...By Muyiwa Aderinto for TDPel Media.
ITV receives record number of complaints after Bridgerton star’s remark about the Royal Family’s whiteness during Coronation coverage
ITV’s Coverage of King Charles III’s Coronation was marred with controversy after Adjoa Andoh, a Bridgerton star, made comments about the Royal Family’s lack of diversity.
During the broadcast, Andoh referred to the Buckingham Palace balcony as “terribly white” while the royals were standing on it.
Her comments were met with a lot of backlash on social media, prompting her to clarify that she did not intend to offend anyone.
However, despite her clarification, ITV has been hit with an unprecedented number of Ofcom complaints.
The broadcasting regulator has reportedly received 4,165 complaints about Andoh’s comments, making it the most complained-about moment on the network this year so far.
Commentary:
This incident highlights the sensitivity of issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. Andoh’s comments have sparked a debate about the representation of people of color in the British royal family and whether it is reflective of the country’s diverse population.
While some argue that her comments were necessary to draw attention to the issue, others believe that they were unnecessary and divisive.
The fact that this incident has generated so many complaints also shows how important it is for broadcasters to consider the potential impact of their programming on their audience.
While freedom of speech is important, it should not be used to cause offense or harm to others. It is therefore essential for broadcasters to be mindful of their language and the potential impact it may have on their viewers.
