BBC Whitewash for JoAnne Good
As did many others, made a complaint about JoAnne Goo'ds attitude towards cyclists. the response follows here, could be paraphrased that she really doesn't give a toss what anyone thinks and the Beeb agrees with that because people disagree with her, so providing a 'balance' of opinion.
Whitewash really.
What next? She'll get ripped off in a shop owned by someone who is of the wrong ethnic background and before you know it, it'll be pitchforks and torches any monority that looks out of place, and the BBC will be defending her right to free expression without responsibility.
Dear Mr XXXX
Thanks for your e-mail.
Firstly, I should apologise for the delay in getting back to you. We
realise that our correspondents appreciate a quick response and I'm
therefore sorry that you've had to wait on this occasion.
I understand that your e-mail expresses concerns about JoAnne Good's
comments on cyclists.
Regular listeners to the 'Breakfast' programme know that Jo has an issue
with cyclists in London who ignore traffic lights, ride on pavements and
use abusive language or hand gestures.
Many times in the past, cyclists have called in to point out that not all
cyclists behave in this way and Jo has also interviewed spokesmen
representing cyclists and cycling organizations who have contradicted her
views. She accepts their points, but still maintains it happens too often
and represents a danger to all road and pavement users.
Jo's co-presenter Paul Ross also balances her comments by emphasising that
it is only a minority of cyclists who act in this way and that there are,
of course, other road users who break the law or act in an aggressive or
dangerous way.
Specifically in relation to reports on BBC London about the Metropolitan
Police / Transport for London initiative to reduce the number of cyclists
who are killed in accidents with large goods vehicles, Jo was making the
point that many cyclists take unnecessary risks, which was precisely the
point being made by the police in this report.
She illustrated this further with her wider criticisms of cyclists who
break the law and those who show aggressive behaviour. Jo acknowledges this
is a minority of cyclists, a point her co-presenter Paul Ross made
emphatically.
JoAnne Good is entitled to a view, just as Paul Ross has strong opinions on
other matters. Both are balanced by listeners who call, text or e-mail to
oppose or agree with them or to add their views. Throughout the programme,
Paul and Jo invite listeners to join the debate, giving out the phone and
text numbers and the e-mail address.
So overall, the programme is fair as Jo's views on cyclists are adequately
balanced by listeners, contributors and by her co-presenter.
I hope this clarifies the issue and I can assure you that your complaint
has been registered on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience
feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC
Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your feedback.
Regards
Sarah Wilson
BBC Complaints
Whitewash really.
What next? She'll get ripped off in a shop owned by someone who is of the wrong ethnic background and before you know it, it'll be pitchforks and torches any monority that looks out of place, and the BBC will be defending her right to free expression without responsibility.
Dear Mr XXXX
Thanks for your e-mail.
Firstly, I should apologise for the delay in getting back to you. We
realise that our correspondents appreciate a quick response and I'm
therefore sorry that you've had to wait on this occasion.
I understand that your e-mail expresses concerns about JoAnne Good's
comments on cyclists.
Regular listeners to the 'Breakfast' programme know that Jo has an issue
with cyclists in London who ignore traffic lights, ride on pavements and
use abusive language or hand gestures.
Many times in the past, cyclists have called in to point out that not all
cyclists behave in this way and Jo has also interviewed spokesmen
representing cyclists and cycling organizations who have contradicted her
views. She accepts their points, but still maintains it happens too often
and represents a danger to all road and pavement users.
Jo's co-presenter Paul Ross also balances her comments by emphasising that
it is only a minority of cyclists who act in this way and that there are,
of course, other road users who break the law or act in an aggressive or
dangerous way.
Specifically in relation to reports on BBC London about the Metropolitan
Police / Transport for London initiative to reduce the number of cyclists
who are killed in accidents with large goods vehicles, Jo was making the
point that many cyclists take unnecessary risks, which was precisely the
point being made by the police in this report.
She illustrated this further with her wider criticisms of cyclists who
break the law and those who show aggressive behaviour. Jo acknowledges this
is a minority of cyclists, a point her co-presenter Paul Ross made
emphatically.
JoAnne Good is entitled to a view, just as Paul Ross has strong opinions on
other matters. Both are balanced by listeners who call, text or e-mail to
oppose or agree with them or to add their views. Throughout the programme,
Paul and Jo invite listeners to join the debate, giving out the phone and
text numbers and the e-mail address.
So overall, the programme is fair as Jo's views on cyclists are adequately
balanced by listeners, contributors and by her co-presenter.
I hope this clarifies the issue and I can assure you that your complaint
has been registered on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience
feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC
Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your feedback.
Regards
Sarah Wilson
BBC Complaints
'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze....
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Comments
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Not being a BBC London listener, I find it hard to comment. Can you summarise?0
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after seeing some of the knobheads riding around london and other cities the lady does have a point'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'0
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A point, well yes she does.
But to say 'balanced'? Seems she could be totally unhinged and the Beeb would say that is OK as long as her co-presenter isn't and enough people ring up to disagree with her, whether or not they'd actually be allowed to get a word in being another thing of course.
Maybe she doesn't like cyclists being aggressive. Great! But I don't like motorists being aggressive towards me either, I reckon I've had far more cr&p from motorised road users (and indeed pedestrians) than I've ever given out, and have for the most part failed to take the bait and respond accordingly.
Maybe I should just give in to the stereotype and just become as aggressive as she thinks I am and seemingly wants me to be?'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze....0 -
Chuck, theres little we can do about changing her views... if indeed they are her views. (realplayer hinders the debate for me somewhat). Perhaps the local clubs need to invite her to go along and have a try?0
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I don't know about Ms Good, but her colleague Paul Ross, stopped and assisted a rider at a TT I was competing in last year when a driver knocked her off to get in a lay bye quicker.0
