300 complaints to UK watchdog over C4's 'Gypsy Blood'
Britain's Broadcasting regulator Ofcom is looking into almost 300 complaints about a gypsy documentary which included scenes of cock-fighting and children learning bare-knuckle boxing.
The RSPCA is also investigating the content of the Channel 4 programme, 'Gypsy Blood', which was screened last week and followed the lives of two families from the traveller community.
Ofcom has revealed that it has received 289 complaints about the show, which was shown in a 10pm slot. The complaints will now be assessed.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “To accurately reflect the experiences of the film maker who spent years documenting the culture of two gypsy families, including hunting and fighting, some scenes were included that viewers may have found difficult to watch but were justified in context.
“The programme was preceded by on-air warnings and appropriately scheduled.”
The RSPCA said it had written to both Channel 4 and Ofcom to share its concerns about the programme’s content, which it said “portrayed scenes of cock-fighting, dogs attacking deer and discussions about cruelty to animals”.
The welfare organisation said: “The RSPCA has now begun an investigation into the activities shown in the programme.
“We would urge anyone who shares our concern at the programme’s content to also contact Channel 4 and Ofcom to register their disapproval.”
