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SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

BBC considering banning Twitter for stars *Updated with BBC Response*

4 Jul 2011

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Update: 17:11 Here is a statement just released by the BBC in response to the various articles Today.

The BBC today issued the following statement on the use of social media by staff, talent and writers:

"The BBC is not banning the use of Twitter by talent or writers. The BBC has clear guidelines in place for both the personal and professional use of social media, and we encourage staff, writers and talent to use social media, provided it does not break any confidentiality agreements."

The links below outline the BBC's current guidelines on the professional and personal use of social media:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/page/guidance-blogs-bbc-summary
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/page/guidance-blogs-personal-summary

Source: BBC


What do you think? Are they making a mountain at of a molehill?

A group of senior BBC executives are campaigning to introduce a BBC-wide ban on actors, writers and other talent involved in its productions using social networking sites such as Twitter to disclose details of their work.

According to senior sources, the need for a ban "was a widely held view" and "conversations have started" regarding a change to contracts to forbid talent from using Twitter and other public internet forums to discuss details of their involvement in BBC productions if the information is confidential or sensitive.

The campaign follows a spate of revelations on Twitter which, the executives claim, have disrupted press and marketing campaigns. They hope a ban will prevent storyline spoilers, casting news or press announcements from leaking out.

Recent examples which are understood to have caused consternation include the singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor's disclosure on Twitter that she was to appear in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's new comedy Life's Too Short alongside Sting. Her seemingly innocent tweet is understood to have undermined a carefully crafted BBC announcement of the rock star's appearance.

Other examples of inadvertent indiscretions include actor Stephen Mangan's revelation on Twitter that the drama Dirk Gently had been recommissioned and Armando Iannucci's announcement of a return of the comedy The Thick of It before the BBC was ready to make it public.

Source: Full Article @ guardian
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19 comments:

  1. Rosalind4 July 2011 at 13:52

    Given the official bbc feeds are the worst for giving away spoilers, regularly, and without any warning, I would say this is a bollocks idea - they'd be stupid to try it...

    ReplyDelete
  2. DarkUFO4 July 2011 at 13:54

    Totally agree :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cadence4 July 2011 at 13:58

    That's... Pretty intense :S. So what if a few people occasionally screw up? I mean, that sucks, but it happens. That doesn't mean that I don't want to follow the likes of Stephen Moffat and have him get me pumped up for some more Doctor Who. I understand the reasons this is being discussed, but still. Lame.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Leonie Henckell4 July 2011 at 13:59

    This shouldn't be happening. Social Networks also promote BBC.
    So BBC: Tell the stars when they aren't allowed to tweet something, but don't put it in the contracts... bad press if you ask me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rachel4 July 2011 at 14:02

    thought they would be happy about some good press for free and not try to forbid it

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sandi4 July 2011 at 14:05

    Couldn't have put it better myself

    ReplyDelete
  7. TV Spoilers4 July 2011 at 14:11

    lol they should start at their own headquarters and look at their press releases and promos that give away entire plots

    ReplyDelete
  8. klutzy_girl4 July 2011 at 14:11

    This just seems stupid and unfair to me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rosalind4 July 2011 at 14:13

    Yes, agreed -  i complained about it, but they basically just said they disagreed. If I can find the email, i'll paste it. 

    ReplyDelete
  10. Luke James Farmer4 July 2011 at 14:40

    Exactly what I think too, ridiculous. Are they even allowed to ban their staff from this? Surely they can only ban them from mentioning their work on twitter...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Danny Hayes4 July 2011 at 14:47

    this is just too lame they can't just ban stars , just don't allow them to give out spoilers

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dahne4 July 2011 at 15:20

    I can see them not wanting people to leak spoilers.  That makes sense.  However, it seems the whole thing could be resolved by a bit more communication from the BBC to its guest stars, etc.  Twitter is becoming my favorite way to get information about my shows and when done well, it increases buzz and hooks viewers.  I love when producers and directors get on Twitter during an episode and tweet behind the scenes stuff.  Jeff Eastin, Willie Garson, and Guy Norman Bee do a particularly great job at it.  Perhaps the BBC could look into involving its staff more in a campaign to make their shows Twitter-relevant.  

    ReplyDelete
  13. MurderMondays4 July 2011 at 15:26

    These people build up a lot of buzz for their shows. I'm really surprised this is even being suggested.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Riley Gorenflo4 July 2011 at 15:27

    Noooo. :'( I like following Russel Tovey and Arthur Darvill. :P

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cadence4 July 2011 at 15:38

    Absolutely! My entire twitter feed is made up of news aggregate sites (like STV) and showrunners. I generally don't bother to follow celebrities or actors (except for WIL WHEATON) because the behind the scenes stuff about writing and editing is what I love.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rosalind4 July 2011 at 15:45

    Here is the response I got from the bbc:
    Thanks for contacting
    us regarding 'Being Human' broadcast on BBC Three.

    I understand that you are unhappy with the amount of information released in
    BBC Press Office releases regarding 'Being Human' as you feel they contain
    spoilers.

    Whilst I appreciate your concerns, the information we release in our press
    releases is carefully chosen to ensure we do not give away too much information
    on the plot. In general, it will be no different from that which appears in the
    programme synopsis in scheduling publications or on the BBC website.

    We’re guided by the feedback that we receive and to that end I'd like to assure
    you that I've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily
    report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including
    members of the BBC Executive Board, programme makers, channel controllers and
    other senior managers.

    The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions
    about future programming and content.

    Thanks for taking the time to contact us.

    ReplyDelete
  17. varjot virva4 July 2011 at 16:40

    Telling whomever to stop communicating with their fans through twitter sounds ... bad. It's their choice. If some of them screw up and give away too much information, solve it differently. But not by banning all of the activity on twitter. Also, it is - kind of - free advertisment. So why hate it? *shrugs*

    ReplyDelete
  18. MurderMondays4 July 2011 at 17:28

    Now it seems like something in an interview that gotten taken badly out of context.

    However, it does seem like they could still be considering it if people are breaking the confidentiality agreements on a regular basis.

    ReplyDelete
  19. pinkphoenix19854 July 2011 at 21:06

    It sounds silly...unless it is top top secret and you have it under contract not to talk then it would get out somehow actually even in that situation-- tv shows, etc get spoiled. 

    ReplyDelete

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