ITV dumb to do Dumb Foreigners
It's ITV doing what it likes to do best, that is to commission mindless clip shows that show people being attacked by bears or stung by bees. Ho ho ho, how amusing. But what else could you possibly expect with a title such as "Dumb Foreigners"?
As for the use of such a contentious title: "ITV denied inciting racism or xenophobia, claiming the programme was intended to be humorous and did not imply that foreigners were stupid". And to be fair, this programme did follow on from two programmes entitled "Dumb Britain" where the use of 'dumb' can be interpreted as self-depreciating.
However, "ITV said the word 'dumb' was intended to be used as a synonym for "foolish" or "daft" rather than a term of ridicule"; this may be true but put the word "dumb" next to the word "foreigners" and there is very little room for ambiguity. The article doesn't mention what 'punishment' (if any) Ofcom dealt ITV as a result but it is probably barely worth mentioning.
Dare I suggest an alternative title to describe this collection of programmes - "Ineffective Regulation"?
