Voice of the Listener and Viewer

The Independent today has an article about a media pressure group called the Voice of the Listener and Viewer. Founded by septuagenarian Jocelyn Hay in 1983, it actually has some clout, although it is not concerned with censorship.

The article is interesting for the insight it gives into how John Beyer’s Mediawatch-UK is regarded by senior figures the BBC. Talking about Mary Whitehouse, the founder of the original National Views and Listeners Association (now Mediawatch-UK), a BBC manager is quoted as saying,

Whitehouse was charismatic and she gave a voice to a lot of people who felt they were not being listened to. Jocelyn Hay is attractive and charismatic. The difference is that she is intelligent, she is not a rentaquote and she can do business at the top table. Mediawatch can’t do that.

Oof. That’s gotta hurt.


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