Holby City Drinkers Broke Ofcom Rules

[irish eyes]

Found this on the Whats On TV website:

Holby City drinkers 'broke Ofcom rules'

Thursday 4th October

An episode of the BBC show Holby City included a "gratuitous" display of harmful drinking behaviour, according to a complaint lodged by the drinks industry.

The Portman Group says the scene of two medical staff downing tequila shots in the programme was a "serious breach" of Ofcom's broadcasting code.

It has written to the regulator calling for the episode to be investigated, and complained direct to the BBC.

The 8pm Holby City episode, broadcast last month, showed a woman medic asking bar staff for tequila.

She asked for "five for starters" and urged the bar staff to "line them up" before telling a male colleague "neck these and back to mine".

The pair both downed the tequila shots but the programme showed no "harmful impact" of their drinking, according to the Portman Group's complaint.

The drinks industry body says in its complaint to Ofcom: "Such a graphic portrayal of harmful drinking behaviour was gratuitous and is a serious breach of Ofcom's broadcasting code.

"We would expect the BBC to take greater care with the portrayal of alcohol in programmes."

The BBC said in a statement: "Holby City takes the issue of the negative effects of alcohol abuse very seriously. On occasions when our continuing drama series deal with alcohol within a storyline we always seek to handle the issue sensitivity.

"Holby City is in the middle of a storyline in which a key character (Kyla) has spiralling problems in her personal and professional life because of alcohol - a storyline that fully and realistically depicts the negative impact of alcohol dependency in the workplace."

[Chloe O'brien]

I didn't see this episode but I don't think Holby or the bbc should get their knuckles wrapped for showing this storyline. Binge drinking and other problem are on the increase and it's a sad fact that drama programmes have to highlight the issues to raise the awarness of the serious damage they do to young people's lives. There is no happy ending that comes out of binge drinking or other problems and if showing this story helps 1 person then it's a step in the right direction.

[CrazyLea]

I love Holby City.. as you know.. but I'm sorry, if people are complaining about the alcohol, then what about all the drugs?? Between Holby and Casualty ove the past fe months, we've seen them snort cocaine (or whatever they're snorting) *Mark, Stitch..*.. inject themselves *James.. * and whatever else which I'm sure there is, with drugs, which I think is more of the issue. Both shows have not shown the repurcussions of it either (sp on repurcussions?).. they've shown all of them do it casually, as if it's a bit of fun, which I think is wrong.

[Katy]

exactly. I saw that epsiode and it want exactly setting it as being a great ting to do. If you ask me she looked a mess when she asked for the drinks. I can understand why people see it as being a problem though.

[Abigail]

I don't see the point in this. A lot of young people binge drink and drink a lot when they have had a bad day. It was one session, it's hardly likely to cause them serious long term problems.

[StarsOfCCTV]

I don't see the point in this. A lot of young people binge drink and drink a lot when they have had a bad day. It was one session, it's hardly likely to cause them serious long term problems.
I agree, and as the article says, Holby's in the middle of a storyline with Kyla and drinking..that's going to show more the negative effects of drinking I think.