An Apology to Councillor Wallis

I would like to apologise to Devizes Town Councillor Iain Wallis for incorrect quotes in a spoof article concerning a BBC Wiltshire video we criticised earlier this week about the Crammer in Devizes drying up…

Gail was right in a comment, thank you for bringing it to my attention. Iain did not say that the water would return because the Crammer is centuries old. It was the reporter who said this. I watched the video with the sound muted and rushed a satirical spoof criticising the absurdity of the thought. It was foolish and wrong of me, and I am sorry to Iain.

I endeavour not to make mistakes in our reporting, even if it is satire, but sometimes, with the speed of social media, it is easy to misinterpretate such a post.

I stand by my notion that it was a non-story for clickbait from BBC Wiltshire, and issues of climate change should not be taken as lightly as the video in question did. But this was out of Iain’s hands, and, of course, he can not possibly be blamed.

I also continue to feel there’s a conservative bias in BBC Wiltshire reporting, which appears to favour sourcing Conservative spokespersons rather than finding alternatives who might be more suitable for the particular subject. Though Iain made the best of it, recounting the legend of the Moonrakers and mentioning the wildlife at The Crammer.

Oh, and I’m still tickled by the fact that the reporter looks like Borat!

But, seriously, the issue is a desperate affair and much bigger than the water levels in the Crammer. On issues such as this, Devizine will be willing to help publish and raise awareness of any information or schemes the public can do to help. But, I fear there’s little we can do, and that is frustrating. My coping method is to attempt to make some people laugh, as I believe laughter is the best medicine. But, if serious reporting is what it might take to get any message out there, let’s work together and do that too.

Thank you for your time, and I sincerely hope the apology will be accepted.