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THE Liverpool Culture Company is to submit a formal complaint about a BBC programme which examined a series of failings in the run-up to the 2008 celebrations.
Phil Redmond, newly-appointed deputy chairman, said the half-hour programme, Inside Out, was unbalanced and did not give a full account of the “positives”.
Last night, the BBC said it was supportive of the Capital of Culture and already had programmes planned dedicated to the city.
Inside Out, broadcast on Wednesday night, highlighted a number of embarrassing fiascos, including the recent debacle over the Mathew Street Festival.
There was also an inter- view with former events manager, Lee Forde, who is suing the council for constructive dismissal.
Mr Redmond, Mersey TV founder, was elevated to deputy chairman of the Culture Company last week following a slimming-down of the board in the wake of the Mathew Street debacle.
Since taking the position, he has appealed for community groups to get involved and for businesses to come forward with money to fund new schemes for next year.
Last night, Mr Redmond said: “Basically it’s all about balance, and the BBC did not get the balance of the story.
“They should have reflected the recent changes that have taken place, and they didn’t include some of the more positive stuff.”
The programme was broadcast across the North West, and Mr Redmond said the BBC had “perpetrated and compounded” misconceptions about the city.
“They have a responsibility to do a more corrective piece.
“I would like them to do a series of arts programmes that show what is going on in the Capital of Culture.”
A spokesman for the BBC said: “We have not as yet received a complaint from Phil Redmond, if and when we do we will of course look in to it fully.”
Source: Daily Post
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