Politics & Current Affairs board

[aeolium]

I think that was part of a larger BBC decision rather than a purely Radio 3 one. Once the Radio 4 boards had started to go, it was only a matter of time.

Platform 3 may have been a monster, but compared with the old Woman's Hour board, it was sweetness and light.

It was also IIRC to do with the fact that there was persistent criticism of the BBC on those boards, not merely governance, expenditure etc but also programming standards, and the fact that as those posting listened less to BBC programmes more discussion was about other matters. I remember a brief, hopeless attempt by the moderators to try to force people to discuss only R3 programmes by renaming boards and fierce moderation of off-topic posts but the policy proved impossible to enforce.

[Pabmusic]

(It should be clearly said that FGM is not an exclusively Islamic practice, and that it is not found in all Islamic societies.)

I agree, but those societies that practise it are able to justify it on religious grounds. As can the Yemeni authorities about this:

http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/yemen-child-marriage-human-rights-519066

And I am truly sorry about having to post this.

[french frank]

It's true - I don't think Radio 3 liked the monster that it created: it wanted people to discuss Radio 3. On the other hand, it was a great coincidence that Radio 3's boards were closed down a few week's before the BBC Trust's review was published disclosing that it had agreed Radio 3's plans to chase new listeners 'with little knowledge of classical music'. The result of that decision was the current schedule and given the lashing they got back in 2007 for some of their schedule changes, they weren't going to risk the same thing again. (Well, that's what I think ...)

Add: I see aeolium has added similar comments while I've been taking my time.

[jean]

I agree, but those societies that practise it are able to justify it on religious grounds...

Different religions, though. That's my point.

[jean]

...it was a great coincidence that Radio 3's boards were closed down a few week's before the BBC Trust's review was published disclosing that it had agreed Radio 3's plans to chase new listeners 'with little knowledge of classical music'...

All the BBC boards went - even The Bull, which had managed to remain amazingly good-natured while not discussing its parent programme at all.

That's what I don't think it was entirely a Radio 3 decision.

(My particular favourite was the Word of Mouth board which was (usually) well-behaved and erudite, and had frequent postings from Michael Rosen who presented the programme it was supposed to be discussing, even though it rarely did.)

[eighthobstruction]

I have not said anything for a while....The amount of 'squabbling' on the Beeb boards and R3Forum (FoR3) is really quite minor up to other forums....and generally good natured banter with the odd joke misunderstood etc, the odd bit of sarcasm being poorly drawn or overextended....to an outsider it may look to be different and more acute....P&CA threads never ever; even at peak, were more than 25% of board volume (probably a lot less 10% say)....we will NEVER be able to remedy the way posters write to each other- human nature/attitudes kick in (and accept for a couple of occasions leading to banning because of ugly abusive posting, posting has been pretty meek and mild + boring and pedantic sometimes)....BUT it is still too much for ff and the image FoR3 want to project....and that's ok by me....I would however hope that the sub forum P&CA still receives posters, and that they attempt to be civil, humourous, naughty, play with words and concepts, as well as the knowledgeable and erudite stuff....

....it would be great if the P&CA other link in the margin had some high lighting to make it stand out a little more....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

....it would be great if the P&CA other link in the margin had some high lighting to make it stand out a little more....

- and, perhaps, the equivalent of a Government Health Warning ("Entering this Thread could cause problems for those with High Blood Pressure. The views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forum itself" sort-of thing)?

[ahinton]

- and, perhaps, the equivalent of a Government Health Warning ("Entering this Thread could cause problems for those with High Blood Pressure. The views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forum itself" sort-of thing)?

Or even (or perhaps additionally) "no English-speaking adults were harmed in the hiving off of this section from the main Forum" and/or "if you believe that you may be or have been affected by anything that you have read / might read in this section, you may seek advice and help from 0800 *** ****", or something?...

[french frank]

All the BBC boards went - even The Bull, which had managed to remain amazingly good-natured while not discussing its parent programme at all.

That's what I don't think it was entirely a Radio 3 decision.

Not the decision to close, but the timing. Several Archers boards went on for some time (apparently due to their 'popularity) and so did 6Music boards (which hardly had any use at all). BBC 'explanations' can never be trusted.

8thO - I've tried to put links in bold in the past and didn't think it worked. The board with the link in the homepage sidebar seems to be getting a fair bit of publicity here. As you say, other BBC boards were worse, much worse, than R3's (especially Religion and Ethics, so I'm told), but then the Beeb did get periodic criticism too. Forums which don't have any particular body or organisation existing outside that forum itself can do as they please.

[Russ]

I've been generally supportive of moving 'P&CA' to its other place for all the reasons ff has given, but there's always an exception to the rule, and I feel this week's events concerning the BBC, currently residing in the Patton v Thompson P&CA thread, do warrant pulling back into the main forum - yes it's 'politics', but it is politics likely to have a fundamental impact on the future existence, remit and content of R3, which is the BBC service the existence of this forum is predicated on. It should therefore in my view be an integral part of main forum discussion. It is also an issue where a FoR3 position will be both useful and necessary, and it would be odd if such a position was not informed by open and inclusive debate on the main forum.

Russ

[Barbirollians]

Putting the link in the sidebar strikes me as a very sensible compromise .

[Sir Velo]

I've been generally supportive of moving 'P&CA' to its other place for all the reasons ff has given, but there's always an exception to the rule, and I feel this week's events concerning the BBC, currently residing in the Patton v Thompson P&CA thread, do warrant pulling back into the main forum - yes it's 'politics', but it is politics likely to have a fundamental impact on the future existence, remit and content of R3, which is the BBC service the existence of this forum is predicated on. It should therefore in my view be an integral part of main forum discussion. It is also an issue where a FoR3 position will be both useful and necessary, and it would be odd if such a position was not informed by open and inclusive debate on the main forum.

Russ

Of course Night Waves; The Essay and, occasionally, the Sunday Feature offer the opportunity to discuss current political issues in the context of R3 programming.

[amateur51]

Of course Night Waves; The Essay and, occasionally, the Sunday Feature offer the opportunity to discuss current political issues in the context of R3 programming.

What about the news bulletins? - they're R3 programming

[Nick Armstrong]

What about the news bulletins? - they're R3 programming

[amateur51]

I'm at a loss as to where to post about the splendid news that women bishops will be allowed in the Church in Wales following a landmark 'yes' vote today, so I'll post here until I get other advice.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24064398