TV License, how to prove that I am not watching the TV?

leedsmodus

mjm3346 wrote: »

They could also say you watch live tv on the iplayer, either way they have to prove it (I am sure other people will advise you about not signing anything if they do turn up at your door).

live tv is recorded is it not on the iplayer, therefore not live

googler

nig3d wrote: »

All that said I want to be sure that I can actually prove that I am not watching the TV.

Is anyone asking you to 'prove' that you weren't involved in (say) Jimmy Savile's circle of friends? No.

Is anyone asking you to 'prove' that you weren't (say) involved in the late-night assault that may or may not have taken place in your town last night?

No, because the authorities, if they allege anything like the above, are required to PROVE your guilt beyond reasonable doubt. You're not obliged to prove the negative in the first instance, they are required to prove the positive.

Buzby

leedsmodus wrote: »

live tv is recorded is it not on the iplayer, therefore not live

The OP is correct. It is possible to stream programmes on iPlayer 'as live' and would require a valid licence to view legally. Only non-streamed content (ie 'Catch Up') is exempt.

As to the original question - it was Parliament who came up with the model currently n force. There is regular debate on whether this should continue in its present form. A letter to your MP requesting support for change would at least be doing something.

Buzby

googler wrote: »

Is anyone asking you to 'prove' that you weren't involved in (say) Jimmy Savile's circle of friends? No.

Is anyone asking you to 'prove' that you weren't (say) involved in the late-night assault that may or may not have taken place in your town last night?

No, because the authorities, if they allege anything like the above, are required to PROVE your guilt beyond reasonable doubt. You're not obliged to prove the negative in the first instance, they are required to prove the positive.

They still have to prove beyond reasonable doubt (this remains a criminal conviction). What you appear to b complaining of is the supposition that the potential offender is indeed doing as suspected. Bearing in mind over 90% of homes have a TV, this is a reasonable assumption under the circumstances, less so if it was 40 per cent or less.

Swipe

Just bin the letters unopened and close the door without saying anything if anyone from TVL calls. It really is that simple.

Cornucopia

Buzby wrote: »

They still have to prove beyond reasonable doubt (this remains a criminal conviction). What you appear to b complaining of is the supposition that the potential offender is indeed doing as suspected. Bearing in mind over 90% of homes have a TV, this is a reasonable assumption under the circumstances, less so if it was 40 per cent or less.

This doesn't really address the issue.

It's not a question of whether BBC/TVL are statistically suspicious - but of whether they have evidence (or reasonable suspicion) about a specific individual without a licence, based on that person's responses or behaviour. Anything less than that basic principle of law takes us back to feudal legal standards.

I agree with your previous post, though, it is only MPs that have a hope of changing the BBC's behaviour in this issue. I would suggest that anyone who doesn't like the BBC/TVL presumptions and the way that they undermine basic legal principles writes to their MP accordingly.

I have.

whiteswan

I filled in the online form and also wrote and emailed them - and still they knocked at my door.....so I withdrew their "implied right of access" to my property by writing them a letter and sending it recorded delivery.

No visits since.

"There is an implied right of access for certain visitors to your property. For example, having a letterbox means that you accept people will deliver things and the presence of a door bell indicates you're open to callers.

You can withdraw TV Licensing's implied right of access by writing to them and saying so. If they ignore your request they'd be trespassing on your property and liable to civil prosecution and negative publicity.

A recent BBC Freedom of Information Act disclosure has indicated that TV Licensing will comply with any withdrawal of implied rights of access. However, if you're committing an offence and are detected (e.g. television receiving equipment is seen or heard) from beyond the boundary of your property then TV Licensing might have grounds for obtaining a search warrant."

Dave

Reue

I have a pile of about 30 letters now from them, plus the 3 'inspections' theyve attempt to do on my property (all refused access). If only it wasnt tax-payer funded i'd be happy to continue wasting their time.