I have decided to make a formal complaint to the BBC about the biased moderation of their website. The text is given below for information:
BBC Complaints
PO Box 1922
Darlington
DL3 0UR
Dear BBC,
Complaint about Moderation of BBC TV Football Website Comments Section
Case A:
I had a factual (factual as determined by a court of law and other official sources) comment about the behaviour of fans of a certain club, and its consequences for other clubs, removed. The reason for this was not explicitly stated, but having read the various rules quoted at me, I can only assume it was judged ‘provocative.’ By the way, my post did not even name to club in question, but left the identification to the reader!
Case B:
(More than one case, actually.) I reported to the Moderators a post which contained untruths, falsehoods, lies and possibly libel against the club I happen to support. They declined to take the post down, even though I stated I was provoked by it.
Thus it seems that, in certain circumstances, recorded facts can be considered ‘provocative’ while untruths, falsehood, lies and libel are not considered ‘provocative’ but fit for publication on a BBC Site.
I have to say that I find this distinction bizarre, not to say perverse, in the conduct of any Public Body, whether a broadcaster or otherwise. I further have to say that it seems to me that this amounts to a prima facie case of discrimination against one subset of licence fee payers and in favour of another subset. I wonder how that would bear up to judicial review, for example, as it seems to me to be a clear breach of the BBC Charter and other relevant legislation.
How can this be resolved? Simply by applying even-handed moderation. That is all I ask. I do not expect my club (or any other) to be given special treatment. Everyone should be treated equally. I submit that the BBC should accept factual comments and delete untruths, falsehoods, lies and libel. While this would be a radical change in practice, I believe a learned judge would approve of such a policy.
I put the BBC on notice. With effect from the start of the new football season, I shall be carefully monitoring this website and shall be reporting to Moderators any and all untruths, falsehoods, lies and libel against the club I support and will expect appropriate action. I shall be taking full details of offending posts and any replies I receive from Moderators, including screenshots. When I have obtained enough evidence (which I do not think will take long based on past experience) I shall submit the dossier to my MP and to the appropriate regulatory authority.
Further, I have raised this issue on my club’s main fan website, so it is possible other fans will take similar measures. I can assure you from the feedback I have received that many of us are absolutely sick and tired of what seems to be an institutional bias in favour of a certain club (or clubs) and against our club, and probably other clubs not in the magic circle.
Yours faithfully,