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DJs 'Celebrate Excessive Drinking'

Posted on: Friday, 5 September 2008, 07:00 CDT

By Jane Kirby

Radio presenters, including BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles, right, widely encourage drinking, according to a Government-funded study. Research into 1,200 hours of radio output uncovered 703 extracts containing references to alcohol.

Of those, 179 involved comments made by presenters and another 45 were comments initiated by co-presenters, studio guests and audience members. DJs were found to use language that celebrated excessive drinking and one show was titled The Morning After.

Experts from the University of the West of England noted that 73 per cent of all the comments made about alcohol encouraged drinking, of which 13 per cent promoted it to excess.

The study, focused on BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, Kiss 101 broadcasting to the South West and Wales, Key 103 for Manchester, Galaxy Birmingham and Kerrang! for the West Midlands.

The authors said as comments about alcohol often "reflect particular production values". Professor Norma Daykin, who led the study, said: "Comments about alcohol contribute to the identification and branding of radio output for many stations, as well as being used in an effort to strengthen interactivity between presenters and listeners.

"But we also found examples which proved that making such comments is not necessary, as some presenters were able to create identity and connect with young listeners without mentioning drinking."

Source: Independent, The; London (UK)

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