Comments on: Shame on you, BBC

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:41:21 +0000

I got a very similar response from the BBC after complaining about rape jokes on ‘Mock the Week’. It read like a generic reply sent out to every complaint about the programme.

It might be too late for this issue, but sending complaints to Ofcom as well as the BBC is a good idea, and is more likely to get a useful result.

By: That joke isn’t funny any more « bird of paradox

That joke isn’t funny any more « bird of paradox — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:53:47 +0000

[...] I’ve just read this post by Tekanji over at the Official Shrub.com Blog. Tekanji says, “The BBC has chosen to defend [...]

By: Jo

Jo — Mon, 05 May 2008 02:48:50 +0000

Sorry, BBC. Intent != Effect. Epic, epic FAIL.

This is a step below “I’m sorry that you were offended” for me.

Exactly, myst3kpyro. The form of an apology without the substance.

By: myst3kpyro

myst3kpyro — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:39:50 +0000

“I understand that you were unhappy because you felt that the presenter made offensive comments about Thomas Beatie.”
This is a step below “I’m sorry that you were offended” for me.
It’s a perfect example of weasel words (unhappy [try outraged], you felt). I hate apologies that make it entirely our fault, for not swallowing the bile and laughing at the joke, for bothering to speak up.
Agh. I’m going to go write the BBC a letter when my head stops exploding.

By: Angeline

Angeline — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:51:16 +0000

I think that writing is still the most effective way to state a complaint. It involves more effort; it’s harder to ignore than something from petitionline, and it’s more formal.

By: tekanji

tekanji — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:42:59 +0000

Kyrar:

I wonder if something along the lines of a petition would have any effect?

Hmm, maybe. Sending complaints might work better, though. And, of course, passing along the story If the BBC feels that supporting stuff like that will lead to tangible damage to their reputation then they might change their tune.

By: Some Guy

Some Guy — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:34:08 +0000

I guess it’s only the ratings that can decide the outcome of this. If the show’s ratings go down, then other shows will learn that they can’t do stuff like that.

Private companies also have the option of holding back their ad money, if they spend any on this show.

If the show can continue to get ratings/ad money then our complaints are neutralized.

By: Kyrar

Kyrar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:26:57 +0000

This isn’t the first time the BBC’s tossed out that kind of non-apology, either - they stuck up for Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles when he was criticised on his use of ‘gay’ as a slur a couple of years ago, excusing it with “the word has come to mean ‘lame’ or ‘rubbish’ amongst young people” (never mind that using lame to mean ‘bad’ is just as problematic, and young queer people apparently don’t count…) Their higher-ups really, really don’t seem to care at all, as a rule. I’m disgusted beyond belief that they’re defending Graham Norton in this.

They’re dismissing people’s complaints because they’re absolutely secure in the knowledge that they’ll get away with it, is what infuriates me the most. I wonder if something along the lines of a petition would have any effect? I’ll definitely be making all the potentially-sympathetic BBC watchers I know aware of this, at least.

By: Kimiko

Kimiko — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:56:49 +0000

Ouch, that is so hurtful.

I don’t like to watch ‘comedy’ that makes fun of people anyway, but my impression of the BBC just got dented badly.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:59:03 +0000

So, if someone attempted to make a racist joke, would they then defend that? God damn that’s sickening, BBC.