Tuesday 28 April 2009, 10:00
It is not often that we remove a programme from the schedule at short notice.
The 'On The Ropes' we had hoped to broadcast this morning in the end did not work. We were mindful of the background and, in particular, the strained domestic circumstances surrounding the break-up of Andy Kershaw's long-term relationship and the legal order, the result of which makes it very difficult for him to have significant access to his children.
We had hoped that we could explore the events leading to his personal and professional crisis and his subsequent efforts to recover while bearing in mind the interests of other parties and providing them with the appropriate degree of privacy. In the end that was not possible. The programme was recorded and edited close to the day of transmission - hence the lateness of the decision.
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Monday 27 April 2009, 16:42
Tuesday 28 April 2009, 13:00
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Comment number 1.
CharlieBeesa28th April 2009 - 10:35
I take it that the broadcast did not work for technical reasons after very recent editing. Thank you for your prompt reply. There has been a lot of interest shown here (see messageboards) and I am sure many people will look forward to hearing the final edited version soon.
Regards
Charlie
Link to this (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
Nick28th April 2009 - 10:37
Not recorded/edited so close to transmission that you were unable to trail it extensively. And right up to the start of the replacement programme, the Radio 4 website and 'Listen Live' listed it. It dies rather look as if a) someone from outside intervened or (b) you noticed only very late what it was you were planning to transmit. Neither breeds confidence or trust.
It's ironic (and disappointing) that, one of the rare times you have a truly interesting subject, your (or someone's) sensitivities prevent you from broadcasting it.
Link to this (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
TV Licence fee payer against BBC censorship28th April 2009 - 10:39
Thanks for the explanation, but it would have been nice had some sort of explanation been given on air for the pulling of the programme - or did my ears decisive me?
Link to this (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
terencegibson28th April 2009 - 10:42
Someone else on the messageboards crystallised what was bugging me - I hear what you are saying about the reasons for pulling the programme, and I'm not asking for any more detail on that, but in common with many other people posting messages the frustration is that BBC doesn't take responsibility for having invited listeners to tune in (and I'm an occasional listener who specifically organised to listen to this) and then taking no trouble at all to offer any explanation or apology - 'and now in a change to the advertised programme . . .' This is frustrating and unprofessional.
Link to this (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
marthaFarquhar28th April 2009 - 11:00
BBC screws Andy Kershaw again?
Link to this (Comment number 5)
Comments 5 of 81