Right to reply

Following the transmission of the final episode of the BBC Television’s drama series “The singing detective” by Dennis Potter, we devoted most of that week’s “Right to reply” to the views of critical viewers. The discussion was a confrontation between Kenith Trodd, the Producer of “The singing detective” and Colin Reeves, a journalist on “The Christian Herald”, a weekly paper. It is normal practice on “Right to reply” to include clips from the programme have a better understanding of the particular cause of concern. As you will see, the complaining viewer went on to attack “Right to reply” for showing clips from “The singing detective”. In fact, he knew full well before the programme was recorded, that we would be showing the clips that we used. Following transmission of this episode, we received many phone calls and letters. Most of them were in support of Mr. Trodd, but a significant amount echoed the complaining viewer’s point that we should not have shown the clips that we did. A number of more formal complaints were passed on to the IBA and as a consequence Channel Four was reminded by the Authority of its “Family Viewing” Policy and the Editor of “Right to reply” was reminded that since it goes out at 18.00 on a Saturday evening, the program should be more circumspect in the future in its use of clips where programmes which have caused offence are concerned.