try to tone it down during half-term week.

[percyack]

some of the profanity on the radio 4 afternoon plays is appalling Someone said they dont use the F word but ive heard it used several times

[KimikosNightmare]

@R4

It's funny, isn't it. The BBC seems to be on a continual search for young/next generation listeners but then scores own-goals like broadcasting adult material which results in parents switching channels.
I think that Woman's Hour these days make a conscious effort to try to tone it down during half-term week.

Sorry but this is just nonsense.

What on earth would be the point of "Women's Hour" for example if they had to tone it down until it was suitable for children? It would mean they couldn't discuss rape, abortion, fgm, domestic violence.

As Dr Why says the remit of Radio 4 requires them to carry news and documentary programs which can be quite hard hitting. There's no way they could censor anything which isn't suitable until after a 9pm watershed.

Your complaint is a bit like taking a 10 year old to a film certified at 15 and complaining it isn't suitable.

[KimikosNightmare]

@PaintBySticker

Radio 4 does seem prone to swearing / adult content in the day. This thread has reminded me of a ‘book of the week’ when we were in holiday that contained child sexual abuse. Which involved a quick switch over as our 7 year old was in the car (I don’t think he was listening / noticed what was going on).

You can't seriously expect that Radio 4's Book of the Week should be suitable for 7 year olds?

[bedtimeisthebest]

I heard on documentary on Radio 4, a few years ago, which was on at 11am and there was several uses of the F word

[MauveMagnolia]

I emailed the BBC when swearing as at 7am and I was in the car
They sent a long reply which I deleted but basically_ I should have known the person swore a lot (there was no intro to the programme on 4 extra and the swearing was in the 1st few words) and they are not bound by any watershed.

[vodkaredbullgirl]

Just don't listen to Radio 4, when there are kids about.

[vodkaredbullgirl]

Bloody zombie post

[bedtimeisthebest]

What do you mean Zombie post

[vodkaredbullgirl]

Start date November 2018

[WheresThatCatGoneNow]

There was a bit of a hoohah when Alice in The Archers used the word 'bastard' last week.

I know it's become something of a swear word in recent years, but it does actually have a legitimate definition in the English language.

Alice's use of it was correct, in my opinion, but, yes, it was slightly unexpected to hear it at 7pm in The Archers.