Channel 4 under fire for Simpsons episode showing hanging
Channel 4 has apologised for showing an episode of The Simpsons featuring Homer hanging from a noose after airing it before the 9pm watershed.
Communications regulator Ofcom upheld complaints made against the broadcaster after viewers took issue with the episode which was shown at 6pm.
The scene in question showed Homer Simpson hanging by a noose from a tree. The broadcast regulator said that it was in breach of rule 1.3 of its code of conduct which states that "Children must... be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them."
In its decision Ofcom said the edits necessary to correct the issue “were not put into effect".
Channel 4 has apologised for "any offence caused" and said "it took its compliance responsibilities seriously".
Ofcom said some viewers felt this was "inappropriate for an early evening broadcast when families would be watching". It noted that the plot of the episode "prominently featured strangulation", raising issues around its scheduling.