By Gavin Mackintosh-
Channel 4 representatives were very unprofessional when they tweeted a swear word to Piers Morgan.The broadcaster were supposedly providing incentives to get people donating to its Stand Up To Cancer campaign. The broadcaster had announced a set of rewards in a post on Twitter, telling followers they wanted to raise some “serious cash”. The rewards could be secured in exchange for donations of £5 all the way up to £1,000.
Channel 4 told its followers on twitter that it would follow anyone who parted with a fiver, while donations of a grand could get you a personal training session with SAS celebrity Jason Fox.The broadcaster then said it would personally insult Channel 4 on Twitter for a donation of £50.
This was very irresponsible of Channel 4 to do. A broadcaster should know much better than to encourage vulgar language on twitter. Twitter recently announced its plans to clean up its platform and encourage healthy conversations. Channel 4 would be expected to be fully aware of the steps being taken by twitter. Its decision to swear on twitter is a disgraceful act for any broadcaster to engage in.
Pears Morgan appeared not so bothered with the apparent insult since it was done as tongue in cheek. Morgan went as far as twitting other insults tweeted by Channel 4 including one which read: “Unfortunately our lawyers wouldn’t allow us to say you’re the single biggest wanker in the history of human civilization. But you’re in the top 1.”
Television Host: Piers Morgan
The fact Channel 4 has previously tweeted insults is shocking and disappointing. The broadcaster needs to raise its standards of conduct. This behaviour is extremely disappointing of a broadcaster. If Channel 4 want to be taken seriously , it must conduct itself in a respectable and professional manner. Broadcasters with representatives who do not know how to conduct themselves on a public platform might as well be seen as a front acting on the instructions of those above them just to sustain their existence and relevance in the media industry.
Guardian journalist Jessica Elgot expressed her disappointment with the tweet when she posted: “This @Channel4 thing is completely bizarre, why is a national broadcaster encouraging abusive language online? A lot of people have really lost the plot recently”. She is so right and should be commended. The broadcaster is acting like it has lost the plot, and needs to mend its ways quickly.
The Eye Of Media.Com approached Channel 4 on Friday for a comment about behaviour online. Unsurprisingly, they did not respond.