3 September 2007
Dear Dalek Snowdon
Thank you for your correspondence concerning the Prime television programme Doctor Who.
I regret that you have been offended by this show's depiction of your species. While it is true that carbon-based life-forms comprise most of Prime's viewership, we like to think we provide' equal opportunity viewing for s~ntient beings of all ages, races and genotypes planet-wide.
As Channel Manager for Prime I can assure you that mutant aliens (despotic maniacs or otherwise) form a valued part of the channel's viewing demographic. It is certainly far from our intention to antagonise any section of our audience.
However I must take issue with your interpretation of Doctor Who's depiction of Daleks and would argue that in fact the show has purposefully addressed misconceptions about the Dalek race, For example, the insulting and offensive stereotype of a Dalek being incapable of climbing stairs has been addressed quite decisively in the programme. Daleks are clearly acknowledged to be capable not only of climbing stairs, but also of levitating up stairs at high speed while shooting deadly laser beams at unarmed civilians.
As regards lodging a formal complaint on this matter, I would refer you to the Broadcasting Standard Authority's recent decision in the case 'Cybermen vs Prime Television', The complaint concerned Doctor Who's alleged bias against Cyberwomen and was laid under Standard 6, subsection 6g as follows:
Broadcasters should avoid portraying persons in programmes in a manner that encourages denigration of, or discrimination against, sections of the community on account of sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, or occupational status, or as a consequence of legitimate expression of religious, cultural or political beliefs.
The BSA refused to uphold the Cyberbeings' complaint, commenting that they felt it was 'a frivolous waste of time'. I believe your complaint would fall under the same BSA Standard concerning fairness and suggest that should you wish to take matters further, you should approach the BSA directly. Please note that due to the recent wholesale and bloody annihilation of the BSA by a party or , parties unknown, it may take some time for your complaint to be dealt with.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. Remember, it doesn't matter whether you are a biomechanical killing machine with fascistic leanings: as long as you have dollars to spend with our advertisers, your opinion matters to us here at Prime..
I would also like to ofter my best wishes for your participation in the Auckland Mayoral race. I trust that when you assume power you will remember us kindly and direct a considerable amount of public funding towards supporting Prime's broadcasting activities.
Yours sincerely
Karen Bieleski
Channel Manager Prime TV Sky Network Television |
