[cma-l] Attn: Urban stations.... language?

Sun Feb 19 17:04:26 GMT 2017

Hi

Over the years we have hosted a number of shows with this type of content including urban music, metal, hip-hop, and house music containing offensive vocal samples. We have an added complication that we are based in a school, and therefore are arguably more likely to have young people listening.... and also teenage listeners who want to hear some of the more edgy music.

Broadly speaking, our approach is:

We have a presenter handbook that all presenters read and sign, giving guidance on what is possible and what's not. One important thing I try to get them to understand though, is that they should always check songs and always ask me for guidance.

I recommend you have a policy and stick to it, even if you have to be harsh. I have unfortunately had to dismiss volunteers for not checking songs and broadcasting some unsuitable songs. This sends out a strong message that we take the issue seriously.

No bad language at all before 9pm.

Shows after 9pm that contain bad language include language-warning messages twice an hour. Regarding the nature of the language.... I don't mind a s**t or two before 10pm. It's only after 11pm that I'd be OK with stronger language, and even then there would be language-warnings, and I would have to trust the presenter to communicate with me.

I am sure some have slipped though the net - I can't listen 24/7. But if you have a process in place, and made the presenter sign the Handbook, then I assume Ofcom is going to treat any complaint more leniantly. I would be interested to hear of anyone with actual experience of dealing with Ofcom regarding this.

It's not just about swearing. There are hip-hop songs out there with no swear words, but still discuss blowing people away with automatic weapons, and 'hoes' (not the gardening type). Presenters need to know this is also potentially offensive.

All presenters are briefed that if one 'slips through the net' then they apologise immediately. This is then followed by a discussion where I explain that it should not be a net, but a bag ;-)

The question we always get to is 'what is offensive and what is not'. This can only be decided by the management of an individual station, knowing their Target Audience, show times, how easily offended the listeners are, and procedure for language-warnings and perhaps a list of 'banned' words. This is best illustrated by Radio 3, which has some of the most prudish listeners in the day yet gets away with broadcasting some properly filthy stuff occasinoally in the evenings, all appropriately flagged.

I think it should be applauded that Community stations broadcast challenging shows. I believe the BBC has a published list of (researched) relative offence given by specific words - I know it's the BBC and they are governed in a different way, but it makes interesting reading....I can't find the link ATM but perhaps someone else has it.

Dave
--
Dave Sharp
Station Manager
105.9 Academy FM Folkestone
Mobile: 07811 407635
Folkestone office: 01303 721059 (Ext.4)
Internal Folkestone Academy: x2499
dave.sharp at academyfmfolkestone.com<mailto:dave.sharp at academyfmfolkestone.com>

________________________________
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> on behalf of Neil Munday <neilm at susyradio.com>
Sent: 19 February 2017 16:00
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Attn: Urban stations.... language?

There you go you know the answer!
But with the code of offensive words and sayings having just been revised and most teenagers ( children) being up to the small hours when is a good time to put this type of music in the playlist?

Neil
On Sun, 19 Feb 2017 at 15:58, Rhys Phillips (Radio Cardiff) <rhys.phillips at radiocardiff.org<mailto:rhys.phillips at radiocardiff.org>> wrote:
That is just factually incorrect Neil. Ofcom guidance clearly states:

"Ofcom recognises that music is a fundamental component of radio programming. In addition, we recognise that there is a tradition of certain genres of music including potentially offensive lyrics in songs. In line with the broadcaster's right to freedom of expression and the audience's right to receive information and ideas, it is important that broadcasters have the editorial freedom to broadcast potentially offensive content, provided it complies with the Code."

The only thing the code says is that it shouldn't go out at times when children are likely to be listening.

Therefore it's down to the station to decide if they want it to be part of their sound / is it what their audience want to hear.

Hence my question to other urban stations who are likely to have a similar audience to us.

On Sun, Feb 19, 2017 at 3:32 PM Neil Munday <neilm at susyradio.com<mailto:neilm at susyradio.com>> wrote:
It's simple there's the Ofcom code for FM/AM/DAB broadcasters. There is no watershed on radio (at the moment) therefore the answer is No you can't play any. But you as a broadcaster and or a presenter should already know that that has been key to broadcasting in the U.K as far back as I can remember.

Neil

On Sun, 19 Feb 2017 at 15:21, Rhys Phillips (Radio Cardiff) <rhys.phillips at radiocardiff.org<mailto:rhys.phillips at radiocardiff.org>> wrote:
Hello,

I'm interested in hearing what policies urban music stations put in place for bad language in songs.

E.g. for hip hop music, over half the genre includes offensive language and if you're an urban station with specialist (late night) hip hop shows, do you allow this music to be played? Or do you insist on only clean stuff going out?

Rhys
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