*****
URGENT CORRESPONDENCE:
BBC Complaints
PO Box 1922
Darlington
DL3 0UR Darlington
Dear Sir,
Re: BBC NI Spotlight Programme
I refer to the above and hereby formally lodge with your office a complaint in respect to the decision by your producers to revoke my invitation as a member of the audience on the Spotlight programme on date of even (3 December 2013).
On 29th November 2013 following a telephone questionnaire with staff from the programme I received tickets inviting me to participate in the show as a member of the audience on 3rd December 2013. I was hoping to ask the panellists some current questions regarding the social and economic deprivation of my community, the ineffectiveness of Stormont and other issues affecting me and my community.
At 4:45pm on 3rd December I received a telephone call from the show to inform me that I was not permitted to attend because I am “involved in politics” and the audience is solely for those “ordinary people” who want the “opportunity to ask the four main parties questions”. I was told if I am thinking of running in the elections I will be “getting enough media coverage so it wouldn’t be fair” to have me on the show.
In the interests of clarity I can confirm that my attendance on this show was sincere and genuine and not for political point scoring. I raised serious concerns at this decision. I highlighted that I am first and foremost an “ordinary” working class man and also a tax payer, which funds public bodies alike the BBC and should be extended the same fairness as others to attend the show and raise my questions. This was ignored and dismissed. I was also ensured that this decision was adhering with the “Spirit of Spotlight”.
When I challenged the caller on the shows numerous broadcastings and other BBC programmes having notorious ‘political’ figures amongst their audience I was provided with no substantive response. I was also informed that the producers could not exercise any discretion in permitting my attendance.
I have not yet received any written confirmation from the Spotlight programme in respect of their unreasonable and irrational decision which I would respectfully submit was an act of censorship. This decision was clearly contrary to precedent and in violation of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code 2013 (The Code).
It should be noted that this flawed decision failed to adhere to Section 6 of The Code dealing specifically with Elections and Referendums in that we are not in an ‘election period’ and given that my candidacy is not registered with the Electoral Office, I am not deemed as a ‘candidate’ either. Despite the aforementioned the Spotlight show felt it was not “inappropriate” to permit my attendance.
The BBC Spotlight programme has been complicity in procedural unfairness and promoted unjust and unfair treatment against me as on this occasion contrary to Section 7 of The Code and Art. 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights; which I firmly believe is highly discriminatory and unacceptable.
Yours faithfully,
_________________________
Ciarán Mulholland LL.B, LL.M
That really is a joke. They seem to let PUP members on often. That idiot Jamie Bryson is running for Europe but is allowed on and also UVF mouthpiece Jim Wilson is also a regular.
ReplyDeleteI've known BBC to actually ring political parties when they've low numbers!
ReplyDeleteCiarán should follow through with this if he feels he can negotiate the BBC Byzantine complaints procedure which is like peeling the layers of an onion, and even more important he thinks its worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThe Beeb have clear guidelines about impartiality, so how can the say he was uninvited because he was a politician, when you had politicians on the platform and I would bet my ever decreasing pension, a good few more in the audience.
Mick, you are absolutely right. These audiences are packed with political activists. I know from experience they actually contact parties to get bums on seats. Seems Ciaran is the wrong sort of political person. It's a question he should ask how often do the producers contact political parties asking they assist getting auduence members.
ReplyDeleteBeeb will never change, They are British, IT Doesn't matter who many people in Norn Iron pay the licecnse
ReplyDeleteFee, if your an Nationalist they don't want to know you. Its those in the know who are put on the show.
Ciaran , continue fighting this, You may get no were , because those in the BBC are run by powers in the dark halls of whitehall.
from Gareth Canning
ReplyDeleteSelective reporting has always been the norm for the bbc. infact if you listen long enough to both nolan shows from the north and his show in england you will come to the conclusion that the bbc could easily stand for british biased Corporation. you only have to look at the balance of its presenters in the north you will find that is is mainly pro brit protestants with their own agenda and they are given a free hand to get their point of view across.
IMHO, What these programme makers want, are morons in the audience who will bleat on about how "themmuns" get everything and we don't. This suits the moronic "politicians" sitting on the panel as they don't have to answer any pertinent questions, which I'm sure Ciaran would have put to them.
ReplyDelete