Political Correctness gone mad!

squonk

BBC Radio 2 have had this policy for a while where if they're talking about say, computers and mentioning a Dell computer, they will drop in the line 'Other brands of computers are available'. I know the aim is to not promote any particular product to a greater extent than others but it's going over the top now.

I was listening in to Janice Long last night where she was responding to a text from a listener about about a girl's clothes shop called Chelsea Girl. She then exclaimed 'Ooh! I loved Chelsea Girl growing up, of course they're gone now but they've been brough under the Debenhams chain, other stores are avaiable". Like really, she was just engaging in conversation, wasn't saying 'Oh Debenhams are the best place for X handbag' or whatever. I don't think anyone in their right mind would have suddenly mistaken it as 'Oh Janice Long must love Debenhams, I love Janice Long, I must shop at Debenhams and only Debenhams in future".

As what happens in the UK eventually makes it over here, I would really hope we would be a bit more sensible with a policy like that in this country. It just irked me because she was sharing a story and there was nothing more to it. I guess it's BBC policy that she had to follow or face the wrath of the legal department if she didn't.

Lapin

Debenhams. Other stores are available.





Except Roches Stores

Wertz

BBC have to avoid product recommendations or anything that might be construed as such since they don't carry ads...ipod has been replaced by ubiquitous mp3 player on Radio 1.

Since RTÉ carry ads already they mightn't be on such shaky ground...or then again some products who advertise with them may object to another product being mentioned. I know we've had an overhaul of legislation regarding product placement on TV here recently so no doubt there is something pertaining to radio too.

No harm really and hardly PC in the strict sense of the term...

cml387

This leads to a nice in-joke on Simon Mayo/Mark Kermode's (totally excellent) film review section on R5 when,after a Kermodian rant on some film or other, Simon will add "other opinions are available".

Lapin

No such political correctness on Liveline where Joe Duffy just proclaimed unashamedly that 'Tayto are the best crisps in the world'.

two wheels good

Wertz wrote: »

BBC have to avoid product recommendations or anything that might be construed as such since they don't carry ads...ipod has been replaced by ubiquitous mp3 player on Radio 1.
..

Correct.
It's a feature of the BBC's impartiality. It's not a PC issue at all. It seems it's usually said with a touch of irony on BBC radio. Especially by Russell Brand - back in the day.

Skid

I think It started as a bit of an in-joke, rather than a serious policy.

For years the BBC ran still frame adverts for The Radio Times (which they own), but on-screen they always had to say 'Other listings magazines are available'

It entered common usage at the BBC, so that any brand that was mentioned was often followed by 'other youghurts are available' or whatever.

People have been sacked at the BBC for promoting specific Brands, so it does tend to get said a lot. Nobody wants to get involved in another Phone Vote or ManuelGate style scandal.

Poly

In fairness to the BBC, at least they make a good effort at impartiality.
Who remembers G.Ryan constantly plugging Abrakebabra, Dromoland, Harry Crosby venues etc?

El Weirdo

How the hell can you consider that "PC"?

Rubik.

The BBC has always been like that. The LP version of The Kink's song Lola had the lyic - "Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like coca-cola", but they had to change it to "cherry-cola" on the single because the BBC wouldn't play it otherwise.

Even in sports bulletins on the BBC they tend not to use sponsor names. For example, they continued to mention the Celtic League even after Magners took over the sponsorship.

El Weirdo

Karsini wrote: »

Even in sports bulletins on the BBC they tend not to use sponsor names. For example, they continued to mention the Celtic League even after Magners took over the sponsorship.

Yet they still call Arsenal's stadium "The Emirates"?

It seems they do for some and not others.

Welsh Megaman

SPRUNT!

Dude111

I thought this P.C. crap was only a problem here in the states!

Liam Byrne

Rubik. wrote: »

The BBC has always been like that. The LP version of The Kink's song Lola had the lyic - "Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like coca-cola", but they had to change it to "cherry-cola" on the single because the BBC wouldn't play it otherwise.

They banned Dean Friedman's "McDonald's Girl" too!

DuPLeX

Dude111 wrote: »

I thought this P.C. crap was only a problem here in the states!

You Haven't been on Boards.ie long then ?

end of the road

well whatever their reason or reasons for doing it, its a load of bull. people aren't that thick surely to realise that (other things are available)

tbh

first of all, it's a joke, most presenters do it. Like during the jubilee celebrations, Richard Bacon said "other monarchs are available".

Secondly, learn what the term PC actually means.

spank_inferno

okay

neris

Joe duffy not letting callers call junkies, junkies but instead air brushing it all over and calling them "unwell". P.c stupidity