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How to devalue a conversation- Woman's Hour

(14 Posts)
NotSpaghetti Wed 28-Jun-23 10:33:27

The way the new-ish presenter of Woman's Hour jabs the word allegedly into so many conversations, is, I feel, rather poor and pretty thoughtless.

It sounds disempowering and seems to undermine the discussions - as though the person isn't entirely trustworthy.
Most of us realise that this is one person's story and whilst the presenter can't say it's 100% fact they could find a better way to say that the other side of the story is out there!

She keeps on doing it and I find it really irritating and rather demeaning.
The presenter has such a lovely voice too... but I keep on having to switch her off.

We all know there has to be balance and if someone is discussing being groped for example I think it would be better to say "of course he has denied the charges" (or whatever) rather than use the word "allegedly" quite so often - poking it, as she does in mid sentence - interrupting, as though they are challenging the person being interviewed.

Am I over reading this or have others noticed this "jabby" (and not-so-great) way of saying this is what someone says happened to her?

welbeck Wed 28-Jun-23 10:41:28

i'm sure it's what they have been told to ensure, for legal reasons, by the bbc.
also the bbc has to always be balanced, and its presenters are meant to be neutral, in a way that commercial stations don't have to be.
see how many presenters who left bbc, enjoy saying what they really feel about a subject once they have moved to a commercial station.
so i understand your point, but i don't blame this presenter, and i much prefer her to the abrasive person, ? bennet/ barrett ?

Luckygirl3 Wed 28-Jun-23 10:50:27

I agree it's a legal thing - BEEB covering its back.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 28-Jun-23 10:54:16

It is for legal reasons. To avoid a defamation action.

NotSpaghetti Wed 28-Jun-23 10:57:03

I know why they do it (and have done it for years) but it's the way This person does it that I find rather disrespectful to be honest.

Maybe I am the only one who feels this - or even has noticed.

Callistemon21 Wed 28-Jun-23 10:58:14

It is used in discussions in the media because to state something as an unproven fact could prejudice any possible prosecution and court case.

NotSpaghetti Wed 28-Jun-23 11:03:23

I know this.

There are ways of being correct without doing it this way.
That's all.

I'm obviously out on a limb here.
No one rose seems to have noticed this style of being legally accurate.

This is obviously a non-issue for most of you! [Grin]

NotSpaghetti Wed 28-Jun-23 11:03:59

*else - not rose 🙄

Callistemon21 Wed 28-Jun-23 11:19:29

I'm obviously out on a limb here

I'll admit I haven't heard her, I was just explaining why she might keep saying it.
🙂

Doodledog Wed 28-Jun-23 11:34:33

I think you've made it clear that you understand why it's happening, NS, and are reacting to the manner in which it's done. smile

I tend to only hear Weekend WH these days, but will listen out for it on Saturday. I can see why it would be annoying though - I find it irritating when people interject with 'in your opinion', as though that doesn't go without saying, and this sounds as though it will be the same sort of thing.

NotSpaghetti Wed 28-Jun-23 15:06:31

Yes, I feel it's exactly that sort of thing Doodledog

Sidelined Wed 28-Jun-23 15:36:59

I don’t listen to the radio but have some sympathies, NotSpagetti. It’s that lazy repetition of the same phrase! Maddening! I said the same here about gardening helping with mental health issues - it wasn’t the activity that irritates but the overuse of the phrase, a short-cut term for lazy presenters. My post was received as a comment on gardening. Probably me… grin

Grantanow Sun 16-Jul-23 09:55:04

It's essential for the BBC (1) to maintain a neutral stance as a public service broadcaster (not required of commercial TV or the press), and (2) to fend off libel suits (which would, if successful, have be paid from the licence fee). Applies also to Channel 4 though they are funded by advertising revenue.

NotSpaghetti Sun 16-Jul-23 09:59:41

At the risk of repeating myself, Grantanow
There are ways of being correct and preventing court cases etc without doing it this way and sounding so dismissive.
It is new with this presenter.
That's all.