BBC Radio Solent DJ Alex Dyke's breastfeeding comments 'in breach' of broadcasting rules, says Ofcom
He had complained about “earth mothers…with moustaches” who breastfed in public
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A BBC Radio DJ has been found guilty of breaching broadcasting regulations by Ofcom for comments made in a show about breastfeeding.
On the 12 August, Alex Dyke complained about “earth mothers…with moustaches” who breastfed in public and how it was “unnatural” and “has to be stopped” in public.
The comments have been labelled in findings by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom and the BBC Trust - the BBC’s governing body - as “misogynistic” and should never have been broadcast.
Ofcom said how his comments "stepped significantly beyond what would have been deemed acceptable by listeners”, adding: “We were particularly concerned that Alex Dyke had been permitted to broadcast highly offensive comments with apparently minimal editorial oversight.”
Meanwhile, The Trust called it a "serious breach" of guidelines, saying how Dyke "repeated derogatory stereotypical comments about the appearance of the kind of women who might breastfeed”.
According to the BBC, he had asked readers to call in about the “taboo subject” of breastfeeding in public.
He blamed "earth mothers... with the moustaches, the ones who work in libraries, the ones who wear hessian, the ones... they're always on Radio 4 on Women's [sic] Hour, they are always pushing the boundaries and making us feel uncomfortable.
“Breastfeeding is unnatural. It's the kind of thing that should be done in a quiet, private nursery.” Listen to the segment below.
The following day he apologised on his programme, which broadcast to parts of Hampshire and Dorset.
“I made comments which, on reflection, were comments which were misguided, ill-judged and showed a lack of understanding and empathy with women who breastfeed. I have had time away from my radio show, and had space to think about what I said.”
A BBC spokeswoman told The Telegraph: "We take the Ofcom and BBC Trust findings very seriously indeed. Alex was told at the time in no uncertain terms that his comments were unacceptable, and he apologised for any offence caused on and off air.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments