British watchdog to investigate Top Gear: Burma ‘racism’

UK media regulator Ofcom has launched a formal inquiry after it received two complaints about a Top Gear special, which airs in Australia from tonight.

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May built a bridge over the River Kwai in the 2-part special.

But as an Asian man was seen walking along the bridge, Clarkson said: “That is a proud moment, but there’s a slope on it.”

Hammond replied: “You’re right, it’s definitely higher on that side.”

Producer Andy Wilman had already expressed regret for any offence caused prior to Clarkson’s latest headlines surrounding a non-broadcast “eenie meenie” rhyme.

“When we used the word “slope” in the recent Top Gear Burma special it was a light-hearted wordplay joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it,” he said.

“We were not aware at the time, and it has subsequently been brought to our attention, that the word ‘slope’ is considered by some to be offensive and although it might not be widely recognised in the UK, we appreciate that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas, for example in Australia and the USA.

“If we had known that at the time we would not have broadcast the word in this context and regret any offence caused.”

Nine airs the first of the 2 part Burma special in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane tonight – it already aired on Pay TV on BBC Knowledge in March.

Update: I understand the words in question won’t air in Nine version, which I think is the right thing to do.

Source: The Guardian