Channel 4 News’ Krishnan Guru-Murthy has sparked hysterics from viewers following a clarification on-air, when he had to explain the use of the word ‘bollocks’ by a guest.
During an appearance on the news programme, journalist and columnist Gillian Tett was asked to share her views on comments recently made by Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The Business and Energy Secretary had suggested that the mini-budget was not the main reason behind the market turmoil of recent weeks, while also pointing to rising interest rates by the Federal Reserve in the US, saying that it was affecting currencies including the pound.
On Channel 4 News, Mr Guru-Murthy asked Ms Tett – who is the US editor-at-large at the Financial Times – what she thought of Mr Rees-Mogg’s assessment.
‘To use a non-technical term, that is pretty much bollocks,’ she responded.
Ms Tett continued, stating: ‘I think for the most part it really was the budget and the way it was delivered and the message inside, which sparked the beginning of the crisis.’
Following the interview, Mr Guru-Murthy turned to the camera to address Ms Tett’s use of language, revealing that he even checked the website for media watchdog Ofcom to check if it broke any rules.
‘Before we go, I’ve had time to clarify whether that word Gillian Tett used to describe Jacob Rees-Mogg’s explanation was within the rules,’ he explained.
‘On the Ofcom regulator website, it describes it as medium language, potentially unacceptable, less problematic when used to mean nonsense.’
However, the broadcaster then added an apology to people relying on subtitles… for the way the word was spelt.
‘I should however apologise to people who are relying on subtitles for whom it was spelt “bullocks”,’ he noted.
Plenty of people on Twitter found the clarification of the word’s analysis by Ofcom and the highlighting of its proper spelling hilarious.
‘Great comedy timing from @krishgm. Best news program available currently by far,’ one person tweeted.
‘This might be the greatest bit of TV news ever,’ someone else said, while another added: ‘Thanks @krishgm, now we know; as long as it’s in context we need more #bollocks in the news. The word was used correctly and appropriately.’
One person added that it was ‘hysterical, but so, so true!’, as another chimed in to say: ‘This should win an award all on its own.’
