Let us be quite clear about this. The radio broadcast in which Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left offensive remarks on the answering machine of ageing actor Andrew Sachs was not witty, cutting-edge humour – it was witless puerile drivel.

It sounded like the type of prank that two drunken teenagers might consider funny on a late-night stagger home from the pub.

It goes without saying that the BBC editor who allowed the broadcast to go out should be sacked instantly, but that is not enough.

Brand has resigned, Ross has been suspended. The police should now investigate both to see whether it’s possible to charge them under the Telecommunications Act.

Sadly, this was not an isolated incident. Earlier this month, less noticed by the Press, the BBC caused an international incident with the Philippines government over an equally offensive sketch in a Harry Enfield show. And you can turn on the telly any night of the week to be greeted with a diet of swearing and crudity.

It is time the government stepped in and took control of the BBC. Editorial independence – like deregulation in the banking industry – has not worked.

The broadcast media could and should have been the most wonderful means to educate and improve the population; instead the broadcasters are intent on turning us all into uncultured, mindless slobs.

If I want to be sworn at, I can find some hoodie to do it in the street; I do not have to pay £140 a year so that the BBC can pay an arrogant over-inflated ego £6 million to be offensive to me in my own lounge.