Junior Bake Off – response

We noted in the letter that “Using PTSD as a punchline in a joke not only further stigmatises the reality of the condition, but it also incorrectly and unhelpfully desensitises people to the debilitating symptoms that can lead to family problems, unemployment, physical health issues, self-harm, homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction, and ultimately suicide.” and asked Channel 4 how this was able to get through the production and edit process and deemed appropriate for a children’s TV show. (you can read the full letter here)

A couple of weeks have passed since we published the letter and thought we should update you on the response we’ve had from supporters, and Channel 4 themselves to highlight the importance of us ‘taking a stand’ like this.

The positive response we got from PTSD UK Supporters was overwhelming. As a small, and relatively new charity, when we take bold steps like this, it’s always important for us to know that we’re doing the right thing for the people we support. Of course, it goes without saying that there was some feedback from people saying they were not offended by the statement, or that sometimes people use humour/self-deprecation to deflect from the pain of a situation (although we feel this is only appropriate if the person is affected by the condition themselves) but the overwhelming majority of PTSD UK Supporters felt it was the right thing to do, and were happy we ‘took the lead’ on this situation that they see as unacceptable.

Following our direct outreach to Channel 4, they replied privately with the following disappointing response:

Dear Jacqui,
 
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch to highlight your concerns with us regarding Junior Bake Off.
 
In relation to your concerns, Channel 4 takes mental health portrayal very seriously. The inclusion of the comment was considered by the editorial team and as this was Liam talking about his own experience it was decided that, given the context, it should stay in the programme.
 
Kind Regards,
 
Anna Smith
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

We were disappointed by the response, in that Channel 4 are excusing the ‘joke’ because they felt as it was Liam talking about his own experience of making fortune cookies, that it was ok to stay in the programme. As such, we have responded to them with the following:

Hi Anna, 

Thanks for your response – although I’m a little confused. 

Are you saying that because the comment was made by Liam about his own experience of having difficulty making Fortune Cookies, that it was ok for him to make a joke at the expense of people who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – a life-changing condition that not only leads to debilitating symptoms, but also family problems, unemployment, physical health issues, self-harm, homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction, and in many cases, ultimately suicide?

I’m not sure that is in synergy with the statement that ‘Channel 4 takes mental health portrayal very seriously’.

Are we to expect other presenters of children’s TV shows on Channel 4 to be making jokes about cancer, dementia, AIDS, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, anorexia or any other condition because they’re using those conditions as synonyms for simple experiences in life? I assume not. Indeed I feel uncomfortable even using such conditions as reference points in this email!

Are you able to confirm if this was a scripted comment? I’d be really keen to understand more about how Channel 4 feels it’s taking mental health portrayal seriously if this is deemed appropriate (scripted or not).

I look forward to your reply,

Jacqui

We’ll update this page with any further updates – but we don’t feel this is a satisfactory response to such a statement.