BBC bosses feared alien discovery could breach editorial guidelines
20 replies, posted
[img]http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01988/science06094_1988846b.jpg[/img]
[quote]
Prof Cox, who hosts the show with comedian Dara O'Briain, said he had hoped to point the Jodrell Bank telescope at the planet Threapleton Holmes B after it was discovered live on air last year and listen for signs of life.
But he claimed he was prevented from doing so because the Corporation was concerned that a discovery of aliens could violate BBC regulations.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 6 Music breakfast show on Wednesday, Prof Cox said: "The BBC actually said 'You can't do that. We need to go through the regulations and health and safety and everything in case we discover a signal from an alien civilisation'.
"[I said], you mean we would discover the first hint that there is other intelligent life in the universe beyond Earth, live on air, and you're worried about the health and safety of it?
"It was incredible. They did have guidelines. Compliance!"
The incident was not the only time that producers have failed to appreciate the significance of a potential discovery of alien life, Prof Cox added.
The Stargazing Live team had considered filming a feature on Mars which would ask the audience to help search for signs of geological activity which could point to past or current life on the planet.
"Someone from the BBC said to me, 'Would there have to be a prize if someone discovered it?'" he said.
"[I said], what do you mean? You're going to say to someone: 'You discovered the first evidence for alien life beyond Earth, and here's a book voucher as well? You think that's going to make it better? Nectar points?'"
A BBC spokesman said: "In making the series there were many light hearted conversations, one of which was about how different organisations might react to the discovery of alien life.”
[/quote]
What the BBC management are afraid of is that the aliens might be white, heterosexual, able-bodied and Christian. Only single-parent, gay/lesbian/transgender, muslim, disabled, black and immigrant aliens would be acceptable to the Bolshevik Broadcasting Committee.
...wait, what? Health-and-safety?!
Perhaps Clarkson's rantings against such things aren't completely hyperbole...
Cox should tell them to fuck off and do it anyway
Fox is going to be PISSED.
Sounds like the warehouse I work at...
[QUOTE=Artifact;38364741]What the BBC management are afraid of is that the aliens might be white, heterosexual, able-bodied and Christian. Only single-parent, gay/lesbian/transgender, muslim, disabled, black and immigrant aliens would be acceptable to the Bolshevik Broadcasting Committee.[/QUOTE]
funny to see theres more countries in which some folk say national media is communist and represent too soft values.
[QUOTE=TestECull;38366006]...wait, what? Health-and-safety?! [/QUOTE]
As far as I know you need to tell the government first in this country.
Otherwise you could, for example, cause mass panic and rioting.
[QUOTE=Artifact;38364741]What the BBC management are afraid of is that the aliens might be white, heterosexual, able-bodied and Christian. Only single-parent, gay/lesbian/transgender, muslim, disabled, black and immigrant aliens would be acceptable to the Bolshevik Broadcasting Committee.[/QUOTE]ha that one comment tells me a lot about you
[img]http://narwhaler.com/img/fo/k/this-thread-started-by-aliens-ancient-aliens-FoK6Nu.jpg[/img]
[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Image macro again" - Orkel))[/highlight]
holy fuck there's a radio SIX?
jesus as if the third wasn't bad enough.
[QUOTE=a-cookie;38366999]holy fuck there's a radio SIX?
jesus as if the third wasn't bad enough.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio7/[/url]
[QUOTE]"Someone from the BBC said to me, 'Would there have to be a prize if someone discovered it?'" he said.[/QUOTE]
lol seriously
What's the source here?
[QUOTE=Megafan;38367879]What's the source here?[/QUOTE]
I was going to post it from this source:
[url]http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/BBC_health_and_safety_bosses_ban_aliens[/url]
[QUOTE=Megafan;38367879]What's the source here?[/QUOTE]
Nice little google search revealed this: [url]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/9661398/Brian-Cox-BBC-bosses-feared-alien-discovery-could-breach-editorial-guidelines.html[/url]
Ninja'd fuck
Probably didnt find signs of alien life so they decided to create controversy to make it interesting. As if it's all a big conspiracy.
Think so many old people that could get a heart attack if they find aliens. We are lucky that they took security measures.