A BBC reality show has come under fire for its flashy effects, raising concerns from an epilepsy charity about viewer safety and potential seizures
Liverpool: A new BBC reality show called The Rap Game is causing quite a stir. The show pits aspiring rappers against each other, but it’s the flashy editing that’s raising eyebrows.
The Epilepsy Society has lodged a complaint, saying the rapid flickering images could be harmful to viewers with photosensitive epilepsy. They’re worried that no warnings are given on iPlayer about these effects.
Nicola Swanborough from the charity mentioned that even if the show passed the Harding test, the editing is still disorienting. She’s asking the BBC to add a warning about the strobe images.
Ofcom, the communications watchdog, expects broadcasters to keep risks low for viewers with epilepsy. They’ve set guidelines to help reduce exposure to harmful stimuli.
Interestingly, about one in 100 people has epilepsy, and around 5% of those have photosensitive epilepsy, which can be triggered by certain flashing lights.
As a fan of the show, I was excited to see the talent on display. But honestly, the flashy effects made it hard to focus. By the third episode, I found it completely unwatchable.
Even after checking out some other UK rap videos, I realized they had a much cleaner production style. I ended up scrolling through social media to catch up on the standout contestants instead.
The BBC has faced scrutiny before for similar issues, but they claim The Rap Game passed all necessary tests. They say they edit out any problematic flashing and provide warnings when needed.
It’s a tricky situation, and I hope they find a way to keep the show engaging without risking viewer safety.
