Channel 4 boss ‘deeply sorry’ over Married at First Sight UK rape claims
Channel 4’s chief executive has said he is “deeply saddened” after allegations of rape and sexual assault were made by contestants on the UK show Married at First Sight (MAFS).
Priya Dogra said the women’s “troubles were obvious” and described their time on the programme, where single people were matched by experts and then “married” strangers they met for the first time on their wedding day. “disturbing”.
It comes after Shona Manderson accused her on-screen partner of sexual harassment during the Channel 4 programme. Two more unnamed women claimed they were raped by their on-screen husbands while speaking in the BBC Panorama documentary. All three names deny the allegations.
Speaking at a briefing on the publisher’s annual report at an event in London, Ms Dogra said a review into the welfare of contributors was ongoing and she could not respond fully until it was completed by the end of this summer.
Ms Dogra added: “However, I watched the program and heard some very disturbing statements from the women.
“Their distress is obvious and for that I am of course very sorry. Well-being is of the utmost importance to us and our primary concern in all our programmes.”
“However, you will appreciate that Channel 4 cannot investigate the specific allegations against the men, which they deny, and I cannot comment on them in any way.
“We are a broadcaster, not a judge, and such allegations are investigated by other agencies, including where complaints are referred to the police.”
Police on Tuesday appealed for potential victims of sexual assault on the reality TV show to get in touch. Meanwhile, MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee have written to the broadcaster and Ofcom responding to the allegations.
Channe 4’s head of content Ian Katz said it was “clearly right” to take a second look at the allegations and whether the channel was “doing it right at the time” or could have done anything to improve welfare.
He added that contestant welfare was “absolutely at the heart” of the channel’s program commissioning approach.
Ms Dogra said reports that the series had been canceled were “completely unfounded” and that “no decision has been taken” regarding the airing of the next series.
Mr Katz said new episodes of MAFS UK had been “substantially filmed” and were currently being edited.
Meanwhile, CMS Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “The appalling allegations about Married at First Sight raise serious concerns about whether sufficient efforts are being made to protect people appearing on reality television.
“Both Channel 4 and Ofcom have urgent questions to answer as broadcast regulators.”
A letter sent to Channel 4 asks questions about the complaints process against contestants on the show, the steps taken to ensure allegations are fully investigated and the review the broadcaster has announced.
It also raises questions about the broadcaster’s duty of care approach to participants on other reality TV programmes.
A message from the CMS Committee to Ofcom asks questions about the broadcasting regulator’s role in the complaints process, its powers to investigate possible breaches of broadcasting rules and the timeline for launching its own investigation into the Married at First Sight allegations.
