April 9, 2008 17:37

BBC rapped over Live Earth swearing

Regulators criticise corporation for airing bad language

The BBC has been criticised for swearing aired during last year's Live Earth concert.

The ruling comes after 22 viewers complained of expletives broadcast before the watershed.

Regulator Ofcom said there were six instances of bad language from performers during Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, which was aired on BBC One and BBC Two last summer.

"The most offensive language had been broadcast on BBC One and BBC Two repeatedly before the watershed, and this material was not justified by the context of broadcasts that were likely to appeal to children," Ofcom said.

"The likely audience would have expected to have been protected from the most offensive language in such a programme on BBC TV's flagship services."

The corporation will have to broadcast a summary of Ofcom's findings on both BBC One and BBC Two, reports BBC News.

Among the performers at last year's Live Earth were Madonna, Foo Fighters and Kasabian.