Bute FM Statement
Over the past weeks, several stories have appeared in the local press and online regarding recent events at Bute FM. As you can imagine, we have received some phone calls, emails and letters regarding these events and I would like to take this opportunity to attempt to address some of the recurring themes in the correspondence we have received.
I must state that I fully understand and appreciate the strength of feeling recent events have created within the community at large. It is clear that Bute FM is very important to a lot of people and that many people care deeply about the station. That said, a number of individuals have chosen to make their feelings known through abusive phone calls, text messages and emails, which will be reported to the relevant authorities. Also, some comments made in public forums about Bute FM presenters, volunteers, or their families and friends have caused great offence and served only to upset innocent parties. However, most messages – both supportive and critical – have been reasonably put and it is these which I would like to address today.
We received several questions regarding the removal of Mike Blair as a volunteer, director and DJ on 9th August. A statement was posted on 10th August with regards to this, and once again we would like to thank Mike for all the work he did helping to get Bute FM up and running and during our first year of broadcasting. To date, Mike and I have continued dialogue but I will make no more public statements on this matter – any issues are between Mike and I, and I have no intention of making them public.
We also have received many questions about the events surrounding the broadcast of ‘Have Your Say’ on Friday 20th August, as it has been suggested that Bute FM were attempting to ‘silence’ or ‘censor’ the presenter of this program. It is not, and has never been, the intention of Bute FM to dictate content to any of our presenters, however due to Ofcom regulations it was necessary to request that the presenter did not discuss recent events, as to do so could seriously jeopardise Bute FM’s position with the licencing body in the event of an investigation. I appreciate that some people may have further questions or concerns regarding this, but unfortunately I am not legally allowed to discuss this issue at present, which frustrates me just as much as I am sure it must frustrate many of you. I will be happy to discuss with interested parties in more detail when I am able to do so, but in the interests of Bute FM that time is not now. I cannot stress enough that this is not an attempt to evade difficult questions; rather it is out of a desire to keep Bute FM able to operate as the radio station that so many people have put so much work into and the community evidently values so greatly.
If anyone has been offended or upset by any actions carried out in the name of Bute FM then I would like to apologise. And should any of our former volunteers wish to discuss with me directly any particular concerns they might have then I am still willing to speak with them. I will continue to endeavour to reply to any direct enquiries from members of the public or press, but must point out that Bute FM does not have the capacity to contribute to discussions or answer questions posted on social networking sites or online message boards, as the demands of delivering 18 hours worth of live broadcasting every day takes priority.
It is an honour and privilege to be involved with Bute FM and, with your help, we can soon move beyond recent events and continue entertaining and serving the whole community, as we have done for the past year, and plan to do so for many years to come.
Iain Donald
Bute FM Station Manager
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I think it’s important, as the former presenter of the Have Your Say programme (I resigned after being asked to adhere to unreasonable instructions), to note the following statement from Ofcom. I also wonder, in light of this, how on earth it could be that I was instructed to cease talking or leave the show, on the apparent advice of an unnamed lawyer. Surely a lawyer dealing with this would know their Ofcom regulations before issuing ultimatums to volunteers.
From: Anthony Thompson
Sent: 20 August 2010 2:48 PM
To: Ofcom Contact Centre
Subject: Regulations.
Does Ofcom have any regulations pertaining to the discussion of ongoing Ofcom investigations on air. For example if someone had complained to Ofcom, would talking about that fact on a show be prohibited?
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From: Alistair Hall
Date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Subject: RE: Regulations. Ofcom ref: 1-154991250
To: Anthony Thompson
Dear Mr Thompson
Thank you for your e-mail.
There would be no issue in principle with simply mentioning having complained to Ofcom, nor commenting on complaints or decisions which we had publicised ourselves.
Obviously, depending on the nature of the complaint, particularly with fairness and privacy complaints, there may be issues discussing confidential information or complaints correspondence where the investigation into a complaint is ongoing and may be prejudiced.
I hope this is of assistance.
Yours sincerely
Alistair Hall
You’ve got a very long way to convince people you actually care about actually providing the community a voice, mate.
I note that Iain Donald says that he and I are in continued dialogue.
As I have not had a response from my letter of 20th inst.to Iain Donald, despite requesting one by 5pm on Monday, August 23. and despite requesting return of my property, which I was unable to remove on the afternoon of my humiliating dismissal, property, which as yet is still retained in 7 Castle Street.
In view of the foregoing, I fear that this statement is therefore offering false hope of a resolution to the utter farrago which Bute FM has become.
I have requested an immediate removal of the statement that Iain Donald and I are in “continued dialogue”, however I note that the statement has not yet been removed.
Iain Donald has been working towards a Community radio for Bute for over the last 10 years and I have no doubts regarding has commitment to the station and to the Community has a whole.
At the momment we have only heard one side of the story, so lets just take a step back, let the regulator do its job and then make a judgment on the rights and the wrongs of the matter.
For anyone interested in the truth of the this sorry stroy…
Http://whattheheraldarticledidntsay.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-the-herald-article-didnt-say.htm.
I would like to point out that the quotes in the above article have, in fact, been taken out of context. I can only assume that person writing the article is inexperienced, and does not understand that it is not acceptable practice. Were an actual journalist to write such a thing, they would be sued.
To manipulate quotes to try and tell the story you want to tell is unacceptable. To miss out the majority of the story is also not very good practice.
It is unfortunate, to say the least.
The Herald article mentioned can be found here: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/breakfast-dj-s-sacking-makes-waves-at-island-radio-station-1.1052003
I await eagerly to see if my comment will be allowed on this site.
On the contrary I find the article quite enlightening. I have sat back and watched this unfold. I am shocked to see such behaviour from the island. It seems people are intent on destroying the radio station. That is NOT what the people of Bute want. Many have been saddened in case the station is lost and this is echoed throughout the population of both ex-pats and residents. You may have your reasons, I have no doubt however that you should hesitate before trying to ruin an asset to the Island. Something your too keen followers are prepared to do. I would find it concerning as the Island would be quick to question YOU as to why you were so set on destroying something. Yes they may have wronged you, that I dont know however I, like many on the Island would be far much more disgruntled and upset with the loss of the station than the loss of volunteers. Tread carefully my dear, be careful what you wish for. It may just come true.
Sorry Sarah, you must have misunderstood. I absolutely don’t want to see the end of Bute Fm. I just want a radio station that doesn’t lie to its listeners, and a radio station that goes about its business honestly and transparently. Bute Fm operates under a Community licence, it is not a private radio station.
Bute Fm is not an asset to the island if it tramples all over its volunteers and listeners and promotes nepotism.
It has treated people absolutely horrendously and behaved in an ignorant manner towards its listeners. How on earth can that be good for the Community?!
I gave Bute Fm 100%, and I have always wanted the station to reach its full potential and be the best it can be.
Unfortunately, I cannot ignore the facts. And the facts are that Bute Fm is not delivering on the commitments it made to the Community. When this was put to management, instead of discussing Bute Fm’s position and working together to move forward, Bute Fm put the shutters down and refused to communicate.
I can’t ignore that. I have to ask why.
Also, I need to say again here, the article you are talking about has taken quotes out of context, quite significantly. What that means is that quotes from people have been manipulated to deliver a message that they don’t actually deliver in their entirety. I can only assume whoever wrote it doesn’t realise that this is not an acceptable thing to do. I certainly don’t imagine they would have done it deliberately.
The fact remains that the article paints a very distinct picture using very carefully selected information and the quotes are misrepresented. It’s no surprise, with that in mind, that you were enlightened. However, if you look plainly at the facts and take opinion away from it, the facts tell the story all by themselves.
Believe me, I wish the facts were different. I didn’t want to have to resign from Bute Fm, but there really was no other option.
Hello,
I am aware you are enthusiastic about this topic. I have seen that these comments have been posted on the Have Your Say facebook page (which I cant seem to find anymore?) The point I am making is that Bute FM is an asset to the Island and I would feel deeply saddened and alone without it.