These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Programme Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
Showing Complaints & Interventions Report for QUEER AS FOLK
Channel: CHANNEL 4
Date & time: Tuesday 18 January and 25 January: 10.00pm
Complaint from: 10 viewers (not upheld)
Background
The series had been previously shown in Spring 1999. The drama centred on the lives of three young homosexual men in Manchester.
Issue
10 viewers were concerned about the treatment of homosexuality and the portrayal of sexual behaviour, including the involvement of a 15 year-old boy in homosexual activity.
Assessment
The ITC had fully explored these issues last year with Channel 4 (ref. May 1999 ITC Programme Complaints and Interventions Report). Whilst acknowledging that the sex scenes were acceptable within the context of a drama dealing with the vibrant world of Manchester’s gay community, the ITC had asked that a clear warning be given before any repeat transmission and off-air support be provided dealing with young people and sexuality, and on safe sex. Channel 4 complied with these requests for the repeat transmissions.
However, the ITC was concerned that the series had been scheduled half-an-hour earlier than last year. Although still well after the 9pm watershed, the ITC informed Channel 4 that, for a series so clearly aimed at an adult audience, it would have been preferable to have scheduled the series in its original slot at 10.30pm.
Conclusion
Although not in breach of the Programme Code, the ITC considered that the series would have been more suitably scheduled at 10.30pm
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