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So
today, I quickly visited
Aunty's web site, just to
catch up on a few dates, before I commenced my scribing and got up on
my squawk box.
In
October of 1922 a group of leading wireless engineers and
manufacturers, including the great radio pioneer Marconi.
Embarked
on a
phenomena and founded the British Broadcasting Company.
Just
like some
72 years later Marc Andreessen and team founded Netscape Communications
and developed the 'Commercial' World Wide Web as we know it today.
Both
of these mighty efforts have changed the face of history and humankind.
With
the difference in time scales has come also a change in our
Society
and attitudes.
Lord
Reith the biggest influence for benchmark standards and the
direction of Aunty in those early day's, a young 33 year old Scot.
Managed to preserve the technology and organization as a non political
vehicle for News and Education.
It
was touch and go at one time, with
reference to meetings with Churchill, the then said chancellor in that
period.
But
fortunately through great personal effort and tenacity that can only be
executed to perfection by a canny Scot.
Lord
Reith got his way and
persuaded the
then, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin to let the BBC evolve as non
political essential vehicle for News the World over.
For
more than 50 years, it was
unheard of and would never of even been considered that the BBC did not
offer value as an institution of this Country.
Without
the BBC is like
no Tea or Jam sandwiches, all the fine traits and traditions of a
maturing and aged democracy that we share and enjoy is partly due to
the BBC as an integral part
of the jigsaw.
But
very sadly, the values and traditions
that have embodied our Sons and Daughters, Parents and Grand Parents
appears to no longer exist.
I
never seemed to recall in the USA, having a meeting in Congress, or an
announcement from the President with a statement, saying, that Netscape
Communications is about to be sold to America On-line and we the people
of the USA are concerned that a National treasure may be lost.
A
Historical jewel of the USA and one that
has changed the face of history in the 21st century for all mankind in
communications.
But
60 years ago, it would of been unthinkable, and a
similar scenario in blighty would of seen Parliament convene.
So
I fear in the next coming two years for Aunty, I cannot recall a
time where she could be most vulnerable.
The
BBC is not for old
farts,
Aunty stands for far more than that, like many she is a part of my
life, childhood through good and bad and she has always been there for
me, whether happy or sad, married or single, joyous or suffering from
deep depression.
This
has not been the first time that I have slung my
hat in with my concerns for Aunty.
Back
in 1998 as a Director at Satellite and
Cable, Europe. I Wrote to Jonathan Edwards at the BBC airing my
concerns
about the rapid rise of BskB and
suggested then that the BBC should
offer free set top boxes and embrace the new technology.
For
fear of
embarrassment to him, I will not disclose in my squawk box piece here,
the initial feed back and comments in the reply (they were polite and
friendly I might add).
But
I am very pleased to see that they did jump
on the new technology and today, Aunty offers a range of channels for
all ages and preferences in viewing.
The
comments recently, of cutting
back and offering more repeat programmes gives me cause for concern of
a conspiracy. The most effective way to destroy one of the Nations
treasures is to reduce and withdraw in areas that are beacons, the
whole world respects and admires in relation to News and Education.
What other service in the World would have a Senator and President of
the Greatest Super Power on the planet , refers so often and fondly,
that they got their information and reports of the news while watching
the BBC.
The
removal of such services begs the question what is left?
What
will be the outcome of an institution that has helped shape our Nation
and Society.
We
currently have a mass part of the population that is uncaring, with no
regard for
manners and decency, watching superficial base level broadcasts and a
must have it now attitude at all costs.
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The
cutting back will lead
Aunty into the trap of the great Television License debate again and it
does not
matter whether it is Labour, or a Conservative member, if in an effort
to
get your vote, to be
elected, they will sure as eggs sell out this National Treasure.
If
cut backs are required, apart from Channel
4 News and some of the
movies on Film 4.
I
would say this is a good starting point. The big
brother
and other reality television programmes reflect on me and you, does
nobody realise that!
Sometimes
it is very understandable, if you are
looking in at our society and if you were seeing this garbage base
material. It is
no wonder some poor
misguided fool wants to bomb us, as he or she relates to us all being
like mindless morons and represents part of a fallen
Babylon. Hell, I would even supply the explosives!
So
I really do take offence to these programmes and broadcasts, as they
do
not serve our Nation well.
Another
example is when a News reader holding an
anchor spot, interviews a person on an important subject with some real
interaction and quality comments and feedback. Then only to wind up to
break for an advert and then the broadcaster continues with repeat roll
overs every 15 minutes.
My
Father used to call people who held position not on merit or knowledge,
through a friend of a friend, upper class twits. I tend to go along
with his
comments as it appears to me, we have too many Government officials and
others of the old boy school tie network making decisions in relation
to matters
they know absolutely nothing about.
The
decision being taken in view of Aunty is a
prime example. Like my father and Lord Reith both of an engineering
background has my vote and I believe. The one true factor about an
engineers, is that he or she will keep going and never give up. That's
commitment, backbone and character.
Something
we seem to be lacking a
great deal at present when it comes the decision makers on important
matters in this Nation and any slight political pressure, they cave in.
For
Aunty to be broken down when they lead the way in News and
education through the Internet, Radio and Television Broadcasting is a
grave
mistake.
We
need to re-rejuvenate this Country with more traditional
values
and virtues rather than extinguish them.
We
are no longer a Nation of
the wealthy and privileged few. We are a Nation today, more steeped in
creativity and knowledge, a hallmark of our past and glorious
historical existence.
The
percentage of the Nation that does read and
is educated, does not measure ones wealth by a bank balance, but rather
shuns the respondents in amusement, in respect of their naivety and
lack
of education with regards to matters of importance in the global scheme
of things.
David
Attenborough and his team has been another constant
throughout the years, highlighting and bringing to the fore the amazing
world we inhabit.
The
testimonials and influence, Aunty has had for
generations and for quality News through radio, television and the
internet can never be measured in monetary terms or be repaid
financially.
The
television license represents as mentioned your Television,
Internet, Radio, Pod casts, the list goes on. If we are in desperate
need for cut backs which I do not believe, perhaps a good starting
point would be East Enders, Coronation Street, Brook Side, Emmerdale
Farm, Big Brother, Neighbours, Brookside etc Need I say any more . As
these series are not reality, but sadly
people watch and make it so. Please keep your hands off of Aunty and
send the rest packing for base level entertainment.
The BBC has a
time line feature here charting the decades really worth a look.
Treat yourself to a DVD or Video -
PS Over Christmas make a mental note of the Fun you watch and the
Classics. If they have their way all will be gone! For once you turn
that corner regarding the Television License there is no going back!
Have A Safe and Happy Christmas and A Prosperous New Year!!!!
Written by
Alastair Agutter
2007-10-31
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