Big Fat Gypsy Weddings to face Judicial Review:Travellers Times

28 November 2014

OFCOM AND CHANNEL 4 FACE JUDICIAL REVIEW CHALLENGE OVER BIG FAT GYSPY WEDDINGS IN THE HIGH COURT ON 28 NOVEMBER 2014

A full day has been listed by the High Court on Friday to hear a ground breaking Judicial Review challenge of Ofcom’s procedures and handling of complaints raised about Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings programmes. Channel 4 have joined the case and will be represented by a Queen’s Counsel. The case is brought by the Traveller Movement on behalf of the Traveller and Gypsy communities.

If the challenge is successful, the decision of the Court could radically improve the rights of everyone in the UK in how their complaints will be dealt with by Ofcom in the future.

Yvonne McNamara (CEO of the Traveller Movement) said “On 28 November Travellers and Gypsies will be championing the rights of all British people to have their complaints and concerns about powerful broadcasters treated fairly by Ofcom. We have exposed the fact that Ofcom treats powerful and wealthy TV and Radio broadcasters more favourably than ordinary people who complain to Ofcom about harmful and offensive programming. This case was brought by Traveller and Gypsy women seeking fair and equal treatment by our national media regulator. It has now become a David and Goliath fight to promote the rights of all British people to fair and equal treatment. We are delighted that Travellers and Gypsies are leading the fight for fairness for everyone in Britain.”