Use of word 'hun' and 'Jock' of limited concern but 'fenian' and 'prod' is unacceptable, says Ofcom

The decision has caused a stir among many Rangers supporters who believe that 'hun' is sectarian language.

The broadcast watchdog gave the guidance as it ranked offensive terms on a scale from "mild" to "strongest" in research aimed at gauging people’s attitude towards potentially offensive language and gestures in broadcasting.

'Hun', 'Jock' and 'nazi' is deemed as “mild language, of limited concern,” while 'ginger', is considered, “a humorous insult”.

The term “hun” often used as a derogatory term for Rangers fans was described as: “Mild language, generally of little concern".

However, camapigners fighting for a ban on the word see it as unacceptable believing it is a sectarian insult.

Rangers fans have been campaigning to have the use of the word 'hun' made illegal following online abuse of pop singer Amy Macdonald last year.

The move was linked to an internet petition which says the word is a term of "religious hatred, a derogatory and sectarian term for a Protestant".

The campaigners say those using the phrase should be treated no differently than those who use offensive words to describe Catholics.

But Ofcom has stated that some respondents who were unaware of its use as an insult assumed it was an abbrevation of “honey”.

It said: "Many of the words that were discriminatory on religious grounds were unfamiliar to some of the participants. However, those who were familiar with words such as ‘taig’ and ‘fenian’ viewed them as generally offensive and potentially unacceptable."

Ofcom added: "Terms such as 'Jock' or 'nazi' were felt to be historical insults whose meaning and use had changed and softened over the years.

"Indeed, some Scottish participants did not find ‘Jock’ offensive and others expected ‘nazi’ to be used mainly in educational contexts.

"Although there was limited concern about the use of ‘Hun’ as a derogatory reference to German people, the word was seen as less acceptable by those familiar with its use as a sectarian insult. In general, though, these words were of limited concern."

But the Ofcom view has already caused a social media row, with some questioning whether they can now use the term 'hun' as a matter of course.

And Ofcom said that 'Jock' is considered less likely to offend than the term for Welsh people “Taff”, which is “medium language, potentially offensive”.

Ofcom based its judgements on a survey of just 248 people throughout the UK and presented the findings in a document called: “Attitudes to potentially offensive language and gestures on TV and radio.”

Tony Close, director of content standards for Ofcom said: "All these findings will help us reach decisions when we investigate potentially offensive language in programmes.

"We’ll also share them with broadcasters so they can better understand what today’s audiences think about language used on TV and radio."

In explaining the research, a regulator spokesman said: "The findings are from new research on people's attitudes towards potentially offensive language and gestures in broadcasting, the biggest study of its kind carried out by Ofcom.

"The results are vital in supporting our broadcasting standards work to protect viewers and listeners, especially children.

"The research used a mixture of focus groups, in-depth interviews, online surveys and discussions involving people from around the UK. It looked at 144 words, exploring what people were likely to find unacceptable, and the reasons why certain words were judged to be offensive."

The campaign to outlaw use of 'hun' came after the word was used in a Twitter tirade directed at Macdonald last year after she criticised England footballer Stan Collymore in a row which began when he linked Rangers and Chelsea to right wing groups such as Combat 18.

The campaign petition, which had 2,274 supporters before it was closed, argued that the use of the word 'hun' is as offensive as the term 'fenian".

The organisers believe the word 'hun' is used as a "term of religious hatred, a derogatory and sectarian term for a protestant or those perceived to be protestant by supporters of other football teams".