Issues complaining to the BBC

[ChristinaXYZ]

I have tried to complain this morning about an article and the system is asking for my phone number and full address as well as email. Previously it was email and postcode (I think first part of postcode only). which was ok.

I don't want to give these to an organisation that is riddled with biased activists.

Am I right? Is this new? Is it deliberate to stop women complaining as we'[re more likely to not want to give this info?

Just stop paying your TV license. THe great thing about the BBC is that it's funding is dependent on you.

I would rather fund the BBC and have the BBC behaving itself. Which is why I want to complain. The focus on the boas has had results. Presentation of gender issues has slightly improved. why is why I want to continue to be able to pressure them why they get it wrong.

the fact that it works is perhaps why they are asking for this extra info. so they can say complaints on sex and gender have dropped and it is all now fine.

Write a letter - then you decide what information to share.

Is that a GDPR issue? I can't see why they suddenly need that info to process a complaint.

@Witheringtong

Is that a GDPR issue? I can't see why they suddenly need that info to process a complaint.

That's what I thought. But how to point that out???

ICO say you should complain to the BBC first but in this case that would mean handing over the info...it says here you can chat online with an advisor;

www.gov.uk/data-protection/make-a-complaint

I would put in fake info if I felt uncomfortable giving it

Is this just trans related articles? Have you tried complaining about something that isnt gender related to see if you get the same result?

@Witheringtong

Is this just trans related articles? Have you tried complaining about something that isnt gender related to see if you get the same result?

The system does not know the complaint till you make it so it will be for all. ~May disproportionally affect women complaining about gender issues though.

What method or route did you attempt to make a complaint?

In some instances you can send an email directly to a programme, for instance. Or you can write or telephone. I can't remember what information they asked for when I last telephoned them, quite a while ago. They do record something. Name, for one thing.

Also there's a form to fill in online to make a complaint. BBC wants us to jump through hoops and has a very bad record of sexism and an obscure and complicated complaints system. But that asking for your full address and the rest is a step too far. Big Brother.

This is the route I took.
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint

The last two times I have complained to the BBC I have had an email back saying that because of my language (I said things like "trans women are by definition men") it would be too traumatic for BBC staff to consider my complaint. I literally cannot complain about BBC lies and dishonesty, because I am too rude to have a right to complain if I explain my complaint.

I use that link, Christina, though I don't care about putting my add and phone in. I assume nothing will come of it. I've used the link a few times before.

@NotMyGenderGoblin

The last two times I have complained to the BBC I have had an email back saying that because of my language (I said things like "trans women are by definition men") it would be too traumatic for BBC staff to consider my complaint. I literally cannot complain about BBC lies and dishonesty, because I am too rude to have a right to complain if I explain my complaint.

That is bonkers. You can't complain because their staff would have a meltdown?

www.theguardian.com/media/2022/feb/07/bbc-rebukes-justin-webb-over-comment-on-kathleen-stock-row

Interestingly they were ok dealing with these complaints.

NutsOhHazelnuts ... to be fair to the BBC I can be pretty blunt so maybe I did go a bit too far, but I honestly don't think that I was rude and didn;t go further than things like "no-one has ever changed sex, trans women are men by definition".

The reply -

Dear  Notmygendergoblin 

Thank you for contacting the BBC.

This is a standard response to explain that we have read your complaint and have judged it as abusive in nature. We consider whether the tone and language used is offensive, or the underlying message goes against our values – as reflected in our Terms of Use at Using the BBC:

www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms/what-are-the-rules-for-commenting/

As such your complaint will not be circulated to our colleagues for consideration or further reply.

Our complaints procedures outlines the expectations for both parties involved, so it can operate effectively and in good faith. This is summarised on our website as follows:

“We will treat you with courtesy and respect and expect the same consideration to be shown to staff. If you misuse the service we may stop correspondence or prevent your future access to it.”

More detail on how we deal with misuse of our service is available at p.51 in our framework document here:

www.bbc.co.uk/contact/sites/default/files/2020-06/BBC_Complaints_Framework.pdf

An overview of our complaints service is available here:

www.bbc.co.uk/contact/how-we-handle-your-complaint

Yours sincerely,

BBC Complaints Team
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

Please note: this email is sent from an unmonitored address so please don’t reply. If necessary please contact us through our webform (please include your case reference number).

It's a very BBC reply. For a start, how pompous and condescending and then how they do love recommending that you read a lot of documentation about their precious procedures and processes. I mean does nobody have a life with other things to do? And your values are of no importance?They've been told to simplify and clarify their complaints procedure but do they get it? Apparently not.

You know if you complain to the BBC, I mean through the complaints procedure (not just an email or text message to a programme), it is not actually dealt with by BBC staff but by Capita. They call them something like Audience Services.

It is only after it reaches a certain level in the labyrinthine complaints procedure that it is handled by BBC staff. I do remember once reading that framework document that they are so eager to recommend to you and it's a dreadful piece of writing - or it was then.

Capita is that company that also does tv licence collecting and following people who haven't got one. Should I say harassing people? It has a contract worth millions per annum with the BBC.