Thursday, 29 May 2008
INVITATION TO QUIZ OFCOM AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT ABOUT BROADCASTING POLICY
Two important events run by Voice of the Listener & Viewer (VLV) give the public a unique chance to hear and question some of the key decision makers on one of the most important consultations about UK broadcasting ever held. At stake is the whole ecology of UK broadcasting which has allowed creativity, innovation and technical expertise to create programmes admired world-wide.
On 3 June at the London School of Economics Stewart Purvis, Senior Partner, Content and Standards for Ofcom will speak about the Ofcom Review of Public Service Broadcasting at a joint VLV/LSE media think tank Polis event. The review looks at the future funding of the BBC and whether some of the licence fee should be shared with Channel 4 and other commercial broadcasters. The outcome of the Review, the first phase of which will close on the 19th June, will shape the broadcasting landscape of the future. Joining Stewart will be economist Professor Patrick Barwise, Emeritus Professor of Marketing and Management at London Business School. The event will take place 6.30–8.30pm at LSE, Kingsway, London. It will be followed by a reception.
Commenting Jocelyn Hay, VLV chair, said, "This is the only opportunity for members of the public to hear, and question at first hand, an Ofcom official on a review which will shape the whole ecology of British broadcasting for decades to come."
On the 24 June at 6pm the Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, will speak and take questions at a VLV seminar at the Palace of Westminster. As well as broadcasting, Andy Burnham is responsible for arts and sports, including the 2012 Olympics. His department is also responsible, with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, for delivering digital switch-over across the UK by 2012.
More at www.vlv.org.uk
In article <...>, ... (Christopher England) wrote:
Well, here's a 'free radio' (well, free speech) dilemma unfolding.
The http://I'm_gonna_sulk_if_I_can't_have_what_I_want.com board
Nothing against the operators of the freeradio board or their well
intentioned position of opposing bullying, good on 'em for that,
but, surely this poll contravenes their very own mission statement?Discuss.
Trouble with these boards, and there are so many of them, is they only serve to panda to the niche views of a minority, often a minority that hijacks such boards. If they were the views of the majority the swarms of people going there would cause servers to struggle.
So what we have is people thinking that making a board means something. It's like those who think playing Christopher England singing Twist n Shout all day on a web only service will make a difference – fact is it won't.
And the only mistake made by people who think narrow-cast view boards are bullies is giving them publicity – bit like the stalker-thang – the publicity makes them go all warm :-)
So the end of this discussion, well from me and I would welcome other views, is that I have AN in my system of things to read cos it does retain levels of debate. People don't always agree, good thing, but equally when questioned are asked it can often turn up interesting ideas.
As you have said so many time Christopher, why do you bother with AN? Well others won't bother, but thanks for keeping it going as it really is a bastian of free speech without the niche-non-starter-views.
Just a thought – when does "free speech" become "bully speech"?
Oh well, now back to the real world
Eric
In the real world, most folks know that there is a decreasing level of competition between stations whereas the biggest threat radio faces is the MP3 player.
The challenge is that you need to engage the next generation of listeners to take an interest in radio. These people are probably 13/14/15 years old now.
What would your secret weapon be to ensure the MP3 generation becomes the next radio generation?
Eric
Eric Tesug <...> said:
What would your secret weapon be to ensure the MP3 generation becomes the
next radio generation?Eric
Hmmmm, I've really thought about this and have instantly come up with some USP's and Blinders for youth connecting with today's radio. If I was Radio 1's controller right now, I'd definately be shoving loads more of Gansta Rap in to the play list followed up with some Yooth Chat with regards to where to obtain Knives & Guns. Talk and cultural chat with regards to 'Binge' Drinking and which supermarket has the best deals to get sh*tfaced on a couple of quid topped up with Sex advice for teenagers informing them of all the benefits single mothers can get by getting pregnant between 14 - 16.
RadJo One Girlie Advice: Go to Tesco, Grab 2 cases of Lichtenstein Pisch for 2 quid, then go to McDonalds, spew up in door way, pull a chav lad, get chav lad to knife guy who looks at you. Get off on it and have unprotected sex, get STD and give birth to a ChavBabe. Get benefits and council flat. - Life iz awl good innit!
Programmes like this would definately work with the youth in city areas. Maybe additional programmes like ASBO of the Week, Hoodie FLaVoR Clasix, Bus Stop Mash Up Chart etc.
Sorry, just can't see much of the youth giving two tosses whether they listen to radjo, mpfree playa or Mobile fone, "if dare ain't no booze, iz dont wanna chooz" might be the typical response.
Eric Tesug <...> said:
In article <f1703e56326e84f34624b696935078a7@jiglu-wc>,
... (RC Guff) wrote:
Sorry, just can't see much of the youth giving two tosses whether
they listen to radjo, mpfree playa or Mobile fone, "if dare ain't
no booze, iz dont wanna chooz" might be the typical response.Hmmmmmmmm
Tings have changed here since you emmigrated Eric
Quoting a previous tesug contribution:-
So what we have is people thinking that making a board means something.
It's like those who think playing Christopher England singing Twist n
Shout all day on a web only service will make a difference – fact is it
won't.
What if I sang "Rock Me Amadeus" instead?
So the end of this discussion, well from me and I would welcome other
views, is that I have AN in my system of things to read cos it does
retain levels of debate. People don't always agree, good thing, but
equally when questioned are asked it can often turn up interesting
ideas.
See, without blowing Anorak Nation's own trumpet too loudly, the weirdest thing is that you will get people on other boards (usually anonymously you'll note) slagging off Anorak Nation for the types of conversation here, and yet in truth there really is no bullying here just good natured debate, and a lot of it throwing forward to the here and now rather than just regurgitating the past.
What you do get from time to time is self-effacing banter and some damn funny posts about each other. None of it is really bullying as such, because all parties are usually involved and happy to banter. I think that's the happy difference.
Compare and contrast other places where people are definitely picked on. Quite often in their absence they become the butt of 'in-jokes' and snide comments. Again, relentlessly, people hiding behind anonymous names will pick on an individual at any opportunity, getting personal about them rather than addressing anything they've said. Yet the moderators don't even realise what's going on, and just leave it, or even unwittingly join in. In contrast to this of course, there are some forums where they slash and burn any threads which might be thought to even slightly get a bit heated, which also stifles proper debate.
So, it's a bit hard to know what is the best 'middle line' to take that allows and encourages free thought and free speech yet stamps on bullying. However, although I would say this wouldn't I, I think we have it right on Anorak Nation, and those that contribute know how to write really well and interestingly, and to disagree with others but with a level of respect.
I also think it's fair to publicise any other forums. If people join up to Anorak Nation and advertise their boards, fair enough. If they don't even bother to join up, but write to me to ask me to advertise their boards, fair enough. To block adverts for alternatives to Anorak Nation would be to go against the 'free speech' policy, so it would sorta be hypocritical.
As you have said so many time Christopher, why do you bother with AN?
I personally don't have the time to write in every forum, and I do like the people who write here. I find them interesting, witty and knowledgeable. Equally, if I do post elsewhere, I only ever post as Christopher England. I don't hide behind multiple or other names. But as Christopher England posting on other forums, what usually happens is that I end up spoiling the forum for the operator because I will usually attract the trolls and haters who want to get personal about me or the positions I've taken on things. So it ends up being a bitch-fest and I've sadly contributed to the destruction of the board, leaving a not very happy owner / admin.
It's fairer to just stick to posting in one place – here – where generally speaking the trolls and bullies are too scared to post, but even if they did, at least it keeps them off the other boards. (Lordy, I'm such a Martyr.) Mind you, having said that, that ain't the case any more. That usual little crew are very active with quite a few others as the victims of their bullying, and so other forums are being destroyed, but at least I'm not their target and so don't feel guilty!
Well others won't bother, but thanks for keeping it going as it really
is a bastian of free speech without the niche-non-starter-views.
Anorak Nation is only the sum of its contributors. Everybody plays a part. And, as I said, I like them.
Just a thought – when does "free speech" become "bully speech"?
I think when a person pries into and publishes or tries to publish bits about a person's private or 'real' life as part of a 'warning' that they should stop talking about a particular thing.
I think when people repeatedly discuss somebody in a negative way "at their expense" without them being there or allowed to counter or reply.
I think when somebody is constantly the butt of rude comments or unfunny jokes, and they are not joining in.
I think if a person feels violated in any way by a poster deciding not to address anything they've said, preferring to just troll at them.
--
* Christopher England just said that *
Quoting a previous Steve Martin contribution:-
Tings have changed here since you emmigrated Eric
Aye you're not wrong there. If you don't get shot you may get stabbed.
This country is out of control.
Would it have happened anyway, or is it a reaction to the years of Labour tyranny we've been and are continuing to endure?
—
* Christopher England just said that *
Quoting a previous tesug contribution:-
What would your secret weapon be to ensure the MP3 generation becomes
the next radio generation?
Difficult one. If it's about the music, forget it. There's nothing linear 'radio' can do to compete. Maybe those non-stop 'radio' streams from places like www.last.fm with the option to 'bump' songs will end up being the last 'radio' that might compete.
The alternative has to be to bring people back to radio as an alternative to music consumption. So, talk is the way forward. The pirate radio stations that today's kids listen to are all talk, but with music playing in the background. If the legal sector want to win over the mp3 generation, then that's the kind of radio they need to be doing.
--
* Christopher England just said that *
Yes it is a mad, bad dangerous world we all live in – but if you look deep enough there is some beauty in the gutter – mind you, sometimes it takes a lot of looking :)
But the state of the world aside, iPods and MP3 players have changed they way kids and young adults get their music entertainment and same with the Internet – everyone seems to be snatching the latest Hollywood blockbusters off the Internet along with complete TV series and more.
Even though there's a dark side to all of this – it's still a very exciting time to be alive –
My wish is still to retire somewhere down some lonely leafy laneway set deep in the English countryside.
All I need is ten million pounds to pay for it !! :)
From: "Christopher England" <...>
Would it have happened anyway, or is it a reaction to the years of
Labour tyranny we've been and are continuing to endure?
Wow Christopher, I had a very detailed reply all written out, but I have had a pint, and it was very very deep, so I deleted it!
It took me about 90 minutes to write, but this is a radio forum so I'll stick to what I know!
But a short answer, without going into the history of Nazi Germany (don't ask) is probably, no it wouldn't have happened under a right-wing Thatcherite government!
