BBC's Final Word

In an earlier post, I gave details of a complaint that I'd made following the playing of a racist and offensive song on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2. As I mentioned at the time, I did get an explanation of sorts from the show's producer, which justified the tone of the programme as a whole whilst avoiding the lyrics of the actual song in question.
To my surprise, I've now received (one month later!) a further e-mail from BBC Information about my original e-mail:

Dear XXXXX

Thank you for your e-mail regarding Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show broadcast on 31 July.

Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying. We know our correspondents appreciate a quick response and we are sorry you have had to wait on this occasion


We spoke to the producer of the programme Phil Jones who has stated:

"We felt the item on the withdrawal of British Troops from Northern Ireland was particularly strong because it focused primarily on what it must have felt like to be a British squaddie during the Troubles and endure the hatred of at least one section of the community. Jeremy spoke to 3 people, 2 of whom were former British soldiers: Colonel Bob Stewart, who gave a very moving account of what it was like to serve during that difficult period and Bill McDowall, who was a young British soldier during the time. We only played a section of the rebel song to illustrate the strength of feeling on the other side and show the awful pressure our troops must have been under. Later we spoke to the wife of an officer who was in the process of leaving the province.

Our aim was simply to highlight the bravery and resilience of British troops. I hope you continue to listen to the Jeremy Vine show.

Please be assured Mr XXXXX that your obvious displeasure has been fully registered and has been made available to senior BBC management.

Thank you once again for contacting us.

Thank you again for your interest and for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Regards
Geraldine Walsh

BBC Information

Which is basically a longer rehash of the original reply from Phil Jones, although they have kindly not put in the "For Your Eyes Only" warning this time.

So, bearing in mind the less than satisfactory response, was it a waste of time making the complaint in the first place?

On balance, I don't think so -via my own blog, Slugger O'Toole, Biased BBC, The Editors, Newsnight and (bless 'em), The Andy Town News the matter was brought to a much wider audience (I recorded 1,600 unique visitors in the space of 48 hours) than otherwise might have been the case. Most reaction to the topic has echoed my own feelings; I do not expect to hear songs celebrating slaughter on the state-broadcaster, it would be completely inappropriate to play "The Billy Boys" on a programme about loyalist terrorists, songs in a similar vein, glorifying the murder of British soldiers, also should have no place on the BBC.