I didn't complain at the time but wonder if I could now, that explanation
that Mel got was a joke, is there anything I could do by e mail?
Trace
Hi Carol, The best thing to do to start with is to go to
Bbc.co.uk/complaints
And follow the procedure for making a complaint electronically. In doing that you should point out that you have previously made a telephone complaint giving the date and pointing out that you've had absolutely no response.
If, following a further unsatisfactory response you want to escalate your complaint, you can do so by email by writing to
Ecu@xxxxxxxxx
Give a brief history of your complaint and, if possible, attach any correspondence you've had from the Beeb. Good luck and I'm sorry to hear you're not well. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Cheers now and take care.
Ian
-----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carol Pearson Sent: 15 September 2005 10:28 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: CHILDREN OF BESLAN - BBC 2 DOCUMENTARY 9 PM 30/08/2005
Hi there Ian,
Further to this and the various correspondence, I thought I'd let you know (now that people have received some responses) that I have had no response whatsoever to my telephone call. I am therefore about to take up your various suggestions for further complaints.
Could you kindly confirm whether it's really best to use email or "snail". If you are able to furnish me with all necessary email addresses and the full BBC address (should I have to have to send a normal letter) then I can try to get going.
I am currently not at all well and struggling with life in general so any help you can give so that I can hold up my end of things would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
-- Carol carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ian Macrae Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 10:35 AM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: CHILDREN OF BESLAN - BBC 2 DOCUMENTARY 9 PM 30/08/2005
Hi all,
Two things to say first. I have no responsibility either for the production of the programme in question nor for BBC policy in the area of accessibility of TV shows. Second, At present I'm not responsible either for the production or content of In Touch. Having said that, I'll say what I know about the situation and will be writing privately to Carol to offer her advice on how to pursue a complaint. I've personally complained so hard and so often about this practise that I'm blue in the face.
My understanding of the latest policy position with regard to sub titles versus voice over translation is as follows. Any TV shows on BBC ONE which contain foreign language content or contributions are required to have a simultaneous translation of that contribution in both voice over and sub titles. That's why if you watch, for example, Panorama, you ought to note all foreign contributions are translated in voice over. However, for some bizarre and unfathomable reason, the requirement for any such shows on BBC TWO is only that they provide translation in sub titles. That's why much of an important series like the Nazis, a warning From History remains inaccessible to visually impaired viewers. The only explanation I've been given for this differentiation is that the artistic or emotional agenda of shows made for TWO is more likely to be compromised by the appearance of voice-over. I've always said that this seemed to me entirely spurious.
If you encounter and are annoyed or frustrated by this practise of not translating, I'd suggest a couple of courses of action.
1. contact BBC Information as Carol did and make it plain that you want to make a formal complaint about this and expect a formal response from the BBC. If you are dissatisfied with that response, there is a process of appeal by which your complaint can be escalated. 2. The programme listing information for the show in question in Radio times should carry the name of the producer. Alternatively you can ask BBC Info to find that out for you. Then write direct to the producer again making it plain that you're making a formal complaint and require a formal response. In that instance, you should also copy your complaint to Roley Keating, Controller of BBC TWO at Television Centre.
Believe me I'm as pissed off as everyone else about this and wish I had a pound for every complaint I've made to individual producers. Actually I'd give up all that wealth just to get them to change the policy.
Hope this helps.
Ian
-----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Barry Sent: 31 August 2005 05:55 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: CHILDREN OF BESLAN - BBC 2 DOCUMENTARY 9 PM 30/08/2005
Not giving a verbal translation does not only alienate the VI, it would also have put off many others. My parent's, who have no sight problems, are not fast readers so turned the TV over when they saw the sub-titled translations. I listened to a programme about Beslan on the World Service a couple of months ago. They were interviewing the teachers. The teacher started talking in Russian and, after a few seconds, an English translation was given over the top. If the BBC can do it on Radio, surely they can do it on TV too.
Is *Points of view* still running on the BBC? It is obviously too late for this programme, but they need to sort this out for future viewing, particularly for something as emotive as Beslan.
Barry H
Hi there,
Well said! (Why did I fire this up again???) I have no regrets!
-- Carol carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of MARTIN WILSHER Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 10:18 PM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: CHILDREN OF BESLAN - BBC 2 DOCUMENTARY 9 PM 30/08/2005
HI Carol:
It seems to me that this lack of audio description is symtomatic of a general disregard for the needs of visually impaired people who watch television. I spoke to sky about this not too long ago, and even they, with their massive resources, seemed to put more into subtitling
for the deaf
than AD for the blind. They even told me that there listings for subtitled programmes, but none for AD programmes, and further more, that there was an easy way to turn on subtitles by pressing one or two
buttons, wherasthe
thereAD was almost impossible for a blind person to switch on or off. I know this is the bbc we are talking about here, and I think it is deplorable
was no AD or verbal translation. thumbs down for the bbc. From: "Carol Pearson" <carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: "'Ian Macrae'" <ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 9:21 PM Subject: [access-uk] CHILDREN OF BESLAN - BBC 2 DOCUMENTARY 9 PM 30/08/2005
Hi all,
We have just been very saddened and disgusted to discover that the documentary currently showing on BBC 2, "Children of Beslan", is obviously in their native language (Russian) and there is no audio description or verbal translation. On calling the BBC Information and
Complaints line I was informed that there is a text translation on the
screen but of course, that is no good to us!
I was particularly angry that, as this was a very sad and moving event
last year, we have been unable to follow up the children's progress.
Ian, I do hope you're reading this! I feel very strongly that the BBC
have let us down again.
When I called, I asked for a transcript of the programme, or at least
the verbal translation which was given. Are we likely to receive this?
Over to "In Touch"!
Any other comments anyone?
-- Carol carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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