BBC Trust

Not a gay ringtone this time, but a gay car.

Dismissing a complaint about Chis Moyles the five member Governors' Programme Complaints Committee said 'gay', in addition to being used to mean 'homosexual' or 'carefree', was often now used to mean 'lame' or 'rubbish'. This is a widespread current usage of the word amongst young people. The Committee was familiar with hearing this word in this context. In broadcasting to an audience of predominantly young people, it was to be expected that Chris Moyles (age 32) would use expressions and words which the listeners used themselves. The Committee believed that, in describing a ring tone as 'gay', Chris Moyles was conveying that he thought it was 'rubbish'.

And last Sunday Jeremy Clarkson (46), without fear of being censured by BBC bosses, agreed with someone who thought a car was gay. And then Clarkson went on to say it was a bit 'ginger beer' (= queer).

So it's nice to think that the BBC governors are leaving the BBC at the end of this year, and the BBC Trust will take over!

But hold on, just what is the BBC Trust and who runs it. Like all trusts it has trustees. And guess what - Richard Tait, the Chair of that five member gay=rubbish committee was one of the very first people appointed to the new BBC Trust.

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport is finalising the BBC's Charter, and the Secretary of State appoints the new trustees.

How can we be sure that we can trust the BBC in future? Let's see if the DCMS reply to my enquiry.