Monday 6 February 2012

A friendly message from the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit...

Received today...

I've now had an opportunity to look into the relevant correspondence, and I can confirm that the expedited complaints handling procedure does apply to the email you sent to this Unit on 21 January.  I should also take the opportunity of rectifying an error; as your complaint doesn't relate to a matter of editorial standards in an item broadcast or published by the BBC, it doesn't fall within the remit of this Unit.  The issue it raises is a matter for the management of BBC Audio & Music, and accordingly I have forwarded your message to them.  As it is covered by the expedited procedure, however, they will respond only if they judge that it is covered by the exceptions to that procedure.

Yours sincerely

Fxxxxx Sxxxx
Head of Editorial Complaints


It was an email from the Complaints Department that caused me to write to the ECU, which said: However, if you believe a serious and specific breach of the BBC's Editorial Guidelines has occurred and you wish to pursue this complaint further, you can contact the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit.

Left hand, meet right hand.

3 comments:

  1. How on earth is the layman, ie the licence payer, expected to know which department a complaint falls under? And is my memory incorrect, but did not the BBC refer you to that department in the first place? I am confused!! Does this affect your complaint to the trust

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  2. The email from the Complaints Department said: However, if you believe a serious and specific breach of the BBC's Editorial Guidelines has occurred and you wish to pursue this complaint further, you can contact the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit.

    As there is no mention of "blocking" in the editorial guidelines I took the view that he was in breach of them, and so I contacted the ECU. Admittedly this is a case of "it doesn't say you can't, so perhaps you can", but still worth a try in my mind.

    My appeal letter to the BBC Trust should be with them today, and it includes details of my dealings with the ECU. I think I'll wait and see what they have to say.

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  3. Shouldnt they (as in BBC Complaints) just have referred you to Head of Audio and Music in the 1st place depending on what your complaint was? Seems to me the left hand doesnt know what to do so asks the right who says its got nowt to do with me so ask the head what they think??

    BBC Complaints(We'll pretend to care but we dont give a **** really).They sound like the AOL help desk;-)

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