This is especially surprising, considering the BBC stands accused of turning a blind eye to Child Abuse within its ranks in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
We, at The Voice, can exclusively reveal a disturbing series of events: The BBC Promoting Internet “hate sites,” issuing statements on Twitter we can only call highly concerning. This causes us to believe that the BBC may be continuing to nurture a similar culture to the one that enabled paedophile Jimmy Savile to "terrorise" people across the British Isles for six decades, frequently right in the offices of the BBC.
As you will see, evidenced below, this predatory culture is still alive and well within this publicly funded organisation today.
The first incident that caught our eye was in January of this year, when "The Voice" observed BBC staff actively promoting a hate site on Facebook attacking a fellow journalist investigating Child Abuse on the island.
Since then, we have seen additional worrying activity by members of the BBC on Twitter, including by the head of BBC Jersey himself, plugging the accounts of other Twitter users clearly set up to bully and harass those advocating for the victims/survivors of Child Abuse.
Interestingly, members of the BBC have been caught out posting, then deleting, much of this biased material, indicating they themselves are conflicted in addressing issues of Child Abuse/paedophilia.
The two politicians were Shona and Trevor Pitman, respectively, both politicians in Jersey's Parliament who are advocating for abuse victims/survivors and challenging Jersey’s legal system when it comes to its questionable treatment of the vulnerable and defenceless.
In one of his Twitter comments (since deleted) Mr. Gripton stated that Trevor Pitman would probably respond to the online bullying and harassment by going on a "witch-hunt." This hardly seems to be the type of behaviour becoming of a BBC executive, particularly on the heels of recent events.
The hate site, set up on Facebook, that appeared to be promoted by the BBC, included death threats against the fellow journalist, Leah McGrath Goodman, an American who has been investigating Child Abuse on the island. The Facebook site is still up, although some of the most offending content has been deleted, at: HERE
It should be noted that one of the producers of BBC Jersey, Julie Flanagan, actively promoted this site in January – the same month Ms. Goodman’s UK/Jersey travel ban was lifted. To this day, the members list for the site contains the names of other BBC staff.
I wrote to Mr. Gripton in January, requesting he investigate the unethical and unbecoming behaviour of his staff (this was before he started joining in this behaviour himself). But, as readers will see below, my concerns fell on deaf ears. Instead of conducting a proper investigation, Mr. Gripton warned me of potential “redress” should I publish our correspondence.
However, I believe our correspondence to be of huge public interest, which is why I have decided to publish it below.
E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE.
from: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
to: | Jon Gripton |
cc: | Julie Flanagan |
date: | 28 January 2013 10:26 |
subject: | Disgusted and appalled. |
mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Jon.
I feel compelled to write to you as Managing Editor of BBC Jersey concerning a member of your production team Ms. Julie Flanagan (copied in).
Yesterday my attention was brought to a Facebook site Titled "Leah McGrath Goodman....Get your facts right."
It appeared to be set up in response to a comment made by Ms. Goodman in an interview she did with Max Keiser from "Russia Today" where Ms. Goodman had stated that books were banned in Jersey, notably she said "books" not "all books" although the basis of the Facebook group was built on the latter.
The Facebook group was full of inaccurate information, personal insults, bordering on hateful and certainly spiteful comments against Ms Goodman, and others.
After further perusal I discovered that Ms. Flanagan was actively promoting the site by inviting quite a number of people to join it, to include, members of the BBC staff.
I have to say that I was disgusted, and appalled, not only by the content/comments posted on the group's wall, but more worryingly that a producer at the BBC would be actively promoting a site that was attacking a fellow journalist in such a hateful and spiteful manner.
Behaviour of this sort (IMO) only further erodes the credibility of the BBC and causes one to question its motives. Thankfully it appears that the Facebook group has now been closed down, whether it was Facebook who closed it down, or the administrator, I am not sure.
Not only did the group show the people of Jersey in a bad light by attacking a journalist who is researching the Child Abuse atrocities, and related issues on the island, but the fact that it was being promoted by a member of the BBC production staff is just as, if not, more concerning.
What is equally perplexing is that (to the best of my knowledge) Ms. Flanagan did not sign, nor promote, the e-petition in order to have Ms Goodman's (a fellow journalist) visa restored so that she could return to Jersey in order to resume her research into the Child Abuse atrocities yet here she is, a member of a group that is discrediting Ms. Goodman in the most appalling manner.
That all said, I believe the administrator of the Facebook group, though misguided, created the group with the right intentions, but it turned into, as mentioned above a hateful and spiteful attack on a journalist that was promoted by Ms Flanagan, and possibly others at the BBC.
I hope you treat this "incident" with the seriousness it deserves and consider, at the very least, an internal investigation into the actions of Ms. Flanagan and other BBC staff who might have been involved?
Neil.
from: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
to: | Jon Gripton |
cc: | Julie Flanagan |
date: | 29 January 2013 16:48 |
subject: | Re: Disgusted and appalled. |
mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Jon.
As is so often the case you've not even sent an acknowledgement of the e-mail below, and once more I am left wondering if you are going to be ignoring it?
Could you please do me the courtesy of replying to the e-mail by advising me whether you are going to be taking any action into the conduct of your staff, or not?
If you have no intention of addressing my (and others) concerns could you please let me know sooner, rather than later, so I can pursue those concerns through other channels?
Neil.
from: | Jon Gripton |
to: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
date: | 29 January 2013 20:07 |
subject: | RE: Disgusted and appalled. |
mailed-by: | bbc.co.uk |
I have investigated the matters you raise.
I think you misunderstand the nature of Facebook – to share a page and bring it to the attention of journalist colleagues, is not to “promote” it.
Leah McGrath Goodman herself has praised our coverage of her plight, and has granted us interviews whilst at home and also when she arrives in Jersey.
I too was surprised at the reaction of various islanders to the debate – it is something we are aware of and indeed are looking into.
In the meantime, as ever, if you are not happy with my response you may escalate your complaint – the details of how to complain to the BBC are here:
from: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
to: | Jon Gripton |
date: | 30 January 2013 12:33 |
subject: | Re: Disgusted and appalled. |
mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Jon.
With the greatest respect I find your response somewhat patronising and find it difficult to believe you have conducted ANY kind of an investigation.
The patronising bit is where you suggest that I don't understand the nature of Facebook. On the contrary it is BBC Jersey who don't understand the nature of Facebook as the radio presenters regularly read out comments from clearly fake accounts.
To elaborate a little further on the patronising you try to convince me that Ms.Flanagan was only bringing attention to the "hate site" to fellow journalists and not "promoting" it. To make fellow journalists aware of the site Ms. Flanagan would/could have e-mailed/texted/private messaged or phoned her colleagues to bring it to their "attention."
The fact is Ms. Flanagan "joined" the group and openly "invited" others to join it, if that is not "promoting" the site, and your "investigation" didn't come to that conclusion then this proves my point made about you not even conducting an investigation.
As for making a complaint to the BBC about you, and your staff's latest display of biased and unprofessionalism you know as well as I do it would be a waste of time so I will just post our correspondence on my Blog and forward it to interested parties.
Neil.
from: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
to: | Jon Gripton |
date: | 31 January 2013 09:44 |
subject: | Complaint. |
mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Jon.
After sharing our latest correspondence, with interested parties, involving BBC producer Julie Flanagan's membership and promotion of, what has become known as, the Leah McGrath Goodman hate group on Facebook I have been encouraged to submit a complaint to BBC and elsewhere.
It has been suggested that the complaint should also include yourself and your refusal to take my concerns seriously, or assure me , that my concerns have been addressed adequately in favour of protecting the BBC, Its staff and reputation.
I have been convinced that there will be merit, in having documented, the practices of the BBC and their reluctance/refusal to take the concerns of the public seriously even now after the Jimmy Savile debacle.
I believe I have demonstrated that Miss Flanagan DID, not only join, but "promote" the Facebook Group "(Leah McGrath Goodman....Get your Facts Right") and that you are ignoring this and have taken the position of protecting the BBC over addressing the concerns of the public.
Before I embark on submitting my complaint against yourself, and Ms. Flanagan, could you please detail for me the extent of your "investigation" and if you still maintain that Ms. Flanagan was making other journalists "aware" of the "hate site" rather than "promoting" it?
I should note that I don't believe, in the short term, that either yourself or Ms. Flanagan will in any way be held to account for your actions, or inactions, by the BBC Trust or anybody else at the BBC for that matter.
What I believe this exercise will achieve, possibly in the long term, is that the culture within the BBC that enabled Jimmy Savile to abuse vulnerable children for decades, by people turning blind eyes, not taking the public's concerns seriously and possibly more sinister motives still remains today.
I look forward to you prompt response on this grave matter.
Neil.
from: | Jon Gripton |
to: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
date: | 31 January 2013 21:44 |
subject: | RE: Complaint. |
mailed-by: | bbc.co.uk |
I take all complaints very seriously and investigate them appropriately.
I have already answered your complaint on this matter, in an email to you on 29 Jan 2013.
If you wish to take the matter further, I have given you details of the BBC Complaints procedure.
Furthermore, as per my email to you of 26 April 2012, I again formally request that you do not publish our email conversations on your blog without prior consent.
If you wish a response to be 'for publication' then please make this clear in advance. Failure to agree or to adhere to this request may prevent me from corresponding with you, and may result in redress where appropriate.
from: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
to: | Jon Gripton |
date: | 1 February 2013 11:21 |
subject: | Re: Complaint. |
mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Jon.
You continue to demonstrate that the culture within the BBC that enabled Savile to abuse for decades is still prevalent today and NO lessons have been learnt.
You refuse to address my concerns or assure me you have conducted ANY kind of investigation. I asked for you to detail your investigation for me as I believe I have proven beyond any doubt the Ms. Flanagan joined and actively promoted the Facebook Hate Group.
All you have told me is that your so-called "investigation" was appropriate but have not detailed it in any way for me. I bring your attention to the paragraph in my previous e-mail that I believe you have an obligation, to the licence fee payer, to answer in full.
"Before I embark on submitting my complaint against yourself, and Ms. Flanagan, could you please detail for me the extent of your "investigation" and if you still maintain that Ms. Flanagan was making other journalists "aware" of the "hate site" rather than "promoting" it?"
I would like it made very clear, to whoever this complaint ends up with (and possibly my readers) that issuing me with a threat not to publish our correspondence with the public, and licence fee payer, IS the very tactic used to prevent people speaking out against Savile and other abusers. You are seeking to instil fear into me so that I keep quiet by threatening me with "redress" should I inform the public (licence fee payer) of the goings on in your institution the BBC.
It might give you some satisfaction to learn that every day of my life is filled with fear ever since I have discovered we have a corrupt, and politicised, judicial system. I live in fear every day of my life knowing how powerless the ordinary folk of this corrupt island are. I live in fear every day of my life knowing that the one institution (the BBC) who I grew up believing and trusting as an independent organisation who people could turn to against a corrupt and oppressive regime is actually part of that regime. I am scared Jon fear fills my life in Jersey.
So with that in mind, your latest threat, or scare tactic, does frighten me possibly more than you could know. Not because you have threatened me with redress but the fact I have been threatened by the BBC who I believed were there to protect the public and its interests.
It is your call whether you reply to this e-mail, or not, or address my concerns adequately by answering my straight forward questions with straight forward answers. I will not guarantee that our correspondence will not be published on my Blog, or a number of other Blogs/websites across the internet as I believe it is imperative for people to speak out and the public are made aware of the scare tactics still being used against those who want nothing more than truth, honesty, and integrity. The public need to know that the very culture that enabled Savile and others to carry on abusing for decades carries on today by the BBC who threaten those who attempt to hold the BBC to any kind of account.
I believe I have "more than" fulfilled my obligation to try to resolve this issue locally with yourself and Ms. Flanagan, the latter who never even acknowledged my e-mails, let alone attempt to offer any kind of explanation or assurances.
I'll give it 24 hours for you to reply (adequately) to this e-mail and will then set about escalating my complaint against Ms. Flanagan and yourself further up the BBC ladder and elsewhere.
Neil.
from: | voiceforchildren voiceforchildren |
to: | Jon Gripton |
date: | 2 February 2013 11:50 |
subject: | Re: Complaint. |
mailed-by: | gmail.com |
Now that the 24 hours has come and gone and you have ignored my previous e-mail and genuine concerns, I will be escalating my complaint against yourself and Ms. Flanagan and going public across the internet, and elsewhere, to include UK MP's, national journalists, and others.
I will be Blogging the entire journey, from start to finish, and with documentation, demonstrating how the BBC's policy appears to be to protect their staff and attempt to keep everything (complaints etc.) "in house" by ignoring the concerns of the public and "threatening" into silence those who dare contemplate "going public."
I believe I will be able to demonstrate that the culture within the BBC that protected a prolific paedophile for decades remains as strong today as it ever was.
I intend on "going public" and escalating my complaint next week and before publishing the first Blog Posting on this subject I will offer you a right of reply by way of a videoed interview.
Neil.(END)
In conclusion I made a complaint, it was not, in my opinion, dealt with adequately and, more disturbing still, I was pressured not to share the full correspondence of that complaint with the licence fee-paying public. From what I can see, this is the kind of cover-up behaviour that got the BBC in hot water in the first place.
I contacted Mr. Gripton again last week, informing him of my intent to publish our correspondence today, and again offering him an opportunity to provide further clarity into the situation. Unfortunately, he did not respond to attempts to revisit the conversation.
I also want to make clear the BBC has never denied its active involvement in questionable Twitter postings and the hate sites mentioned above.
Readers are asked to make up their own minds, after considering the evidence, the online bullying, and the e-mail exchange above as to whether the BBC, a publicly funded organisation that has vowed to do better, has really learned any lessons from the Jimmy Savile scandal.
At least in Jersey, where Savile abused multiple children, it seems high-level BBC executives, including Mr. Gripton and Ms. Flanagan, have a great deal to answer for.