BBC May Filter Out Vuvuzelas from Broadcasts

From: VOA News

Photo: AP

Fans play their vuvuzelas prior to the World Cup group D soccer match between Serbia and Ghana at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, 13 June 2010

The BBC says it may start to filter out the sound of vuvuzelas from its World Cup broadcasts, following complaints about the incessant drone.

The BBC said Tuesday it had received 545 complaints from viewers, forcing officials to look into options to reduce the noise from the plastic trumpets.

One option would be to offer an electronic filter that reduces most of the ambient noise while maintaining the game commentary.

Football coaches, players and reporters have all complained about the constant din generated by thousands of vuvuzelas at the stadiums. However, FIFA officials say the horns are a South African tradition and will not be banned.

^{Some information for this report provided by AP, Reuters and AFP.}