Comments on: Chris Moyles breached broadcasting rules in "homophobic" imitation of gay singer Will Young http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/ PinkNews.co.uk Gay News (UK and world) from Pink News - all the gay news for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in the UK and beyond- thegaynews from Pink News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:19:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Simon Murphy http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47512 Simon Murphy Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:04:29 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47512 #29 - Pete. I am old enough not to be affected by Chris Moyles' homophobia. But considering we live in a country where teenagers and young people use the word 'gay' as a synonym for 'crap' or 'rubbish' and that this viewpoint is reinforced by Chris Moyles and the BBC I know that if I was 16 and in the closet Chris Moyles' 'irony' / homophobia would probably be very distressing. #29 – Pete.

I am old enough not to be affected by Chris Moyles' homophobia. But considering we live in a country where teenagers and young people use the word 'gay' as a synonym for 'crap' or 'rubbish' and that this viewpoint is reinforced by Chris Moyles and the BBC I know that if I was 16 and in the closet Chris Moyles' 'irony' / homophobia would probably be very distressing.

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]]> By: Simon Murphy http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47506 Simon Murphy Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:37:15 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47506 ~27 - Stu - you say: "Oh for pity's sake, will the PC Brigade get a life! Everything these days seems to offend someone somewhere, Moyles' imitation didnt offend me and im sure it wouldnt have offended Will Young either. There are bigger problems in this world! Get some perspective!" I think it's you who is missing the perspective here. Can you not sense a homophobic double standard in sacking Carol Thatcher for using the word 'Golliwog' off camera (as that is 'racist') but allowing Chris MOyles to repeatedly mock a section of the license payers because he thinks it's funny. Why is racism unacceptable but lazy homophobia tolerated. ~27 – Stu – you say:

"Oh for pity's sake, will the PC Brigade get a life! Everything these days seems to offend someone somewhere, Moyles' imitation didnt offend me and im sure it wouldnt have offended Will Young either. There are bigger problems in this world! Get some perspective!"

I think it's you who is missing the perspective here. Can you not sense a homophobic double standard in sacking Carol Thatcher for using the word 'Golliwog' off camera (as that is 'racist') but allowing Chris MOyles to repeatedly mock a section of the license payers because he thinks it's funny.

Why is racism unacceptable but lazy homophobia tolerated.

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]]> By: Pete http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47336 Pete Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:58:59 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47336 seriously you all need to grow up and if chris moyles is all u have to worry about then lucky you. humor is humor the world over. if chris or anyone else that makes jokes of of the cuff comments in the same way that he does were actually a homophobic they wouldnt be broadcaasting it. he also makes jokes about certain counties or areas of the uk ir the world big woop if u dont like someones humor dont be so lazy and reach over and turn of the radio. seriously you all need to grow up and if chris moyles is all u have to worry about then lucky you. humor is humor the world over. if chris or anyone else that makes jokes of of the cuff comments in the same way that he does were actually a homophobic they wouldnt be broadcaasting it. he also makes jokes about certain counties or areas of the uk ir the world big woop if u dont like someones humor dont be so lazy and reach over and turn of the radio.

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]]> By: Glenn Fairclough http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47085 Glenn Fairclough Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:16:03 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47085 Oh and mr bbc... i believe the London Metropolitian Police have policies to rid them of institutional racism; which appears to be ignored by some of its staff... as recently reported in the Times. Oh and mr bbc… i believe the London Metropolitian Police have policies to rid them of institutional racism; which appears to be ignored by some of its staff… as recently reported in the Times.

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]]> By: Glenn Fairclough http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47082 Glenn Fairclough Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:09:22 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47082 There are bigger perspectives ... very true... but if your are a child who gets bullied by someone who feels empowered by his remarks and representation of being gay, i guess that is the big perspective to them. There are bigger perspectives … very true… but if your are a child who gets bullied by someone who feels empowered by his remarks and representation of being gay, i guess that is the big perspective to them.

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]]> By: david Tran http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47068 david Tran Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:13:22 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47068 Do people actually find that even funny? It's so crude. His sense of humour caters to the lowest common denominator of those not intelligent enough to have higher standards. Do people actually find that even funny? It's so crude. His sense of humour caters to the lowest common denominator of those not intelligent enough to have higher standards.

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]]> By: Stu http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47048 Stu Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:34:56 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47048 Oh for pity's sake, will the PC Brigade get a life! Everything these days seems to offend someone somewhere, Moyles' imitation didnt offend me and im sure it wouldnt have offended Will Young either. There are bigger problems in this world! Get some perspective! Oh for pity's sake, will the PC Brigade get a life! Everything these days seems to offend someone somewhere, Moyles' imitation didnt offend me and im sure it wouldnt have offended Will Young either. There are bigger problems in this world! Get some perspective!

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]]> By: Grrr http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47027 Grrr Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:06:11 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47027 "Diversity is not about meeting targets, it is a creative opportunity for the BBC to engage the totality of the UK audience." Andrea Callender, Head of Diversity at the BBC "Diversity is not about meeting targets, it is a creative opportunity for the BBC to engage the totality of the UK audience."
Andrea Callender, Head of Diversity at the BBC

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]]> By: Grrr http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47026 Grrr Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:05:39 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47026 The BBC's commitment Diversity for the BBC is a creative opportunity to engage the totality of the UK audience. That includes diverse communities of interest, as well as gender, age, ethnicity, religion and faith, social background, sexual orientation, political affiliation and so on. Delivering on our commitment to equal opportunities and diversity is important to the BBC for a number of reasons. For example, the audiences that we serve are increasingly diverse. The BBC is also a public service broadcaster funded by a licence fee paid by all sections of UK society. 1) The BBC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the UK audience in its workforce, as well as in its output on TV, on radio and online. 2) The BBC also has a number of legal obligations to comply with current legislation, for example around the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). 3) The BBC has set itself workforce targets. These are currently under review by the Diversity Board, which is chaired by the BBC Director-General. The BBC's commitment
Diversity for the BBC is a creative opportunity to engage the totality of the UK audience. That includes diverse communities of interest, as well as gender, age, ethnicity, religion and faith, social background, sexual orientation, political affiliation and so on.
Delivering on our commitment to equal opportunities and diversity is important to the BBC for a number of reasons. For example, the audiences that we serve are increasingly diverse. The BBC is also a public service broadcaster funded by a licence fee paid by all sections of UK society.
1) The BBC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the UK audience in its workforce, as well as in its output on TV, on radio and online.
2) The BBC also has a number of legal obligations to comply with current legislation, for example around the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
3) The BBC has set itself workforce targets. These are currently under review by the Diversity Board, which is chaired by the BBC Director-General.

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]]> By: Grrr http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47025 Grrr Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:05:09 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47025 Equality Impact Assessments The purpose of an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is to make sure that, when carrying out its public functions (or implementing policies and practices related to those functions), the BBC does not unlawfully discriminate against any of its audiences or licence fee payers and that, where possible, it promotes equality. It is a way to make sure that individuals and teams think carefully about the likely impact of their work and take action to improve strategies, policies and projects, where appropriate. Equality Impact Assessments
The purpose of an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is to make sure that, when carrying out its public functions (or implementing policies and practices related to those functions), the BBC does not unlawfully discriminate against any of its audiences or licence fee payers and that, where possible, it promotes equality. It is a way to make sure that individuals and teams think carefully about the likely impact of their work and take action to improve strategies, policies and projects, where appropriate.

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]]> By: Grrr http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47024 Grrr Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:04:41 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47024 Our equal opportunities statement The BBC is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all, irrespective of colour, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital/civil partnership status, sexuality, disability or age. The BBC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the UK and to making its services accessible to all. This applies both to our output and to the people who work here. Our equal opportunities statement
The BBC is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all, irrespective of colour, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital/civil partnership status, sexuality, disability or age.
The BBC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the UK and to making its services accessible to all. This applies both to our output and to the people who work here.

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]]> By: Grrr http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47023 Grrr Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:04:01 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47023 BBC Values Values are the standards which people across the BBC share. They represent the things we cherish and aspire to, they guide our day to day decisions and shape our individual and collective behaviour. Our values are: Trust: Trust is the foundation of the BBC, we are independent, impartial and honest. Audiences: Audiences are at the heart of everything we do. Quality: We take pride in delivering quality and value for money. Creativity: Creativity is the lifeblood of our organisation. Respect: We respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone can give their best. Collaboration: Great things happen when we work together. BBC Values

Values are the standards which people across the BBC share. They represent the things we cherish and aspire to, they guide our day to day decisions and shape our individual and collective behaviour.
Our values are:
Trust: Trust is the foundation of the BBC, we are independent, impartial and honest.
Audiences: Audiences are at the heart of everything we do.
Quality: We take pride in delivering quality and value for money.
Creativity: Creativity is the lifeblood of our organisation.
Respect: We respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone can give their best.
Collaboration: Great things happen when we work together.

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]]> By: Flapjack http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47004 Flapjack Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:21:11 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47004 Mike - at least with Ross and Brand they were both suspended for 3 months without pay and Brand left of his own accord. They also apologised on air. I think that was a proportionate response. Moyles hasn't even been properly reprimanded beyond "If you do that again you'll leave us no choice but to ask you nicely not to do that again." Hardly seems right considering he has previous form. Mike – at least with Ross and Brand they were both suspended for 3 months without pay and Brand left of his own accord. They also apologised on air. I think that was a proportionate response.
Moyles hasn't even been properly reprimanded beyond "If you do that again you'll leave us no choice but to ask you nicely not to do that again." Hardly seems right considering he has previous form.

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]]> By: Paul http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-47003 Paul Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:20:09 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-47003 If the only way you can get listeners is by being offensive then give up! I work on a community radio station and would never lower myself to be as abusive as Moyles is. Give me Terry Wogan any day, the man has more class in his little finger than Moyles has in his whole body! The man is overrated and it's a shame they didn't leave him behind when he did his mountain trek. That said as he has a gay producer, at least used to he should grow some balls and tell Moyles when he over stepped the mark instead of been so damn soft! If the only way you can get listeners is by being offensive then give up! I work on a community radio station and would never lower myself to be as abusive as Moyles is. Give me Terry Wogan any day, the man has more class in his little finger than Moyles has in his whole body! The man is overrated and it's a shame they didn't leave him behind when he did his mountain trek.

That said as he has a gay producer, at least used to he should grow some balls and tell Moyles when he over stepped the mark instead of been so damn soft!

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]]> By: Sean http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-46993 Sean Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:57:57 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-46993 When Ofcom come out with lines such as "Ofcom took account of the fact that Chris Moyles is a well-known and influential presenter and that many listeners are familiar with his style and humour," there is an implicit suggestion that as Moyles is 'known' to be homophobic, then that is alright. Ofcom should be ashamed and he should be strongly reprimanded or have a period of suspension. No more of this softly-softly treatment. When Ofcom come out with lines such as "Ofcom took account of the fact that Chris Moyles is a well-known and influential presenter and that many listeners are familiar with his style and humour," there is an implicit suggestion that as Moyles is 'known' to be homophobic, then that is alright. Ofcom should be ashamed and he should be strongly reprimanded or have a period of suspension. No more of this softly-softly treatment.

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]]> By: Mike http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-46987 Mike Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:50:12 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-46987 Mmm so lets get this right. Ross and Brand make sexual and offesive fun of Mr Sache and get a slap on the wristy(!) Moyles makes homophobic fun of Will Young and gets a similar smack. Carol Thatcher used the Golly word off air and got sacked.....? Mmm so lets get this right. Ross and Brand make sexual and offesive fun of Mr Sache and get a slap on the wristy(!) Moyles makes homophobic fun of Will Young and gets a similar smack. Carol Thatcher used the Golly word off air and got sacked…..?

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]]> By: Ian Laughlin http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-46981 Ian Laughlin Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:40:34 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-46981 There is a lengthy article in the March 2009 issue of Gay Times (now GT Magazine) about the BBC and homophobia. Although it has somehow managed to get a reputation amongst Daily Mail readers for being "left wing" the fact of the matter is that the BBC has always upheld the establishment - this dates back to 1926 when Lord Reith boasted about the early BBC's role in breaking the General Strike. As anyone in their 50's or over will recall, the BBC wouldn't touch young people's music for years. You had to listen to overseas radio stations such as AFN or Radio Luxembourg, or later, the offshore pirate radio stations like Radio Caroline, Radio City and so on, to hear pop music. The same was true of underground and black music which was catered for in the 1970's and 1980's on land-based pirates or the newly legal ILR stations. On television, it was ITV that won many of the awards for progressive broadcasting, that brought us programmes such as the Naked Civil Servant, or the first ever attempt at a gay magazine programme (London Weekend Television's Gay Life in 1980-1). Channel Four and Sianel 4 Cymru started in 1982 and were the first to cater for disabled groups, ethnic minorities, Welsh speakers, as well as gay and lesbian audiences. The Stonewall group reported in 2007 in their "Tuned Out" survey that the BBC remained behind its competitors in the fair representation of gay and lesbian people. They concluded that in the small number of cases where LGBT people were covered by the BBC the coverage was overwhelmingly negative. (Generally, the pattern is true of a number of issues. The Stop the War Coalition for example, reported in 2003 that the BBC always preferenced the government position over those of protest groups - again to the surprise of many people who considered the BBC to be unduly left wing). 3Sixty Magazine this month (March 2008) features a column by one of Mr Moyles' fellow Radio 1 presenters, who is gay, claims that the presenter's comments are ironic and that he is not homophobic. I suspect that many gay schoolchildren whose classmates listen to Moyles on a daily basis and parrot his banter, might have a different opinion. There is a lengthy article in the March 2009 issue of Gay Times (now GT Magazine) about the BBC and homophobia. Although it has somehow managed to get a reputation amongst Daily Mail readers for being "left wing" the fact of the matter is that the BBC has always upheld the establishment – this dates back to 1926 when Lord Reith boasted about the early BBC's role in breaking the General Strike. As anyone in their 50's or over will recall, the BBC wouldn't touch young people's music for years. You had to listen to overseas radio stations such as AFN or Radio Luxembourg, or later, the offshore pirate radio stations like Radio Caroline, Radio City and so on, to hear pop music. The same was true of underground and black music which was catered for in the 1970's and 1980's on land-based pirates or the newly legal ILR stations. On television, it was ITV that won many of the awards for progressive broadcasting, that brought us programmes such as the Naked Civil Servant, or the first ever attempt at a gay magazine programme (London Weekend Television's Gay Life in 1980-1). Channel Four and Sianel 4 Cymru started in 1982 and were the first to cater for disabled groups, ethnic minorities, Welsh speakers, as well as gay and lesbian audiences.

The Stonewall group reported in 2007 in their "Tuned Out" survey that the BBC remained behind its competitors in the fair representation of gay and lesbian people. They concluded that in the small number of cases where LGBT people were covered by the BBC the coverage was overwhelmingly negative. (Generally, the pattern is true of a number of issues. The Stop the War Coalition for example, reported in 2003 that the BBC always preferenced the government position over those of protest groups – again to the surprise of many people who considered the BBC to be unduly left wing).

3Sixty Magazine this month (March 2008) features a column by one of Mr Moyles' fellow Radio 1 presenters, who is gay, claims that the presenter's comments are ironic and that he is not homophobic. I suspect that many gay schoolchildren whose classmates listen to Moyles on a daily basis and parrot his banter, might have a different opinion.

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]]> By: Bud Burgoon-Clark http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-46980 Bud Burgoon-Clark Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:39:29 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-46980 Ugly little bugger, isn't he? Bet he's a closeted "cubbie." You have him; we have Rush Lame-Balls. My sympathies! Cheers, Bud Burgoon-Clark San Diego CA USA Ugly little bugger, isn't he? Bet he's a closeted "cubbie." You have him; we have Rush Lame-Balls. My sympathies!

Cheers,

Bud Burgoon-Clark
San Diego CA USA

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]]> By: Glenn Fairclough http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-46974 Glenn Fairclough Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:20:35 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-46974 This guy is a law to himself, he must recognise that his behaviour can affect other people, and that he possess the 'power' to repesent people positively and negatively. If people feel its ok to presume and to deride gay men or lesbians stereo types without thinking of a consequence they should be told of their mistake. This guy is a law to himself, he must recognise that his behaviour can affect other people, and that he possess the 'power' to repesent people positively and negatively. If people feel its ok to presume and to deride gay men or lesbians stereo types without thinking of a consequence they should be told of their mistake.

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]]> By: Flapjack http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html/comment-page-1/#comment-46973 Flapjack Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:15:35 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11705.html#comment-46973 My take on Chris Moyles is that he based his act on a mixture of Chris Evans' earlier career (from which he borrowed all the hubris with none of the wit) and an unintentional co-opting of Alan Partridge in his habit of airing his personal grudges over the airwaves without any decernable irony. I took an instant dislike to him. He uses Aled as a shield from behind which he churns out homophobic claptrap while constantly reminding us "I can't be a homophobe, because my sidekick is gay". Given that Aled is the butt of so many jokes, that's about as convincing as saying "I can't be a racist because I hire black people to clean my lavatory". He irritates me, perhaps he's just one of those 'Marmite' personalities that you either love or loathe, but if his jibes were directed at ethnic stereotypes he would have been sacked a long time ago. My take on Chris Moyles is that he based his act on a mixture of Chris Evans' earlier career (from which he borrowed all the hubris with none of the wit) and an unintentional co-opting of Alan Partridge in his habit of airing his personal grudges over the airwaves without any decernable irony. I took an instant dislike to him.
He uses Aled as a shield from behind which he churns out homophobic claptrap while constantly reminding us "I can't be a homophobe, because my sidekick is gay".
Given that Aled is the butt of so many jokes, that's about as convincing as saying "I can't be a racist because I hire black people to clean my lavatory".
He irritates me, perhaps he's just one of those 'Marmite' personalities that you either love or loathe, but if his jibes were directed at ethnic stereotypes he would have been sacked a long time ago.

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