I have just sent a further complaint to the BBC regarding this. Tried to word it a little different to prevent the BBC providing completely generic responses.
Thank you for your initial response to my complaint regarding the ridiculing on social media of a Manchester City supporter. Complaints Ref: CAS-4218774-2NC23M.
Within the response it was stated that the picture and accompanying derogatory caption was uploaded to the BBC website 'after it had been filed by a national picture agency, captioned Bertie'.
From my own investigations it appears the picture was captured by PA Images (Martin Rickett). However, from visiting the company's website there was not a reference to 'Bertie' but a caption 'A Manchester City fan before the Premier league match at the Etihad Stadium'. A caption I would have expected to accompany the picture on the BBC website.
Within my initial complaint it was categorically stated that the BBC was not responsible for the picture or caption, please could you provide the following information to enable the matter to be pursued further:
Confirmation the agency listed above was responsible for the picture and caption or alternatively provide information of the agency responsible for the caption.
Provide details on how the BBC vets information from secondary sources to reassure TV License holders like myself, that the most stringent of checks are being undertaken to prevent any future ridiculing of the most vulnerable members of society.
Sadly your initial response did not reassure me that the BBC was neither responsible for the content or, alternatively, had suitable vetting procedures for secondary sources of content to uphold the standards of a National Broadcaster which is publicly funded by the taxpayer.
Therefore I would like to escalate my complaint due to this lack of detail of how such offensive material found itself onto the BBC website, whether sourced from a National Agency or, as I suspect a BBC employee.
