Ofcom Clears Paedophile Storyline

[RitaLittlewood]

From the Independent:

EastEnders' paedophile plot cleared by Ofcom

By Vicky Shaw, Press Association

Monday, 23 February 2009

The EastEnders paedophile plotline was cleared of breaching broadcasting rules by watchdog Ofcom today.


The story, which ran from September to December last year, drew 90 viewers' complaints, the majority saying the subject matter was not appropriate for a pre-watershed audience.

The plot involved Bianca Jackson's partner Tony King abusing her 15-year-old stepdaughter Whitney Dean.

It was also revealed that he had begun sexually abusing her when she was aged 12.

Ofcom found the BBC ensured the focus of the story remained on the concept of grooming and did not disproportionately dwell on the physical nature of the abuse.

The regulator said: "Ofcom considers that the broadcaster treated the subject matter appropriately and sensitively.

"Such storylines which reach a large audience can actually have a positive impact."

[pearly queen]

Although I did not particularly like this storyline I would never have complained about it on the grounds of its subject matter.
They did quite well to show that a nonce can look like a 'normal' bloke, and can fool everyone. Hopefully they will conclude with Tony being properly punished - banged up for ages with violent nutters.

[RitaLittlewood]

I thought the violent nutters were on the Square.

Seriously I know what you mean. This sort of thing happens. It wasn't gratuitous. But then it was easy not to realise it was meant to be paedophilia at all the way it was written in the early stages. If they hadn't publicly said Bianca's boyfriend would be one, would these complainers have even realised? Doubt it.

Patsy