Broadcasters and film producers have been accused of helping to normalise bad language in society by an independent watchdog. The "f-word" was used almost 1,500 times in films on the five terrestrial television channels in the first half of this year, according to a report by Mediawatch-UK.
The campaign group says the level of swearing on television is unacceptable and against the wishes of most people.
Do you think there is too much bad language on television? And do you think it is having a negative effect on society?
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.
Your reaction:
 | SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by John Phillips, Canada  Is there too much obscene language in the media?  |
I have just returned to the UK after living in the US for two years. I find the amount of swearing by the average person on the street excessive, I never heard anything like it in the States. My son's school there had a zero tolerance policy on profanity and it worked believe it or not, now he is back in the good old UK and at 10 years old can swear with the best of them ( but not in front of me). I am not prudish or ultra sensitive but come on, enough is enough!
Jane, UK
There is a watershed. Please can we actually use it. If a programme is on before 9pm, then make it suitable for family viewing. If it is on after 9pm, then, as only adults are meant to be watching, please treat us like adults: don't make cuts to films or other tv programmes. As adults we can make the decision to switch off and as parents we are responsible for monitoring our children's viewing at this time and should not abdicate this responsibility to tv companies.
Carolyn, England
Yes! I believe, as a very liberal-minded mother with two adult sons, that there is far too much swearing/sex scenes in TV/films. You can hardly ever watch a programme/film today where bad language is not used. Watch any films from years ago - the stories are still entertaining without bad language. Compare those films with today's and it seems that strong points cannot be made unless they are "sworn" about. Youngsters today feel it's OK to swear, because it's accepted on the big screen. I hear so many young girls walking along the high street swearing their heads off. How can that be progressive in producing responsible adults?
Linda, England
I think the amount of swearing on TV and film is perfectly reasonable. Some times it is necessary to express certain emotions and I think it reflects modern society. Obviously swearing should be kept away from children, which is what the watershed is for. Parents have a responsibility to stop there kids from watching the wrong type of programs and should be warned appropriately. Anyway, kids hear much worse on the playground from an early age. We should be educating people rather than banning the words, then we might have less of a desire to use them.
Rob Scarlett, UK
If we break down the complaint to what it really amounts to we get the following: half a year (182 days) x five channels = 910 days. the f-word was used 1500 times = 1.6 times a day. Is this unrealistic? Hardly. You've only got to realise that you've overslept and are late for work to build up at least a week's credit.
Tom Wolf, UK
Certainly! Much too much freedom is given to writers to use "freedom of expression" - the typical modern trend of minorities dictating behaviour to us all!
Peter Gopfert, London
Worse than swearing in films is the constant editing of films on television. Films are made for cinematic viewing and if we are lucky enough to see them on TV, we should be allowed to see them in their entirety- swearing and all. There's a reason there's a watershed, there's a reason there is a voiceover beforehand informing us of the content. If Goodfellas was broadcast at 2pm, fine, complain. But it wasn't, it was shown uncensored at a reasonable time, and for that, the tv companies should be applauded not criticised.
Martin McFarlane, USA (expat from Scotland)
| Billingsgate had its reputation long before anyone even dreamt of such a thing as TV |
It's an age-old quandary: does art imitate life or vice versa? One could assert that people swear more now, due to TV and films. On the other hand, Billingsgate had its reputation long before anyone even dreamt of such a thing as TV.
Lee, England What I'd like to know is how this survey deduced that "swearing in TV is against the wishes of most people". I wasn't asked, nor do I know anyone who was, and besides I don't think swearing is overdone on television. We already have the watershed, to surely the onus lies with parents who let their children watch television after 9pm.
Andy, Notts, UK
Actually, there's too little swearing on TV. Swearing is an everyday skill - you need it while driving, standing in queues, when cheering on your teams and even in bed. Kids need to swear when they've forgotten to do their homework, when a favourite programme is on late, or if exam results are not quite as expected. TV is meant to be educational - so more swearing please!
Andrew Hammond, UK
These words exist, and hiding them from your children would be a mistake. Just teach them that they are very disrespectful. Explain their meaning to your kids, ask them if they would like to be treated that way. This is one of the tiny little roads to respect in the process which is called "education". Teach your kids that tele is fake, is all but real life, even if it is called that way. Teach them real life is the world that surrounds them. If they still swear after that, please start by stopping swearing yourself. And check on their surrounding.
Caitie, Belgium
The argument that only uneducated people swear is rubbish. I work alongside some of the country's top scientists and everyone here swears more than anyone on tv! Swearing here is just a form of expression usually used to emphasise a point (or directed at experiments that haven't worked).
Dr Ed Ryder, UK
| Most programmes carry a warning anyway |
In the USA swearing is not allowed at all on terrestrial TV, yet the youth of America swear just as much as anyone here. Doesn't that show than banning swearing in TV will do nothing to change the culture. Everyone knows that the watershed is at 9pm and if you hear swearing after that time it's no one else's fault and there are plenty of programmes without swearing in them, and most programmes carry a warning anyway. Moderate your own viewing habits and don't expect someone to do it for you and everyone else.
Oliver, UK Recently I spent a while in the States (the source of most of the "sweary movies" complained about), on my return, whilst standing in the check-in queue at JFK airport, along with my fellow brits to come back to the UK, I suddenly found the profanity in their (what must be everyday) language grating, without noticing it, I realised I hadn't heard swearing in public to that degree in a while. I think in Britain, it has a lot to do with the lack of respect and consideration, which are the far more worrying pillars that are being eroded.
William McIntyre, UK
Great writers such as Shakespeare and Chaucer used swear words frequently. They have always been around, always been used. This is by no means a new phenomenon.
LReeves, UK
The justification for bad language has always been that it represents the life we live. Standards are constantly being eroded and it could be claimed that the media is one of the reasons. It's a chicken and egg situation but I think film makers and broadcasters too have a responsibility to be sensitive to the public who survey after survey find bad language the more offensive than any other concern. My last point is that difficult subjects and sensitive issues have been covered by many film makers in the past without resorting to bad language and have lost nothing in the messages they were trying to convey.
Stephen Reimer, UK
| It takes attention away from a far more worrying issue, the glamorisation of violence and crime |
The trouble with complaining about swearing (and nudity) on TV is that it takes attention away from a far more worrying issue, the glamorisation of violence and crime. This really has slipped through the regulators net, especially in programs marketed at kids.
Steve, UK Parents should be MORE THAN WELL AWARE of the fact that bad language can feature in programmes after 9pm. Therefore there can be no complaint from that aspect. I feel that bad language shouldn't be reduced or cut out as this increases the realism of the programme being shown. Swearing will not affect anyone who already swears themselves - anyone shocked by the language they hear should face reality and understand that this happens every moment of each day. If you don't like it, don't watch it! This way there's no need for complaints.
Antarro, UK
Swearing and violence are all a part of every day life everywhere in the world today. Yes I accept that TV can be a form of escapism for some, but it would be impossible to make many programs realistic and engaging without utilising the dynamics of humanity such as foul language, violence and sexuality. If people are that easily offended, all they need to do is consult a TV guide, which caters for the sensitivities of such viewers. As far as the "most people" group is concerned, I beg to differ. In my peer group, this "moaning Minnie" mentality is a standing joke, with none of us a friend or associate of any objector so I would suggest Mediawatch-uk produce more tangible, less ambiguous claims in future.
Jamie, Scotland
I find the argument that swearing displays a limited vocabulary/academic achievement ignorant and naive! It is just as fair to contend that the use of a swear word can punctuate, and emphasise certain aspects of the point you are making - eg "F... Off" makes the point that you strongly dont want a person near you, compared to �Excuse me but I find your presence near me aggravating"
Matt, UK
| Accepted meaning changes over time |
Too many people get hung up in their own 'standards' to see that language is constantly evolving. Words are added to the dictionary and their accepted meaning changes over time. The word 'gay' is an obvious example - anyone still think we're talking about 'happy rights campaigners'?
Steve, Scotland Far too much swearing. Even after 9pm we don't necessarily want to be exposed to it to the same degree as we do now.
Liliane Taylor, England
I was in the forces where swearing is endemic, but we never swore outside service life. I feel offended if watching TV and hearing actors f'ing and blinding because producers think it's like that in the real world!! It isn't - most people do not swear. But increasingly young people are thinking it's acceptable and normal, just the same as spitting is now coming back!
Geoff, UK
It isn't the swearing that's the problem. There are too many inappropriate scenes in programmes before the watershed. This is teaching children a disrespect of most things. Conversely, there is too much censorship after the watershed.
David, England
It's all about timing. I'm not offended by swearing, as long as it doesn't come on at an inappropriate time. I AM offended by the language and storylines in an early evening programme like Eastenders, when there is still a chance that children may view this offensive rubbish.
Steve Cahill, England
| I am more offended by the poor quality of TV programmes |
Personally I am more offended by the poor quality of TV programmes than the occasional or even frequent swear word in a movie. Films are often the highlight in an otherwise poor schedule dominated by soaps, makeover and quiz shows. Hopefully people will wake up to the fact that there is a real world outside their homes, turn off their televisions and find something more worthwhile to do.
Jenni, Bristol, England Words are only rude because society dictates that. TV without swearing is hardly true to real life is it? Bugs Bunny with swearing would be going a bit far, but programmes with real people who swear would be authentic.
Gavin, Wales
It's all very well you don't want your children exposed to bad language and violence on TV, but please leave some programmes on TV that haven't been sanitised. I don't want to be watching the equivilent of the Teletubbies when I finally sit down to relax at 10pm, just because someone, somewhere, might be letting their kids watch TV.
Chris Collins, UK
I wonder if swear words haven't become so common-place that they have lost much of their power to offend. In real life they seem to be used predominantly as a form of punctuation and emphasis, typically in situations where people find it difficult to express themselves. If we really want a true measure of the amount of offence our television causes wouldn't it be better to count the actual complaints? Have these risen?
Ben, UK
It's often mentioned that the f-word was first heard on television in 1963 but not always in what context. It was actually the critic Kenneth Tynan stating he found it amazing anyone could still be offended by the word. And here we are, 40 years later...
Matt, UK
Tony Hancock never swore on television, yet every conceivable situation was presented to him. Profanity surely indicates an inability to express oneself due to poor educational achievements? Lawrence
Lawrence Harris, UK
There's not much "real world" about TV and movies. They reflect the values of the people who make the programmes and films and nothing else. Swearing is the verbal equivalent of an attack with a lead pipe and is not needed in TV and film. If I want real life I'm already in it, thank you. I don't appreciate some Hollywood or BBC producer inflicting his or her garbage can values on me.
Gwyn Davies, Cymru
| We lend the words power by discussing them as a taboo |
Who sits there and counts the words? Isn't that a ridiculous thing? I mean, if the words themselves are so corrosive, what support is provided for the people who have to count them? I feel a strong sense of indignation that there are people out there who think the "public" need protecting from words. I mean, come on, 1,500 times in six months. I hear the f-word at least that many times a week, doesn't everybody? The problem is, we lend the words power by discussing them as a taboo. The only reason we use them is because we're not supposed to. I can police myself thank you, I don't need someone at Mediawatch-UK deciding what I can and cannot be exposed to.
Carl, UK I don't find swearing offensive if it gives a programme a real authenticity. But all too often it's used to poor effect to either prop up a dodgy script, or to sound cool. Along similar lines is the tendency nowadays for young TV presenters and pop stars to talk 'gangsta'. Can someone please tell them to think again before speaking, as it's even more comical to witness than the fake cockney that they used to use. There's nothing wrong with being middle class if that's where they're from. The only people they're fooling are children, and others doing the same thing.
Gerry Noble, UK
The language used in an average playground would make a 'gangsta' rapper blush. I hardly think swearing on TV is going to have a detrimental effect on society.
Johnny, London
There's far too much censorship of real life on TV, now that's a real obscenity.
Rob Read, UK
The terrestrial broadcasters already act as moral guardians by questioning every film they get from the distributors and making cuts to those to be shown after 9pm. Movies shown after 9pm should carry a pre-movie warning that unsuitable language and scenes may be broadcast and be shown in their full uncut form, that would be my ideal. Adults are perfectly capable of making up their own minds. I say show films uncut and say to those people who are prepared to watch; there is a button, change the channel or turn it off if it upsets or offends you.
Anthony, Accrington, Lancashire I unreservedly, 100% agree. It is difficult to watch a film with my family - none of whom swears - without hearing the swear word(s), usually prompting us to switch channels.
Sylvester Williams, England
Parents know there is a 9pm watershed and that swearing is allowed after it so they should stop moaning and expecting that all decisions over the welfare of the young to be decided for them by someone else.
Antony Clay, England
| It is TV that is causing the downgrading of our language into a series of crude adjectives |
Yes there is. It is TV that is causing the downgrading of our language into a series of crude adjectives. While it is true that some people are uneducated or lazy about finding proper words to express themselves I believe that TV should not be forcing the nation into these standards. To claim that TV is not driving this agenda of crudity is also to claim that TV adverts are totally ineffective. If TV was used a bit more to promote social education in the right direction we might not need so many laws.
Keith, England | It's time now to draw a line in the sand |
Of course there is to much bad language on television. For years writers and programme makers have been adding offensive language into programmes to compensate for their own lack of ideas and talent. It is all well and good saying that people hear this all the time on the streets but that is no reason to bring it into your living rooms. The BBC used to be the bastion of good taste and morals which must seem funny now. It's time now to draw a line in the sand and say this far and no further.
Bernie, Scotland If broadcasters and film producers want to accurately portray characters and societies and this involves swearing, then so be it! These programmes are on after 9pm anyway, so kids won't be exposed to bad language unless Greg Rusedski is on TV every day.
Neel, England
| People swear, it is part of our language, it is real life |
Wow, what a big scandal, that equates to the f-word being said on TV eight times a night. Guess how many times you'd hear it in any local pub in a night? Probably, well over eight times. Why? Because people swear, it is part of our language, it is real life. If you don't like the swearing then why not choose to watch something else that is guaranteed to be swear word-free and completely liberated of smut? Leave the rest of us that aren't afraid of a few naughty words to enjoy the programmes for what they are, a commentary on life.
Iain, UK So, the old chestnut of TV being to blame for society's ills has arisen again. Yes, language has deteriorated to the point where, in my area at least, it is not uncommon to hear the f-word from five-year-olds. I can tell you TV has a lot less to do with it, than their fouler-mouthed, parents. If swearing was banned from TV altogether, nothing would change.
Dan, UK
| I absolutely do not want my young children exposed to bad language |
I absolutely do not want my young children exposed to bad language. My wife and I spend our lives teaching them manners and acceptable behaviour.
Richard White, London, UK If people want realistic TV, then they have to be prepared to put up with realistic language. It may not be clever to swear, but its part of every day life. The people who are offended by strong language on TV can choose not to watch, but they should not try to impose their sanctimonious views on others.
Tim Bentley, Orpington, England
| Swearing on the TV seems to be neither entertaining nor educational |
Swearing on the TV seems to be neither entertaining nor educational. Far more offensive to many than the F word and far more frequent is using the name of Jesus Christ as an expletive.
Maf, England They're only words. They won't melt your face away or turn your children into criminals. If someone cannot tolerate a few colourful adjectives in an environment where they are considered perfectly permissible, it is they who have the problem, not the environment within which they are spoken.
Rikk, UK
I feel sorry for TV companies here. They get moaned at for not showing new films and films uncut. So they do and get the likes of Mediawatch-UK moaning that there's too much swearing. Do these people not live in the real world?? There's also another way around this you know. USE THE REMOTE TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL!
Ian S, UK, Birmingham
To the person who said "use the remote to change the channel": By then, it is too late. You cannot change the channel before the swearing if you do not know or expect it is going to occur. You cannot refuse to watch a programme because of swearing, when you do not know that anybody is going to swear. Changing the channel afterwards is useless. Frankly, I too would rather there were less swearing on television.
JLE, England
I sometimes wonder how much lower moral standards can sink; no wonder society is on a slippery slope.
Maris J. Teteris, England
No, but perhaps a warning symbol could be displayed in the corner of the screen for programmes with bad language. This would allow viewers to choose. Television has to be reflective of society. For example, it is farcical that Phil from Eastenders doesn't use strong language as a real life character would.
Duncan, London, UK
I don't think there is too much swearing on the TV. Provided it is kept to a minimum pre-9pm watershed or there is a clear warning before the programme is aired then more sensitive people can turn the TV off.
Rhyannon, UK
While I agree that a high level of profanity is seldom necessary and avoidable, a certain amount can often lend itself well to the realism of a piece and when used in an appropriate environment and situation can enhance humour. And if you disagree with bad language you do not have to watch the offending programmes.
Matt, England
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