Radio 4 Feedback 31 Oct 2014

[charmbrights]

Two BBC officials were interviewed on today's programme.

Rebecca Stratford was asked about Start the Week's lionising of Russell Brand when a whole edition was allowed to be hi-jacked by him to advertise his new book. Naturally the BBC answer was that "we made the right decision" despite a large number of complaints about his rudeness to other panelists and his weird opinions.

Rick Bailey was asked about the BBC's "four main [political] parties" in the UK, and the omission of the Green Party although it has had an MP much longer than UKIP. This was widened to include the evidence that the various Nationalist parties and all the Northern Ireland parties were excluded. Once again the response was "It is difficult to decide, but we are confident that we have got it right."

Why does this programme exist, if the complaints are aired only to be dismissed by junior staff from the BBC as being unjustified?

I have used the BBC complaints procedure to make this point and will report when if I get a reply.

[thehighlandrebel]

I used to complain Chams but it was a waste of time so I've done a better thing and told them to stick their licence fee demands where the sun don't shine.
One of the most harrowing tales in recent times is unfolding, the abuse and exploitation of thousands of children by paedophiles and criminals and the cover ups by the local authorities, the police, the media and the politicians. Does the BBC give a damn about these children? Listen to or watch the news and all that you'll find about the story is a wall to wall attack on the Tories and an incessant attack on the person chairing the enquiry. Who gives a damn who's chairing the investigation as long as they get the truth out.
They harp on about their yearly 'Children in need' charity yet they don't give a damn about any child...as their own harbouring of paedophiles has shown.

[charmbrights]

Oct 31, 2014 17:33:41 GMT thehighlandrebel said:

...
They harp on about their yearly 'Children in need' charity ...

Ask any major charity and the money they collect is effectively just moved from other charities. Well - it's a competitive world out there, but what do they do with the cash they collect?

They pay themselves generously - over £1,000,000 a year into BBC funds to pay for the use of studios, etc. Nobody will admit how much the performers are paid. Then they bank the rest. The finances of charities is a matter of public record and last year but one (the last records filed when I looked) they had MORE in the bank when the appeal went out than they had collected the previous year!!!

[Teddy Bear]

I applaud your efforts Charm

THR is correct that most complaints are simply dismissed, and few are entertained as correct. But even when the BBC make amendments as a result of a justified complaint, they are done in such a way that the original report is left in the minds of most of their audience. The real value of making a complaint however is seeing the arrogant mindset of the BBC in just how they dismiss it.

The points both of you raised are terrific.

[charmbrights]

Here we are, the reply we all expected:

Reference CAS-2999129-402XG5

Thank you for contacting us about 'Feedback' on Radio 4. I understand that you have concerns about how complaints are dealt with on the programme and that you feel topics are dismissed by BBC staff.

Feedback is a forum to discuss comments, queries, criticisms and congratulations from audience members about BBC output and services. This is programme is not part of the BBC's formal complaints process, it is a platform for discussion on these topics.

That said, I can appreciate that you disagree with the responses given by the BBC staff featured on the programme.

I am grateful that you have taken the time to contact us. Please be assured that I have included your complaint on our audience feedback report which is sent to programme producers and senior management each morning. These reports are among the most widely read sources of feedback in the BBC and ensures that your complaint has been seen by the right people quickly. This helps inform their decisions about current and future programmes.

Thanks again for getting in touch.

Kind regards

Jannine Matthews

BBC Complaints

Pass the sick bag, somebody please?

[Teddy Bear]

Nov 6, 2014 16:06:25 GMT charmbrights said:

'...it is a platform for discussion on these topics.'

I understood your complaint to say that THE BBC were using this programme to dismiss complaints, not a discussion as they claim at all. But as you state Charm, it's what we would have expected.
I notice her English is not very good either 'This is programme is not part of the BBC's formal complaints process'

Well done again for your effort Charm.