UK independent television commission rules that eating dead babies is offensive

[kneelbeforezod]

[quote]Channel 4 was reprimanded yesterday for showing a "lack of respect for human dignity" by broadcasting a picture of a Chinese performance artist eating a dead baby.
[...]
Channel 4 said it did not accept the judgment, insisting that the shocking images fulfilled its remit to "take on challenging subjects and explore cultural boundaries".<hr></blockquote><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,911668,00.html" target="_blank">link</a>

I'm less surprised that Channel 4 would show this then I am that someone would actually do this. So...should the media be able to report on something like this without reprimand? Should reprimands occur only if the reportage is sensationalized? Is the eating of dead babies by performance artists something that those who have never visited Rotten.com want or need to be aware of? Would something like this have been shown anywhere outside of a 'Faces of Death' video ten years ago (before the web had reached a significant number of people)?

Edit: Had only included half of the qoute...

[ 03-13-2003: Message edited by: kneelbeforezod ]</p>

[MrBillData]

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“Some strange looking people are eating a baby.”

“Excuse me?”

“A baby!” screams the caller. “We tried to stop them, but they just grunted something and threw a spear at my wife.”

“I see,” sighs the operator, while covering the mouthpiece and motioning for the nightshift commander. “I have a guy who claims that some people are eating a baby and threw a spear at his wife,” she whispers.

“Typical Friday night,” replies the commander, while taking the headset from the operator.

“What seems to be the problem, sir?” says the commander.

“Hitler is in my living room,” says the caller.

“Is he the one who ate the baby?” asks the commander.

“No,” says the caller, in a flat emotionless monotone. “The Neanderthals ate the baby, but they seem to be gone now.”

“So they say,” mumbles the commander, while desperately fighting back the laughter. “I have someone I think you should call,” he continues, while fumbling through a nearby binder for the number of the local mental health facility.

“I can’t,” replies the caller, in a distant ghost-like voice. “We just hit an iceberg and I’m needed topside.”

:eek: <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> ;)

[Matsu]

And Swift turns in his grave. Eating Chinese babies, whoever heard of such absurdity? The Irish, meh, you know beer fed cattle is tastier, hence...