Breastfeeding comment by city DJ thrown out by Ofcom
Ofcom has thrown out a complaint about a radio presenter who posted he was 'shocked' to see a woman breastfeeding while walking along the road,
The independent regulator was asked to investigate the Facebook comment by Black Country broadcaster Dickie Dodd after he came under fire for it.
But Ofcom ruled that 'after careful assessment' it had decided not to pursue the complaint because it 'did not raise issues warranting investigation.'
Mr Dodd, who works for Signal 107, wrote he was shocked to see a woman breastfeeding while walking, before adding: “I’m all for women breastfeeding in public but walking down the road!!!”
The post on March 21, which was later deleted, was picked up by Wolverhampton mother Bethanie O’Shea-Godbolt who believed she was the woman referred to by Mr Dodd. She had been feeding her 14-month-old son Lake whilst carrying him in a sling down the street that morning.
She decided to ‘name and shame’ the presenter in a post of her own, claiming comments such as his ‘open the doorway’ for people who abuse women breastfeeding in public.
The radio host said sorry on air but 22-year-old Mrs O’Shea-Godbolt, from Penn, refused to accept his apology.
Only one complaint was received by Ofcom which was asked to consider that the comment fell below generally accepted standards.
Mr Dodd shared Ofcom's ruling on his Facebook page, adding: "Great news to receive from @Ofcom this morning. It can be finally put to bed."
Today he told the Express & Star: "I'm happy that Ofcom have reached this decision."
