Ofcom will investigate Jon Snow’s ‘never seen so many white people in one place’ Brexit protest comment after more than 2,600 complained about Channel 4 News presenter
- Ofcom launched an investigation into remarks made by Channel 4’s Jon Snow
- Broadcasting watchdog received 2,644 complaints about pro-Brexit protesters
- The presenter said he had ‘never seen so many white people in one place’
Ofcom has launched an investigation into comments made by Jon Snow after the Channel 4 host said he had ‘never seen so many white people in one place’.
The broadcasting watchdog received 2,644 complaints about his remarks, which referred to pro-Brexit protesters who brought Westminster to a standstill.
The 71-year-old presenter was signing off from the Channel 4 News bulletin when he made the comment.
The broadcasting watchdog has received 2,644 complaints about Jon Snow’s comment, which referred to pro-Brexit protesters who brought Westminster to a standstill
‘It’s been the most extraordinary day,’ he said. ‘A day which has seen … I have never seen so many white people in one place, it’s an extraordinary story.
The high level of objections would place the show as the fifth most complained about, when compared to the numbers from Ofcom’s most complained about shows in 2018.
If Ofcom’s investigation find Channel 4 has fallen foul of broadcasting conduct, it could result in a hefty fine for the network.
The media regulator will also investigate remarks made by Nigel Farage in the aftermath of Snow’s on-air comment.
Ofcom said it has received five complaints after Mr Farage said on LBC two days later that Snow ‘should be attacked without doubt’ for his previous remark.
Asked by Alastair Campbell – who appeared alongside him on the radio show – why Snow deserved to be attacked, the former Ukip leader said: ‘Because of his terrible condescending bias, but that’s a separate issue.’
The 71-year-old presenter was signing off from the Channel 4 News bulletin when he made the comment
Mr Farage later clarified during the same programme that he meant a verbal attack, not a physical one.
An Ofcom spokeswoman said of both incidents: ‘We’re investigating whether comments made by the presenters on these programmes broke our rules on offensive content.’
Snow’s words on Channel 4 News drew criticism online from some viewers who described the comments about ‘white people’ as unnecessary.
Channel 4 later said it regretted any offence caused.
A spokeswoman said: ‘This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments.
‘Jon has covered major events such as this over a long career and this was a spontaneous comment reflecting his observation that, in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented.
‘We regret any offence caused by his comment.’
The media regulator will also investigate remarks made by Nigel Farage in the aftermath of Snow’s on-air comment