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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to want this presenter fired...

324 replies

Princess28 · 12/08/2015 20:07

I'm all for freedom of speech but I think as a radio presenter on BBC you do need to have some standards. He describes (from minutes 9-12) how breastfeeding is 'unnatural' and 'guys' don't want to see it in public. He describes a situation on a bus with a larger lady breastfeeding. He's not a rent a gob guest- he's the presenter. So aibu to want him off the airwaves?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02y4dz4

OP posts:
HedgehogAtHome · 12/08/2015 20:42

He appears to call himself 'Mr Controversial' which reads as 'Mr What-Twattish-Opinions-Can-I-Pretend-To-Have-To-Keep-My-Job'

Alisvolatpropiis · 12/08/2015 20:46

Yabu

Original poster
Princess28 · 12/08/2015 20:49

I've already given to the sacking part- but (just to be a touch controversial)- if it was a state school teacher saying that to children would that be ok as its 'just an opinion'

OP posts:
vestandknickers · 12/08/2015 20:49

He was just expressing an opinion. Not yours obviously, but that doesn't mean he deserves to be fired.

WantToGetLost · 12/08/2015 20:50

Disagree with his opinion however YABU you don't get to control what others think.

Original poster
Princess28 · 12/08/2015 20:52

WantToGetLost- what others think of course. What people state as fact on a public funded usually dull radio station...

OP posts:
catellington · 12/08/2015 20:52

I can't believe this. It must be a bad joke.

MintJulip · 12/08/2015 20:53

The problem is - we are still in patriarchal society and women are not actually free to BF where they want in public.

So....until women feel comfortable doing it without a second thought....YES I think this sort of talk should be stood up too - in a strong way.

I don't think that's OK on publicly funded radio

I agree. Our hard earned wages going on such rubbish and - I might add lots of vehemence shown to BF women generally really, this is practically going to support hate crimes.

The reason people keep banging on about it crap bag is because women cant do it - freely yet.

MintJulip · 12/08/2015 20:54

I also think mothers out and about with NB's and babies are quite vulnerable esp new mothers - we should be supporting them, and their BF as much as we can.

anyway - those that want too can write to the radio station.

catellington · 12/08/2015 20:55

I don't think this is ok at all and I simply can't get my head around how dumb it sounds to continually pose the question 'breastfeeding - is it natural?'. YANBU.

vestandknickers · 12/08/2015 20:55

princess why the comparison with teachers? Why on earth would a teacher talk to children about this? Any how is test relevant to this issue ? Bit of random teacher bashing?

53rdAndBird · 12/08/2015 20:55

There's a difference between "he's entitled to his opinion" and "he's entitled to bleat on about said opinion in his paid job on a BBC radio show", surely? Don't think OP was suggesting he be arrested or anything...

(he is however free to lock himself in a toilet stall and rant about breastfeeding all he likes.)

PolShelby · 12/08/2015 20:56

I think YANBU, he shouldn't use his position on public radio to voice opinions that shame women.

Can't wait to see sadface DM story Grin

Original poster
Princess28 · 12/08/2015 20:58

Not at all- I'm a teacher and we can't talk about political leanings. We can say things like 'the conservatives say this and labour say that' but we aren't supposed to let the children know our own opinions. Similar to a state funded radio station I would assume...

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 12/08/2015 20:59

The sounds as thick as shit but I don't think he should be fired.

'Unnatural' made me properly laugh out loud! Grin

Someone needs to educate him, although they'll really have their work cut out if his IQ is that low.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 12/08/2015 20:59

It's only his opinion is a total cop out.

If he had said Chinese people or gay people repulsed him that would be his opinionl too. It would also be totally inappropriate for someone representing the BBC to speak about protected groups this way.

catellington · 12/08/2015 20:59

'with transport now how it is...couldn't mums just stay at home and do it?'

just couldn't make it up

Grin
WorraLiberty · 12/08/2015 20:59
  • The guy sounds as thick as shit
catellington · 12/08/2015 21:00

MovingOnUp I was going to say the same thing and I think in the near future we will look back on this and be shocked.

Theycallmemellowjello · 12/08/2015 21:01

I think it's completely fair enough to complain about this to the bbc - he might have to do a grovelling on air apology.

VerityWaves · 12/08/2015 21:02

"Unnatural "
What a fucking prick

WorraLiberty · 12/08/2015 21:02

I wish the OP had put the guy's name in the thread title

So when he Google's himself (and you sooo know he will), he'll see this thread.

MrsKoala · 12/08/2015 21:03

I'm all for freedom of speech, unless it goes against the law. If the law says women are free to bf wherever they need to then who is he to give an opinion on it? I am surprised at people saying it's 'just his opinion'. A woman's right to bf is a fact. Imagine if he said he didn't like people doing something else which was perfectly legal? I think it is the kind of opinion which is 'okay' towards women but if you put it in other contexts it wouldn't be so okay. 'Us guys don't want to see gay people...' 'us guys really think black people should...' 'Fat people really need to...' But 'women shouldn't bf in public...' is just an opinion. 'Women shouldn't wear short skirts' is just an opinion. and on and on. It's insidious. You don't get to have an opinion arsehole. I'm protected by the law.

Original poster
Princess28 · 12/08/2015 21:03

He did invent the dance to oops upside your head though...

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 12/08/2015 21:03

It's Alex Dyke and he appears to be trying to portray the Solent as somewhere that has yet to experience the enlightenment.

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