Ray D'Arcy rapped over sex toys discussion
Radio presenter Ray D’Arcy has been criticised for a lack of taste and decency after hosting a sexually explicit show comparing sex toys.
In a stern ticking off, the Today FM’s DJ was rapped by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission for a mid-morning discussion with two women who tested the products.
During the live show he let buzzing vibrators loose on his desk.
A listener, who had his kids in the car with him at the time, was horrified and lodged a complaint saying it was unreasonable to broadcast it so early in the day.
The BCC agreed and branded it sexually explicit. Watchdogs said the show lacked taste and decency, was explicit, gratuitous, inappropriate and totally unsuitable for the time of day.
The show involved a discussion comparing two sex toys after they were sent to two women for testing.
One woman called the show to talk about her experiences while the second e-mailed her thoughts.
At one stage during the programme an ad break ended with buzzing noises and Ray D’Arcy’s laughter before he added: “No, no it’s not roadworks, it’s two vibrators at work on the desk here’.
It was aired at 9.35am for an adult audience in March.
The BCC said it was an unreasonable time to have such a discussion.
Today FM said Ray D’Arcy regularly deals with sexual themes and while it regrets any offence it disagreed it constituted a breach of regulations.
Meanwhile, RTÉ’s Liveline was back in hot water again this week today after being rapped for a biased programme about gay adoption.
Two complaints were made against RTÉ, just days after the state broadcaster settled a multi-million euro libel action with former ministerial advisor Monica Leech.
A Liveline show, aired last February, featured heated discussions with journalist Hermann Kelly after he wrote an article in the Irish Mail on Sunday criticising the right of gays and lesbians to adopt.
Mr Kelly also criticised Colm O’Gorman, director of the One-in-Four organisation and Progressive Democrat election candidate in Wexford, himself a foster father.
Joe Duffy was not at the helm that day and complaints centred on stand-in host Evelyn O’Rourke.
They claimed Mr Kelly was cut-off, interrupted and forced to defend his stance alone against several callers.
One complainant, Mary Moriarty, told the Broadcasting Complaints Commission callers slandered Mr Kelly several times without being asked for an apology or retraction.
It was also noted Ms O’Rourke declared her support for gay adoption by referring to ’we’ when discussing its merits.
The BCC upheld the complaints saying the show had not been impartial. It said Ms O’Rourke’s questioning was unfair with Mr Kelly given little chance to respond.
The discussion ended with a caller accusing Mr Kelly of creating a frenzy and branding him deeply irresponsible. Rather than remaining impartial, Ms O’Rourke closed the show by simply saying “on that note”.
The BCC also criticised her for this. RTÉ said she did not take sides.
