Post by Teddy Bear on Jan 23, 2010 19:48:58 GMT
To show what a concerned and caring entity the BBC is, and by all accounts the topic is dear to the BBC heart, it's going to spend tens of thousands of pounds of licence payers money in research of a 'deeper understanding' of its own portrayal of lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
Just when you think this insidious corporation can't make you any sicker....
Just when you think this insidious corporation can't make you any sicker....
BBC splashes out on study of gays on TV
By Paul Revoir
The BBC is to spend tens of thousands of pounds researching a 'deeper understanding' of its own portrayal of lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
The corporation was immediately accused of political correctness gone mad after it announced the UK wide project about homosexuality.
Critics said the scheme is further evidence that despite the tough economic climate it is still spending cash on 'PC' projects.
Tim Davie, the BBC's head of BBC audio and music
Diversity demands: Tim Davie, the BBC's head of BBC audio and music, has defended the research as 'vital'
Money will be spent to 'talk to audiences up and down the UK' about their views and opinions on the BBC's representation of gay people.
It will ask the audience their views on 'language, tone, stereotyping, on screen talent, humour and scheduling' across all types of programming from drama and comedy to news programmes.
The corporation has hired research agency 2CV to carry out the work, which will be supported by a BBC online questionnaire which was launched yesterday. It is understood the project will be costing a five figure sum.
The project is being driven by a 'pan-BBC Working Group on Portrayal and Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Audiences'.
The report will also canvas the views of heterosexuals and people from religious groups. The BBC has already begun holding focus groups for the project.
Yesterday Tim Davie, the corporation's director of audio and music, who is chairing the working group, said: 'We will talk to audiences up and down the UK so that we get the widest range of views and opinions about how they think we're portraying LGB people across everything we do; whether its television, radio or online.'
He added: 'This is the most comprehensive piece of research ever carried out in this area by the BBC and we are doing it because, as a public service broadcaster, we have a responsibility to serve all our audiences and it's vital that we reflect the differences among all of the UK's diverse communities, nations and regions.'
BBC Television Centre
Critics say the BBC would have no need of the study if it was in touch with its audience
But the decision sparked anger from BBC critics who claim that reviews like these are unnecessary.
Conservative MP Philip Davies, who sits on the culture, media and sport committee, is a vocal critic of politically correct practices.
He said: 'If you are close to your customers you don't need to do all this sort of business. It seems this is more about enhancing their politically correct reputation and no doubt this is more money burring a hole in its pocket which it is dying to spend.'
The BBC has in recent times sparked complaints with its comments and portrayal of gay issues.
The corporation was under fire in December for opening a debate on its website about whether gays should be executed.
The question was posed after a proposed law to execute homosexuals was put forward in Uganda.
Graham Norton was reprimanded by BBC chiefs in September after a 'homophobic' joke about the haircuts of lesbians.
In May Jonathan Ross was accused of homophobia over comments made on his Radio 2 show after joking parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3 player.
In 2006 the BBC's governors had claimed that the word 'gay' now means 'rubbish' in modern playground speak and was not necessarily offensive.
This came after a listener had complained when Chris Moyles had dismissed a ringtone as 'gay'.
Mr Davie said on a BBC blog the corporation had been in contact with lesbian, gay and bisexual community organisations across the UK.
He said of the working group: 'It was set up last year to examine how we portray this section of our diverse audience - in part because we know that LGB communities are concerned about how they were portrayed in the media - but also because the licence fee and our public purposes means it is our job to reflect the diversity of the nation and do that well.'
After recommendations are presented to the 'diversity board' at the BBC, chaired by Mark Thompson, the corporation will then publish a report.
The findings will be used to inform editorial decisions by programme-makers and other executives at the corporation.
This comes after a similar project last year into coverage of disability an ongoing look at regional audiences.
By Paul Revoir
The BBC is to spend tens of thousands of pounds researching a 'deeper understanding' of its own portrayal of lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
The corporation was immediately accused of political correctness gone mad after it announced the UK wide project about homosexuality.
Critics said the scheme is further evidence that despite the tough economic climate it is still spending cash on 'PC' projects.
Tim Davie, the BBC's head of BBC audio and music
Diversity demands: Tim Davie, the BBC's head of BBC audio and music, has defended the research as 'vital'
Money will be spent to 'talk to audiences up and down the UK' about their views and opinions on the BBC's representation of gay people.
It will ask the audience their views on 'language, tone, stereotyping, on screen talent, humour and scheduling' across all types of programming from drama and comedy to news programmes.
The corporation has hired research agency 2CV to carry out the work, which will be supported by a BBC online questionnaire which was launched yesterday. It is understood the project will be costing a five figure sum.
The project is being driven by a 'pan-BBC Working Group on Portrayal and Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Audiences'.
The report will also canvas the views of heterosexuals and people from religious groups. The BBC has already begun holding focus groups for the project.
Yesterday Tim Davie, the corporation's director of audio and music, who is chairing the working group, said: 'We will talk to audiences up and down the UK so that we get the widest range of views and opinions about how they think we're portraying LGB people across everything we do; whether its television, radio or online.'
He added: 'This is the most comprehensive piece of research ever carried out in this area by the BBC and we are doing it because, as a public service broadcaster, we have a responsibility to serve all our audiences and it's vital that we reflect the differences among all of the UK's diverse communities, nations and regions.'
BBC Television Centre
Critics say the BBC would have no need of the study if it was in touch with its audience
But the decision sparked anger from BBC critics who claim that reviews like these are unnecessary.
Conservative MP Philip Davies, who sits on the culture, media and sport committee, is a vocal critic of politically correct practices.
He said: 'If you are close to your customers you don't need to do all this sort of business. It seems this is more about enhancing their politically correct reputation and no doubt this is more money burring a hole in its pocket which it is dying to spend.'
The BBC has in recent times sparked complaints with its comments and portrayal of gay issues.
The corporation was under fire in December for opening a debate on its website about whether gays should be executed.
The question was posed after a proposed law to execute homosexuals was put forward in Uganda.
Graham Norton was reprimanded by BBC chiefs in September after a 'homophobic' joke about the haircuts of lesbians.
In May Jonathan Ross was accused of homophobia over comments made on his Radio 2 show after joking parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3 player.
In 2006 the BBC's governors had claimed that the word 'gay' now means 'rubbish' in modern playground speak and was not necessarily offensive.
This came after a listener had complained when Chris Moyles had dismissed a ringtone as 'gay'.
Mr Davie said on a BBC blog the corporation had been in contact with lesbian, gay and bisexual community organisations across the UK.
He said of the working group: 'It was set up last year to examine how we portray this section of our diverse audience - in part because we know that LGB communities are concerned about how they were portrayed in the media - but also because the licence fee and our public purposes means it is our job to reflect the diversity of the nation and do that well.'
After recommendations are presented to the 'diversity board' at the BBC, chaired by Mark Thompson, the corporation will then publish a report.
The findings will be used to inform editorial decisions by programme-makers and other executives at the corporation.
This comes after a similar project last year into coverage of disability an ongoing look at regional audiences.