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Yesterday (8 October), around 6.30 p.m., I was watching the news on TV (Channel 9) when I heard a reporter utter, loud and clear, the word "buggery".
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English describes this word as "taboo". Furthermore, in this country, very many people, perhaps the majority, find this word offensive and parents frown on the use of such language at home, certainly at 6.30 p.m. when their children are likely to be wide awake.
In the production of news the feelings and standards of the community ought to be taken in account.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Editor's note
In what context was the word used? Sections 352 and 353 of the Criminal Law Offences Act provide as follows:
352. Everyone who -
(a) attempts to commit buggery; or
(b) assaults any person with intent to commit buggery; or
(c) being a male, indecently assaults any other male person, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for ten years.
353. Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.
Was the reporter referring to a criminal charge?