09-04-2021, 09:56 PM
Oh dear, a Twitter spat isn't a good look.
That being said, you can understand Martine trying to defend the BBC especially as she was so heavily involved at the start of the coverage. She must have had quite an unforgettable day to say the least.
I can understand the criticism of the BBC's decision-making today, but I don't necessarily agree. I think it's important to set the BBC (and to a slightly lesser extent ITV) apart as the "national broadcaster". They have a national duty to broadcast this news far and wide as the country is in official mourning. Now, to a lot of people these days, that sadly means very little, but officially it should be respected. It's not like there is no choice at all on TV - there are other non-BBC channels doing their own thing. In a sense, I see it in a similar way to an employer giving an employee compassionate leave after a bereavement: it's a sign of respect for the loss. Much in the same way that you wouldn't expect to be called into work the day you lose a parent, the BBC is, in a way, respectfully mourning as the state broadcaster. It may seem a little archaic but it's only for a short period of time.
That being said, you can understand Martine trying to defend the BBC especially as she was so heavily involved at the start of the coverage. She must have had quite an unforgettable day to say the least.
I can understand the criticism of the BBC's decision-making today, but I don't necessarily agree. I think it's important to set the BBC (and to a slightly lesser extent ITV) apart as the "national broadcaster". They have a national duty to broadcast this news far and wide as the country is in official mourning. Now, to a lot of people these days, that sadly means very little, but officially it should be respected. It's not like there is no choice at all on TV - there are other non-BBC channels doing their own thing. In a sense, I see it in a similar way to an employer giving an employee compassionate leave after a bereavement: it's a sign of respect for the loss. Much in the same way that you wouldn't expect to be called into work the day you lose a parent, the BBC is, in a way, respectfully mourning as the state broadcaster. It may seem a little archaic but it's only for a short period of time.