|
Complaint 1 - derogatory reference to living person (Michael Jackson
joke)
The first stage of the BBC complaints process is to register
the complaint with the Information Unit. The Information Unit records the
complaint and gives the BBC's official line.
My first complaint
concerned the joke about Michael Jackson in the episode "The End of the
World":
1 June 2005
Dear Sirs
I would like to register a complaint about content in
the new series of Dr Who...
"Michael Jackson"
One of the characters in the
show was a "skin lady" who had undergone so much plastic surgery that she had
been reduced to a wafer thin piece of skin. At one point, Rose says, "I'm going
to speak to Michael Jackson". I object to the overt reference to Mr Jackson
which I regard as inappropriate. I accept that the mention was a reference to
his surgery and not to the alleged paedophilia but, regardless of the context,
I do not think the programme should be used to make derogatory references about
named individuals.
|
The Information Unit replied on 28 July 2005; here is a
direct scan of their letter:
|
| |
 |
This complaint was submitted to the Editorial Complaints
Unit. The ECU represents the second stage of the BBC's three-stage complaints
process, and is intended to adjudicate independently:
18 October 2005
Dear Sirs
One of the
fictional characters in the programme was a "skin woman" who had undergone so
much plastic surgery that she had been reduced to a wafer thin piece of skin.
At one point, Rose says, "I'm going to speak to Michael Jackson". I object to
the reference to Mr Jackson. It was apparent from the episode that the writer
wanted to make a statement about vanity and wealth, leading to plastic surgery
beyond all reason. Debts not withstanding, Michael Jackson would appear to be a
natural target. Regardless of the context, however, I do not believe the
programme should be used to make derogatory references about named individuals.
I have two specific objections:
| » |
Let us assume that Mr Jackson's keenness for plastic surgery does
arise from vanity. Let us assume also that such vanity is a 'bad thing', even
though it is not illegal in Mr Jackson's country. I object because I see no
reason why Mr Jackson's personal failings, as perceived by BBC staff, should
entitle BBC staff to cast stones. |
|
|
| » |
Second, we cannot be sure that Mr Jackson's surgery is the result
of vanity. The long-term damage done to Mr Jackson's face, combined with his
extreme and eccentric behaviour, lends itself to the suggestion that he may be
mentally ill. In this context, the quip reminds me of bullying at school when
children are ridiculed because they are fat, and told that the bullying is
their fault - because they are fat. |
I do not accept the explanation given by Mr Briggs that the reference
to Mr Jackson was to assist audience identification. That purpose was achieved
by the Skin Woman herself. The reference to Mr Jackson was unnecessary and
seemed included only to satisfy a need of the writers to express themselves. I
felt the reference went way beyond what was reasonable or appropriate.
|
Here is the ECU's response, dated 28 July
2005:
|
| |
 |
| |
This complaint was appealed to the Board of Governors on 18 May
2006.
Click to go to
Complaint 2.
|
|