Club 1872 Statement on BBC Scotland

[Bluedell 5,818]

Dear Member,

Club 1872 has been in dialogue with Rangers for several weeks regarding Michael Stewart’s offensive and defamatory comments on Sportsound regarding Alfredo Morelos and Jim Traynor. Rangers were in agreement with us that Michael Stewart’s comments were completely unacceptable, and made strong representations to the BBC on that basis.

 

It was correct that the club engaged directly with BBC Scotland to make their position clear and attempt to resolve this issue. Rangers fans deserve to receive value for the licence fee which funds BBC Scotland’s activities. The decision to reinstate Mr Stewart, and the attempted justification for that reinstatement, makes it clear that under its current leadership BBC Scotland has no intention of ever properly discharging its duty to a significant section of licence fee payers in Scotland.

 

In an eight minute rant, Mr Stewart did his best to cast doubt on racist abuse of Alfredo Morelos. He then went on to describe the placement of PR stories, an issue he had completely fabricated, as being “more concerning” than racist abuse and “the main story”. This clear and disgraceful attempt to minimise racism should have been condemned by BBC Scotland but instead they have completely ignored it. His defamatory comments about Jim Traynor were not only false and inflammatory but in our opinion were a factor in the physical assault on him just days later. Quite simply, Michael Stewart should have been sacked on the spot. The contrast between how BBC Scotland dealt with this and how the BBC in England have dealt with similar issues is stark.

 

The assertion by BBC Scotland that they have now adequately resolved this issue by simply explaining Mr Stewart’s responsibilities to him is an insult to the intelligence. Mr Stewart was already well aware of his responsibilities having had several complaints lodged against him for similar behaviour - most notably when he denied that Rangers supporters were placed in a dangerous crushing situation at Rugby Park earlier this season despite clear evidence to the contrary. There is a pattern of behaviour with Michael Stewart on any Rangers related topic and his motivation is abundantly clear to anyone who pays attention.

 

BBC Scotland’s reputation, already damaged by their refusal to deal properly with their ongoing biased coverage of Rangers, now lies in tatters over this matter. It is decisions like this that have led to more and more questions being asked about the future of the licence fee. Rangers supporters are correct to mistrust BBC Scotland and it is clear that the organisation is deeply flawed at an institutional level. There is no accountability, no integrity and no responsibility - from senior management all the way down to Mr Stewart’s level.

 

Rangers are correct to withdraw from all dialogue and we believe that those discussions should not resume until the BBC is able to demonstrate with action, not words, that they have regained some control over BBC Sport Scotland.

[Rick Roberts 246]

Scottish football is falling into the same traps with Stewart. Like Hartson and Sutton, someone is winding him up and telling him what to say and when to say it. And the BBC are providing the platform. 

 

After his ban every time-served sevcoholic was out in his defence. A picture or two of him at a celtic event and he's now the saviour of Scottish football. Pitiful stuff. 

[der Berliner 3,951]

Just make a certain number of those spouting anti Rangers bile every other day persona non grata at Ibrox. And let the reasons be known to the public. I haven't read any statement from Rangers on their website.

Edited February 26, 2020 by der Berliner

[Baillie1872 13]

I also complained to the BBC, here is the generic response in full. To my knowledge Stewart made no apology himself. 

 

Thanks for contacting us regarding Michael Stewart’s comments on Sportsound on 3 February. Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying.

As set out in the BBC’s complaints process, if others complain about the same issue, for efficiency our response to everyone may be the same. We’re sorry not to reply individually, but we hope this response addresses the points raised.

On Sportsound on 4 February the programme carried the following apology and acknowledgement that the previous evening’s programme did not meet our editorial values and standards:

“We apologise to James Traynor for the discussion on Sportsound last night. It was not fair and balanced and he did not have the opportunity to respond.

“On this occasion we did not adhere to our editorial values and standards and we have reminded those concerned of their responsibility to follow our guidelines while working for the BBC.”

BBC Sport Scotland has also released the following statement:

“Following Sportsound on Monday February 3rd we have clearly explained the BBC editorial guidelines around fairness and accuracy to Michael Stewart. We expect our pundits to be forthright, but fair. Michael agrees with this. On that basis Michael is now available for selection for Sportscene and Sportsound.”

We trust this addresses your concerns, and thank you again for taking the time to get in touch.
 

[Bluedell 5,818]

No apology from Michael Stewart and no apology to Morelos or Rangers.

[Bill 13,717]

So, if anyone is unhappy with the BBC, are you still watching it and paying its licence fee?

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Sooner boris kills them the better 

[cooponthewing 1,139]

17 hours ago, the gunslinger said:

Sooner boris kills them the better 

They know the end is coming GS; hence, there is no motivation for balance.

[der Berliner 3,951]

On 26/02/2020 at 16:12, Bill said:

So, if anyone is unhappy with the BBC, are you still watching it and paying its licence fee?

Problem is that they get a free reign at reporting about Rangers as they see fit. Apparently their word is taken for granted by BBC London et al and reproduced, not to mention unknowing reporters from outside Scotland / Britain who view anything the BBC puts out as top notch quality. When it is in fact little more than demonization, defamation and straight blackmail on many things Rangers. This can not be tolerated and thus needs to be taken to task at any opportunity.

[Bill 13,717]

1 hour ago, der Berliner said:

Problem is that they get a free reign at reporting about Rangers as they see fit. Apparently their word is taken for granted by BBC London et al and reproduced, not to mention unknowing reporters from outside Scotland / Britain who view anything the BBC puts out as top notch quality. When it is in fact little more than demonization, defamation and straight blackmail on many things Rangers. This can not be tolerated and thus needs to be taken to task at any opportunity.

Yes but it's clear no one is actually taking them to task in any way at all. Not once have they changed direction or in any way reduced their attacks of our club. I wish it were otherwise but that's the truth of it. Nothing the club or supporters have said or done has had the slightest impact on the BBC.

 

I'm all for informing others of the BBC's bias but if you pay the licence fee you're supporting them to do what they do.