Re: [Fsfe-uk] BBC slander

[MJ Ray]

On 2004-02-06 09:56:51 +0000 P.L.Hayes <address@hidden> wrote:

> There was a big noise (1000+ posts) made about it on /. too:

I'm sure the BBC will be happy. It was all over news:uk.comp.os.linux 
like a rash too. That gets more visitors to BBCi which they can use to 
justify funding (some wags call it BBCwhy already).

> _Lots_ of people complained to the BBC and we all received a 
> brush-off 
> response from the editor.

Has anyone described the reply, so future complaints can pre-empt the 
points made? Were the replies polite? Given the tone of the emails 
here ("slander"???), I expect the editor is probably a little warm and 
toasty by now.

> Has the BBC gone too far this time?

Probably, but that's nothing new.

> Does anyone know how to make some kind of formal complaint?

The first step is to contact the editor, which it sounds like you've 
done. Then, I think you go to the Programme Complaints Unit, if 
applicable (check the docs) at 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/contactus/serious_form.shtml and finally 
OfCOM.

If the journalist is an NUJ member (I don't know if that's normal for 
the BBC or not), then you might be able to complain if they breach the 
code of conduct.

Please don't spend too much time on this which would be better spent 
building useful free software resources. If you're stuck for ideas, 
the patents workgroup at http://www.affs.org.uk/patents/, the FOSS 
Libraries HOWTO at http://www.affs.org.uk/~mjr/libraries/ and 
promoting FLOSSIE Conference 
http://www.schoolforge.org.uk/flossie/conference200402.html would all 
welcome help, IMO. :)

--
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