My soon-to-be-sent letter to the director of the BBC World Service...
Nigel Chapman Director, BBC World Service BBC World Service Bush House
Strand London WC2B 4PH
The United Kingdom
Dear Sir,
As an expatriate, London-based New Zealander, I have recently stumbled upon (via the web), the information that on 1st July 2001 your predecessor Mark Byford cancelled The BBC World Service shortwave service to Canada, The United States, Australia and New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Sorry, come again? I mean, can this be true? The very service founded to broadcast to the old Empire has now turned its back on much of today’s Commonwealth?
I may be writing six years too late, but as an NZ passport holder, BBC licence fee payer and UK resident and tax payer of some ten years’ standing, I find this to be an appalling state of affairs.
The internet is not a substitute for portable radio; it feels to me as though you have decided to cut-off most of the English-speaking world.
For myself, I’m a radio man. I adore the World Service and Radio Four, and while I now work in marketing at a City firm, I used to be variously: a radio announcer, a character voiceover, and a commercial radio copywriter at various New Zealand stations; then later a copywriter at Bristol’s GWR-fm and Warwickshire’s Mercia-fm.
Before emigrating to Britain, I used to listen to the World Service; I particularly enjoyed shows from the late John Peel. When he declared Flying Nun to be among the most important recording labels in the world, I know many of my generation of young punk-rocking Kiwis felt a sense of affirmation and pride. That affirmation of an obscure set of garage bands down under – who were often derided at home – was a boost to those of us who kicked against what was largely a parochial ‘cargo’ culture.
This is just a small example of the sort of thing that the BBC World Service is supposed to foster.
I understand and would encourage The BBC’s remit to reach out to many global communities, but how can your actions to us native English speakers be even remotely justifiable? Regardless of one’s politics, these are troubled times. I feel I have to ask, don’t the BBC – or Britain – realise who their friends are? Surely, the BBC should be doing all it can to foster a grounded sense of the Anglo-sphere – or would you rather leave all the playing to the extremists of Fox News?
So, my request is this; restore the shortwave service to the English-speaking world, petition the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to give you the money. The BBC World Service’s key role is to broadcast Britain’s news, views and culture to the world, not just select chunks of it. To effectively cut-off North America, Australasia and the South Pacific from your service is, in the parlance of our times, a “Diss” – a disservice and a disrespect.
Yours sincerely,
Craig Young
Friday, 6 July 2007
Friday, 8 June 2007
www.noliberties.com
...In New-Labour's new British paradise, we'll all have to go along to our local cop shop, get our fingers printed, photos taken, DNA swabbed, inside leg measured for our RFID-chip-readable, data-laden ID cards, then stand on one leg, sing the national anthem and provide a series of answers to conform to Whitehall's interpretation of 'British-ness'.
Then, once we've done that, we'll all trudge home along the streets with CCTV cameras barking 'advice' at us, we'll board a bus or train with our track-able nation-wide Oyster cards, or drive home in our hyper-taxed cars with sky drones tracking our every twist and turn. If we stop at the shops, or visit the GP, we'll have to present our ID card or no purchase / provision of service, will be possible.
When we get home, we'll find a council inspector, or newly empowered bailiff, or Health and Safety inspector - demanding entry to our homes. When we've dealt with that, we'll go down the pub, knock back a watered-down pint with government health warnings plastered all over it, and stand outside in the freezing rain for a joyless smoke. Going home, you'll need to present your ID card to a flak-jacketed, machine-pistol wielding rozzer.
Not many people will protest against this, for fear of: 1), being branded a terrorist (who will likely become more active); 2), being arrested under new 180-day detention without trial terror legislation; or 3), being 'renditioned' to Git'mo.
It'll be useless writing to your MP as due to the recent passing of the Reg’ & Leg' bill - aka Nu-Labour's enabling act - an awful lot of 'historic anachronisms' will have been outlawed. Y' know, quaint little old customs like a jury trial, presumption of innocence, right to appeal, habeas corpus, legal aid. Or perhaps the riot act will have been read in parliament, and Cromwell, sorry, Gordon, will have prorogued the institution anyway, citing a national emergency.
The BBC, ITV and Sky TV will screen wall-to-wall lifestyle or reality programmes on our tele-screens. Reporting of the endless war with Eurabia will be kept to a minimum. Internet sites will be heavily monitored thanks to enabling technology from certain well-known firms who are doing the same in China, and many site will be blocked in the UK due to 'security concerns'. Libraries and book stores will monitor our reading and stop stocking certain books.
Prescriptions for Soma, sorry, prozac, will have sky-rocketed. Misdemeanours in one's personal life will have definite implications in professional life, and an army of ankle-tagged ASBO- branded 'chav-gangs' will be a frequent sight, as they engage in community service. (Unless Australia can be convinced to become a penal colony again).
Think I'm being paranoid? A surprising amount of the above is either already on the statute books or soon will be. And if current trends continue, this WILL be a picture of Britain in about 10 or 20 years time. But if this is British-ness, it's not a form I wish to see.
But it's a form Nu-Labour and their chums appear to be headed towards, and, given the way Britain is sleep-walking into one party state authoritarian-ism (whether Britain is ruled by the red or blue tribal parties), I think Churchill was right... 1940 WAS Britain's finest hour. Welcome to Cruel Britannia.
Then, once we've done that, we'll all trudge home along the streets with CCTV cameras barking 'advice' at us, we'll board a bus or train with our track-able nation-wide Oyster cards, or drive home in our hyper-taxed cars with sky drones tracking our every twist and turn. If we stop at the shops, or visit the GP, we'll have to present our ID card or no purchase / provision of service, will be possible.
When we get home, we'll find a council inspector, or newly empowered bailiff, or Health and Safety inspector - demanding entry to our homes. When we've dealt with that, we'll go down the pub, knock back a watered-down pint with government health warnings plastered all over it, and stand outside in the freezing rain for a joyless smoke. Going home, you'll need to present your ID card to a flak-jacketed, machine-pistol wielding rozzer.
Not many people will protest against this, for fear of: 1), being branded a terrorist (who will likely become more active); 2), being arrested under new 180-day detention without trial terror legislation; or 3), being 'renditioned' to Git'mo.
It'll be useless writing to your MP as due to the recent passing of the Reg’ & Leg' bill - aka Nu-Labour's enabling act - an awful lot of 'historic anachronisms' will have been outlawed. Y' know, quaint little old customs like a jury trial, presumption of innocence, right to appeal, habeas corpus, legal aid. Or perhaps the riot act will have been read in parliament, and Cromwell, sorry, Gordon, will have prorogued the institution anyway, citing a national emergency.
The BBC, ITV and Sky TV will screen wall-to-wall lifestyle or reality programmes on our tele-screens. Reporting of the endless war with Eurabia will be kept to a minimum. Internet sites will be heavily monitored thanks to enabling technology from certain well-known firms who are doing the same in China, and many site will be blocked in the UK due to 'security concerns'. Libraries and book stores will monitor our reading and stop stocking certain books.
Prescriptions for Soma, sorry, prozac, will have sky-rocketed. Misdemeanours in one's personal life will have definite implications in professional life, and an army of ankle-tagged ASBO- branded 'chav-gangs' will be a frequent sight, as they engage in community service. (Unless Australia can be convinced to become a penal colony again).
Think I'm being paranoid? A surprising amount of the above is either already on the statute books or soon will be. And if current trends continue, this WILL be a picture of Britain in about 10 or 20 years time. But if this is British-ness, it's not a form I wish to see.
But it's a form Nu-Labour and their chums appear to be headed towards, and, given the way Britain is sleep-walking into one party state authoritarian-ism (whether Britain is ruled by the red or blue tribal parties), I think Churchill was right... 1940 WAS Britain's finest hour. Welcome to Cruel Britannia.
Friday, 1 June 2007
London on film...
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/06/is_london_an_uncinematic_city.html
My response to the above blog...
Four Weddings and a Funeral does make the South Bank look pretty darn fabulous. Esp' that momentary tantalising bridge shot. I've been reasonably impressed by those recent apocolyptic versions of London like 28 days, esp' Children of Men. Notting Hill is a tres cheesy movie natch, but that tracking shot of Hugh Grant as he walks through the market is still rather well done (tho' also cheesy). If the author can't imagine a car chase in London, he should watch the Sweeney as previous poster said - and the Professionals. I myself thought Match Point was visually rather good, but hey, I'm a foreigner. That rotter did for gorgeous Scarlett in a charming street in Marylebone, a stone's throw from Holmes's supposed digs in Baker Street. I think a lot of folks are forgetting that The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa do a good job of showcasing Londinium, as does Layer Cake. Previous poster mentioned Werewolves of London, a timeless classic. While Mike Leigh is there for the nitty gritty kitchen sink stuff in Secrets and Lies. To my mind, any view of London in cinema has to go down to The City and The Thames. As the Clash said: 'I live by the river'. It's Friday afternoon and London's calling. Mine's a pint. Ding Dong.
My response to the above blog...
Four Weddings and a Funeral does make the South Bank look pretty darn fabulous. Esp' that momentary tantalising bridge shot. I've been reasonably impressed by those recent apocolyptic versions of London like 28 days, esp' Children of Men. Notting Hill is a tres cheesy movie natch, but that tracking shot of Hugh Grant as he walks through the market is still rather well done (tho' also cheesy). If the author can't imagine a car chase in London, he should watch the Sweeney as previous poster said - and the Professionals. I myself thought Match Point was visually rather good, but hey, I'm a foreigner. That rotter did for gorgeous Scarlett in a charming street in Marylebone, a stone's throw from Holmes's supposed digs in Baker Street. I think a lot of folks are forgetting that The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa do a good job of showcasing Londinium, as does Layer Cake. Previous poster mentioned Werewolves of London, a timeless classic. While Mike Leigh is there for the nitty gritty kitchen sink stuff in Secrets and Lies. To my mind, any view of London in cinema has to go down to The City and The Thames. As the Clash said: 'I live by the river'. It's Friday afternoon and London's calling. Mine's a pint. Ding Dong.
Sunday, 27 May 2007
A free country?
The Observer's Henry Porter has long been pointing out that New Labour has been busy dismantling many of the traditional liberties we enjoy Britain. Here's my comment on the Guardian's blog... the link to the full article and others' comments is here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2089116,00.html
...Excellent article Henry Porter, one of your best. Do please keep it up. You are a voice of sanity and liberty in this country.
...Excellent article Henry Porter, one of your best. Do please keep it up. You are a voice of sanity and liberty in this country.
With today's news, that Nu-Labour want to stop and search us all, I really do wonder whether we can still be deemed to be living in a free country? I'm told that the authoritarian agenda stems from Whitehall (i.e. bureaucrats in the Home Office, working in tandem with big corporates). So it seems to me that the Tories will not repeal existing unjust laws, just as Nu-Labour didn't repeal those of the Tories. The Tories will likely continue with the status quo.
Now, THIS is the space that the LibDems should be entering - defence and promotion of LIBERAL DEMOCRACY, it's in their name for god's sakes. We had a more robust defence of same under Charlie on the booze, than we've had from Ming the Useless. It may not be a vote winner now, but it's the right thing to do.
It's interesting that the authors of Brave New World and 1984 set their dystopias in Britain.
BTW: good mentions above re: ineffectual opposition from Liberty and the pathetic 'analysis' on Nu-Labour's assualts on liberty we've had in the media, notably the BBC, which truly IS a state broadcaster, its quango-isation is just a figleaf, as the Hutton report demonstrated to us all.
PS: re: WWII postings above, while the Russians were not exactly fighting for liberty, their regime was a (slightly) lesser evil than that of the Nazis. And it is an inconvenient truth that the allies could not have won WWII without them. And, as a Kiwi, I must also acknowledge that without the Yanks at Midway, I wouldn't be writing this over a mug of Americano coffee in North london, I'd be too busy eating rice and building railways in Manchuria.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Slight modifications to my post on nz edge.com's blog (https://www.nzedge.blogspot.com)
https://www.nzedge.blogspot.com/
I love and miss NZ, and many of my fellow NZders, but it is telling that a sixth of us live abroad! That's a massive proportion of any nation's population. It's also telling that most of the Heroes on this site - amazing people - had to move abroad to achieve their goals. The tall poppy syndrome is a cliche, but it's a cliche because it's true. I see it as the hugely negative flipside of what is otherwise our admirable egalitarianism.
After living a decade in Europe, the extraordinarily dumbed down nature of the NZ public culture is actually a bit shocking, and potentially turns me off moving back. As does the crime (note the gangs feature here), which is rather high. Too high, for what we always present to the world as a southern seas paradise / idyll. Would that it were so, but NZ has too many problems to be so complacent. And yes, I know how pretentious my 'dumbed down' comments might make me sound to some people, but it's true.
Still, NZders can be extraordinarily open-minded, ingenious and proactive, as nzedge has shown us, I just wish we had more of that spirit in evidence at home today. Here's some free advice; it would be a good idea for the NZ Govt to look up the word 'infrastructure', and realise NZ needs some. It might also help if the govt reaslied that slapping GM or GE labels on our produce would be the kiss of death to our exports - in Europe, at least. It would also be a good idea if NZ people stopped obssessing to an almost dangerous degree about a minority sport (Rugby), and stopped faffing about with the America's Cup. Out here in the world, hardly anyone's heard of it. Certainly it shouldn't large sums of NZ taxpayer's money. It would also be nice if we could make a decent movie for once that wasn't about bloody hobbits.
I am not a hobbit, I'm a proud Kiwi. They do say patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, and despite the above comments, I am a patriotic NZder, but I also try to be clear-sighted about NZ's downsides. I think NZ's 'leaders' should be too.
I love and miss NZ, and many of my fellow NZders, but it is telling that a sixth of us live abroad! That's a massive proportion of any nation's population. It's also telling that most of the Heroes on this site - amazing people - had to move abroad to achieve their goals. The tall poppy syndrome is a cliche, but it's a cliche because it's true. I see it as the hugely negative flipside of what is otherwise our admirable egalitarianism.
After living a decade in Europe, the extraordinarily dumbed down nature of the NZ public culture is actually a bit shocking, and potentially turns me off moving back. As does the crime (note the gangs feature here), which is rather high. Too high, for what we always present to the world as a southern seas paradise / idyll. Would that it were so, but NZ has too many problems to be so complacent. And yes, I know how pretentious my 'dumbed down' comments might make me sound to some people, but it's true.
Still, NZders can be extraordinarily open-minded, ingenious and proactive, as nzedge has shown us, I just wish we had more of that spirit in evidence at home today. Here's some free advice; it would be a good idea for the NZ Govt to look up the word 'infrastructure', and realise NZ needs some. It might also help if the govt reaslied that slapping GM or GE labels on our produce would be the kiss of death to our exports - in Europe, at least. It would also be a good idea if NZ people stopped obssessing to an almost dangerous degree about a minority sport (Rugby), and stopped faffing about with the America's Cup. Out here in the world, hardly anyone's heard of it. Certainly it shouldn't large sums of NZ taxpayer's money. It would also be nice if we could make a decent movie for once that wasn't about bloody hobbits.
I am not a hobbit, I'm a proud Kiwi. They do say patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, and despite the above comments, I am a patriotic NZder, but I also try to be clear-sighted about NZ's downsides. I think NZ's 'leaders' should be too.
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