BBC Complaint and response

Paul Tavener, 12 Sep 2006 22:44:57

Here is my complaint and the BBC response to it, not that I expected must different but at least a they are aware. It will be interesting to see what they say concerning the Vernon Coaker interview.

{Programme Name:} South Today
{Transmission Date:}30 - 08 - 06

{Comments:}
This evenings South Today program contained a news article concerning new Government plans to criminalise the posession of extreme pornography. I do not believe that this article presented a balanced view of this matter of political
controversy.

In Sally Taylor's interview with Elizebeth Longhurst no real attempt was made to discuss any counter arguments or even mention the fact that this actualy is a matter of political controversy. Ms Longhurst's views were simply taken as fact.

I would point out that the majority of responses to the Government's recent public consultation on this matter were against any changes to the law. And I would have expected the BBC to present a more balanced view on this difficult
issue.




Dear Mr Tavener

Thank you for your e-mail regarding BBC Regional News 'South Today' on 30 August
2006.

I note your concerns over an item featured on this programme; specifically, an interview with Mrs Liz Longhurst. I gather that you considered that Sally Taylor's interview of Mrs Longhurst lacked balance; further, that you felt it failed to explore counter arguments or to question the points raised.

I can offer assurance of the BBC commitment to impartial reporting across our News output. Our reporters and presenters are well aware of this commitment and are expected to put their own views to one side when carrying out their work for the BBC. They seek to provide the information which will enable viewers and listeners to make up their own minds and to provide the forum for debate, giving full opportunity for all viewpoints to be heard. Senior editorial staff, the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors closely observe our programming to ensure that standards of impartiality are maintained.

As I am sure you will appreciate, it is not always possible or practical to reflect all the different opinions on a subject within individual programmes. Editors are charged to ensure that over a reasonable period they reflect the range of significant views, opinions and trends in their subject area. The BBC
does not seek to discount or to advance any view. It seeks rather to identify all significant views, and to test them rigorously and fairly on behalf of the audience. Among other evidence, audience research indicates widespread confidence in the impartiality of the BBC's reporting.

I trust that I have addressed your concerns. Nevertheless, please be assured that I have included your comments in the daily audience log. This internal document is made available to 'South Today' production teams and senior management.

Thank you for taking the time to contact BBC Information and express your
opinions.

Regards

Anne Lavan
BBC Information


phantom, 13 Sep 2006 20:56:22

Below the complaint I have just forwarded to the BBC via its online complaints page.
Regards,
Phantom


--------

Dear Sirs,
I used the BBC's website to point out a misleading statement by Home Office minister Vernon Coaker on BBC4's 'World at One' on 30/08/06. I am astounded not to have seen any reaction since. I have been made aware that others have also highlighted this issue, yet the BBC seems not to have seen fit to respond or to in any way react to this matter. The fact remains; a government minister made a verifiably misleading statement (reg. the government consultation in question) on one of your radio programs. Within days of the broadcast I contacted the BBC via its website to highlight this issue. My message was calm and measured. I say this, as some people who are aware of the broadcast, state loudly that the minister lied and the BBC have done nothing to challenge this lie.
I am not in the business of accusing people, no less ministers, of lying. But I remain perplexed regarding the silence of the BBC on this matter.
In certain corners of the net the minister's evidently misleading statement has caused anger. It is through such fora, etc that I am aware of others having informed you of this matter.
Given that relatively small numbers of complaints can at times influence BBC television programming such as light entertainment shows, soaps, etc, I am amazed that messages to you on a verifiably misleading statement regarding government policy broadcast on a news program have not drawn any reaction so far. At least an official clarification of the facts by the BBC regarding this matter would have been expected.
It is hence that I am now filing this official complaint. Public service broadcasters are to hold government officials to account and are certainly not to let any untruths such as minister Coaker's statement go unchallenged, or uncorrected.
I grant, that it cannot be expected of a radio presenter to be in possession of all the facts regarding details of government policy. I also do not expect the BBC in any way to take sides on a controversial political issue.
However, when the BBC is advised that a government minister has made a verifiably untrue statement regarding a pertinent fact concerning government policy, I expect a reaction, if only to distance the BBC from what many see as a politically motivated deviation from the truth.
To allow a misleading statement to be broadcast unchallenged, in effect means to forfeit one's partiality and to support the maker of said statement by means of one's silence.

I await your response.

Regards,
Franco Cavazzi


rovacs, 13 Sep 2006 21:17:28

Good letter Phantom. If this goes nowhere people then maybe need to see to it the BBC Governor's are appraised of the situation. Telling untruths about the "reasons" they feel the need to implement major controversial criminal legislation needs to be exposed. I wonder if an MP might raise the matter in Parliament?

Author wrote:
> Below the complaint I have just forwarded to the BBC via its online complaints page.
> Regards,
> Phantom
> --------
> Dear Sirs,
> I used the BBC's website to point out a misleading statement by Home Office minister Vernon Coaker on BBC4's 'World at One' on 30/08/06. I am astounded not to have seen any reaction since. I have been made aware that others have also highlighted this issue, yet the BBC seems not to have seen fit to respond or to in any way react to this matter. The fact remains; a government minister made a verifiably misleading statement (reg. the government consultation in question) on one of your radio programs. Within days of the broadcast I contacted the BBC via its website to highlight this issue. My message was calm and measured. I say this, as some people who are aware of the broadcast, state loudly that the minister lied and the BBC have done nothing to challenge this lie.
> I am not in the business of accusing people, no less ministers, of lying. But I remain perplexed regarding the silence of the BBC on this matter.
> In certain corners of the net the minister's evidently misleading statement has caused anger. It is through such fora, etc that I am aware of others having informed you of this matter.
> Given that relatively small numbers of complaints can at times influence BBC television programming such as light entertainment shows, soaps, etc, I am amazed that messages to you on a verifiably misleading statement regarding government policy broadcast on a news program have not drawn any reaction so far. At least an official clarification of the facts by the BBC regarding this matter would have been expected.
> It is hence that I am now filing this official complaint. Public service broadcasters are to hold government officials to account and are certainly not to let any untruths such as minister Coaker's statement go unchallenged, or uncorrected.
> I grant, that it cannot be expected of a radio presenter to be in possession of all the facts regarding details of government policy. I also do not expect the BBC in any way to take sides on a controversial political issue.
> However, when the BBC is advised that a government minister has made a verifiably untrue statement regarding a pertinent fact concerning government policy, I expect a reaction, if only to distance the BBC from what many see as a politically motivated deviation from the truth.
> To allow a misleading statement to be broadcast unchallenged, in effect means to forfeit one's partiality and to support the maker of said statement by means of one's silence.
> I await your response.
> Regards,
> Franco Cavazzi


Teddy, 14 Sep 2006 01:23:08

Let's hope the Beeb can be stung into life on this issue! My letter to them about Croaker has also not received any response as yet.

T.

Author wrote:
> Below the complaint I have just forwarded to the BBC via its online complaints page.
> Regards,
> Phantom
> --------
> Dear Sirs,
> I used the BBC's website to point out a misleading statement by Home Office minister Vernon Coaker on BBC4's 'World at One' on 30/08/06. I am astounded not to have seen any reaction since. I have been made aware that others have also highlighted this issue, yet the BBC seems not to have seen fit to respond or to in any way react to this matter. The fact remains; a government minister made a verifiably misleading statement (reg. the government consultation in question) on one of your radio programs. Within days of the broadcast I contacted the BBC via its website to highlight this issue. My message was calm and measured. I say this, as some people who are aware of the broadcast, state loudly that the minister lied and the BBC have done nothing to challenge this lie.
> I am not in the business of accusing people, no less ministers, of lying. But I remain perplexed regarding the silence of the BBC on this matter.
> In certain corners of the net the minister's evidently misleading statement has caused anger. It is through such fora, etc that I am aware of others having informed you of this matter.
> Given that relatively small numbers of complaints can at times influence BBC television programming such as light entertainment shows, soaps, etc, I am amazed that messages to you on a verifiably misleading statement regarding government policy broadcast on a news program have not drawn any reaction so far. At least an official clarification of the facts by the BBC regarding this matter would have been expected.
> It is hence that I am now filing this official complaint. Public service broadcasters are to hold government officials to account and are certainly not to let any untruths such as minister Coaker's statement go unchallenged, or uncorrected.
> I grant, that it cannot be expected of a radio presenter to be in possession of all the facts regarding details of government policy. I also do not expect the BBC in any way to take sides on a controversial political issue.
> However, when the BBC is advised that a government minister has made a verifiably untrue statement regarding a pertinent fact concerning government policy, I expect a reaction, if only to distance the BBC from what many see as a politically motivated deviation from the truth.
> To allow a misleading statement to be broadcast unchallenged, in effect means to forfeit one's partiality and to support the maker of said statement by means of one's silence.
> I await your response.
> Regards,
> Franco Cavazzi