h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi,

Let me make it very clear that I will not use any words or descriptions that violate the rules of the BBC as they are applied to BBC-television.

BUT : I had the distinct pleasure of watching Comic Relief last friday. Among the language used where various f***s and the 'bloody's were abundant. And I am not going into the truckloads of innuendo because that would take me all day.

This was topped by Billy Connolly walking round a monument in Edinburgh stark naked with his dick in full view...

This, by the way, was perfectly allright with me. But we are not discussing me, we are discussing the BBC-rulez and regulations.


NOW : I am curious as to whether this journalentry will be removed, censored or moderated. If this is the case I think I have undisputed evidence that the BBC uses a double standard. As a matter of fact : In this entry I have used far less profanity then I saw last friday. Basically because I don't really feel like using this kind of language on h2g2 except for the occasional 'bloody'. I never did and I never will. That however does not mean that this subject is unimportant to me. Moderation is bad enough as it is, but a double standard would really take the biscuit...

Let's just see eh ?

To be continued...

TM.

Basically I think that the BBC is now on the verge of paranoia as far as h2g2 is concerned. I just received an email from the towers asking me to remove the lyrics from my Peter Gabriel article. So I went over to said article and what do you know ? In two places in the article I quoted ONE LINE of a Gabriel-song.

Is the BBC really that ignorant ? Don't they know that it is perfectly allright to quote someone else as long as it's no more than 2 lines ?

I said from the beginning that I would give auntie the benefit of the doubt. As far as I can see they're doing a good job, except for the moderation-policy that is...

I am not the type to walk away from things I don't like. But I fear that lots of people are going to 'vote with their feet' in the near future.

Shame, damn shame.

TM.

Well it took about 15 minutes and then the famous f-word had been changed into f***.

I wonder if someone actually read the article. After all the remarks about the importance of the 'context'...

I expect to get the "Gabriel-reply" again shortly regarding my 'Loudon Wainwright III' article. Much more lyrics there...

How am I going to explain the significance of an artists lyrics if I can't quote a single line ???

So much for my series of articles about artists...and SF-series...and SF-books...and ......

Not much left is there ?

TM.

Absolutely!

Articles without quotes are like eggs with no yolks... good for you but not so tasty!

shazz

Hi guys

We star out certain words as a matter of course, we have always removed swearing from h2g2. Previously it was up to us to find it. The use of swear words is against the terms and conditions. The difference between h2g2 and Comic Relief is that the swearing occured after the 9pm watershed. Here on h2g2 there is no watershed and the material is accessible at all time, in a permanent form.

With regard to your Peter Gabriel entry, this is another matter. Of course it is acceptable to use copyrighted work in reviewing an artist's works or career. I am a little concerned that you have been asked to take the quotes out. TM please email me with the details, and I will take the matter up.

Thanks

I hope you enjoyed your evening Abi
shazz