Like lowfat said, the majority of JF quotes have been removed: BBC - Search results for jim ferguson

The only one remaining quote (from an article on 25/10/12) is "Aviation writer Jim Ferguson said: "What is now of some considerable concern is how many other shafts may have the same problem." He said there could potentially be long-term "serious disruption" for the industry."

Which, to be fair, are both very valid points. (But, please don't construe this as me trying to defend the man. Everything else that he has said has been :mad::mad:).

Whenever there is a serious incident the media invariably call me as my number is on the helicopter safety website.

I was called yesterday by a gentleman from the BBC who wanted to interview someone from Helicopter Safety about the incident, as usual I politely declined.

I took the opportunity to question why they use Jim Ferguson as an 'Aviation Expert' (the words were a little bit shorter and may be have been a bit less complimentary), when members of the helicopter community who know a lot more than he does , do not consider themselves subject matter experts.

The journalist concerned did indicate he was 'aware' of Jim Ferguson and had heard some recent questions on the quality of his information.

As is your right.... But "who" should they call......?

Maybe this is an opportunity for you professionals in the UK to maybe appoint a spokesperson and "recommend" that person to the relative news agencies. Seems like nobody likes JF, so take the bull by the horns and appoint someone.

The media and offshore workers are desperate to hear some news or expert opinion after these events.

I know after these incidents it is impossible for the helicopter operators to comment until all the facts are known which inevitably leads to a period of silence.

Maybe it's time someone from the helicopter safety group was made available to comment / provide technical expertise in the days following these incidents?

Of course in an ideal world these accidents wouldn't happen and Jim wouldn't be needed!!!!

Gordy

I always recommend they talk to the BHA and provide them
With contact details, this was after agreement between myself and their chief exec after the REDL crash in 2009.

All of the companies affected by the recent north sea incidents are members and I still think this makes sense.

I am always loathe to speak to journalists about stuff I cannot speak with authority on, especially as I sometimes get given sensitive information which is not for sharing with them and do not wish to lose any trust which has been established in past years.

I think the current arrangement works, I am open to opinion about a better way to deal with enquiries.

The incumbent chairman / president or CEO or appointed delegate of an appropriately incorporated body representing the interests of its members and is large enough to claim representative clout is always the way to go.Large enough in this country is better than 10% of its industry.

Such people should have media training to enable their clean replies.

That's how we do it in another industry over here and such should be asserted to editor's in chief of major newspapers. Past presidents or members etc always refer nosy reporters back to the correct delegate.

That is how CASA does it, one person only does all the media work.

It's certainly no use complaining about other misrepresentation, get in there and claim your stake, with a legal letter to back it up if necessary.

cheers tet

Dear .....


Thank you for your telephone call. Your comments were passed to the Head of News and Current Affairs, who has asked that I forward his response as follows:


"Thank you for being in touch about our programmes, and in particular our use of the aviation writer, Jim Ferguson.


We take very seriously our obligation to be fair and accurate in our reporting, and we value your thoughts on our output.


First, as a general point, we make every effort to distinguish between our reporting of the facts of a story, and the analysis or interpretation, whether by correspondents or external contributors. We also strive to ensure that these are fair and accurate.


In our reporting of the particular story of the recent helicopter ditching in the North Sea, we have made extensive use of interviews with key figures in the industry and the relevant trade unions. At all times we have tried to obtain interviews with people who have the most direct knowledge of the subject.


We have turned to this particular contributor especially for interpretation of the events surrounding the initial controlled landing of the aircraft, and the early stages of analysis of the significant implications of the AAIB report on the incident.


In our reporting of the story, we have not misrepresented the background of this contributor. He has been introduced as "an aviation writer", rather than as an "expert" in the field. He remains a frequent contributor to a wide range of other broadcast and print media organisations. He has been writing on the aviation industry for 40 years. This period spanned 30 years as North Sea/ Scottish Correspondent for "Aviation News", 25 years as UK/ North Sea Correspondent for "Rotor and Wing", and 20 years as Scottish/ North Sea Correspondent for "Flight International".


We are committed to expanding our base of informed contributors to news developments in this vital industry. We would welcome discussions with potential interviewees who have specialist knowledge, and are prepared to comment at short notice on major incidents. If you feel you can help with this, please contact our Managing Editor for the North East and North Isles, Sandy Bremner, in the first instance. His email address is [email protected]


If you would like to comment on a developing story regarding the offshore helicopter industry, please contact our news team in Aberdeen at [email protected] AND our online service at [email protected]


Thank you, once again, for taking the time to contact us.”


Details of the BBC complaints process are available online at BBC - Complaints - What happens to your complaint


Kind Regards


Patrick McManus

BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

exact cut and paste of what they sent me... :rolleyes:

Veeany
If everyone politely refuses the press will use anyone who will give their views

Steve

Rather typical of the arrogance of the BBC which in the current climate seems a little ironic.

'Writer' v 'Expert'
 

Does Joe Public really notice the difference when the weight of the BBC is behind the publishing of his tosh.

:ugh:

G.

That's the key.

The same problem exists elsewhere. If experienced practitioners exercise their professional judgement so as to avoid making public statements, then inevitably, the result can be mediocre, and occasionally worse, since media officers and journos are not usually experienced in the subject matter.

Directing the press to sources such as ARCC, AAIB and CAA, where the best available factual details may be available, is about the best that can be done if nobody is willing to step forward out of the gloom.

Hurray for Jim Ferguson!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Oh joy.

Now Jim Ferguson is being interviewed on BBC national news. :{

Thoughts for those involved, sad day.

However, if it wasn't so tragic it would be laughable the utter, utter sh!te the news presenters are talking. (asking random non pilot witness about helo approach procedures FFS)

Reporting
 

Tragic news and my heartfelt condolences go out to all involved.

I have seen some mentalist, un-informed reporting in my years but some of these stories are stunning. Just looked up this Aviation Expert Chris Yates and I don't know how we have ever managed without his insight. His piece on the Hudson River crash is a marvel of expertise and knowledge.

I am just waiting for the headline in the Murdoch press that this was an attempted Al-Qaeda attack on the American Embassy however no-one informed them of being incomplete.

Ken Livingston and various MP's should just shut their faces and spare a thought for the people injured and lost their lives and actually praise the response this morning.

More important things this morning than their useless bile.

Dermot Murnaghan on Sky seems to be beside himself with excitement, apparently delighted that this incident has happened during his shift. He is treating the whole incident with what appears to be a fair degree of light-heartedness. You would never think, listening to him and his colleagues, that two people had lost their lives and others are injured, some seriously.

Journalists are a disgusting collection of people.

500 Fan.

Without wishing to thread creep.. But in the case of Rather than vilify these guys for their lack of knowledge, would it not be better to educate them and help improve their ability to report facts?? Would that perhaps better serve the memory of the Pilot, who will mostly be known for whatever the press portray??

Just a thought.

Argh Jim Furgesson
 

BBC have rolled out that window licker on the lunch time news... I thought they stopped using him.

Commiserations to all involved.

JF will know the square root of F - all about helicopter ops in the Battersea area. :ugh: