Mencap welcomes Ofcom review decision

Friday 26 March 2010

Welcoming Ofcom's decision to grant a review of its ruling about the use of the word 'retard' on Channel 4's Big Brother's Big Mouth, Mark Goldring, Mencap's chief executive said:

"We are delighted that Ofcom has granted a review of its decision not to uphold a complaint about Channel 4's broadcasting of the word ‘retard' on Big Brother's Big Mouth on 29 January.

"Over 700 Mencap supporters have now complained to Ofcom to voice their outrage at the use of this insulting and discriminatory word on a public platform. Yesterday each one of these received a response from Ofcom informing them of the review.  

"As the industry regulator, Ofcom must now step up to the plate and demand an on-air apology from Channel 4. Until Channel 4 expresses its regret at the offence it has caused, people will continue to think it is ok to use language that is insulting and degrading to disabled people." 

ENDS

For more information please contact Amy Edmunds on 020 7696 6937 or email amy.edmunds@mencap.org.uk. Out of hours please call 07770 656 659.

• About Mencap

Mencap supports the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and their families and carers. Mencap fights to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

We are also one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. See http://www.mencap.org.uk/ for more information.

• About learning disability

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong and affects someone's intellectual and social development. It used to be called mental handicap but this term is outdated and offensive. Learning disability is NOT a mental illness. The term learning difficulty is often incorrectly used interchangeably with learning disability.