Blasphemous Italians
Variety (via) reports that Italian broadcasters RAI and Mediaset have been fined by the country’s media regulator for airing blasphemous expletives during Celebrity Survivor and Big Brother.
Italy’s regulator, Agcom, has imposed fines of €100,000 apiece for “violating norms on respect of religious sentiment and protection of minors”.
Contestants on both shows were sacked on the spot after uttering strong swear words, directed at God, live in prime time. The incidents, which took place in October and November, were the first two of the type in the country and caused quite a stir, drawing fire from censorship enthusiasts at parenting organisation Moige and advocacy group Codacons, as well as the Vatican.
The fines are not that heavy monetarily, but do represent a regulatory milestone.
Saturday 23 Dec 2006 | Paul | Italy
