Re: [Swprograms] A This Is London email from Richard Cuff

[Daniel Say <say@xxxxxx>]

> Yes, but what a word...  
> 
> In today's highly polarized testosterone charged 
> political atmosphere, the word "negotiate" is seen 
> by some as weakness--especially by those who 
> perceive themeselves to have the upper hand 
> already--because it infers compromise, another term 
> of alleged weakness according to the prevailing 
> milieu.  So the apparent refusal to use that term 
> and replace it with a commitment to "listen" sounds 
> more like a parent-child relationship with 
> management the parent and labour the child, rather 
> than a relationship of relative equals.  
>
> In that context, I can understand this 
> reaction--especially when it comes in an atmosphere 
> of non-communication and distrust.  Words do mean 
> something and in this setting they're often fighting 
> words, unfortunately.  
> 
> John Figliozzi > Halfmoon, NY


	Well, in Andy Sennitt's RNW Media Blog, 
	he opines that BBC WS may lose some listeners
	in the rebroadcasting realm
	 
	It is affecting the other non-English service as well
	as you'll find out on 31 May etc.
 
   Linkname: #
        URL:
http://medianetwork.blogspot.com/2005_05_22_medianetwork_archive.html#111703524212440684 
	Commentary: More BBC strikes could lose World Service listeners

   Andy Sennitt comments: Monday's strike at the BBC prevented the
   Corporation from broadcasting its normal extensive news and current
   affairs programming. The World Service in English was restricted to 5
   minutes of news every hour. As a result, some radio stations that     
   normally relay the BBC's output decided to broadcast alternative
   coverage. For example, in the US WBUR-FM (90.9), the Boston
   University-owned National Public Radio affiliate, opted to air an...
	[ more at link above ]

http://media.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5202685-105236,00.html
The 'N-word' proves too much for BBC bosses

John Plunkett Thursday May 26, 2005 MediaGuardian.co.uk 

Richard Sambrook, the head of the BBC
World Service, today appeared to break with his bosses'
party line when he suggested the corporation had to
"negotiate" with unions if the dispute was to be resolved.

Mr Sambrook, who was formerly the deputy director of BBC
News, wrote in his online diary: "Disputes are only settled
by discussion and negotiation. It's important to keep
talking."

BBC management have been steadfast in their refusal to use
the word "negotiate", promising only to "listen" to the
concerns of unions.

However, hours after Mr Sambrook's comments appeared
online, the word "negotiations" was removed from his
internal weblog.

"Strikes harden positions and widen divides, which is what
I fear will happen over the next few weeks," said the new
version. "However, in the end disputes are only settled by
discussion. It's important to keep talking."

"It was the first time the N-word had been used by a
manager," said one source.

"However, management were alerted to it and ordered it to
be pulled."

The BBC refused to comment on the blog, saying only that
talks were on-going with unions at Acas.

"As soon as we accepted the offer to go to Acas we decided
not to get in any further discussions about the industrial
action," said a spokesman. Mr Sambrook was unavailable for
comment.

Trade union bosses have consistently claimed that BBC
management has refused to negotiate over the cuts, which
will total 4,000 jobs and led to a 24-hour walkout on
Monday. A further 48-hour stoppage is planned for next
week.

Union leaders and BBC managers arrived at the London HQ of
the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service for
talks today. The BBC was represented by Stephen Dando, the
director of BBC People, and Adrian van Klaveren, the deputy
director of BBC News.

The deputy director general, Mark Byford, repeatedly
refused to use the word "negotiations" when he appeared on
the Today programme on Tuesday. Pressed by John Humphrys
whether management would be prepared to go to Acas, he
said. "That isn't on the table yet is it? We'd look at it
with the seriousness it deserves."

He added: "We'll listen to the unions, we'll discuss these
changes with them and we would like those strikes next week
not to happen. If they do we'll make every effort to reduce
the impact on licence payers - the people that own the BBC
- but we want to talk with the unions but in a context of
change and investment in content."


_______________________________________________
Swprograms mailing list
Swprograms@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms

To unsubscribe:  Send an E-mail to  swprograms-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.