My contribution:

Spot the question posed by the most junior researcher on the desk.

I don't think the BBC want toi broadcast troop movements per se, but as they aren't allowed to embed at the moment (I think) then someone tried to phrase the question "Are there troops in your neighbourhood , are they making a difference" rather badly.

The BBC does need to be told to change that. I notice quite a lot of "If you're there, tell us" type posts at the end of stories on the BBC.

So they're either doing their bit for climate change and stopping reporters flying , or it's too damn dangerous to send journalists.

It might not be an open forum, granted, but i doubt its a 'cleared' forum.

It's not a drama of wether the person who receives the email about movements posts them or not, it's a drama of the BBC asking for said emails in the first place.

Why ask for information concerning movements if they are going to be "Reasonably Cautious" about handling the said information?
"Excuse me, can you tell me where you are going to be for the next 6 months? Oh don't worry, im cautious about having the information!"

I've just got my Iraqi mate to write into them:

PTP is right. It was a junior researcher who forgot to "refer up" to a manager who would have made an even bigger goat f~~k of the whole thing than she did.

What is really fascinating, though, is the hint that the relationship between the MoD and the press is changing (no more embeds??).

Just left a message to say


Does the BBC have a complaints dept?

Which OMBUDSMAN is it that handles the BBC?

The request for information on troop movements has been pulled!

Good effort!

Right who else can we sort out?

Gutted I was having fun there!

Tom Newton Dunn here?

Just had a look at the article the request for troop movements have been pulled... good effort ARRSE..

Please will everyone continue to complain to the BBC,... I would love them to reply and eat humble pie.

A thought,

If we let our MP's know and say the quality broad sheets ,...they may run an article and make the BBC reply... or apologise?/??!

Well done ARRSE, BBC getting dangerously close to giving aid to the Queens enemies, even if it is a closed board it is still fookin stupid thing to put on the website.

Go on ITV dare you to run this one on the evening news

Managed to get in a swift poke before they shut the door. I find it hard to believe they got anything worthwhile out of it. Then again, it's hard to believe they were stupid enough to ask. Makes me wonder what kind of people they employ, at our expense. Simpletons, at best. Somebody needs to have a word.

The only people who still take the BBC seriously, are themselves. Journalistic standards? Get more sense from the Beano.

I just got the following reply to my email.

Dont think about it too much ...
..chances are the insurgents don't believe a bloody word of what they read in the press either..

www.telegraph.co.uk/ne...tid=626017

Here is a bash at getting it into the mainstream press, feel free to add your comments.

By the way the Telegraph link called Frontline is well worth a look.

My comment on the Beeb website:

"No I am not in Iraq, I have been though and I have seen troop movements.

In 2004 a few guys in the camp came down with dihoreea and vomitting,
believe me there was alot of movement from the troops!

What a chopper of a question? Idiots, why not give Al-Q the whole
picture and do their dirty intel work for them. BBC? more like the
Buffoon Broadcasting Corporation!!"

And their answer which arrived 5 mins ago

"Dear Mr H,

Thank you for your email. We can assure you there was absolutely no
intention of putting any soldiers in danger as a result of our asking
for people in the area to contact the BBC. We would not have published
any of the information on the site - and are well aware of the security
issues surrounding this. However, it is usual for us to seek out people
who have direct experience in the region to contact us. Many people do
use the email form to tell us what is going on in Iraq and this is
invaluable in reporting the story from a country where it is
increasingly difficult for reporters to reach all areas. We do accept
the use of the word "troop movements" was not appropriate. We actually
meant to seek out comment and eye-witness views, not anything which
would in the slightest way have a military implication. We are sorry if
there was some confusion in this. The postform has since been removed.

We hope this answers your complaint. Thank you for contacting us.

BBC News Online

And how do they know that the replies they receive are from Iraq, representing the opinion of an average Iraqi on the street? Sounds like an open invitation for some disinformation. What has happened to professional journalism? (or is that an oxymoron??)

I filled in a BBC complaints form not that I think it will do much good seeing as after you fill it all in it said;

"Thank you for your feedback unfortunately due to the number of emails we receive we cannot promise to reply to every one we receive"

So basically yeah complain but it will get you no where bloody fcuking fast