Forum Topic

BBC’s new social media guidelines - whither the Vine?

The BBC is issuing new guidance on how its staff use social media. Very mixed views on this. As much as I might find Lineker or Vine‘s tweets arrogant and anti democratic, they have the right as private individuals, to post what they wish. Wonder what Arendt would have made of it all - oikos and the polis, and all that.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54723282

Russell Pearson ● 2181d18 Comments

Doesn’t Jeremy Vine work for Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited rather than the BBC.

Bernard Allen ● 2181d

Ah good call if he does, he can tweet at peace. But thought he was still with the BBC. Only ever listen to Radio 3 nowadays.😜

Russell Pearson ● 2181d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wr3p

Russell Pearson ● 2181d

Yep. JV works for Channel 5 and the BBC

Bernard Allen ● 2181d

Indeed, he may end up having to make a choice between employers or being able to speak. That’s got to be wrong in my book. He should be able to spout off on whatever he likes, even if it’s reactionary old tosh (imho).

Russell Pearson ● 2181d

Are they BBC Guidelines or Dominic Cummings' guidelines?

Philippa Bond ● 2181d

My guess is that this is about the BBC brand, if presenters who earn a fortune and are in the public eye make statements, opinions, views that the BBC feel prejudices their neutrality, it’s a problem for them. Remember BBC receives a fortune from the public their function is supposed to be to unbiased reporting. If a presenter has been outspoken about any issue then it’s difficult for any reporting to be unbiased. We all know many news reporters are clearly socialists, personally I would prefer unbiased reporting.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2181d

Not that I’ve heard, Gilligan is the SPAD in power now.

Russell Pearson ● 2181d

I can see that. It’s one thing when Emily Matlis has a rant against Cummings on a state paid for TV show. But if Vine spouts off in support of his fellow SPAD Gilligan on Twitter, should he be allowed to? I tend to think he should, though it puts both him and the BBC in a dubious position. Maybe on that they should keep quiet? Dunno.

Russell Pearson ● 2180d

What is a SPAD?  Sad Paid Advisor Dickhead? or what?

Jennifer Selig ● 2180d

I suppose nobody bothered to read this the first time I posted it. I can't say I blame you but since the subject has resurfaced...Jeremy Vine is a freelance presenter employed by Channel 5 TV and the BBC. If the new Director General really means what he said then JV should probably think twice befor hitting "send" or whatever it is you do on Twitter. here it all comes again:The BBC's new DG Tim Davie has only recently warned staff (including contracted "talent" like Mr Vine) not to "express a personal opinion on matters of public policy, politics, or controversial subjects".According to the BBC News website:'The new guidance on social media will apply to staff whether they are using online platforms professionally or personally'.Other select quotes from the new DG on staff and social media:"He said that in some cases, staff would be asked to suspend their Twitter accounts if they wanted to continue working for the BBC."""If you want to be an opinionated columnist or a partisan campaigner on social media then that is a valid choice, but you should not be working at the BBC,"

Bruce Hammal ● 2180d

Care to name five news reporters who are clearly socialists then Jayne?

Andrew Jones ● 2180d

You did after all say “we all know news reporters who are clearly socialists”

Andrew Jones ● 2180d

I’ve unintentionally misquoted you Jayne but I hope you get the gist

Andrew Jones ● 2180d

An internet policy of another  company contains this sentence Employees should not use social networks to comment on your company or competitors or disclose any business information.A. Number of employees were sacked for making comments about there company on Twitter.So pay attention of what you sign when a company implements an Internet use policy.

Bernard Allen ● 2180d

Why are Jeremy Vine's comments 'anti-democratic'? The policies he is supporting have been drawn up by a government with a large majority and implemented at a local level by a council which also has a clear democratic mandate. I can't see how it can be said he is politically biased if he is backing measures which are supported by both the Conservative and Labour parties.

Paul Corcoran ● 2180d

The thing is, according to the man in charge at the BBC he shouldn't really be saying anything at all on social media that can be viewed as expressing an opinion on controversial matters. It will all depend on whether Tim Davie's  words have made it into JV's terms of engagement. Even before the birth of Twitter etc. most  contracts of engagement had restrictions written into them designed  to protect  the reputation of the company concerned.

Bruce Hammal ● 2180d

If a member of twitter keeps having a go at a local councilor and someone re-tweets that, that does go against most company's Internet Policy.Which comes under Gross misconduct in their contract of employment, which is an instant sack-able offense

Bernard Allen ● 2180d