Ban the TV Licence

Cornucopia

drbraindead wrote: »

So, it seems some people have told them they do not need a licence and have not been bothered.

Then others have had threatening actions against them.

But what is the best plan of action?

It's easy to imagine TVL as a legitimate organisation that is fairly run and within which every member of staff plays fair. Unfortunately, there is plenty of evidence that demonstrates otherwise.

I would describe them as a rogue organisation operating just within or just outside the Law, who fail to recognise the weaknesses in their own processes such that a small number of rogue employees break the rules with impunity (not that the rules were that great to start with).

What is needed is a fundamental re-alignment of TVL to legal/moral principles. In this country, the powers that be do not make random checks of possible law-breaking - especially not within people's homes. This is a long-standing principle in Common Law and now forms Article 8 of the Human Rights Act. For various reasons, the BBC believes that this does not apply to them. The Law needs resolving one way or the other. The notion that a major public body can roam the country ambivalent to such an important legal principle is not acceptable.

Moving on from there, there needs to be proper supervision of the TVL field staff to ensure that there are no breaches of the rules or the Law. The position of TVL/BBC management is that such supervision is strictly limited at the moment is not acceptable, and is not (IMHO) an adequate response to achieving due diligence on issues of privacy or the gathering and recording of evidence for Court.

Whilst these deficiencies exist, there are only two sensible options for those with no need of a licence: no contact or the use of a legal device to ban the TVL operation from one's home.

The currently recommended (by me) legal devices are: Capita-specific WOIRA or the invocation of Article 8 rights.

(As an aside, the fact that such legal strategies exist demonstrates TVL/BBC's weak legal position).

trets77

things may be a changing in the near future.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26492684

my biggest complaint is the amount of money wasted in enforcement. Given the government cannot find money for the things that actual effect peoples lives and homes (flood defences for example) yet spends many millions on this.

Add it to the council tax, subject it to the free market, or make it impossible to access BBC TV content without paying but stop wasting money spying and making people criminals.

drbraindead

trets77 wrote: »

things may be a changing in the near future.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26492684

my biggest complaint is the amount of money wasted in enforcement. Given the government cannot find money for the things that actual effect peoples lives and homes (flood defences for example) yet spends many millions on this.

Add it to the council tax, subject it to the free market, or make it impossible to access BBC TV content without paying but stop wasting money spying and making people criminals.

Just heard about this also. This "offence" should not be a crime in the first place.

cw18

I heard it on the 8am news, and think that it's about time this changed to civil (like parking) rather than criminal.

Kernow666

i looked at what i watched on BBC over the last week and the only thing i watched was my local news at 18:30 3 episodes of pointless and graham norton , there isnt anything else i really watch

mummyroysof3

The only thing I watch on bbc is the voice. Intact I don't watch any normal tv channels just sky ones and I have no Ariel on my roof.

shazzablue

The issues for me are not being given the choice on wether I want bbc or not,basically your having this and you,ll pay.can a block not be put on bbc services?

[Deleted User]

cw18 wrote: »

I heard it on the 8am news, and think that it's about time this changed to civil (like parking) rather than criminal.

It's hard enough for the LLF to get justice in a criminal court.

It'll be all but impossible in a civil court.

skitler

shazzablue wrote: »

.can a block not be put on bbc services?

of course it can, just like sky and cable do. but why should they when folk pay them anyway.


if everybody stopped paying, then its all over.


but folk are selfish, and will still pay till they see others not getting fined as there too scared to keep the moral ground in fear.


there is no such thing as all for 1 and 1 for all in this country.


the british fighting spirit is lost, if ww11 was happening now then everyone in this country would be waiting for others to sort it out and not get involved.


ive never ever paid it, and never will.


how many will stop paying due to this thread, ill wager non.

skint_explorer

What a bunch of loosers, people with 2 homes and Rich people should be taxed more HUH ?? I bet most of you have a telly in everyroom in the house, and lets not forget your 50" paid by the dole in the lounge. I am sick to death that the "Poor" think they can get everything on the Free.

For everyones information, Its a LICENCE TO RECIEVE, so be it Channel Cabbage, or you watching TV via the Internet, YOU are Still watching and RECEIVING.