I've been watching the latest series of Channel 4's reality TV show 'Celebrity Big Brother' with a growing sense of disbelief at the blatant cynicism demonstrated by the programme makers in the faceof charges of racism by housemates. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, the only Asian participant in this series, has been bullied mercilessly by fellow housemates all in the name of "so-called" entertainment. Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has received in the region of 14,500 complaints about Celebrity Big Brother 2007 (17 Jan 2007) but, as yet, no statement from Channel 4 or Endemol, the producers of the show.

Bullying is the crux of this programme, which tries to emulate the tactics of the fictional 'Big Brother' as featured in George Orwell's book '1984'. Housemates are locked in a house with no contact with the outside world; they are limited in the number of personal effects they can bring into the house and subjected to pointless demeaning tasks to earn "benefits" whilst being filmed 24x7.

Author Germaine Greer, writing for 'The Guardian', says that "Big Brother disorients the housemates and disrupts their perceptions so that they become literally unbalanced". She adds that "plain, everyday, common or garden bullying supplies the motive force for everything that happens in the 'Big Brother' house".

RACIST BULLYING

From the outset, Shilpa has had to deal with bullying. Housemate Jackiey Budden, mother of fellow housemate Jade Goody, was unable to pronounce the name 'Shilpa' and a heated argument ensued. The episode had more to do with Jackey's refusal to learn the pronunciation than the difficulty of actually saying Shilpa's name! This was later followed by Budden asking Shilpa "Do you live in a house or a shack?"

Disgraced 'Miss England' contestant Danielle Lloyd complained about Shilpa eating with her hands and asked if this was normal in India. She added that she considered this unhygienic. The trio of Lloyd, former S Club 7 singer Jo O'Meara and Jade Goody complained about the spicy cooking, although, so far none of them has bothered to offer to cook. Danielle was further annoyed by the use of onions Shetty used in her cooking and called the Bollywood star "a dog". On Monday night's episode, O'Meara reportedly suggested that Indians were thin because they were always ill as a result of undercooking their food.

When housemates discovered Shetty bleaching her facial hairs, they claimed that it was because she "wanted to be white". Housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara have also been seen making fun of the Bollywood star's accent.

Jade's boyfriend, Jack Tweed has called Shetty "a c**t" (bleeped out) and Jade branded Shilpa as "pathetic, fake and a liar" in a row over stock cubes. It is quite clear that by allowing Jade, her mother and her boyfriend to be in the house at the same time, he producers were "fixing" the show to be an explosive mixture of xenophobia and school-playground politics.

SHETTY REPRESENTS THE ASIAN COMMUNITY

Film maker Ken Russell and singer Leo Sayer have already left the show voluntarily; Jackiey Budden was voted out by the public, as was journalist Carol Malone who gave some insight into Shilpa's mindset in the house in a BBC Asian Network interview on Monday. Speaking about Shilpa's feelings on the bullying Carol said, "Shilpa feels that she represents the Indian/ Asian community and doesn't want to let them or herself down by retaliating. She's a very dignified woman and she doesn't want to lose it. That's why she's desperately trying to keep it all together". Carol added "she's an incredibly powerful and beautiful woman. (Shilpa) is a very strong woman and can handle it. I spoke to her about it when I was in the house".

EARLY DAY MOTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

MP Keith Vaz has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons stating "That this House views with concern the comments made about Big Brother contestant Shilpa Shetty by other housemates; believes that Big Brother has a role to play in preventing racist behaviour in the Big Brother house; regrets that these comments have been made; and calls on the programme to take urgent action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable.".

The EDM is supported by other politicians including Shadow Spokesman on Community Cohesion, Dominic Grieve who said "it is quite wrong that the programme should tolerate racist abuse and behaviour from participants and I believe it is an issue that should be addressed immediately."

EVICT RACIST HOUSEMATES

The programme makers have yet to respond to the complaints but as rule number (14) THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF ALL: Big Brother reserves the right to change the rules at any time, they could add a new rule to prevent racism, sexism, xenophobia and bigotry and then evoke rule (13) which states that if any housemate breaks the rules they may be asked to leave the House!

TAKE 'BIG BROTHER' OFF THE AIR

Although political pressure and complaints may lead Channel 4 and the producers to reconsider their "House Rules", they are unlikely to be able to pull the programme "off the air". Ofcom's list of Sanctions that it can impose on TV states that "It can direct a broadcaster not to repeat material; direct a broadcaster to publish a correction or summary of a finding or adjudication; fine a broadcaster; and, with the exception of the BBC, Channel 4 and S4C, shorten or revoke a licence."

However, salvation may yet come from Advertisers on the show. Charles Dunstone, the Chief Executive of Carphone Warehouse told 'The Times' that he was in talks with bosses at Channel 4 due to concerns about the treatment of Shetty and that he is reviewing the firm's £3m annual sponsorship deal of the show. Undoubtedly, there will be a termination clause should Carphone Warehouse feel that their brand name is being brought into disrepute because of the show.

The racist bullying has attracted comments from many other well know Asian Stars including Meera Syal who told the 'Evening Standard' that "there is a very thin line between what is entertainment and a vile spectacle and I think we are in that area now". Syal added that "this is bullying and we mustn't forget the impressionable people who watch this show".

HOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT 'BIG BROTHER' - HAVE YOUR SAY

If you agree with this viewpoint and would like to have your complaint heard. Contact Ofcom- click below to register your complaint.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/progs/bb/?itemid=363194

Ofcom Tel: 020 7981 3040
Ofcom Fax: 020 7981 3334