Channel 4's gypsy documentry prompts 289 complaints over child and animal abuse

[matt.ant]

[B]A Channel 4 documentary about bare-knuckle fighting in the traveller community has prompted complaints about animal cruelty and child abuse.

Ofcom received 289 complaints about Gypsy Blood[/B], which aired last week. C4 also received a number of complaints.A spokesman for the TV watchdog said the complaints were being assessed.
[B]
A C4 statement said scenes that showed cock-fighting and dogs attacking deer were included to "accurately reflect the experiences of the film-maker".

[/B]Directed by Leo Maguire, Gypsy Blood - part of the True Stories series - was seen by more than 2m viewers.

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "[B]To accurately reflect the experiences of the film-maker who spent years documenting the culture of two gypsy families, including hunting and fighting, some scenes were included that viewers may have found difficult to watch but were justified in context.[/B]""The programme was preceded by on air warnings and appropriately scheduled."

Animal welfare charity,[B] the RSPCA, said they would also be making an official complaint.

[/B]"The RSPCA has now begun an investigation into activities shown in the programme," a statement said.

"We would urge anyone who shares our concern at the programme's content to also [B]contact Channel 4 and Ofcom to register their disapproval[/B]."

[IMG]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/58110000/jpg/_58110955_gypsyblood6.jpg[/IMG]

[URL]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16740278[/URL]

[Killoch0]

Just to be sure, these people are complaining that it was shown and not that it really happens?

[Prez]

If you're so sick of this happening, go out and actually stop it, rather than censoring it to public view to gain awareness.

[Andokool12]

[QUOTE=Killoch0;34400194]Just to be sure, these people are complaining that it was shown and not that it really happens?[/QUOTE]

They don't like what they see so invent the conclusion that it's the fault of the people involved in filming it. Nobody ever realizes that it's happening no matter what, and all catching it on camera does is show them it instead of it being out of their mind because they can't see it.

And even then they still have the option to change the channel if they really want to ignore it, instead of complaining to the channel as if they have any control over the existence of such things.

[BuffaloBill]

Blaming the messenger like usual, I see.

[Jsm]

If anything this show (by the sounds of it, not seen it) should be praised for bringing awareness to the fact.
It seems that the RSPCA seem to think that and are investigating it.