tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post1564061618628803868..comments2024-02-11T08:44:50.489+00:00Comments on Peter A Bell: Beeb, baby, bathwaterPeter A Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-43162427047740209992012-05-11T23:39:58.736+01:002012-05-11T23:39:58.736+01:00They maintain they were using a comparison that ha...They maintain they were using a comparison that had been devised as best for the English elections and their different system, and were just being consistent.<br /><br />However this begs the question of why they were (initially at least) entirely unforthcoming as to the reason for what seemed to many viewers to be erroneous gain/loss results. It also raises the question of why they have never discussed the anomaly openly, and pointed out within the text of the article that a comparison with 2007, which is arguably more valid for the Scottish elections, gives completely different numbers.<br /><br />Asking them to point out that the main cause of the anomaly was that a bunch of Labour councillors resigned the Labour whip in the dying weeks of the term, due to pique over being deselected, and that these seats were then counted as gains when the new candidate held them, is presumably too much to ask an impartial broadcaster to cope with.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-77321504832280648232012-05-11T23:34:05.976+01:002012-05-11T23:34:05.976+01:00Fair enough, I just pressed the button, and the pr...Fair enough, I just pressed the button, and the programme that's on is subtitled. When I tried the news (hoping for better than Jackie and Sally), it wasn't.<br /><br />Of course it does mean I have to watch and can't post on blogs at the same time!Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-3848152103478576582012-05-10T02:11:47.648+01:002012-05-10T02:11:47.648+01:00Peter,
Well, it seems to me that we should decide...Peter,<br /><br />Well, it seems to me that we should decide who gets a gong, or not. Not politicians. And certainly no Lords.douglas clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422060678908705962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-58666742485029516822012-05-10T02:01:41.619+01:002012-05-10T02:01:41.619+01:00Peter,
If you view is that it as merely polemic, ...Peter,<br /><br />If you view is that it as merely polemic, then by all means go for it. But you do know they won't surrender it easily, if at all?<br /><br />I agree with you that every power that Westminster appears to keep to itself ought to be challenged. I am sick and tired of the Crown Estates, for instance.<br /><br />Just for clarity, I am in favour of pointing all this out. I am not at all persuaded that we have a snowballs chance in hell of changing this pre 2014.<br /><br />Can I say something to you?<br /><br />I am already trying to work out how a new Scotland might be. In my own mind I see the people as having rights well beyond what we are allowed now. It seems ridiculous to me that there should even be an arguement about separation of the fourth estate - read BBC - and the rest.<br /><br />Y'know, the parcel of rogues. That's politicians, by the way. Cynical, I accept that.<br /><br />I want it to be impossible for any politician to sell us out, for English Gold, ever again.<br /><br />So, consequently, I'd want any Scottish Constitution to recognise, from day one, the sovereignty of the people.<br /><br />Clearly, the outcome of the referendum should be binding for at least a hundred years :-)douglas clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422060678908705962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-589670618679663272012-05-10T00:01:47.263+01:002012-05-10T00:01:47.263+01:00I would prefer that the appointments be under the ...I would prefer that the appointments be under the auspices of an independent panel such as that set up by the SNP government to deal with honours nominations.Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-75210734153760784192012-05-09T23:58:00.506+01:002012-05-09T23:58:00.506+01:00You may be correct about the futility of a campaig...You may be correct about the futility of a campaign to have powers over broadcasting transferred in the short-term. But a well framed campaign presenting sound arguments in favour of such a transfer is still worthwhile if only for the fact that it forces London to refuse what will be widely viewed as reasonable demands. All such refusals feed the independence campaign.Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-37020460880764140402012-05-09T23:37:38.757+01:002012-05-09T23:37:38.757+01:00BBC Scotland Governing board could be made up of o...BBC Scotland Governing board could be made up of one appionted member from each elected party. One from SLabour, one from SNP, one from Lib/whats and one from tory. we could evan have some from other partys dependant on how many seats. Have equal number of members would prevent bias setting in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-59742412493589516272012-05-09T23:28:45.773+01:002012-05-09T23:28:45.773+01:00Peter,
I agree it would be desireable, and perhap...Peter,<br /><br />I agree it would be desireable, and perhaps even essential, for these powers to be transferred. It is not going to happen.<br /><br />The Scotland Bill is - apparently - all we can expect from Westminster before a referendum.<br /><br />The timescale is against it and I do not see in my crystal ball any unionist likely to give up these specific powers - and you and I know they are powers - that they currently have, pre 2014. For the BBC is their ace in the hole, as I believe they say.<br /><br />I am a bit annoyed that Chris Patten appears to have failed to address the issue of bias that you rightly raise. It is leading on from that failure of an establishment figure to provide a level playing field, and the apparent winding down of the time until the referendum that worries me too. It is a common enough trick of Westminster politicians to agree that you have a case and then do nothing at all about it. I believe the exiles from Diego Garcia might agree. But Patten will come under zero pressure from Westminster to rectify the situation, indeed the opposite may be the case.<br /><br />And all the time the clock ticks. <br /><br />Thank you for the discussion and not picking me up on the first paragraph of my previous post, which more or less said the exact opposite of what I meant to say.douglas clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422060678908705962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-91848385725678768682012-05-09T18:24:26.702+01:002012-05-09T18:24:26.702+01:00Just in case that post council elections we will b...Just in case that post council elections we will be returning to "business as usual" from the BBC check out this job advert for the BBC. Nothing untoward you might think. However, I challenge anyone to read the requirements and come to one and only one conclusion........LABOUR RULES THE BBC!<br /><br />https://careers.bbc.co.uk/fe/tpl_bbc01.asp?s=QzByEJgTrIUzWwIro&jobid=43397%2C6952988956&key=61341156&c=415915140212&pagestamp=serftkdwubeijdwlpwArbroath1320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-41519371502470441522012-05-09T16:00:51.308+01:002012-05-09T16:00:51.308+01:00There is an interesting and valuable discussion to...There is an interesting and valuable discussion to be had about the governance of the public service broadcaster in an independent Scotland. While I am, as I've said, somewhat dubious about the practicality and efficacy of directly elected governors nothing should be ruled out.<br /><br />The immediate task, however, is to see what can be done to address the issue of bias within the system as it currently exists. As I see it, the only practical course is to transfer powers over broadcasting intact to the Scottish Parliament rather than embarking on the much more long-term project of seeking to modify the functional aspects of those powers. Such a transfer would be relatively easy and would provide an ideal opportunity for the kind of drastic refocusing of the management culture that I see as essential.Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-6884010941412700792012-05-09T14:38:29.380+01:002012-05-09T14:38:29.380+01:00Red, your talking about the British Brainwashing C...Red, your talking about the British Brainwashing Committee here. The BBC don't do apologies, particularly to people in North Britain a.k.a. Scotland. Remember we are just a REGION we don't count for anything except of course to grab all our finances and taxes from.Arbroath1320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-26174910041916466372012-05-09T14:20:25.785+01:002012-05-09T14:20:25.785+01:00Peter,
Thank you for your reply.
One of the poin...Peter,<br /><br />Thank you for your reply.<br /><br />One of the points about any constitution is to try to ensure balance. It is not going to be the case that our Hollyrood government will be in power in perpituity. I have no desire to see the sort of establishment figures that currently lead it. <br /><br />It just seems wrong to me that the appointments to the BBC Trust are essentially via the government. It seems to me that we have to be thinking long term here. Appointments to The Supreme Court in the USA are a political battleground. I would prefer to avoid that, if at all possible. Whilst there is nominal separation between parliament and the judiciary, I would like to see a similar separation between parliament and the BBC.<br /><br />Despite the meeting between Alex Salmond and Lord Patten, the situation about bias appears to have got worse rather than better. Perhaps you disagree?douglas clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422060678908705962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-13793140828181165202012-05-09T12:51:05.303+01:002012-05-09T12:51:05.303+01:00Will the beeb apologise about falsifying the figur...Will the beeb apologise about falsifying the figures now they have been caught out?<br />If they had integrity they would do so.redcliffe62noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-45689758754361138612012-05-08T19:20:10.474+01:002012-05-08T19:20:10.474+01:00I don't know what sort of programmes you want ...I don't know what sort of programmes you want to watch Rolfe but I have always found that any time I have been on BBC ALBA the programme has always had subtitle on. Perhaps I've just been lucky, I don't know, but I've certainly found no problem understanding what is happening when I've been watching a programme on ALBA. I don't think the lack of subtitles is as wide as you might think.<br /><br />Admittedly with direct respect to the news, which we all started talking about last century :D that particular programme is not wholly subtitled. What they do is subtitle the headline of each item as it starts, so even there you can still get the gist of what the story is about.<br /><br />I think the only advice I can give you regarding BBC ALBA is keep trying it out. I feel quietly confident that you will see that all the programmes can be enjoyable, and informative. Hell they even have their own version of Top Gear called Air an Rathad, only the presenters are far better, in my view. At least give this one a try and see what you think, it is on Thursday at 23:00. I'm currently watching a programme about crofting, with subtitles, called Croit.<br /><br />Go on be a devil, give it a try. You know you want to. :DArbroath1320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-57383159035113774442012-05-08T10:38:02.240+01:002012-05-08T10:38:02.240+01:00My initial reaction was to suggest that it is a bi...My initial reaction was to suggest that it is a bit early to be thinking about what a Scottish Broadcasting Service would look like and that we should be focused, for the moment at least, on trying to fix the public service broadcaster that we already have - BBC Scotland. On reflection, however, it makes sense to be guided in reform of BBC Scotland by consideration what we would be our ideal for an independent Scotland.<br /><br />The idea of a directly elected board of governors may have some merit. But direct election is all too often seen as a panacea for all ills and the only truly democratic way of doing things. If one requires to be convinced of the limitations of direct election one need look no further than the very political institutions that you seek to bypass. If our directly elected political representatives are not to be trusted then how much more justified are we in putting our faith in directly elected governors?<br /><br />It is regrettable that the incompetence and corruption associated with Westminster should have so tainted the whole system of representative democracy. But I would suggest that if we cannot have a better politics in our new Scotland then the whole independence project is rather hollow.<br /><br />Our aspirations in regard to specifics such as public service broadcasting are surely dependent on confidence in our ability to forge democratic political institutions and processes which are "fit for purpose" in that the elected can be relied upon to provide oversight without interference.<br /><br />If the system for electing our political representatives is as flawed as you seem to think it inevitably must be, what reason do we have to suppose that a system for electing broadcasting service governors might be any more satisfactory?Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-14747631775008808812012-05-08T01:51:15.163+01:002012-05-08T01:51:15.163+01:00Peter,
I agree with most of what you say. But thi...Peter,<br /><br />I agree with most of what you say. But this doesn't work:<br /><br />"The nation's public service broadcaster must be ultimately accountable to the nation's democratically elected government."<br /><br />It seems to me that the public service broadcaster should be directly responsible to the people it serves. There is a radical difference between the needs of a state and the needs of it's citizens. If there is to be an independent Scottish Broadcasting Service then we should directly elect a Board of Governors. They should not be at the beck and call of politicians at all. We should also insist on that separation through law. I'd go a lot further, in terms of elegibility to be in this new SBC, for instance any sort of relationship with a politician would disbar you from even applying for a job.<br /><br />Just saying.douglas clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422060678908705962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-65708221945314713902012-05-07T23:15:46.515+01:002012-05-07T23:15:46.515+01:00Ceefax no longer exists. It was carried as part of...Ceefax no longer exists. It was carried as part of the analogue signal and ended with the switch-over to digital. Some news and current affairs programmes are subtitled using voice recognition technology. But the technology does not exist to provide instantaneous audio translation. Yet!Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-30965526944319986512012-05-07T22:52:56.001+01:002012-05-07T22:52:56.001+01:00Mmm, but how to know in advance which ones? And i...Mmm, but how to know in advance which ones? And it's the news we're talking about, really.<br /><br />And nice thought Gaelic might be to listen to, I want to understand the programme.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-58110513020434810812012-05-07T22:51:21.631+01:002012-05-07T22:51:21.631+01:00Considering that most TV programmes have English s...Considering that most TV programmes have English subtitles available on Ceefax, I'm not sure how expensive it would be. There don't seem to be any Ceefax subtitles on BBC Alba unless I'm missing something.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-49446153064607116552012-05-07T19:01:39.043+01:002012-05-07T19:01:39.043+01:00Rolfe, if you watch BBC ALBA often enough you will...Rolfe, if you watch BBC ALBA often enough you will find that there are quite a number of programmes that do have English subtitles on them.<br /><br />I am not fluent in Gaelic myself but do find a lot of their programmes interesting as well as entertaining. <br /><br />I enjoy the programmes without subtitles just as much as those with the subtitles. I think my enjoyment of those without the subtitles comes from just listening to the Gaelic language itself. I find it such a beautiful language to listen to and, in my view, is a lot easier on the ears to listen to.Arbroath1320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-23599107369587419722012-05-07T17:37:46.579+01:002012-05-07T17:37:46.579+01:00Cost?Cost?Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-50569159829843819262012-05-07T17:19:03.767+01:002012-05-07T17:19:03.767+01:00I have tried to watch BBC Alba, but as I am not fl...I have tried to watch BBC Alba, but as I am not fluent in Gaelic it was a bit of a bust. I do watch "Eorpa", because it has subtitles. Why on earth can't we have English subtitles on BBC Alba programmes?Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-54212153481673611092012-05-07T14:16:23.440+01:002012-05-07T14:16:23.440+01:00Interesting suggestion. However, I think there mig...Interesting suggestion. However, I think there might be considerable opposition to messing about with BBC Alba in any way. I rather suspect its audience value its status as a niche broadcaster and would be exceedingly wary of what might be perceived as an attempt to make the channel more mainstream.<br /><br />Having said that, it may well be that BBC Alba could be a valuable resource in any project to refocus BBC Scotland.Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-7219826778185768632012-05-07T13:57:37.332+01:002012-05-07T13:57:37.332+01:00Peter,I apologise for being over simplistic here b...Peter,I apologise for being over simplistic here but how about this as a solution.<br /><br />1. Scrap BBC Scotland<br />2. Turn BBC ALBA into a replacement 24 hour broadcasting service.<br /><br />I make this suggestion based solely on what I have watched with regards to both stations news presentation.<br /><br />I watched BBC (Dis)Reporting Scotland during last May's elections and then watched the news on BBC ALBA. The two stations could not be more different in their approach to their reporting of political stories. (Dis)Reporting Scotland were broadcasting with their apparent usual "pro - Labour" stance in reporting whilst, in my view, BBC ALBA were about as neutral as I think it is possible for a news programme to be. The difference was like chalk and cheese.<br /><br />I know that to watch the news on BBC ALBA you need to be fluent in Gaelic, however in a 24 hour situation would it not be possible to run an English language version of An La (the news on BBC ALBA) AFTER the An La programme was finished.<br /><br />I know the BBC ALBA channel carries the name BBC on it but as it is, I understand, 50% funded by the Scottish government then it is apparent to me that their political views are very much more centred around the area of being neutral, and this is, after all what we all want isn't it?Arbroath1320noreply@blogger.com