Taking issue

Dialogue through social media can head off in difficult directions.   Kevin Bakhurst of BBC News posted his thoughts about a Ben Brown interview with tuition fee protestor Jody McIntyre on the BBC Editors' Blog, inviting readers'  views.  He's now got (close of moderation Friday) 1065 comments - most of them arguing that the interview was poorly handled.  He engaged three times on the 14th, and then his twitter feed directed followers to Jody's own view of the interview.   Jody says there are a total of 5,000 complaints for the BBC to answer.  He may be right - there's a Facebook fan page entitled "Menacing rolling towards Ben Brown in my wheelchair" which has scored 4,482 "likes".

What's odd is that the BBC's prime forum for comments and discussions about editorial issues - Ray Snoddy's weekly Newswatch - made no mention of the debate this morning.  It was devoted to an edited, apparently valedictory, interview with the BBC's Deputy DG and Director of Journalism Mark Byford - who told the audience impartiality was safe in his hands, and that he'd be looking after the Royal Wedding arrangements before he goes...