The blogging is on the wall for the BBC

The blogging is on the wall for the BBC January 9, 2005

So here we go then. Lets see how the bloggers stack up. The scores on the doors? Well opponents of Jerry Sringer: the Opera lost by 7 posts to 18. Whats more there was hardly a blog swarm on the subject either. Am I depressed? A little? Despondent? Definitely not. If this small number of blogs coupled with the emails that circulated around peoples inboxes can generate this level of response to the BBC just think what it will be like in the future as blogs expand massively.

Of all posts on the subject that I could find just under 1/3 objected to the BBC. If that was too roughly reflect public opinion that would mean almost 1/3 of the people objected. It would be interesting to know whether this straw poll in any way reflects the percentage of letters the BBC themselves received.

To summarise, I have to concede that there are many more blogs supportive of the BBC than opposed to them. Does that mean I was wrong to complain? I dont believe so.

If a substantial minority group finds something deeply offensive that should be enough of a reason for it not to be on a public service broadcaster.

I know that sounds illiberal but lets put it the other way round. Say a Christian group wanted to air a piece condemning homosexuality or islam or sex outside marriage or whatever? Suppose they wanted to make crass jokes that led to an outcry by others that they were offended.

Of course such a thing would never be allowed, nor should it in my book.

I doubt Christians would even be allowed to talk about their genuine belief in hell on BBC2 . Why then should people be allowed to blaspheme freely at the expense of my license fee?

Blogs against the BBC showing Jerry Springer and “The Opera”

The Passion of Jerry Springer http://www.20six.co.uk/boiledorfried http://blog.verbosecoma.com/p http://blog.artesea.co.uk/

http://www.livejournal.com/users/pould http://ecftf.blogspot.com/

http://adrianwarnock.com

Blogs in favour of the BBC showing Jerry Springer and “The Opera”

Moral Hysteria

http://www.bloggerheads.com/ http://www.livejournal.com/users/killerweasel http://www.livejournal.com/users/nic/

http://www.littleredboat.co.uk/

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ruudboy/ http://www.livejournal.com/users/tga/ http://www.livejournal.com/users/nathan_barley/

http://www.livejournal.com/users/wildfireskunk/27914.html

http://www.scruntybastard.co.uk/

http://www.nickbarlow.com/blog/ http://www.livejournal.com/users/kimberlyfdr http://www.livejournal.com/users/redcountess http://lifeastrin.blogspot.com/

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ugerchucker/16311.html http://www.livejournal.com/users/modestic/143918.html http://rubberring.blogspot.com/

http://www.understated.co.uk/




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