On June 8, the CBSC issued a decision regarding the broadcast of English-language songs containing the word Fuck by French-language radio stations.
Because these stations air primarily French-language programming, the CBSC believes that daytime-only songs that frequently use the F-word or use that word to insult a person violate the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ code of ethics.
The CBSC has determined in previous rulings that broadcasting of the word fuck and its variants should be restricted to late evening broadcasts in English Canada.
However, recognizing that these words did not have the same harshness when used by French speakers, the CBSC created a different standard for the presence of this English word in French broadcasts.
The CBSC received a complaint from an English-speaking listener of a Francophone broadcaster who wanted to know the CBSC’s position on the broadcasting of English-language songs by Francophone broadcasters.
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The complainant provided examples of songs broadcast on CHXX-FM (100.9 Vibe). In response, the station argued that broadcasting the full versions of these songs was in line with CBSC guidelines and that it wanted to preserve the integrity of the artists’ works.
The francophone decision-making committee examined the complaint in the light of Article 9 of the CAB code of ethics, which prohibits the dissemination of inappropriately coarse and offensive language.
The presence of the English F-word only violates the Code if it is broadcast during the day or early evening and it is frequently repeated or used to insult a person.
The committee concluded that one of the three songs examined violated the code because it repeatedly contained the phrases “fuck you” and “fuck off” and was aimed directly at people close to a singer’s ex-lover.
The committee agreed that broadcasters should consider using remastered versions of these songs, although the occasional presence of the F-word is acceptable.