Sabras Radio breached by Ofcom over offensive language
Leicester-based Sabras Radio has been found in breach of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code after the uncensored version of Karan Aujla and Ikky’s ‘MF Gabhru!’ was broadcast during Punjabi Sabras at 13:26 on 11 April.
The track contained 18 uses of the word “motherfu**er”, leading Ofcom to find breaches of Rules 1.14 and 2.3.
Sabras Radio apologised, describing the broadcast as “regrettable” and said the presenter had “inadvertently aired this version thinking that it was a radio edit version.” The station said it was the first time in around 20 years that the presenter had been reprimanded.
In its response, Sabras argued that the track was popular with young audiences in India and that offensive terminology in some Indian music is interpreted differently there. It also said Punjabi Sabras generally attracts an adult audience and that “none of the several listeners who called the presenter after the song was aired” complained.
However, the station ultimately accepted Ofcom’s findings, acknowledging that the repeated use of the word “clearly breaches Rule 1.14” and that there was “no justification for any contextual argument”.
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Sabras said there was “no excuse for this carelessness”, and confirmed the presenter had been “appropriately reprimanded”. It has also introduced refresher training and temporarily banned presenters from using personal music storage devices until they have completed the training.
Ofcom said the incident was an “unusual lapse” but reminded Sabras that responsibility for ensuring all content complies with the Broadcasting Code rests with the licensee. It was found in breach of Rules 1.14 and 2.3.
