International Law

Gordon Ramsay is used to controversy so it perhaps not surprising that at times foul-mouthed chef has offended the sensibilities of some Australian politicians:

           

FEDERAL Parliament will be asked to investigate swearing on TV after the coarse language in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

         

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay used the f-word more than 80 times in an episode shown at 8.30pm last Thursday.

Liberal Cory Bernardi will introduce a motion in the Senate today calling for astudy of the effectiveness of the broadcasting code of conduct.

He said it was prompted by Ramsay's use of the c-word in an episode shown at 9.30pm earlier this month.

"This was not a live show, so the station had censorship control. Channel 9 had the opportunity to beep out the word before putting it to air," Senator Bernardi said.

"The word used is grossly offensive to mainstream Australia. There is no justification for the use of such language in the public arena, particularly by our free-to-air broadcasters.

"It is concerning that the acceptance of profanity is such that a television station deems it appropriate for such offensive language to be aired, let alone relatively early."

Senator Bernardi said he was not a wowser.

"I like the show but I recoil at the swearing because I think, 'Is this necessary?' " he said.

"Is this the sort of language we want our kids to be using in public discourse? In my view, the answer is no."

Senator Bernardi said people had contacted him to express similar views, fearing that coarse language would become more acceptable.

"What got people banned from television only 30 years ago is now being dropped in the 8.30pm timeslot," he said.

Frequent swearing is permitted under the code of conduct if it is important to the storyline and in context.

Nine Network chief classification officer Richard Lyle said Ramsay's use of the f-word was indicative of the high-stress environment in restaurant kitchens, and in another context might be bleeped out.

Read more here (from News.com.au).  My response: get over it.  Yes, he swears, and if you don't like it change the fucking channel!