A proposed new law is threatening to disconnect the millions of internet users who unlawfully download free music, films and TV. Jo Whiley looks at how broadband use at home may never be the same, and could even be cut offThe problem is, the show is much like one broadcast as part of Film09 last year.That show, like this one, relied almost entirely on industry views, regurgitating their talking points, and 'facts' without any attempt at journalistic integrity. Basic practice is to get confirmation on facts from two separate sources, and yet both last year, and last night, this was not adhered to. The reason why is simple, of course - there is no second separate source. The Copyright industry is the only one claiming losses. The only facts that support those claims, are studies those same industries fund. Even then they don't match up, although that little detail is swept under the rug.
Broadcast on: BBC One, 8:30pm Monday 15th March 2010
Like last year though, I'm going to complain. and like last year, I expect I'll get a rather cavalier brush-off as to why the program was short on facts, counterpoint, investigation, critical analysis or basic rational thought.
Just so you understand, the film09 segment last year was basically a regurgitation of the MPAA/Rand study claiming organized terrorism is involved in 'movie piracy'. The problem is, my old friend at TorrentFreak, Ben Jones, debunked the report thoroughly weeks before the segment was shown, and he wasn't alone in it. The respnse to my complaint however, dismissed little things like 'facts'
From: [email protected]And now, almost exactly a year later, we have another program, making a similar lobbying attempt, cunningly camouflaged as factual programing. The UK Pirate Party has, so far, found over twenty errors, embellishments, inaccuracies and misstatements. I imagine the number will increase as more people look closely at the program.
Subject: 'Film 2009 with Jonathan Ross' [T2009040900EUS010Z5530203]
4/15/2009 10:25 AM
Dear Mr Norton
Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Film 2009 with Jonathan Ross' as broadcast on 31 March.
I note you felt the report on this programme about copyright theft wasn't adequately balanced as it only featured interviews with people from the film industry. I appreciate you felt we allowed a distorted view of this issue to be portrayed and note you have strong views regarding this matter.
This report focused in on a legitimate problem for both the film industry and the authorities as they try to tackle what is an ever increasing and profitable criminal activity. We feel the report outlined the laws surrounding the issue of film piracy adequately and that the interviewees from the film industry were entirely appropriate people to comment on the problem.
Impartiality is the cornerstone of all our output, and we feel this report was fully balanced in it's coverage of copyright theft. Nevertheless I appreciate our audience has a wide range of opinions and inevitably this means that not every viewer will agree with the content of every programme we broadcast. We know all our editorial decisions are subjective and we'd never expect our audience to agree with every decision we make.
With this in mind that I'd like to take this opportunity to assure you that I've recorded your comments, including that you believe this topic deserves a more in depth investigation, onto our audience log. This is an internal daily report of audience feedback which is circulated to many BBC staff including senior management, producers and channel controllers.
The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.
Thanks again for contacting us.
Regards
Liam Boyle
BBC Complaints
I for one will be sending another complaint (http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/) , and I hope I won't be alone in it. When I get a response, I'll post it straight away.
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