BBC Slow

[crappogre]

1) Air crash happens on Saturday.
2) BBC Jersey staff all busy having fun at rock festival.
3) Story finally gets reported on Tuesday - with, conveniently, no mention of when it happened (WHAT, WHO, WHERE, WHEN being most basic questions for journalism!) to show them up.

If you hadn't heard of the incident at the weekend, you'd think it had happened yesterday or today :
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/7594442.stm

Shoddy.

And what do people think of Emma Conroy who has been wheeled in for the morning show as a John Uphoff replacement to keep Rog company? Is it just me or ...... no, I'd better not say it, she sounds quite nice in her own way...... just not as quick witted and 'up' as John was.

[ryanmorrison]

crappogre

Just because a story hasn't appeared or is late appearing on bbc.co.uk/jersey doesn't mean it hasn't been done by BBC Radio jersey.

Our news online section is run and controlled by BBC News Online and all the stories published are done by a team of about five people in Plymouth who also look after the Guernsey, Devon and Cornwall news indexes.

The vast majority of their stories come from BBC Radio Jersey or BBC CI News but because of rules within the BBC for a story to appear within the News Online templates it has to have been written by a news online trained journalist.

The rest of bbc.co.uk/jersey (everything that isn't news and sport) is written by myself and Claire Peters (although she is going into the radio newsroom on attachment for a year). We're not allowed to do news stories as that has to be done by News Online - it was myself and Claire at Jersey Live this weekend.

We were the ONLY BBC Jersey Staff working at the festival and over the two days we took hundreds of photos, did dozens of interviews and produced a package for BBC Radio 1.

The target audience for bbc.co.uk/jersey (excluding the news, sport and politics sections) is 18-35 and Jersey Live is a big deal among many in that age group and the festival is a key fixture in our diary - along with the marathon, Battle of Flowers, Air Display and this year Election and film festival.

Hope that clears things up but if not send me a message and I'll try to answer any questions you might have.

[crappogre]

Thanks for the reply Ryan.

It wasn't long after I posted my comment that I started to feel a bit guilty about it. It's all too easy to criticise, but let's face it if that's all I had to whinge about, you guys aren't doing too badly on the whole (although I do wonder what Stuart S means about the Charter being broken fairly regularly and an apparent lack of real investigative journalism). I don't feel too good about attacking an institution where individual people are doing their best - and Emma did sound a little more awake this morning, LOL

I just thought the air crash story seemed misleading because it was reported as news several days after the event with no mention of when it happened. I stand by my comment of "shoddy" on that one, as we are (however spoiled we are) used to news being quite fresh these days, and news reporting really should contain all the known facts for anyone interested enough to be reading the story.

all the best

[ryanmorrison]

I have passed all your comments on to the team responsible for the story. All feedback is good feedback even if it isn't particularly easy to listen to.

Thanks

[gagged]

Sept 4, 2008 10:03:24 GMT @ryanmorrison said:

I have passed all your comments on to the team responsible for the story. All feedback is good feedback even if it isn't particularly easy to listen to.

Thanks

So Ryan When are the BBC going to report on the allegations made by Senator Syvret involving "the pnball wizard" and co?

[ryanmorrison]

It's a big story gagged that would require a massive amount of research to firm up to a point it could be cleared for broadcast by the legal team - at least that is the way I personally understand it.

We are a VERY small station in Jersey with 30 staff in total (across TV, radio and online) and between us we produce 12 hours of radio a day, a website and two daily television bulletins.

This post is my own opinion though and not the BBCs official line.

I'll pass your message on to our assistant editor.

[gagged]

Ryan. I understand you are not talikng for the BBC but they will have to come out with something much better than that!

Reading what you've just written tells me the local BBC can not broadcast any big story because it would take too much time and effort to pass as legal.

If you can believe that scenario it is worrying, expecting me to believe it is insulting. I eagerly await your assistant editor's official explanation, of why a MASSIVE news story has not been put into the public domain by the BBC.

[eastrock]

When I looked at the front page of this forum, I noticed that Ryan had replied to gagged's question and thought great let's see what he has to say......

Blimey Ryan, why didn't you just come out with it straight and say " You know what gagged, we can't be arsed"

Let me help you as you guys are obviously too busy:

"There is growing concern amongst Islanders after Senator Stuart Syvret posted an article on his blog claiming that THE PINBALL WIZARD – AND HIS ACCOMPLICE have been knocking their kids about and Mike Vibert has done NOTHING about it."

PM me for the full article and all we need to do is get the beautiful blonde lady to read it out. Simple. I doubt Mr Syvret would take you to court.

[ryanmorrison]

eastrock - gagged - I'm waiting on a response from my Editor as we speak. What I posted above was my own opinion - covering a story that is potentially libelous takes a lot of time. That doesn't mean we're not looking into it - in fact we are - it's just that it takes time to get it to a point where it can be published.

Even reporting that they have been reported elsewhere is against the BBC codes of conduct - it isn't just BBC Jersey that hasn't reported on it.

Update:

I've now spoken to my editor and he's pretty much confirmed what I thought - and something drummed into ALL BBC journalists in the form of several courses on libel and media law.

"Without corroberation, for us to publish such allegations would be both irresponsible and - if the allegations are untrue - libellous.

"It is absolutely no defence for us to say that we are simply reporting, or quoting what has appeared elsewhere. Before we can safely broadcast such allegations we need to have them verified from at least two separate and independent sources.

"There are a number of problems with such allegations: Even our broadcasting an interview with the named person where he, or she denies the allegations can be interpreted as libellous unless we can demonstrate a firm foundation of fact for our asking the questions."

[ryanmorrison]

(this is all my opinion not the BBCs)

The another blog - I'm sure the BBC teams in the UK already are and I imagine the national newspapers are probably trying to confirm it as well.

But everybody would need the same confirmation as BBC Jersey to run the story - two people telling their story independently to us - that should be enough to run it and put to the people being implicated.

[gagged]

Oct 6, 2008 14:34:38 GMT @ryanmorrison said:

eastrock - gagged - I'm waiting on a response from my Editor as we speak. What I posted above was my own opinion - covering a story that is potentially libelous takes a lot of time. That doesn't mean we're not looking into it - in fact we are - it's just that it takes time to get it to a point where it can be published.

Even reporting that they have been reported elsewhere is against the BBC codes of conduct - it isn't just BBC Jersey that hasn't reported on it.

Update:

I've now spoken to my editor and he's pretty much confirmed what I thought - and something drummed into ALL BBC journalists in the form of several courses on libel and media law.

"Without corroberation, for us to publish such allegations would be both irresponsible and - if the allegations are untrue - libellous.

"It is absolutely no defence for us to say that we are simply reporting, or quoting what has appeared elsewhere. Before we can safely broadcast such allegations we need to have them verified from at least two separate and independent sources.

"There are a number of problems with such allegations: Even our broadcasting an interview with the named person where he, or she denies the allegations can be interpreted as libellous unless we can demonstrate a firm foundation of fact for our asking the questions."

Ryan.

I am sorry to say, you and the local BBC have lost any credibility you might have had (from me).

Can you blame anybody for thinking your superiors and possibly yourself are complicit in cover ups for our ruling masters?

I don't wish to sound confrontational and purely speaking for myself. I am not a little naive school boy who will readily believe the first "party line" given and what you and your assistant editor have given is just that, a party line.

You guys at the BBC have an obligation to supply us (the licence fee payer) with fair, objective and in depth "journalism" do you believe that's what you are giving us?

If the queen were here I'm sure she would walk out...............or would that be walk in?

[ryanmorrison]

You guys at the BBC have an obligation to supply us (the licence fee payer) with fair, objective and in depth "journalism" do you believe that's what you are giving us?

Yes but if we ran the story as it stands now - even saying that there is a story without evidence or proof - could get us sued for libel.

If someone gives me the name and contact details of two of the alleged victims who are prepared to talk on air about the abuse then we can cover the story.

It's not that we're ignoring it - we don't ignore potential stories just because they're difficult - if the JEP or Channel run what Stuart Syvret has on his blog we would still need corroboration to run the story.

That's what journalism is - checking facts, checking the story and making sure you've got it right before just running it.

Also - it isn't just the BBC that would be sticking to what my editor said - it's any media organisation including national BBC (they all went on the same courses as I did), commercial television, newspapers (national and local)...

But again this is ME speaking - I'm not the voice piece of the BBC just a journalist that happens to work for it who is also happy to come and talk to people on message boards as I feel very passionately about social media.

[eastrock]

I'm sure you can also understand the frustration. When the head of education will not answer the questions put to him by parents who are concerned for the safety of their children. You would of thought that with the eyes of the world's media on us that the head of education would be bending over backwards to reassure us all that our kids are now safe each day when they are dropped off at school.

Instead he has nothing to say. That to me speaks volumes. And it is hardly reassuring, far from it.

And he wants my vote??

And I agree with TMF, it is nothing against Ryan personally in any way.

[gagged]

Just listened to the phone in with Roger (Dickie Bird) Barra.
A caller asked why the local BBC were not reporting on the Harcourt trial in Dublin.

Roger came up with the old resources line again saying how small an outfit they are and have no one in island to cover the story. I suppose the priority's of the local BBC must come into question once more.

Here we have a massive news story that has an affect on every citizen of Jersey invovling hundreds of millions of tax payers money. Could reshape the whole islands infrastructure etc.

Roger is not long back from reporting on a cricket match in Tansania and I believe one other local BBC journalist was there covering it. And wasn't another one somewhere else in the world covering a bloody tennis match?

I would love to see the expenses for these "Jollies" and see how they would compare to sending a journalist to Ireland to practice some journalism by keeping the licence fee payers informed on current affairs rather than informing us about a cricket or tennis match!!

What do you think Ryan?

[censored]

From what I have seen over here the media as a whole never get to grips with the real issues. They are quite happy talking about mundane things like roadworks and the weather but not the real nitty gritty. I have to ask why do they stay well clear of the child abuse issue. It has been well covered over seas, Australia for example, but not here. How have those journalists got their information, where from and why are they happy to publish it? Are they not bound by the same rules as the good old BBC, about getting sued etc? Why do they see it ok to publish when the local media don't? What criterion do they use?

People in Jersey know a lot about what has been going on but not from local sources, why is this? I find it odd that Stuart publishes so much and NO ONE takes him to task over it. I am sure he wouldn't publish anything which he knew was a lie. If he is so sure of his facts why can't others do the same checks and publish as well.

I would like to ask Ryan why nothing comes from local media? I can't believe they can't get corrobaration on anything to do with the child abuse enquiry. You cannot be sued for stating facts. I also take issue about resources. I can't believe the BBC hasn't the resources to do proper investigative journalism. Panoramo managed to track down people in a few weeks yet no one it appears has taken this any further. I have to ask why not?

[Bea]

Oct 31, 2008 16:11:54 GMT censored said:

From what I have seen over here the media as a whole never get to grips with the real issues. They are quite happy talking about mundane things like roadworks and the weather but not the real nitty gritty. I have to ask why do they stay well clear of the child abuse issue. It has been well covered over seas, Australia for example, but not here. How have those journalists got their information, where from and why are they happy to publish it? Are they not bound by the same rules as the good old BBC, about getting sued etc? Why do they see it ok to publish when the local media don't? What criterion do they use?

People in Jersey know a lot about what has been going on but not from local sources, why is this? I find it odd that Stuart publishes so much and NO ONE takes him to task over it. I am sure he wouldn't publish anything which he knew was a lie. If he is so sure of his facts why can't others do the same checks and publish as well.

I would like to ask Ryan why nothing comes from local media? I can't believe they can't get corrobaration on anything to do with the child abuse enquiry. You cannot be sued for stating facts. I also take issue about resources. I can't believe the BBC hasn't the resources to do proper investigative journalism. Panoramo managed to track down people in a few weeks yet no one it appears has taken this any further. I have to ask why not?

I think a lot is laziness on their part.The JEP coverage of Senatorial elections left a lot to be desired .

So much padding,with pages dedicated to trivia,candidates having to response to such banal questions.They did the work for them.
I.e What is your favorite beach

what cereal do you prefer in the morning etc etc

These futile exercises that pass for journalism,would be better outsourced to some of our budding media students.
The problem with that is that it would showthe current journalists up,for their lack of creativity.

Also would not pass the propaganda spin merchants rigorous tests.!!

And people wonder why we lose all our best talent elsewhere?

[gagged]

If nothing else at least the JEP will be pleased for the BBC's disgraceful journalism it will take the focus off theirs for a while.

Breaking with tradition and attempting to silence probably the most popular politician we have and father of the house has been deemed as newsworthy by the JEP and CTV who have both either reported on or published something on it, even if it was only a little something.

The BBC? not a word! perhaps their funding and resources couldn't stretch to a phone call to Senator Syvret and ask him for any kind of a statement.....................what do you think Ryan?

[crappogre]

So, it's the morning after the deputies nomination meetings, it's 9.45am and I expected that our local BBC NEWS website would have some details by now.

Sadly, not.

It's only local politics, after all, where the majority of States members are up for election. Nothing special, really.

[ryanmorrison]

Crappogre - I'm working on the story now. I work on the sites alone and I have two children to get to school in the morning - give me a chance eh?

[crappogre]

Yet you had plenty of time to surf the forums first?! LOL

I'm not necessarily blaming you, but your management people. Do you not see my point about something that newsworthy not being there on your website ready for the morning surfers?

www.channelonline.tv/newfeatures/jsyelections08/deputies.htm managed it.

Nothing personal Ryan, really, it's about the perceived corporate performance (this from someone who generally supports the concept of the BBC and licence fee, too).