Now, Channel-4 might have to pay the price for racism in 'Big-B'

London, Jan 21 (UNI) Britain stood up for Shilpa Shetty and voted her main tormentor Jade Goody out of ''Big Brother,'' but it seems even Channel 4 might have to pay a heavy price for letting racial outburts against Shipla continue even after receiving 3,5000 complaints against the show.

The Channel 4 Board has decided to meet to discuss whether the show should be called off after the present series ends this week.

Several members of the board, chaired by Luke Johnson, the former head of Pizza Express, are reportedly of the view that allegations of racism have discredited the show so much that it could, in the long run, damage the reputation of the channel.

Board members comprising Lord Puttnam, the film producer, Tony Hall, the former head of BBC News, the dotcom entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox, and Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City football club are expected to ask for a paper to be drafted, as early as possible, to investigate what went wrong last week and whether the programme should be called off.

''Is the franchise dying now?'' a board member was reported to have said. ''It certainly seems to be. Left to its own devices, a so-called normal Big Brother without any manufactured row it seems to be dying on its feet. Is it any longer legitimate to sustain the programme by simply turning up the volume to grab attention when the channel itself has no control over the outcome?'' Channel 4 Chief Executive Andy Duncan may have to defend himself against charges that the situation was allowed to get out of hand.

the controversy could also make it difficult for the channel to get government money to help fill a black hole caused by an expected drop in the advertising revenue.

It has also sought a help of 100 million Pounds from the Government for switching over to digital.

Many MPs belonging to all the three major political parties have warned the public subsidy hung in the balance and suggested executives "shot themselves in the foot" for failing to check the bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, that boosted the channel ratings.

Even Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary has criticised the matter describing it as 'racism as entertainment'. Her decision would be important in sanctioning the subsidy.

Joining the chorus of criticism, Mr Johnson said he would revamp citizenship lessons to include discussions of core national values such as fairness and mutual respect and debate about what Britishness means.

Labour MP, Keith Vaz, who was the first to raise the issue and move an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, also questioned Channel 4's handling of the affair. "The only people who don't understand racism appear to be Channel 4. And now that they have heard from the British public, we need to hear from them. We need to know what steps the regulator will take to give Channel 4 a clearer understanding of these issues.'' UNI