Post by Teddy Bear on Feb 8, 2012 18:28:34 GMT
The BBC, and all those who work within it, is paid for by public money, to perform a public service. The fact that it not only fails to do this in so many ways, but actually harms the society, is something we chronicle on a daily basis.
But given that it is a public organisation, it is therefore completely untenable that any of its staff, who become well known as a result of appearing on its programmes, should then publicly sponsor a private company. In this case Alan TItchmarsh, who presents gardening programmes for the BBC, has been approved by them to become the new face for B&Q. So what about other companies like Wickes and Homebase who aren't able to get a high profile figure courtesy of the licence fee? For the BBC to choose not to recognise what is wrong with this decision, shows what has become the 'norm' for them.
The BBC's current conflict of interest editorial guidelines state: 'It is essential that the integrity of BBC programmes or other editorial output is not undermined by the commercial, business or financial interests of presenters.
'There must never be any suggestion that commercial or financial interests have influenced BBC coverage or the subject matter of programmes or the choice of items.
'Presenters should be asked to declare any commercial interests which may impinge on their on air-role or which are connected with the subject matter of the programme they present.
With the same selfish and distorted (mis)judgement that has become rampant at the BBC, their response is A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We understand that Alan Titchmarsh is not advertising or endorsing products for B&Q. His agreement with B&Q is purely to provide gardening tips and so does not breach our guidelines.
It is not only having to exist with the immoral and unethical behaviour of this force that angers me, it is the insult to ones intelligence that they perpetrate as well.
But given that it is a public organisation, it is therefore completely untenable that any of its staff, who become well known as a result of appearing on its programmes, should then publicly sponsor a private company. In this case Alan TItchmarsh, who presents gardening programmes for the BBC, has been approved by them to become the new face for B&Q. So what about other companies like Wickes and Homebase who aren't able to get a high profile figure courtesy of the licence fee? For the BBC to choose not to recognise what is wrong with this decision, shows what has become the 'norm' for them.
The BBC's current conflict of interest editorial guidelines state: 'It is essential that the integrity of BBC programmes or other editorial output is not undermined by the commercial, business or financial interests of presenters.
'There must never be any suggestion that commercial or financial interests have influenced BBC coverage or the subject matter of programmes or the choice of items.
'Presenters should be asked to declare any commercial interests which may impinge on their on air-role or which are connected with the subject matter of the programme they present.
With the same selfish and distorted (mis)judgement that has become rampant at the BBC, their response is A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We understand that Alan Titchmarsh is not advertising or endorsing products for B&Q. His agreement with B&Q is purely to provide gardening tips and so does not breach our guidelines.
It is not only having to exist with the immoral and unethical behaviour of this force that angers me, it is the insult to ones intelligence that they perpetrate as well.
BBC under fire for letting Alan Titchmarsh become the new 'face' of B&Q
The BBC has come under fire for allowing presenter Alan Titchmarsh to work for Britain's biggest garden centre chain.
Gardening guru Titchmarsh, 60, has agreed a lucrative deal to become the new face of B&Q.
Titchmarsh is set to start filming a new BBC gardening series - Alan's Garden Secrets - and will present the corporation's Chelsea Flower Show coverage in May.
But the Corporation insists that Titchmarsh's B&Q contract is not breaking its rules on commercial conflicts of interest for presenters.
The BBC and B&Q claim that Titchmarsh is not endorsing the firm's products and is merely giving gardening tips to customers.
But lifesize cut-outs of Titchmarsh will appear in B&Q stores and the former Ground Force star will make guest appearances in them.
His picture is being used in B&Q's 'Summer 2010' promotional brochure featuring new products.
He is writing gardening guidance leaflets for customers and will feature on the firm's website.
As the firm launched its summer season product range, the pair posed for photos in greenhouses, pushed bright orange wheelbarrows and leant on spades.
B&Q and Titchmarsh refused to reveal how much he is being paid by the company.
In 1976, celebrity gardener Percy Thrower was sacked by the BBC from his job presenting Gardener's World for appearing in an ICI weedkiller advert.
Another TV favourite, Diarmuid Gavin, was dropped by the BBC from its Chelsea Flower Show coverage in 2006 after appearing in a commercial for compost company Westland.
Titchmarsh claimed that he had thought 'long and hard' about his 'partnership' with B&Q.
He said: 'I did it because they reach more potential gardeners than any other outlet in the country.
'What I have tried to do in 30-odd years on the box is to try and raise standards in horticulture and to reach more people.
'I am passionate about getting Britain gardening. We have the opportunity together to reach as many people as possible and get everyone - young and old, keen and novice - having a go in their gardens.'
And he quipped: 'I'd be very worried if the cut-outs of me are not stolen.
'I'd like to apologise to customers in B&Q in advance for them.'
The BBC was slated by pressure group the Taxpayers' Alliance for allowing Titchmarsh to make money from the B&Q deal.
Chief executive Matthew Elliott said: 'The BBC seems to be making a very fine distinction which viewers won't understand.
'It's time the BBC decided whether it wants to be a public broadcaster funded through the licence fee with presenters not able to make money through commercial deals or become a commercial broadcaster with no licence fee.
'It can't carry on having the best of both worlds.'
The BBC's current conflict of interest editorial guidelines state: 'It is essential that the integrity of BBC programmes or other editorial output is not undermined by the commercial, business or financial interests of presenters.
'There must never be any suggestion that commercial or financial interests have influenced BBC coverage or the subject matter of programmes or the choice of items.
'Presenters should be asked to declare any commercial interests which may impinge on their on air-role or which are connected with the subject matter of the programme they present.
'In some cases, particularly for presenters of journalistic or factual programmes, commercial interests may be deemed incompatible with their on-air role.'
A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We understand that Alan Titchmarsh is not advertsing or endorsing products for B&Q. His agreement with B&Q is purely to provide gardening tips and so does not breach our guidelines.
'Avoiding conflicts is very important for our audiences so we always monitor these situations carefully. Alan's new series will be no exception.'
B&Q horticulture manager Steve Guy insisted: 'Alan Titchmarsh is not endorsing our products. There is no plan for him to appear in B&Q TV adverts.
'He's helping with information to help get people gardening. He will support us with hints and tips for customers.
'This is a real big thing for us. We're the biggest garden centre and he's the biggest name in gardening and he's really keen to be involved.'
The BBC has come under fire for allowing presenter Alan Titchmarsh to work for Britain's biggest garden centre chain.
Gardening guru Titchmarsh, 60, has agreed a lucrative deal to become the new face of B&Q.
Titchmarsh is set to start filming a new BBC gardening series - Alan's Garden Secrets - and will present the corporation's Chelsea Flower Show coverage in May.
But the Corporation insists that Titchmarsh's B&Q contract is not breaking its rules on commercial conflicts of interest for presenters.
The BBC and B&Q claim that Titchmarsh is not endorsing the firm's products and is merely giving gardening tips to customers.
But lifesize cut-outs of Titchmarsh will appear in B&Q stores and the former Ground Force star will make guest appearances in them.
His picture is being used in B&Q's 'Summer 2010' promotional brochure featuring new products.
He is writing gardening guidance leaflets for customers and will feature on the firm's website.
As the firm launched its summer season product range, the pair posed for photos in greenhouses, pushed bright orange wheelbarrows and leant on spades.
B&Q and Titchmarsh refused to reveal how much he is being paid by the company.
In 1976, celebrity gardener Percy Thrower was sacked by the BBC from his job presenting Gardener's World for appearing in an ICI weedkiller advert.
Another TV favourite, Diarmuid Gavin, was dropped by the BBC from its Chelsea Flower Show coverage in 2006 after appearing in a commercial for compost company Westland.
Titchmarsh claimed that he had thought 'long and hard' about his 'partnership' with B&Q.
He said: 'I did it because they reach more potential gardeners than any other outlet in the country.
'What I have tried to do in 30-odd years on the box is to try and raise standards in horticulture and to reach more people.
'I am passionate about getting Britain gardening. We have the opportunity together to reach as many people as possible and get everyone - young and old, keen and novice - having a go in their gardens.'
And he quipped: 'I'd be very worried if the cut-outs of me are not stolen.
'I'd like to apologise to customers in B&Q in advance for them.'
The BBC was slated by pressure group the Taxpayers' Alliance for allowing Titchmarsh to make money from the B&Q deal.
Chief executive Matthew Elliott said: 'The BBC seems to be making a very fine distinction which viewers won't understand.
'It's time the BBC decided whether it wants to be a public broadcaster funded through the licence fee with presenters not able to make money through commercial deals or become a commercial broadcaster with no licence fee.
'It can't carry on having the best of both worlds.'
The BBC's current conflict of interest editorial guidelines state: 'It is essential that the integrity of BBC programmes or other editorial output is not undermined by the commercial, business or financial interests of presenters.
'There must never be any suggestion that commercial or financial interests have influenced BBC coverage or the subject matter of programmes or the choice of items.
'Presenters should be asked to declare any commercial interests which may impinge on their on air-role or which are connected with the subject matter of the programme they present.
'In some cases, particularly for presenters of journalistic or factual programmes, commercial interests may be deemed incompatible with their on-air role.'
A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We understand that Alan Titchmarsh is not advertsing or endorsing products for B&Q. His agreement with B&Q is purely to provide gardening tips and so does not breach our guidelines.
'Avoiding conflicts is very important for our audiences so we always monitor these situations carefully. Alan's new series will be no exception.'
B&Q horticulture manager Steve Guy insisted: 'Alan Titchmarsh is not endorsing our products. There is no plan for him to appear in B&Q TV adverts.
'He's helping with information to help get people gardening. He will support us with hints and tips for customers.
'This is a real big thing for us. We're the biggest garden centre and he's the biggest name in gardening and he's really keen to be involved.'