Raaj FM rapped by Ofcom for broadcast of uncensored Dr Zeus song

Birmingham based community radio station, Raaj FM has been pulled up by Ofcom for broadcasting an uncensored song by Dr Zeus and Snoop Dogg.

The song “Woofer” included two uses of the word “m*therfuckers”. It was aired on 18th December 2017 at 17:20.

Raaj FM apologised and accepted that the broadcast had breached Rule 1.14 of the Code. It said that the song in question was incorrectly labelled as the “radio version” and was not checked prior to broadcast. Raaj FM said it had taken steps to prevent such incidents from recurring, including reviewing its music playout policy to ensure checks are carried out on all songs before broadcast. It also confirmed that staff have been briefed on the reviewed policy and procedures.

In response, Ofcom said the Broadcast Code states that the times “when children are particularly likely to be listening” to radio are “the school run and breakfast time, but might include other times”. Ofcom’s guidance on offensive language in radio states: “broadcasters should have particular regard to broadcasting content at the following times: between 06:00 and 19:00 from Monday to Fridays during school holidays”.

In this case the word “motherfuckers’” was broadcast at 17:20 on a Monday during the school holidays and therefore at a time when children were particularly likely to be listening.

Raaj FM was found in breach of Rule 1.14.