Jonathan Head of the Beeb

[caller]

I've read a few adverse comments about this guy's reporting recently and I'm a bit confused about the issues?

Is it the accuracy of his reporting or what he is reporting?

I really don't watch much TV news, but caught him this evening on the nightclub fire. He questioned the reality of safety standards, which I would have thought fair enough? But apart from that I've only read his pieces, usually from the web. Again, I can't think of anything that was so bad?

What are the concerns?

(Mods - not sure where this should sit, please move as appropriate)

[redzonerocker]

should be on the original thread i would guess, which is where i have responded
i'm sure the mods will move if necessary.

[Nereus]

I've read a few adverse comments about this guy's reporting recently and I'm a bit confused about the issues?
Is it the accuracy of his reporting or what he is reporting?
I really don't watch much TV news, but caught him this evening on the nightclub fire. He questioned the reality of safety standards, which I would have thought fair enough? But apart from that I've only read his pieces, usually from the web. Again, I can't think of anything that was so bad?
What are the concerns?
(Mods - not sure where this should sit, please move as appropriate)

I too question just what the problem is with this particular report.
It appears that he has reported the facts as best as he was able to determine. And anybody that lives here will know how difficult it is to get to the truth, especially with something this serious. His comments concerning the enforcement of regulations is also well known to anybody that lives here. A point in fact is the various local reports about how many exits the place had.

If you want to take a shot at the BBC, and I am not a great fan of ANY reporter, then take them to task over that ridiculous women reporter, Lyse Doucet (sp). Just what language does she jabber in? I suppose that her inclusion is just another example of PC, but the BBC for years has been the epitome of all things British, and a leading example of how the English language should be spoken.

[Chas]

Nereus, I think the issue was more that Thailand did not need more bad press from any quarter. . rather than the BBC hyping anything.

I havent seen the specific report, but the issues you mention are valid ones and are things that any reporter should be checking and reporting on in the aftermath of something like this.

I find interesting that nobody knows who the owner is. Frankly, I'd like to see this person in handcuffs being sentenced by a judge. . like those Chinese dairy owners responsible for killing and maiming babies with melamine. (Hanging is too good for them.)

I still think the reporting of the CNN guy here leaves a lot to be desired. His running headline a few months ago before the airport fiasco. ."Thailand in Chaos!"

I wonder about that Lyse reporter too. She has both a strange accent and a strange hairdo.

[Nereus]

Nereus, I think the issue was more that Thailand did not need more bad press from any quarter. . rather than the BBC hyping anything.

I havent seen the specific report, but the issues you mention are valid ones and are things that any reporter should be checking and reporting on in the aftermath of something like this.

I find interesting that nobody knows who the owner is. Frankly, I'd like to see this person in handcuffs being sentenced by a judge. . like those Chinese dairy owners responsible for killing and maiming babies with melamine. (Hanging is too good for them.)

I still think the reporting of the CNN guy here leaves a lot to be desired. His running headline a few months ago before the airport fiasco. ."Thailand in Chaos!"

I wonder about that Lyse reporter too. She has both a strange accent and a strange hairdo.

Yes, I agree Chas, Thailand does not need any more bad press. But it is hardly the fault of the reporter, and I fail to see any sensationalism on his part.

I am sure that the authorities known very well who the owner is, but like the bus driver, he appears to have fled the scene!

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... es-61-dead

[lomuamart]

I shan't forget a time when he was trying to report about yet another political fiasco (about 6 months ago) and he said it was so difficult to report about current affairs in Thailand. At the time (and still now) he has a lese majestie charge outstanding. Both he and the BBC vehemently deny the charge.
I reckon he does a pretty decent job, given the shackles all journalists are placed in over here.

[caller]

That's interesting Lomu, maybe that has to do with what he has written on the beeb website that can of course, be viewed in LOS.

[lomuamart]

That's interesting Lomu, maybe that has to do with what he has written on the beeb website that can of course, be viewed in LOS.

Exactly. And he's still here trying to report.

[Super Joe]

I thought he was understating things. Some of the converted 'underground' dance clubs in Bangkok have one 80cm door as the only way in and out.

SJ

[margaretcarnes]

I agree with Chas - that Thailand really doesn't need more bad press. Watching the news of the tragic fire unfold on the news here in England was bad enough, without hearing his comments.
Yesterday he went one stage further, stating that '100's of other' Bangkok clubs had safety issues. This I can't deny or dispute, and I agree it is a terrible indictment of the Thai attitude towards safety in general that people continue to die in what we, as westerners, see as totally avoidable ways. Whether by fire, explosions, road kill, or on building sites.
But WE know that nothing will change overnight.
Presumably Jonathan Head, as the BBCs main reporter in Bangkok, is trusted by his employer to provide informed and authoritative news, which I doubt few at the BBCs headquarters will be in a position to question.
But he does seem to be a loose cannon at the moment. I thought his coverage of the airport occupations was fair, but would like to know what gives him the authority, or first hand knowledge, to make such sweeping statements about the safety of hundreds of Bangkok venues. It seems like a one man campaign to throw Bangkok into total disrepute around the world.
True or not, I think his comments could have focussed more on the human tragedy rather than immediately starting to wage his campaign in a way which can only alienate him to the Thai authorities. If he does indeed have proof to back up his claims, there must be more subtle and effective ways to raise awareness and bring about change.

[PeteC]

He may be going more on history than current day facts, or he has done current research. In all instances the Thai authorities react rather than plan. Once an incident is over and forgotten, rarely do they put permanent plans in place to prevent a recurrence. You see some headlines of 'inspections everywhere' and it lasts for a few weeks and disappears.

There are also many past tragedy's with hotels and clubs where fire doors have been chained shut to stop people from running without paying. Even today if you go into the firestairs of some establishments you'll see the emergency doors locked and chained, or blocked with boxes of supplies.

So, if he is talking history he is correct. However, maybe he has done some inspections of other places within the last few days? Pete

[Big Boy]

I really don't see what the problem is. He is obviously comparing Thailand with H&S regulations in the UK. It is a fact that Thailand is not so stringent, but it's Thailand.

We all know the frailties of Thai H&S regs, and we make allowances. As an example, there are several villages in the UK where they have removed all road markings. The theory being that if there are no markings, people will slow down - ultimately making them safer.

If there is a problem, he is not comparing like with like. Us veterans of Thailand acknowledge the low standards and react to compensate - this mitigates the risk (I think it was Sandman talking about trying to walk on Thai pavements a couple of days ago). The real danger is for the visitor coming to Thailand for the very first time - expecting UK standards. However, those same risks will exist in most of SE Asia.

At the end of the day SE Asia is not Europe. That is why most of us endure a 12 hour flight, rather than 2 to 4 hours for a European destination.

Maybe they need a Thai reporter to visit the UK and rubbish H&S standards as being way too stringent. Understudy???

Jonathan Head is doing a good job by mitigating in the only way he can = by making people aware. OK, some people may decide not to travel, but those that do, should be a bit more careful. If they're not, they've only got themselves to blame.

[Khundon1975]

I shan't forget a time when he was trying to report about yet another political fiasco (about 6 months ago) and he said it was so difficult to report about current affairs in Thailand. At the time (and still now) he has a lese majestie charge outstanding. Both he and the BBC vehemently deny the charge.
I reckon he does a pretty decent job, given the shackles all journalists are placed in over here.

Lomuamart
I feel that your point ref Lese Majestie is behind his problems, I have read elsewhere, that a Colonel has tried to lay charges against him, twice.

Very difficult for any journalists here these days, maybe due to some International papers/Tv stations hypeing up stories.