Bloody insensitvity and through MN as well

[DadInsteadofMum]

Not I hasten to add by a MNer or MN towers.

Some of you may know me and my circumstances as I post here occasionally. I received this PM through MN today by somebody who must have seen a post in a different section but didn't check out where else I posted:

From: Lisa1Landmark

To: DadInsteadofMum
Subject: Documentary we're making...
Date: Wed 16-Feb-11 11:17:40
Hi There,

I hope you don't mind me messaging you on here.

I am an associate producer working with independent production company Landmark Films. We are researching a documentary for BBC1 about mums who live apart from their children. We're interested in what this means for the children and their subsequent relationships with the dads, grandparents or other family members who become their full time parent or guardian.

It is so easy to have an emotional knee-jerk reaction to mums who live apart from their children but without a doubt things are always much more complex and we're interested in what this means for everyone in the family.

We'd like to make a documentary that looks at the challenges of family life after a break up, but one that also looks at how individuals and families overcome those challenges together.

Do you support families who are going through this? Is there someone in your organisation that I could talk to about this to give me some pointers as to why this happens and, if possible, to put me in touch with people affected by this issue. I am interested in speaking with grandparents and their grandchildren whose mothers have left the home for whatever reason. Any conversations would of course be completely confidential and without commitment to take part in any filming. You can message me on here or call .

I look forward to the possibility of hearing back from you.

With many thanks and best wishes,

SHE DIDN'T LEAVE HOME SHE DIED.

Already report to MN Towers, but needed to vent thanks for listening.

Exactly maryz
the fact they send the same old email to both organisations and parents...even if conacting parents directly was an ethical thing to do!

An interesting post on another forum requesting input last year on this or a similar project.

It's interesting, because I would guess that reputation is all in this sort of film making. I'm wondering how the antics exposed on this thread will reflect on the reputation of Landmark Films:

"ABOUT US: Landmark Films are well-known independent television documentary company based in Oxford, England. .... We are known for making intelligent, distinctive well-crafted documentaries and for maintaining excellent relationships with the people we film." (my emphasis)

oh dear.

A difficult series of phonecalls tomorrow I should think.

Oh, that apology is shocking.

What an awful message DIOM - this is the 3rd or 4th thread I've read in the past day about people getting inappropriate PMs.

It seems that the facility is definitely being abused but I guess that's always a possibility.

I bet Landmark and other similar companies just have one logon for each forum which is used by all employees - you can see why that makes sense for them rather than loads of different IDs and passwords.

I can't wait to read their post today that they have promised.

DIOM, I hope you're ok.

I fully apologise for such a crass, insensitive and inappropriate email to a bereaved father.

Clearly I and Landmark have made an error in posting this direct and we are all very sorry for any distress it has consequently caused.

We also apologise to Mumsnet for this breach in the rules and Landmark has taken appropriate action and will be re-instructing all permanent and freelance staff on appropriate ways and methods to approach people in the future.

Once again I apologise for the upsetting mistake that has been made and for the distress it has caused.

Lisa and all at Landmark

Well all I can say Lisa at Landmark is that perhaps you shouldn't be bandying around your username and password in the office to temps and freelancers who could and have cause unnecessary stress. I really hope that you reconsider your membership to MN and that HQ consider it too. I for one am disgusted at your trawling the website and PM'ing innocent people. Why not go direct to MN and ask them if they would put something for anyone who wanted to be involved. Be out in the open ffs.

DIOM - I am so sad this has happened to you, have a lovely . I am very very on your behalf.

I had another PM from LisaLandmark which is basically her post plus an extra sorry.

My response:

And last nights cack handed expression of regret - I suppose that wasn't you either.

And all the other places that this sloppy message appears?

that is very shocking, DIOM, i'm so sorry.

So very sorry to read about this. And this is from of the better TV companies, but I suggest you write to Nick O'Dwyer who owns it - he should be aware of this.

I'm really shocked at this - how insensitive (and stupid) to approach people directly on an internet forum site when you have no idea of their circumstances. Even if you trawl through previous posts, they won't tell you everything.

Landmark Films.... I'm no expert but surely it makes way more sense to put up a post and invite people to contact you rather than contact people directly and cause distress.

Dear Lisa
have you thought about making a hard hitting program highlighing the methods and imnpact of lazy and thoughtless journalists? A glance around your office should reveal heaps of content. I reckon you could throw the whole thing together in a couple of days!