Re: [Swprograms] John Tusa BBCWS editorial in the Guardian

[John Figliozzi <jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

But isn't that really only cosmetic?  Had management made a decision  
that was not ultimately in keeping with the wishes of the FCO, would  
it have been allowed to stand?

Of course, FCO's "right" to determine languages is a political  
decision.  But it is possible for a political decision to be made and  
a political agenda to be formed "on the merits".  With respect to  
language decisions over the years, it at least appears to be the case  
that in every circumstance there were good and valid reasons to add  
or drop a language.  One can even make a case on the merits for  
Tusa's self-described "worse nightmare"--a WS with English and a  
handful of other "major" languages.

To me, "freedom and independence within the context of an individual  
language service" is more than enough to fit the bill.

John Figliozzi


On Nov 1, 2005, at 6:18 PM, Richard Cuff wrote:

> I had a different problem with Tusa's argument.
>
> By definition, having to make a language decision means there is a
> political agenda.  There always has been.
>
> So -- up until now -- the BBCWS could only be "Free and Independent"
> within the context of an individual language service.
>
> It could be argued that the BBCWS is now *more* free & independent
> because, having to play a zero-sum game financially, it made its own
> language decisions without FCO meddling.
>
> Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA
>
> On 11/1/05, Mike Barraclough <softbulletin1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Tusa's argument is fundamentally flawed. His first two
>> paragraphs are emotive bluster using phrases such as
>> cull and unequal sacrifice and making a contrast
>> between ten radio services and 'a single Arabic
>> television service' hoping the reader will not realise
>> that in fact this single Arabic television service
>> will cover a huge amount of territory.
>
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