Stiff broom is needed at the BBC

THERE was a time when the splendour and pomp of Royal occasions could only be covered by one television company, the envy of all world-wide.

That was the BBC.

So what has happened to that once great British broadcasting company, paid for by the taxpayers?

Its shocking coverage of HM’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant does not need a public inquiry nor anything of that ilk.

It needs someone to go through the entire organisation with a stiff broom and sweep out the highly-paid, from top to bottom, including the presenters who believe the productions are more about themselves than the subject.

And, also the presenters who got their facts wrong should be banned for ever from the screen, along with the directors and producers who approved the scripts and camera work, including the split screen technology.

Watching two channels at the same time: Sky got it right from anchors aweigh. The BBC floundered all the way.

From: Alec Denton, Oxford Avenue, Guiseley.

I WAS surprised to read the negative letters (Yorkshire Post, June 5) regarding the BBC coverage of the Jubilee events. All the events were lengthy and slow-moving and happened outdoors in far from perfect weather. Keeping the viewers interest was a huge challenge and I thought that, on the whole, the BBC coverage was perfectly acceptable.

However, while the huge crowds reflected the positive attitude of the vast majority of our citizens to the Jubilee, I was seriously concerned at the air-time given to a tiny group calling themselves Anti-Monarchists. Plugs for this negative and irrelevant group were broadcast from 7.15am on Sunday morning onwards and gave me the impression that some BBC producers were trying to stir up trouble.

It is quite possible for both Republicans and Monarchists to celebrate together the many advances made during the last 60 years, including the major transition from Empire to Commonwealth and throughout which we have been privileged to have the Queen as our head of state. Though personally I cannot imagine any politician I would like to see as head of state, I accept that not everyone will agree.

From: David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.

THE Thames pageant, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert were yet again very fine examples of what Britain still leads the world in.

We are superb at organising regattas, fly pasts, marching soldiers, military bands, classical and popular musical events, flag waving shows of patriotism, calmness and getting on with the fun despite the cold, wet and windy weather. We are in League One at all of this.

Sadly, when it comes to what really matters, such as jobs, wealth creation, apprentice schemes, exporting, health care, looking after our elderly, handicapped and mentally ill, border controls, the environment, research and development, education, cleanliness and political leadership, we are miles behind the likes of Germany. In these areas we are in League Two.

We do have, in our Queen, the best head of state anywhere in the world – long may she reign over us.

From: Malcolm Hanson, Bachelor Road, Harrogate.

YOUR correspondent Julian Hide (Yorkshire Post, June 5) complains about the “inane babbling” of the BBC presenters.

I agree with his comments and would suggest that he examines his TV remote control and finds either the button marked mute or the volume control and using either of these controls, he has no need to listen to the babblings, which is what I do for most sporting events – especially football matches.

From: John Bolton, Gregory Springs Mount, Mirfield.

OF all the pictures in the newspapers of the Thames Jubilee Pageant, the ones of so many people packed on small balconies struck my wife and I most; from a health and safety point of view.

One or two seemed dangerously overcrowded and perhaps a structural engineer or surveyor, which I certainly am not, could clarify the recommended safe number on such balconies; per square yard for instance.

How near were we to having a serious tragedy?

From: Keith Flint, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

THANK you Rupert Murdoch for providing the nation with Sky News which provided exemplary coverage of the Diamond Jubilee – it’s Royal commentator Alastair Bruce is in a league of its own – for showing up the celebrity-obsessed BBC.

How do we get a refund on our licence fee?