OTTAWA – Broadcasters should find ways to prevent coarse language from airing during live sports, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) said Tuesday after finding TSN in breach of broadcast codes.
The CBSC investigated a Canadian Football League (CFL) game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that aired on TSN 4 on July 7, 2016 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Microphones on or near the field picked up coarse language from the players, including the word “fuck” on three occasions. In one case, the commentator apologized for the language, pointing out it was live television.
A viewer complained that the language was broadcast uncensored, and suggested that TSN should have anticipated such behaviour and taken measures to prevent it from airing. TSN stated that they do not condone such language, but noted that it is difficult to censor live broadcasts.
The CBSC’s English-Language Panel examined the complaint under the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics which contains provisions requiring very coarse language to be limited only to after 9:00 PM and accompanied by viewer advisories.
The Panel acknowledged that on-field microphones have the advantage of bringing viewers closer to the play, but the disadvantage of being exposed to undesirable language. Given the present rules, however, the CBSC found breaches of Clauses 10(a) and 11 of the code for the broadcast of the f-word and the lack of viewer advisories.
