TV Licence article Discussion

[Deleted User]

TheGardenGnome wrote: »

I was recently summonsed to appear in 'court' for not having a TV license after my wife foolishly engaged one of Capita's goons at the front door before Christmas (I was out at the time) and she signed the 'confession-a-gram' form to say we were unlicensed after she had been cautioned by the goon.

This doesn't sound right.

If your wife signed, the summons would be in her name, not yours.

Cornucopia

Perhaps that's why it was dropped (wife signed husband's name on the form).

Cornucopia

TheGardenGnome wrote: »

A huge proportion of these cases (and council tax arrears) are heard in side rooms of court buildings that are hired out by TV Licensing in order to give some credibility to their scam. Remember your summons states quite clearly that you are to appear in front of magistrates, not some clown from TVL in an office.

Do you have any evidence of this, as it would be quite a serious issue.

I have sat in the public gallery at 3 TVL hearings (well, actually about 83, since one session was one of the mass prosecutions). I can assure everyone that the Magistrates were alive and well at each of those hearings, members of the public were welcome to view the proceedings, and defendants had every opportunity to go along and either defend themselves or state mitigation.

I agree that every defendant should try to do that, but I guess some people can't be bothered and assume that there is no point.

slow_saver

The worry is that we will lose the BBC because of the rules about watching TV. I used to loathe the licence, but now pay it happily for the TV & radio I receive. The laws need changing fast because if the beeb goes we really will be left with shed loads of dross.

cw18

slow_saver wrote: »

The laws need changing fast because if the beeb goes we really will be left with shed loads of dross.

I'll think you'll find some of us (I'm sure I'm not the only one) think the BBC is a load of dross now - that's why we don't pay for a licence. I'd rather give it all up than support a company I don't think provides what it claims to.


I concede that they USED to make good programmes, but I've not seen anything new I've enjoyed in over 10 years.

Cornucopia

slow_saver wrote: »

The worry is that we will lose the BBC because of the rules about watching TV. I used to loathe the licence, but now pay it happily for the TV & radio I receive. The laws need changing fast because if the beeb goes we really will be left with shed loads of dross.

The problem is the BBC's own attitude. How many millions of people has it offended or upset through its arrogance with regards to Licence Fee enforcement?

The Laws need fixing, yes, but to protect us and our rights from the BBC and its hired henchpeople.

TheGardenGnome

I referred to the summons as 'I' simply because it was me who would have defended my wife in court acting as a 'McKenzie Friend' but yes, the summons was in her name as she signed the 'confession-a-gram'.

Apologies for any confusion!

slow_saver

cw18 wrote: »

I'll think you'll find some of us (I'm sure I'm not the only one) think the BBC is a load of dross now - that's why we don't pay for a licence. I'd rather give it all up than support a company I don't think provides what it claims to.


I concede that they USED to make good programmes, but I've not seen anything new I've enjoyed in over 10 years.

Everyone says that when they don't agree with the licence fee... But can you honestly say you NEVER watch anything made by the BBC, or you never listen to BBC radio including local radio?
I dodged the licence for years until I got caught, but it was after listening to Radio 2 I realised that I'm actually enjoying the shows & I've always paid since! My whole attitude has now changed when seeing the offerings from SKY, ITV etc... They are producing some awful shows... As long as MOTD is on the BEEB I'm happy paying up!

sniggings

slow_saver wrote: »

you never listen to BBC radio including local radio?
but it was after listening to Radio 2 I realised that I'm actually enjoying the shows & I've always paid since! !

You don't need a licence for the radio :doh:

[Deleted User]

slow_saver wrote: »

The laws need changing fast because if the beeb goes we really will be left with shed loads of dross.

We've already got shed loads of dross. All closing the BBC will do, is reduce the size of the shed load.