Auntie giveth, and Auntie taketh away

No one could excuse the BBC of being anything less than an enthusiastic proponent of matters green.

However, in its zeal I do wish it reporters could attempt to get their heads around certain realities so things can be put in proper context.

Today business reporter Declan Curry is at a Motor Show, which has a green section. So far, so interesting.

However, I have had to write in now twice:

H2...oh? - I am a big fan of the potential of hydrogen as an automotive fuel, and fully accept that it is mainly water that comes out the exhaust pipe (which is good at point of release) but is it true to say a car using it is 'zero emission'? I think it may have some consequence as the car and fuel still needs to be made.

Declan: 'Green cars... ...Without the environmental cost' Without... or reduced? They are different.

Telegraph - British International Motor Show: Green gloss masks red shift for car industry

I think I am on a loser here. They are, pssobly, 'better', but I guess the definition is now too firmly entrenched to save us from a marekting onslaught that ignores the actual enviROI:

21/07/2008: “2p A Mile” Car Ready To Roll Off Production Line

A zero-emission electric car that does the equivalent of 250 miles to the gallon is set for a summer launch.

EU Referedum - NEW - Green illiteracy

Quote of the day - Publican service broadcasting

Let no one excuse the BBC of lack of balance.

Thing is, I do sometimes wonder if they think things through. Following weeks... months... years... of nanny state preaching (with some good reason, and value) on the ills of youth alcohol abuse, we have another Declan commercial break (I know the line between fair PR sharing as news and blatant free exposure for a brand is a fine, and hence difficult one, but really, this isn't some retail boss flogging their latest fluff under the pretext of a news item), this time at the Bushmills distillery. Something along the lines of:

"How do we/you (didn't catch it properly) improve its appeal to younger drinkers..."

...followed by a few minutes free commercial, including mixes (with cranberry juice!) for the younger palate. Nice.

This was, irony free, followed by a piece on kickboxing , introduced along the lines of 'how we improve our kids' behaviour?'.

I have one small suggestion... don't glorify and promote hard liquor cocktails in this manner on the national broadcaster, especially one that has been sanctimoniously trotting out youth binge drinking messages at the same time, when my 11-year-olds are having breakfast. Just a thought.

As with things environmental, if the media can't get consistent with their messages, there is little chance of our youth getting it. I think of AGW scare stories and consumer tut-tutting in complement, followed immediately by some celebs excesses on a far-flung beach. It is inconsistent and divisive. And not a little hypocritical. There's a surprise.

It's November; it's extraordinary'

So say the blonde and the bouffant on BBC breakfast this am, about the fact that there was snow last night. I merely ask...'is it?'. If so that is worthy of note in the MWCC issue. If not, it sets up the BBC for a fall.

Because the segue for this piece was Declan and the 'low carbon family' now car sharing. Seems that, having for no good reason taken two cars to drive side by side daily, they now have realised they can go in one.

I was moved to write:

'Car sharing is... can be a great thing in carbon mitigation.

However, I have just watched you and the 'family' agree that busses are none too effective, even when prevalent, at 'fitting in' with the family schedule.

How many people, even within the same family, can leave or, much more pertinently, ensure they return at the same period within the same location and/or timing?

I think you portray an idealistic scenario in this piece.

Perhaps some thought needs to be given to coordinating better such sharing (Midlands Today has just announced dedicated lanes for sharers, so there are incentives) ways to DO this by way of public service campaigning/information.'

I am now, of course, inspired to list these as our national broadcaster is not that worried about such things, though I bet their excellent online site is littered with advice... point at them guys! We need information, not propaganda (though the cause of bus travel took a knock).

And I'll also raise the small notion I have created that needs some help (time and money) to get off the ground. It will not address daily commutes (though it can in complement to others), but it will be a big step on 'one-offs').

Bag Lads

Like I say, this morning's Breakfast was a rich seam.

So along with all the other vastly crucial environmental issues covered of late, our Declan does an expose of... plastic bags. There's a novelty.

I simply don't get it. And have still to find out just what amount of plastic the 290 a year 'we' 'use' actually amounts to as a block when compared to say, the half dozen Fairy Liquid bottles we get through each year. Or if it really matters vs., well, most other things, really.

Anyway, the target was online deliveries, and it was actually quite surprising that these bozos use plastic bags, and just how many they do use, with Declan's best buds ASDA swinging in at 50% above the rest (15 for a normal 3-bag shop).

What was not surprising was that, good golly, they are all 'looking at' new ways. Now, let's see, home delivery have been going on how long? And NOW they decide to get all proactive. Sad.

And then we get a two-for-one deal on spokespersons, with the classic retail clone of sharp-suit, shaved-head and monotone mantra from a couple of high-power (in their minds) 'executives'. I bet a brace of 318 Beemers were being waxed in the underground garage as we watched. And 'make some noise' parties to Ibiza with Linda in accounts getting finalised on the Bluetooth as they headed back to shopping-central.

Their families must be so proud. I'm sure they are worth every penny. As is my licence fee.

Discus..

..ted.

BBC interviewers 'too frightened of offending big business leaders'

BBC business news failing impartiality test, says report

News, new, slow news day

I don't really have much to lose with most parts (a few nice, notable, exceptions, who are the only ones likely to be reading this) of the BBC these days, so what the hey.

Turned on at 5.30am to get straight into day whatever of the Maddyfest. Concerned journalists and anchors here and there swapping war stories about how the beastly Portuguese coppers don't give press conferences BECAUSE THEY ... ER... 'WE' NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!!!! No irony at all when they interview a Brit policeman who mutters that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing here to be allowed to get on with their jobs rather than having to tell the bad guys (I didn't mean the media, but...) every ten seconds what they may or may not be doing to satisfy the demands of the media.

And now, having got that off my chest, here is the rest of the news.

Seems a highly-funded bunch of academics has announced a study that pumping out endless 'We're all toast' climate change doom 'n gloom stories to a willing and eager ratings machine such as our media... isn't helping much. Check back a few years to see why I can only ponder, with some rueful shaking of head, that I wish I'd said that. Oh, I did. Along with a few (not many) others. And I told a few media outlets, such as the BBC, but maybe offering a word of caution on the responsibility of outrageous reporting wasn't quite in keeping with their journalistic standards of... 'WE'RE ALL DOOMED! - say eco-activists with book tours', vs. 'NO, WE'RE NOT! - say big-oil funded deniers'. Which ever way, the ratings flames are fanned to good effect by those less interested in the truth, accuracy and a better future tomorrow, than a good headline today.

And so we come to Declan, 'discussing' (if that is what his slot can be called) train travel today, looking as cute and cuddly as ever in his Thomas the Tank outfit on the footplate of a steam train. Now, remind me, how do these things work? Oh, yes, they burn vast amounts of of coal, and not very efficiently belch it out of their smokestack. Ah, well, a little artistic licence in the name of good TV, eh? But one wonders when he'll be off to the Arctic to 'study' global warming.

Anyway, a point was made. The eco-family tested out a train and the car. Train = fun. Car = chore. No contest. But... Train = loadsamunny, plus lots more per person. Oops. There's also the small matter of where you are setting off from and going to. Plus flexibility. And convenience. And...

I am leaving soon for the first day of the Total Packaging Show at the NEC. I need to get there, do the biz and get back. Money, time and convenience. On a good day in the car outside of rush-hour I can get there in about an hour, and back to get in more work, for about a tenner in petrol. In that time I may just about have got a bus to Gloucester to the station, if one runs at the right time and there is a train. And I have a family to feed by every minute of my day being used to try and make my business work. Because the demands of those in power require that.

Sorry, no contest. So I am not sure what point was served by the piece, as it merely served to confirm my situation. As far as I was aware, not one jot of 'discussion' about how to improve matters was attempted. Plus ca change...

But I think they are flying more reporters to the Iberian Peninsula. The weather is lovely there at this time of year, I gather.

Indy - Wild theories and a warped sense of priorities - at least they didn't also put the latest 'scoop' on the front page.

Indy - Reporting The Hunt For Madeleine: Media and police collide on the Algarve - Has a nice sense of irony and moral outrage, though you do suspect they are also not averse to feeding off it all. One thing that does come across, to me at least, is how sidelined the actual finding of the little girl has become to the process of reporting upon the cirrus surrounding it.

Who's a clever boy then?

Well, I'm back.
Actually, I have been since Monday, but for reasons that will hopefully become apparent, have been a tad busy elsewhere dealing with the backlog that built up during the Geneva trip... and the consequences of it. Because....

I won. And I won big!



Here's the press release that has been prepared, and I am touting around as we speak to try to make the most of it while it is fresh.


‘Hole-in-one’ for award-winning Herefordshire inventor Ross-on-Wye inventor Peter Martin has been awarded a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions held in Geneva last weekend… for a small hole in a strip of plastic. His patented Re:tie concept is simple, but shows just what you can achieve from an inventive approach to recycling. Peter has redesigned the security closure strip used in many drinks bottles and jars, by introducing a block with a hole. This means the strip can be saved and reused as a tie, in the garden, for cabling, for bags – for anything which needs tying together. Peter took his invention to Geneva with his company Junkk.com, and won the Award against stiff competition from the world’s top inventors and major R&D institutions. The international Judges were so impressed with the simplicity and potentially wide application of the eco-design tie that they awarded Gold, and several have subsequently congratulated him by email. ‘It’s one of those “Why didn’t anyone think of this before?” ideas,’ says Peter, whose free website Junkk.com has been created to share how virtually any potentially discardable item can be reused. “I am proud to win such a prestigious award for myself, my company and the UK, but I am particularly thrilled that it was noted for its environmental impact, and potential positive contribution to commercial eco-design. When you are in a place like Switzerland and surrounded by eco-inventions from the likes of Germany and Asia, it is good to show we Brits are creating consumer-friendly solutions that need not incur or impose additional costs.” The RE:tie may be a small change to a piece of plastic, but every little bit helps when it comes to reducing waste and helping save the planet. The Re:tie will also bring manufacturers considerable green-£-based benefits as Peter intends to license the concept for commercial use. He is also hoping to turn the commercial and public interest in RE:tie into further official support for his free re:use ideas website initiative Junkk.com – which offers people a way to exchange second use ideas for all sorts of products and packaging. “After immense interest and support from the 70,000 international visitors to the show, I'd like to accelerate my plans to expand the site into other languages, and establish its postcode localisation facility into other countries.” Peter is now seeking investors for RE:tie, especially if he is to fight off imitations despite his patent: “It would be a pity not to exploit this idea worldwide from a British base. I'd like to see it not only on an Innocent juice carton here, but a jar of jam in China and a bottle of pop in the US, too’.

So, a lot of work to do. I'm trying to get help to protect the idea from the likes of the BusinessLink, UKTI and various government agencies, and of course support from the media.

Both are proving an effort.

I know business help takes time, but it can be frustrating to wade through the systems. There is so much that is in theory on offer, but finding it and making use of it demands a lot of time and inside knowledge which I don't have.

Then there is the media.

I am getting some coverage, but in a week when waste and packing is all over the media, from the Indy to the Daily Mail (who shamelessly seem to have copied the Indy's campaign, not that it was that original or skillfully applied), the level of interest so far (with a few notable, and appreciated, exceptions) has been about what I'd expect from our mighty 4th estate.

And now I watch BBC's Declan in a 5 minute slot* on the same thing. Having already queried their addiction to giving free PR to ASDA, I guess it wouldn't help to wonder why the majority of the slot was about 'an initiative' in 'a few stores', whereby customers are asked to put packs in a bin 'for analysis'. Hmn. Does it it wash as a real, credible attempt? And does the BBC's coverage count as valid, skillful reporting?

Maybe I haven't yet sussed out the secret to getting coverage in this new media age.

*BBC - Tough packaging fines are urged - Check out the vid top right: nice ad for ASDA guys!

Ask. Don't Tell.

I'm on a ro... mission:

Noted that Declan asked the 'enviro question' of the BMI boss regarding the impact of increased flights as a result of new regulations.

And noted that the airline industry takes this issue very seriously (where have we heard that before.. ad nauseam).

But as to the answer that he (the BMI guy) doesn't think it will adversely affect the contribution of greenhouse gasses to climate change, [MY QUESTION:] does the BBC think leaving it at that is adequately dealing with this as a major aspect of news issue, on the day the budget is discussed for its green influence?

We're listening. And then we're selecting what we want to hear.

It is not just politicians.

'Today on Breakfast TV, Declan Curry advised that Andy Bond of ASDA would be there to answer questions.

What I submitted was one of those responses featured, but only the preamble and not the question.

Preamble: Supermarkets are improving a lot environmentally. But most initiatives seem to still be either self-serving (alternative energy reduces fuel bills, which is great, but helps the bottom line mainly), or a response to official pressure (recycling is great to provide and meets targets, but still throws the onus on consumers to do the work and dispose of waste).

Question: What is planned to help consumers with reuse, from ways to make more of existing packaging design, to encouraging new designs and stimulating ideas that can find life beyond the additional energy consumption of recycling or, worse, the bin and landfill?

In fact most of what was covered from the public on this topic was more opinion - 'We love your store!' - than questions.

If you ask for questions, I expect the questions to be asked, not the out-of-context, and often more contentious (or hardly newsworthy or troubling to the guest) editted sections.'

He answered.
Is it just me or did he come off a tad defensive? Of course I had to reply:

Dear Declan,

Your question arrived AFTER the interview with Mr Bond. He was here to
answer questions at 0645 and 0745 this morning.

It may have arrived with you after 0745, but it was sent at - 21 February 2007 07:29:39 GMT, and in immediate response to your on-air request to pose questions to him.

If this is a problem, maybe it would help in future at this final 25% of slot run-down period, to clarify that no further questions will be posed on air?

As I thought you made an interesting point nonetheless,

Thank you. And it is true that I have a concern a lot of CSR coverage is on issues that look and indeed are often green...er, but actually serve the consumer less than the business' PR and bottom line.

I decided to include your email in my brief round up of comments at 0825.

Thank you.

The emphasis here is on the word brief. That slot was 60 seconds long, and I
needed to include around 6-8 remarks, so your comment had to be subbed
down because it was, frankly, much too long. But I think I captured the
essence of it.

I appreciate the need to edit for time, but agenda comes into play.

The first section was not a question, but established context.

Re:use was the question, which as opposed to commentary was what was asked for, and was identified by a question mark.

It is a small, but significant aspect of environmental good practice, barely addressed by anyone. A shame, because along with repair it can be the most personally rewarding and likely to get consumers and the general public on board.

Recycling, via government, local authorities, some very comfy contractors and various quangos and their comms budgets gets massive attention and support. But it is low down the re:hierarchy. And getting people to stand at the sink each night as unpaid sorters is not exactly rewarding. Nor is it that carbon neutral as it does require energy to collect and process. Biodegradability of packaging is also often mooted, but I do wonder what the by-products of biodegrading are, in a more immediate global warming gas sense. Reduction is best, but there's a lot of 'looking at' but not much I can see by way of 'doing'.

My reason for writing was because I was disappointed that the editorial preference was more for a commented negative, though constructive criticism (if valid, and nothing new), as opposed to a posed positive question that could have opened up new and worthwhile ways to improve matters.

I'd be interested in how you view news editors', and the BBC as a public service's responsibilities and duties in the way such issues get portrayed. Stir the pot and add spice? Or try and make it acceptable to all tastes at the table, and in so doing bring them closer together?

There wasn't much point in asking the specific question as the man
himself wasn't there any more. I had said many times when the interviews
would take place.

In light of the discrepancy between what I thought I heard and acted upon, and what you think you said and happened, this aspect is moot until we have access to a time-indexed transcript, so I will for now refrain from addressing it further. If I am wrong I will of course apologise.

The comments at 0825 reflected the balance of opinion that arrived in
our mailbox between the end of the previous business update and the
start of that one.

Repeat. In light of the discrepancy between what I thought I heard and acted upon, and what you think you said and happened, this aspect is moot until we have access to a time-indexed transcript, so I will for now refrain from addressing it further. If I am wrong I will of course apologise.

You may not like it that Asda has satisfied customers, but they're every bit as valid as the supermarket's critics.

I am unsure as to where I expressed any such view, and so do still wonder how what was read out counts as a question, as opposed to what was not. Maybe you would be kind enough to clarify? [Still waiting]

Round 3...?

STOP PRESS - Just heard back from Breakfast to thank me for my original post.
Time: 21 February 2007 14:09:29 GMT. Bless.

24 Feb - A reply from the BBC:

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the 21 February edition of 'Breakfast'.

I understand that you were unhappy that your extensive question on supermarkets and the environment was not featured in its entirety. I also note that you feel that the questions sent in were edited to make them easier for the ASDA representative, Andy Bond.

However, I can assure you that there is absolutely no intention to edit feedback from 'Breakfast' viewers to make life easier for guests like Andy Bond. The BBC does not seek to denigrate any view, nor to promote any view. It seeks rather to identify all significant views, and to test them rigorously and fairly on behalf of the audience. However, it is not feasible to include every message or question sent in by 'Breakfast' viewers on the programme itself.

Further information on the programme and means of discussing the issues covered is available on the following webpage:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/programmes/breakfast/default.stm

Please be assured that your comments have been registered on our daily log for the attention of the 'Breakfast' production team and BBC Senior Management.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us.

____________

I am drafting my reply, which will be self-explanatory:

Thank you for your reply. It can be no fun having to catch up with such issues at the weekend.

I understand that you were unhappy...

Mr. Curry also made the point that it was too long, though you have done so more charmingly. However I do not recall suggesting at any point that I was upset that it was not featured in its entirety.

I also note that you feel ...

In fact, I think you will note that the reason for my complaint was the exact reverse. I was dissatisfied that the question, which was what was asked for, did not get posed, and the preamble, which was merely an opinion and entirely deletable, was. Also the question was an opportunity for a positive engagement and response by Mr. Bond. The opinion was negative, and that was what was chosen, which if different from editing the distinction will need to be further explained to me.

However, I can assure you ...

I note your assurance. Were all news media so free of subjective influence or ratings driven agenda.

However, it is not feasible ...

And I fully understand this constraint. Hence the need to ensure what is asked for is what gets broadcast in good faith.

Please be assured ...

I note this assurance, but would like to ask what happens next as I do not feel my complaint has been understood properly, which may explain my view on the adequacy of the reply.

I have had occasion to write before, and so far have noticed the procedure does seem to follow a certain path, and one that leads fairly quickly to a dead end. Which begs the questions as to why it exist at all. I will reply to this, but am sure will get a bounce instructing me to return to the start of the complaint procedure again, which raises questions on the structure and sincerity of the dialogue system.

Thank you again ...

You are welcome. It is good to know that a complaint is valued, especially if constructive and in the spirit of improvement. Because it shows the person who made it cares enough to take the time to offer such feedback. And not all have their time funded to do so.

I therefore look forward to seeing how this may be progressed and the answers I sought before, and the new answers I seek may be delivered.

So. Most questions ignored or points denied. Explanations just plain wrong or inadequate. The state of our publicly-funded media today. Round 3???

Bingo! - 'We are sorry but our email system will not receive your email unless you use one of our pre-formatted webforms. We realise the inconvenience but hope you will understand that this helps us handle the many emails we receive every day more efficiently and makes best use of your licence fee. '

How does me not being able to reply directly to the person who wrote to me make this... more efficient?

Indy - Ads on BBC websites

ADDENDUM:

11 April - Again on the 'Declan does Big Biz' Commercials show', we had a full piece, with commercial, followed by a fawning slot with ASDA's boss about their changing their strapline. Who are the BBC trying to kid?