From today’s Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, available here [84-page, pdf]:

Given the unique nature of the events, Ofcom considers in both instances the use of the pictures was justified by the context, so that there was no breach of the Code. At all times the footage was curtailed to events surrounding the execution; the moment of death was never shown. We also bore in mind the fact that both BBC News 24 and Sky News are rolling news channels, the audience for which is overwhelmingly adult and self-selecting.

While we do not consider that there were breaches of the Code in respect of these two bulletins, broadcasters should be aware that footage, such as, this may contain particularly disturbing images (for instance, the jeering and taunting of Saddam Hussein before his execution). Broadcasters therefore need to consider very carefully the use of such strong material as general ‘background’ imagery in, for examples, interviews or live discussions with correspondents. It may be the case that where images are extremely powerful broadcasters will need to give greater context to the pictures (e.g. by careful scripting).

Like most of these broadcast code adjudications, this one isn’t very converged.  The same video — and much worse — is all over the internet.

Sic semper tyrannis…