4:04pm UK, Friday January 21, 2011
Television watchdogs are calling for a child pornography investigation into MTV's US version of Channel 4's teenage drama series Skins.
The Parents Television Council (PTC) sent a letter to America's Justice Department calling for an immediate inquiry "regarding child pornography and exploitation on MTV's Skins".
The first episode of MTV's version aired on Sunday in the US.
The PTC said the drama about, and starring, teens as young as 15 years old could violate US laws against the sexual exploitation of minors and statutes against child pornography.
American child pornography laws forbid the visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
MTV statementSkins is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way.
People under the age of 18 are considered to be minors.
In the show, misfit teens dabble in drink, drugs and sex.
On Thursday, fast food chain Taco Bell pulled its commercials from the programme.
A spokesman for the company said it had "decided that the show is not a fit for our brand and have moved our advertising to other MTV programming".
The first MTV episode attracted 3.3 million US viewers, the vast majority aged between 12 and 34, according to TV ratings figures.
The original Channel 4 show first aired in the UK in 2007.
Scene from the US remake of Skins
MTV has declined to comment specifically on the request for a government investigation.
But it said in a statement: "Skins is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way.
"We review all of our shows and work with all of our producers on an ongoing basis to ensure our shows comply with laws and community standards.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that MTV executives had ordered producers of Skins to make changes that would tone down some of the content.
The paper said the cable network was particularly concerned about an episode scheduled for the end of January in which a 17 year-old actor is shown from behind as he runs naked down a street.
Even before Skins premiered, the PTC labelled the show "the most dangerous programme that has ever been foisted on your children" and called on advertisers to boycott the series.
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