Claire Balding complains to the PCC over AA Gill.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Paul M

So why such a fuss then. She should just have laughed it off and carried on as normal. Too much fuss over nothing, seems to be a common complaint these days, everyone getting offended over non events.

Maybe she doesn't like the thought of someone else broadcasting it either?

Also we haven't got rid of our prejudices overnight..some of us females find ourselves being defensive about entering some male dominated workplaces even in the 21st century let alone admitting we might like girls rather more than boys..

One's ability to do a job should count the most with anyone and anyone who thinks it just a matter of dealing with workplace joshing had better think again.Being heterosexual has never been an issue for hetros so we can't even begin to know what it is like to constantly have what you do in the privacy of your bedroom made a joke to undermine you in the workplace.

Surely a journalist can make criticisms without resorting to this sort of level of innuendo?Try to keep it professional about someone's profession.

[nomadking]

How many more times?
He praised her presentation, it was the presentation style of heterosexuals that he actually criticised. It is those others who should complain for being described as 'winsome and coquettish'.

Actually, as Claire Balding herself said in a letter to the Times (no link due to paywall), it was the use of the perjorative and derogatory term "dyke" which she found offensive, and the fact AA Gill needed to point out that she was a lesbian - he doesn't mention the fact about other people being heterosexual when he reviews their programmes, so why raise the point tha that she is gay?

[nomadking]

The reason for using the word dyke has more to do with the title of the programme ie Britain by Bike, than anything else.

when every other girl on television is winsome and coquettish, it's a relief to be talked to by someone who isn't flirting down the lens.

He was referring to, and putting down the presentation skills of heterosexual women.

As the response to her complaint pointed out, people like Jeremy Clarkson are frequently referred to, in a very nasty way. Would she have like to have been portrayed in a cartoon in this manner? Would any gay person be allowed to be portrayed in that manner, no matter what they had said or done, especially in publications like that one.

Originally Posted by nomadking

The reason for using the word dyke has more to do with the title of the programme ie Britain by Bike, than anything else.

He was referring to, and putting down the presentation skills of heterosexual women.

As the response to her complaint pointed out, people like Jeremy Clarkson are frequently referred to, in a very nasty way. Would she have like to have been portrayed in a cartoon in this manner? Would any gay person be allowed to be portrayed in that manner, no matter what they had said or done, especially in publications like that one.

To be fair Clarkson dishes out just as much to everyone else.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by nomadking

The reason for using the word dyke has more to do with the title of the programme ie Britain by Bike, than anything else.

He was referring to, and putting down the presentation skills of heterosexual women.

As the response to her complaint pointed out, people like Jeremy Clarkson are frequently referred to, in a very nasty way. Would she have like to have been portrayed in a cartoon in this manner? Would any gay person be allowed to be portrayed in that manner, no matter what they had said or done, especially in publications like that one.

Some people will never get it!!!

To make it really simple how about this, would it be OK to have made a crack about say Lenny Henry in the late 70's whereby the comment praised his skills as a comedian and singer, but in the same article described him as "the c*** who could hold a tune"?
How is the above example any different to what you are defending?
As regards people being offensive to Clarkson...so what, he has purposely brought that on himself by making a living out of being contraversal and offensive, CB hasn't.

Originally Posted by foreverwar

Actually, as Claire Balding herself said in a letter to the Times (no link due to paywall), it was the use of the perjorative and derogatory term "dyke" which she found offensive, and the fact AA Gill needed to point out that she was a lesbian - he doesn't mention the fact about other people being heterosexual when he reviews their programmes, so why raise the point tha that she is gay?

Why should she let that be the defining aspect of her public personality to the extent that even a review of a unrelated program has to make snide comments about it.

[Ravenheart]

Clare Balding's complaint has been upheld by the PCC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11333484

Excellent news!