Clarkson Joke Cleared By Ofcom
Clarkson Cleared
Ofcom has ruled that Jeremy Clarkson’s comments on the TV series Top Gear about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes did not breach the broadcasting code.
Ofcom, the media regulatory body received nearly 340 complaints and the BBC themselves received over 1800 last month regarding Clarkson’s humerous comments.
Clarkson’s comments follow the conviction of Forklift Truck driver Steve Wright, jailed in Feb 2008 for killing 5 prostitutes.
As he completed a lorry-driving task, Clarkson said: “This is a hard job and I’m not just saying that to win favour with lorry drivers, it’s a hard job.
“Change gear, change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That’s a lot of effort in a day.”
Ocom have ruled that Clarkson’s comments were in jest and “was clearly using exaggeration to make a joke”.
“Ofcom did not believe the intention of the comments could be seen to imply that all lorry drivers murder prostitutes, nor would it be reasonable to make such an inference,” the watchdog said.
“In Ofcom’s view, the presenter was clearly using exaggeration to make a joke, albeit not to everyone’s taste. The comments should therefore be seen in that context.”
The BBC’s oficial response to the complaints was: “This particular reference was used to comically exaggerate, and make ridiculous, an unfair urban myth about the world of lorry driving, and was not intended to cause offence.”