Post by Board Manager on Dec 14, 2005 9:06:13 GMT
A DJ at Birmingham-based radio station Kerrang could face an inquiry from media regulator Ofcom, after he pretended to be gay so as to trick a gay ex-colleague into revealing intimate details on air.
Tim Shaw called Richard Curson pretending to have a crisis over his sexuality, admitting that he was in love with him.
He then proceeded to trick him into revealing details about his private life before admitting the episode was a joke and would be transmitted as part of his “shock jock” show.
Mr Curson has filed a complaint against the DJ saying the act was an “infringement of privacy” and "unjust and unfair treatment".
"I did not know I was being recorded," his complaint reads.
"A conversation I believed to be private and personal was broadcast without consent. My sexuality was used, and the subject of a malicious joke."
He said in a statement that the stunt was akin to “emotional rape”.
“It caused me great distress to have intimate details of my private life broadcast to all and sundry. I felt totally humiliated. It was emotional rape.”
“My self-confidence is in tatters. I have had sleepless nights, eating disorders and twice attempted suicide. Kerrang Radio made me look a complete fool."
He wants the regulator to publicly criticise the stunt, which is one of a serious of acts set to shock audiences.
Last year, he reportedly staged a burgulary at the station's programme director’s house, spraying obscenities on the walls, smashing windows and rifling through cupboards.
He also faced disciplinary action for broadcasting offensive material whilst working at Hallam FM.
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has backed the complaint, calling for action to be taken against the DJ.
"We are calling on Tim Shaw and Kerrang Radio to issue a public apology to Mr Curson, and to pay him substantial damages for the embarrassment and humiliation they inflicted on him,” he said.
“No one should have to suffer this type of unwarranted invasion of privacy.”
Tim Shaw called Richard Curson pretending to have a crisis over his sexuality, admitting that he was in love with him.
He then proceeded to trick him into revealing details about his private life before admitting the episode was a joke and would be transmitted as part of his “shock jock” show.
Mr Curson has filed a complaint against the DJ saying the act was an “infringement of privacy” and "unjust and unfair treatment".
"I did not know I was being recorded," his complaint reads.
"A conversation I believed to be private and personal was broadcast without consent. My sexuality was used, and the subject of a malicious joke."
He said in a statement that the stunt was akin to “emotional rape”.
“It caused me great distress to have intimate details of my private life broadcast to all and sundry. I felt totally humiliated. It was emotional rape.”
“My self-confidence is in tatters. I have had sleepless nights, eating disorders and twice attempted suicide. Kerrang Radio made me look a complete fool."
He wants the regulator to publicly criticise the stunt, which is one of a serious of acts set to shock audiences.
Last year, he reportedly staged a burgulary at the station's programme director’s house, spraying obscenities on the walls, smashing windows and rifling through cupboards.
He also faced disciplinary action for broadcasting offensive material whilst working at Hallam FM.
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has backed the complaint, calling for action to be taken against the DJ.
"We are calling on Tim Shaw and Kerrang Radio to issue a public apology to Mr Curson, and to pay him substantial damages for the embarrassment and humiliation they inflicted on him,” he said.
“No one should have to suffer this type of unwarranted invasion of privacy.”
