Just what is BBC Jersey's role in island news gathering and imparting that news to its listeners and viewers, fairly, objectively, honestly and impartialy? Below are a set of e-mails, mostly ignored by managing director, and editor of BBC Jersey, Jon Gripton.
Readers will note that the first e-mail (below) from VFC to Mr. Gripton, sent four months ago, (which was ignored) merely asks the question is the BBC going to add balance to a prosecution case they reported on, now that they are in possession of the defence case? Readers will also note that the last e-mail asks that very same question, which too has been ignored.
Bloggers in Jersey have torn apart the "official line" concerning the Child Abuse Enquiry under the leadership of Gradwell and Warcup. Bloggers have torn apart the "official line" concerning the (possibly illegal) suspension of our most senior Police Officer Graham Power QPM. We have been the first with the breaking news, all with documented evidence, and the silence of the BBC has been deafening.
We (Bloggers) have done all we can to encourage the BBC to adhere to its charter but to very little, or no, avail. We hoped that since the JEP (Jersey's only "news"paper) and ITV's Channel Television have lost just about any credibility they might have enjoyed at one time, we hoped that Mr. Gripton would not want the BBC to been shown in the same light............
Mr. Gripton, in one of his very rare replies tells us "We remain impartial, independent, fair, balanced and honest in all aspects of our work" but continues to ignore the questions and offers no evidence of his claim.
E-MAILS
26/10/2011
Readers will note that the first e-mail (below) from VFC to Mr. Gripton, sent four months ago, (which was ignored) merely asks the question is the BBC going to add balance to a prosecution case they reported on, now that they are in possession of the defence case? Readers will also note that the last e-mail asks that very same question, which too has been ignored.
Bloggers in Jersey have torn apart the "official line" concerning the Child Abuse Enquiry under the leadership of Gradwell and Warcup. Bloggers have torn apart the "official line" concerning the (possibly illegal) suspension of our most senior Police Officer Graham Power QPM. We have been the first with the breaking news, all with documented evidence, and the silence of the BBC has been deafening.
We (Bloggers) have done all we can to encourage the BBC to adhere to its charter but to very little, or no, avail. We hoped that since the JEP (Jersey's only "news"paper) and ITV's Channel Television have lost just about any credibility they might have enjoyed at one time, we hoped that Mr. Gripton would not want the BBC to been shown in the same light............
Mr. Gripton, in one of his very rare replies tells us "We remain impartial, independent, fair, balanced and honest in all aspects of our work" but continues to ignore the questions and offers no evidence of his claim.
E-MAILS
26/10/2011
Mr.Gripton.
In anticipation of a possible up-coming Blog posting and in order for me to be factually correct, and accurate, could you please clarify a couple of things for me?
Firstly, as we are all aware, Mr. Syvret furnished you with a copy of the Former Jersey Police Chief Graham Power's statement to the Wiltshire Constabulary. Could you please let me know the date this was given to you?
As the BBC extensively covered the Wiltshire Report, by reporting on the Press Conference and States Sitting given by Home Affairs Minister Senator Ian Le Marquand as well as interviewing him and considering the Wiltshire Report is/was the prosecution case against Mr. Power do you not have some kind of an obligation to report on Mr. Power's defence case? If so, could you tell me why you haven't reported any of it?
You will be well aware that there are a growing number of people who believe that the BBC are State Controlled and by not reporting Mr. Power's defence case will add weight to this theory/assumption. If you do intend on reporting on it, could you let me know why it is taking so long? One would imagine you have been handed an "exclusive" by Mr. Syvret and there is always the risk that another "news" outlet could obtain this document and lose the BBC this exclusive. That is of course unless you are confident that none of Jersey's Mainstream Media have, or are looking for, a copy of Mr. Power's statement or will not report on it even if they did have a copy?
Hope you are able to address my concerns/questions and help try and restore a little confidence and trust in the BBC.
VFC.
14/11/2011
Jon.Although my latest Blog Posting here http://voiceforchildren.
VFC.
16/11/2011
I am saddened and worried that you found nothing newsworthy, nor of public interest in the statement (below) released by the Former Chief of Police. Unfortunately though, Im not at all surprised.
VFC.
16/11/2011
From Jon Gripton.
22/01/2012
Jon.
I would like to bring to your attention the latest Blog posting by Rico Sorda
http://ricosorda.blogspot.com/
Do you (BBC) see anything newsworthy or of public interest in the Blog posting?
I would like to bring to your attention the latest Blog posting by Rico Sorda
http://ricosorda.blogspot.com/
Do you (BBC) see anything newsworthy or of public interest in the Blog posting?
VFC.
27/01/2012
Jon.
Have any of your "journalists" even thought about contacting Rico Sorda or Graham Power concerning Mr. Sorda's latest Blog Posting? http://ricosorda.
VFC.
09/02/2012
I enclose a link to Rico Soda's latest Blog Posting. You will note that he has published the Letter from David Warcup that resulted in the (possibly illegal) suspension of Jersey's most senior police officer. The Warcup letter, in my opinion, proves that there is/was corruption at the highest level in Jersey's administration. Could I ask if the BBC believe there is a "public interest" in broadcasting/reporting this letter and if not why not? http://ricosorda.
VFC.
12/02/2012
Along with Graham Power's 62,000 word statement to Wiltshire, David Warcup's letter that got Mr. Power illegally suspended, that you have buried. I would like to offer you the loan of a shovel (yours must be pretty worn out by now) as here is another document you will be able to bury in that ever growing whole. http://ricosorda.
Don't you feel any shame, or embarrassment, as a supposed "journalist" when a Blogger is, not only leaked this stuff and you, the "accredited" media are clearly not trusted with it? Do you feel any shame, embarrassment or guilt that a Blogger HAS to shoulder the worry and burden of publishing this material because you bury it? Rico Sorda has to live in the daily fear of having his door kicked in by a 10 strong politicised police force because he's doing your job.
Hang your head in shame Jon and please don't ever insult the profession of journalism by proclaiming to be a journalist, you're nothing of the sort.
VFC.
14/02/2012 From Rico Sorda to Jon Gripton.
Jon.
Readers are encouraged to view the links contained in the e-mails sent to Mr. Gripton. Ask yourselves have you seen, or heard any of them, from the BBC? Then readers might want to ask themselves if they agree with Mr. Gripton when he said "We remain impartial, independent, fair, balanced and honest in all aspects of our work."
Due to the death threats, threats of physical violence and threats to harm my children because of this Blog's campaign in seeking the truth behind the Jersey Child Abuse and related events, the name "VFC" in the e-mails is a replacement.
14/02/2012 From Rico Sorda to Jon Gripton.
Dear Mr Gripton,
Could you please explain to me why BBC Jersey haven't covered the David Warcup Letter or the Met Interim Report that I have published on my blog. These are probably the most infamous two documents concerning the Jersey Child Abuse Investigation and the illegal suspension of a Chief Of police. We have a breakdown of the rule of Law in Jersey. What is BBC Jersey going to do?
Is it all really about carrot cake and a bit of rugby on a Saturday afternoon? If it is then please just tell me. The safety of children in Jersey depends on the Media to break the stories that the goverment try to hide. This isn't happening. This is what I will be explaining to a Committee of Enquiry. Whay does my BBC remain silent on such grave issues? I need and require an explanaition please. It will help me understand when the Jersey Stazi kick in my front door served with a warrent from the Bailhache burger bar.
Kind Regards
Rico Sorda
14/02/2011 Jon Gripton reply's.
Dear Mr Sorda and VFC.
Thank you for the emails and the familiar insults.
As I have previously communicated, I do not provide a running commentary on our journalism.
I am aware of your blogs.
You will be aware we have reported on some aspects of your material, and will continue to do so.
We remain impartial, independent, fair, balanced and honest in all aspects of our work.
Kind regards
Jon Gripton.
14/02/2011
How can you claim to be impartial, independent, fair, balanced and honest when you have had Graham Power's "defence case" for around four months and not reported a single word of it? You broadcast and published sections of the prosecution case, therefore in the interest of just basic fairness you have an obligation to report on the defence case.
The question is a simple one why won't/haven't you added some balance to the prosecution case that you published/broadcast?
VFC.(END)
Readers are encouraged to view the links contained in the e-mails sent to Mr. Gripton. Ask yourselves have you seen, or heard any of them, from the BBC? Then readers might want to ask themselves if they agree with Mr. Gripton when he said "We remain impartial, independent, fair, balanced and honest in all aspects of our work."
Due to the death threats, threats of physical violence and threats to harm my children because of this Blog's campaign in seeking the truth behind the Jersey Child Abuse and related events, the name "VFC" in the e-mails is a replacement.