RE: Babestation XTREME discussion
I get a tad pissed off with the BSX knockers on here. Don't get me wrong, along with everyone else, I'd like it to be a bit more explicit, but it's still better than anything else currently on offer.
The problem isn't BSX, it's Ofcom. If you read the Ofcom code, you'll see what the problem is, and it's simple - kind of. No broadcaster is allowed to broadcast R-18 material, end of; there are no qualifications to that rule at all.
To be fair to BSX, they pushed the limits and we have to assume that they have had a slapped wrist and been told to cut certain things out. You can't blame them for wanting to hold on to their broadcasting license.
One of Ofcom's guiding principles appears to be that programme content can be justified by context and that a significant factor in assessing "context" is the expectations of the viewing audience. given that the viewing audience for BSX consists of adults who have chosen to spend £5 in the hope/expectation of seeing some explicit female nudity and a modicum of sexual activity, then my own view is that the line on what is permitted to be broadcast should be drawn a bit higher than it currently is. I don't find anything offensive in viewing consenting, non-violent sex and neither, in my experience, do the vast majority of men and a good many women; I think it's completely normal to turn occasionally to visual material for sexual arousal (a large percentage of perfectly "normal" people do, for heaven's sake!) and the more explicit such material is, the more arousing it tends to be.
Unfortunately, the lack of really clear definition about what does and doesn't comprise R-18 material means that BSX tread a line between trying to give the viewers what they want (and what sells) and what they think Ofcom will crucify them for - and this means that we get too many "tease" type shots and, at times, inappropriately heavy censorship, which inevitably frustrates the punters - me included.
It seems to me that the only way things will change is if Ofcom draw up a more specific code - one that rather than simply banning anything that would not be shown in a cinema on an 18 certificate, allows some of the more "mainstream" things that are currently only included in R18 films - for example, aroused female genitalia, oral-genital contact and non-violent dildo penetration, none of which are "extreme" and which I don't think would offend any of the people seeking this kind of entertainment.
We should lobby Ofcom - any volunteers?
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