MTV fined for 'offensive' material

June 04, 2008 MTV has been fined 225,000 pounds ($498,200) by media regulator Ofcom for airing "offensive" language before the 9 p.m. watershed and "multiple breaches" of the broadcasting code, despite "repeated and specific warnings." The music broadcaster was fined for material carried on its TMF, MTV U.K., MTV France and MTV Hits channels, including uses of the words "motherf***er" and "f***" in music videos and for airing racist and homophobic texts including such sentiments as "the white race will triumph" and "death to all gays" in such shows as "Totally Boyband," on MTV France. Ofcom said it has imposed such a steep fine because MTV has had "a very poor record of compliance" with its code prior to recent changes and had "failed to exercise reasonable care" in managing its output.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.