By Bev Haigh-Jones
Cornwall for Europe protesting in London
Last month’s newsletter was entirely dedicated to our trip to London for the National Rejoin March, so we don’t want to repeat ourselves, but thought we’d supply a little bit of additional information.
Firstly, we are really pleased to report that our attendance at the march did actually make it into the press, being covered in The Voice and also by the Cornwall & Devon Post. This fact was also picked up by Brexit Carnage, which included it in their daily email bulletin on 14 October. It was encouraging to have our efforts recognised.
Unfortunately, not everything about the day was positive. There was considerable anger and frustration about the fact that there was very little mainstream media coverage of the National Rejoin March. The BBC in particular came in for serious criticism, especially as they had reported on a much smaller protest taking place alongside the NRM, but ignored us completely, apart from a few seconds on BBC London. Many EU/Rejoin supporters have subsequently sent in complaints to the BBC and all have received an identical reply. Second and third complaints have again generated identical replies attempting to justify the BBC’s editorial decisions and closing the door on further communications unless they are sent to the Executive Complaints Unit.
“We’re sorry to learn that you weren’t satisfied with our earlier response.
BBC News is unable to cover every march or protest that takes place and the fact that a protest takes place does not necessarily make it newsworthy, no matter what the issue involved.
To take one example, protests happen in London most weekends and we do not cover them all. It is the nature of such events that those taking part consider them to be newsworthy, but we must bear in mind other factors, such as competing events happening at the same time and how best to use our resources.
Events to cover in the news, and the prominence afforded to them, form part of the legitimate expression of the editorial judgement of journalists and editors, and so do not usually raise the prospect of a breach of standards.
We have read and noted your points but don’t consider they suggest evidence of a possible breach of standards. Opinions do vary widely about the BBC and its output, but this does not necessarily imply there has been a breach of standards or of the BBC’s public service obligations. For this reason we regret we don’t have more to add to our previous correspondence, and so will not respond further or address more questions or points.
If you are dissatisfied with this decision you may ask the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) to review it. Details of the BBC complaints process are available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/ where you can read the BBC’s full complaints framework. If you wish to ask the ECU to review this decision, you should contact it directly within 20 working days of receiving this reply. Please explain to the ECU why you believe there may have been a potential breach of standards or other significant issue to investigate. Please include the case reference number we have provided in this reply.”
Next street stall event
The National Rejoin March may be over for this year, but our street stalls aren’t. We will be on the streets again in Penzance on 27 October. Usual time – 10.30 am until 1.00 pm, and usual place – Market Place, near Lloyds Bank. TR18 2TN. Why not come along and say hello, pick up a badge, put your stickers on the Opinionometer, or even join us on the stall for a while. Everyone welcome. Keep an eye on the Facebook group page or our website for updates, or additional future stalls and events.
