10 May 2012

Ofcom Investigate The Wright Stuff

Ofcom is investigating Matthew Wright’s Channel 5 daytime show over a survey that used the words "mong", "spaz" and "retard".

The media regulator is investigation show the Wright Stuff to see to see if the poll was a breach of broadcasting rules relating to harm and offence. The show now holds the dubious honour of airing the item that attracted the most complaints to Ofcom in 2011.

On April 26 Wright was discussing the comment made by Rupert Murdoch at the Leveson inquiry into press ethics and standards when he described prime minister David Cameron's deceased son as "retarded".

The show then cut to a poll where a female voiceover asked viewers: "According to one survey, what's the most offensive term to describe someone with learning difficulties? a. Mong b. Retard c. Spaz."

The answer, "retard", was subsequently supplied following an ad break. In 2008, a poll by the BBC also concluded that "retard" was the most offensive disability-related word.

Ofcom's investigation is the latest in a string of on-air gaffes that has landed Wright and his show in hot water with the media regulator.

In December he imitated a catchphrase from the TV detective series Taggart – "There's been another murder" – to describe the death of teenager Liam Atchison in the Western Isles of Scotland.

The comment prompted more than 2,200 complaints to.

(H)