We were discussing on a previous thread the BBC's use of the phrase, "This programme has been edited to correct a factual inaccuracy."
One of the striking things about that phrase is that it doesn't actually spell out which "factual inaccuracy" has been "corrected".
Viewers (or listeners) might well be left completely nonplussed by it.
Viewers (or listeners) might well be left completely nonplussed by it.
It doesn't seem as helpful as it should be, and doesn't quite make amends as it should.
By coincidence...
This morning's Today has been unavailable to 'listen again' to for most of the day. Usually it's available to re-hear within an hour of broadcast (i.e. before 10 am) but today it's only become available within the past hour or so, and I was wondering why.
Well, the programme (on 'Listen Again') now comes with an introductory announcement that's about as clear as mud:
This programme has been edited since broadcast.
As to the reason behind why it's been re-edited, and why there's been a 7-8 hour delay in making the programme available online, well, the BBC is clearly choosing not to say.
They haven't even put an explanation on today's Today webpage.
They haven't even put an explanation on today's Today webpage.
Was it another "factual inaccuracy"? Some failing of election-related impartiality? Who knows!
Will the redaction concern the letter from 100 businessmen supporting the Tories on the economy and saying Labour will ruin it, or did they have to cut a lie from somebody about the zero-hour contract deal?
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be one of those two things.
I've tried to find out through scanning Twitter but there's no clue there either.
DeleteWhatever it was, it obviously took a heck of a lot of thinking about before the BBC finally felt able to make it publicly available.
Or arguing about. We know how those fights between the producer/journalist and the editor supposedly under orders from cowardly top brass.
Delete"Well, the programme (on 'Listen Again') now comes with an introductory announcement that's about as clear as mud:
ReplyDeleteThis programme has been edited since broadcast.
As to the reason behind why it's been re-edited, and why there's been a 7-8 hour delay in making the programme available online, well, the BBC is clearly choosing not to say.
They haven't even put an explanation on today's Today webpage.
Was it another "factual inaccuracy"? Some failing of election-related impartiality? Who knows!"
Who knows?
The BBC has rather a vested interest, and skills in ensuring, no one does or gets to.
And as they control the stadium, referee, linesmen goalposts and ball, that is how the like it and will try to make it stay.
Currently.