SilentCallsVictim wrote on Sep 29
th, 2009 at 6:48pm:
One may argue at length over the BBC's editorial responsibility for repeating information provided to it. I would suggest focusing on the Daycare Trust.
And I would actually suggest that the primary responsibility to get the price description right here lies with the BBC who quote phone numbers on air day in and day out and who now have very strict editorial guidelines as to how they should be correctly described (not least after the 09 prize lines scam debacle). The BBC won't normally air libellous, slanderous or racists or sexist comments just because they are given to them. Their duty of care as broadcasters means they have a very clear duty not to let inaccurate or illegal material reach the airwaves.
I do however recall the BBC previously tried to blame their description of the Disasters Emergency Committee 0870 number as being "National Rate" on the script prepared for them by the DEC. In my opinion the BBC's position on that matter was not justifiable.
I would actually imagine that trying to take it up with the Daycare Trust will be largely a waste of time as they will no doubt be fully signed up to all the lies given to them about the cost of their number by their telecoms provider.
As well as an email direct to the Director, Producer and presenter concerned a Complaint should also be logged about the matter at
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/homepage/ An email should also be sent to David Jordan (david.jordan@bbc.co.uk), the BBC's Controller of Editorial Policy (see
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/controllers/david_jordan.shtml) and to Michael Stock (michael.stock@bbc.co.uk) who controls internal BBC policy on its own use of phone numbers.