Ofcom investigates Top Gear after complaint of 'casual racism'

The episode, filmed in Burma and Thailand, featured a scene where the motoring
show's stars built a bridge over the River Kwai. As an Asian man walked over
it Clarkson said: ''That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it.''

His co-presenter Richard Hammond replied: "You're right, it's definitely
higher on that side."

The Ofcom investigation will look at whether the clip counted as a breach of
''content standards'', after receiving two complaints.

Somi Guha, an actress who complained to the BBC through lawyers, said the
language used was an example of ''casual racism'', arguing the programme "must
be censured to ensure that another race or nation is not targeted".

The investigation will be another blow to Clarkson after a difficult week,
which has seen him accused to using the racist term "n-----" on
camera.

He is understood to be on a "final warning" from the BBC, after
meeting with senior executives and
publicly apologising over the footage.

The presenter has claimed the unaired footage actually saw him accidentally "mumble"
the offensive word, as he recited the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe
during filming of Top Gear several years ago.

He is also reported to be in the process
of divorce from his second wife after 21 years of marriage. On Monday,
Frances Clarkson was said to have been spotted "toasting the end of her
marriage" during a holiday in Majorca with a female friend.

Mr Clarkson, 54, is alleged to have struck up a relationship with Phillipa
Sage, a former beautician who has worked with the Top Gear team as an events
organiser, after they were first spotted together in 2011.

The Ofcom investigation will now establish whether Top Gear breached
guidelines, in relation to the "slope" comment.

The show's executive producer, Andy Wilman, has previously said: "When we
used the word slope in the recent Top Gear Burma Special it was a
light-hearted word play joke referencing both the build quality of the
bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it.

"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."

Announcing the investigation today as part of its regular broadcast updates,
Ofcom said: "It is important to note that an investigation by Ofcom does not
necessarily mean the broadcaster has done anything wrong.

"Not all investigations result in breaches of the licence or other
regulatory requirements being recorded."

Clarkson is well known for courting controversy. In recent years, he has been
cleared of breaching the broadcasting code by watchdog Ofcom after comparing
a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces.

He previously faced protest from mental health charities after he called
people who throw themselves under trains as "selfish" and once
told BBC1's The One Show that striking workers should be shot.

The motoring show has also faced complaints from Indian and Mexican
politicians over remarks made about their countries while filming on
location.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/05/07/ofcom-investigates-top-gear-after-complaint-of-casual-racism/