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AIBU?

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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:
BudgeUp · 13/08/2015 09:34

Talk about unbiased presenting. What I hated was how he dismissed that woman (the caller who disagreed with him vehemently) and her opinions by telling her that a) her husband disagreed with her but was too scared of her to say so and b) she was the one who wore the trousers in that relationship.

Is there any faster way to bring down a woman than that?

LaurieMarlow · 13/08/2015 09:43

What's particularly harmful is this idea that only those able to bf 'classily' or discreetly (and I am growing to hate that word) should be doing it in public.

In my experience, bfing women are as discreet as their body/baby allows them to be - and this will vary hugely. I had big breasts, a squirmy baby, over supply and a tricky latch. I was often very indiscreet indeed - but I had no control over that and it made me very uncomfortable.

BF mums don't need the additional pressure of having to breastfeed 'beautifully'. Or some kind of two tiered world were the chosen ones are supported and the less 'classy' shamed.

Fucking idiots like this guy have no idea of the emotional (and practical) implications of their words. An on air apology is the least of it.

BudgeUp · 13/08/2015 10:05

YY. Fuck "discreet"! It's just a strawman anyway. I've never seen a breastfeeding mother whip her boobs out and start throwing them around!

It's just not representative of the mothers who do breastfeed, who are well aware of society's stupid hang ups with breasts and have no desire to "show off" but just to feed their babies.

Likening it to sex in public is also bonkers. The equivalent would be to, um, eat in public which is pretty much what people do!

Hamiltoes · 13/08/2015 10:11

Fuck me. He's only going to do a "breastfeeding special" tomorrow at 10am Shock

He needs sacking thats what he needs.

LavenderRain · 13/08/2015 12:03

He was still on the radio this morning. Talking about Trailers today Hmm

OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 13/08/2015 12:04

As if there isn't enough misogyny in the world anyway, the BBC seems to think it's acceptable to employ a presenter to shout his nasty woman hating views to the public. How vile.

Pneumometer · 13/08/2015 12:06

Welcome to BBC Local Radio, where it's always 1978.

dancelikenooneiswatching · 13/08/2015 12:13

He's a lot more subdued than usual today, and he's apologised a few times for causing offence. I think his producer is equally to blame for allowing him to continue with his comments.

As someone up thread said, if you are a regular listener to his show it probably doesn't come as a surprise when he goes off like this, his aim is to get people calling in and to rile them as much as possible. I don't even believe he was on a bus and that scenario took place. I think he saw the story about the woman BFing two children at once and thought it would make a good subject to cause maximum upset.

A couple of months ago he had all the pensioners up in arms over his idea for Pensioner Wednesdays, where elderly people would only be allowed out to shop on Wednesdays, freeing up the roads, public transport, and shops for young people with families the rest of the week.

That went well!

NHSisfubar · 13/08/2015 12:14

He has just done an apology; half listening at work so didn't catch most of it. He's just a Jeremy Clarkson wannabe.

Pneumometer · 13/08/2015 12:20

He's just a Jeremy Clarkson wannabe.

But ends up being Alan Partridge. It's such a fine line, you see.

LikeIcan · 13/08/2015 12:21

Yabu. He sounds quite entertaining actually Grin

( & we don't say 'fired' in the UK - unless you're American you're being very unreasonable to use that word )

littlebluecar · 13/08/2015 12:25

What an arse, but do look at the link just to laugh at his hair. He must brighten people's days just when he walks down a street. Probably only when he walks down a street...

gallicgirl · 13/08/2015 12:26

I don't want him sacked.

I want him to apologise and present a rebuttal to redress the balance and provide some facts and support rather than his mysoginistic drivel.

mollie123 · 13/08/2015 12:29

you all need to lighten up Shock - he is a MCP (male chauvinist pig) for those of you of tender years.
ignore him and for goodness sake - let it go.

NotdeadyetBOING · 13/08/2015 12:59

Am with you OP. Not sure about him being sacked, but I think a spot of public ridicule would do the trick v. effectively.

SoupDragon · 13/08/2015 13:08

What a twat. Some fabulous comments on his Facebook page though.

Those of you who think he is entitled to broadcast his opinions on public radio, would you be saying the same if those opinions were racist, disablist or some other kind of offensiveness?

Verbena37 · 13/08/2015 13:14

The BBC put a lot of effort into making sure that illnesses and diseases on Holby and Casualty (whilst fictional programmes), are correctly presented. They use consultants to make sure their facts are correct and that the latest WHO and NHs guidelines are portrayed.

The fact that this idiot was able to totally undermine breastfeeding so easily, after so many agencies have been working really hard to normalise infant feeding, is unacceptable. If they were just his personal opinions then freedom of speech allows him to do that but the fact that he stated,as fact, that formula is as good as breastmilk just isn't acceptable.

ptumbi · 13/08/2015 13:47

There is a protocol to this though. Breasts all over the place isn't great either. I had babies but chose to feed discretely. Cupboard, where have you been for the past 10-15 years? Most woman do not end up with 'breasts all over the place'. And the only 'protocol' is that breastfeeding is allowed, and protected by law anywhere the mother is allowed to be!
Dinosaurs like this prat only serve to fuel the DM-reading frothers who get in a spin about all the lies news the DM can make up.

mollie - ignore and let it go? How about challenge, educate, DO NOT let it go? For the sake of woman (fat, thin, black, yellow) everywhere?

I certainly hope he loses his job. He'd find it hard to get another one, with attitudes llike that.

ptumbi · 13/08/2015 13:48

There is a protocol to this though. Breasts all over the place isn't great either. I had babies but chose to feed discretely. - oh and the word is Discreetly. Not discretely. Look it up.

Sorefeet1 · 13/08/2015 13:57

Haven't read all the posts but have listened to the whole show :O that guys is a a**hole of the highest form. Some of the caller weren't that impressive either.

Roseotto · 13/08/2015 14:21

what an idiot. He should go - seriously object to my licence fee going to fund the likes of that loser.

hesterton · 13/08/2015 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ptumbi · 13/08/2015 15:06

Hesterton - I have never listened to this radio station and (not being in the area) prob will neved again. Not listening is NOT the most effective protest, if I wouldn't be listening anyway!

The most effective protest would be for this knob to lose his job, and in as high a profile way as possible.

It is about time that shaming breastfeeding women should be made illegal.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 13/08/2015 15:09

Ooh if we're asking for BBC radio presenters to be sacked can we ask for Jeremy Vine to go too for bringing the role of presenter into disrepute by going on Strictly? TIA

I found in RL I didn't get any grief from anyone about breastfeeding and I'm not sure these media controversies do anything other than get publicity for the programme/individual involved

almondcakes · 13/08/2015 15:13

I do get a bit fed up with there being constant calls for people to be sacked over mistakes.

But in this case, isn't it clear cut? If he has individual breastfeeding mothers phoning up, and he is telling them they should not bf in public and it is unnatural, he is discriminating against them on the basis that they bf.

And that's illegal for a public service provider, yes? It is no different in law than telling a gay caller that being gay is unnatural.

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