Celebrity Big Brother Racism Controversy
The Celebrity Big Brother racism controversy was a series of events related to incidents of allegedly racist behaviour by contestants on the television series Celebrity Big Brother 2007 shown on British television station Channel 4. The incidents centred on comments made by contestants on this reality television show, most notably the late Big Brother contestant Jade Goody, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, and singer Jo O'Meara, which were directed towards Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. The screening of these comments on UK television resulted in national and international media coverage, responses from the UK and Indian governments, and the show's suspension during the 2008 season.
Many agencies and corporations cancelled their contracts with the housemates accused of racism, citing the allegations as the reason for the terminations. Also, many sponsors of the Big Brother series cancelled or suspended their sponsorship of the show. After the show, Goody stated that she understood her comments appeared as racist and apologised for any offence caused. Shetty later told the media that she forgave Goody. After conducting an investigation, Ofcom ruled that Channel 4 had breached the Ofcom code of conduct, and statutory sanctions were placed on the network.
Read more about Celebrity Big Brother Racism Controversy: Background, Reaction, Sponsor and Corporate Backlash, Apology, Big Brother Intervention, Additional Claims, Viewership
Famous quotes containing the words celebrity, big, brother, racism and/or controversy:
“A celebrity is one who is known to many persons he is glad he doesn’t know.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)
“I’m headed for a land that’s far away
Beside the crystal fountains.
So come with me, we’ll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains.”
—Unknown. The Big Rock Candy Mountains (l. 5–8)
“Let brother help brother.”
—Plato (c. 427–347 B.C.)
“Few white citizens are acquainted with blacks other than those projected by the media and the so—called educational system, which is nothing more than a system of rewards and punishments based upon one’s ability to pledge loyalty oaths to Anglo culture. The media and the “educational system” are the prime sources of racism in the United States.”
—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)
“And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)