OFCOM Complaint Re: Talksport Show 08/09 - 01 - 10

[modern]

Anyone listening to George's Talksport show last right may have found it odd that although one of the discussions was the Egypt incident, there were little to no calls on the subject.

Well this complaint made to OFCOM apparently explains why:

Dear OFCOM,

Re: George Galloway programme on Talk Sport 08.01.10 at 2200

I have tried to email you this complaint but your web site would not recognise the radio station, even though it appeared in your drop down menu.

Last night at about 2345 I got through to the programme and told the producer that I wished to speak to George Galloway about the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza and the behaviour of the British Embassy in Cairo, my husband is part of the convoy (something I told the producer). To my surprise I was told that ‘because of OFCOM regulations’ they could not discuss this item any more.

I can only assume that this is because of some problem with ‘balance’. Presumably neither the embassy, not the Egyptian government were able or willing to give their side of the events. I find this quite extraordinary, any listener would know that George Galloway is a politician with strong views and would factor this into their listening. If this is true it also means that by refusing to appear on a programme a protagonist in any dispute can prevent open discussion of any controversial item.

I look forward to your reply,

[mickyv]

It is very apparent that GG has increasingly been effectively muzzled on speaking about the I/P issue. Although this started long before the Gaza Massacre of this time last year, since then, when GG stated on air that people should attend the demonstrations outside the Israeli Embassy, it has got a lot worse.

I suspect that this is a direct consequence of pro-Israeli lobbyists, who continually bombard OFCOM about GG, and base most of their complaints on the grounds of lack of “balance”. One direct result of this is that GG no longer has any say on the choice of topics for debates, which is why we have been getting some quite bizarre topics lately.

Out of interest where did you see this letter ?

[modern]

I got the link from Viva Palestina on Twitter. It's been good following them, providing interesting links and updating followers of the convoy's trials and tribulations.

[mickyv]

It is just me, but I found Saturday's show a bit flat & boring !

[modern]

I suppose this is inevitable when there are restrictions to what callers or George can discuss.

Some of the topics the produces now choose for George to discuss can be so drab, I wonder if their doing it just to wind him up?