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The BBC has confirmed that they will be moving forward with a donation to the Samaritans as a direct response to the concerns raised here. It is comforting to see our collective insistence on accountability lead to a tangible contribution for those who perform such vital work. Thank you for …

July 5, 2012

BBC - Dock Clarkson Salary Over 'Suicide' Comments and Donate It To The Samaritans.

BBC - Dock Clarkson Salary Over 'Suicide' Comments and Donate It To The Samaritans.

🏆 Won — 495 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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+485 more
Started by Anonymous 14 years, 8 months ago
On BBC1 early evening magazine show 'The One Show' on 30th November 2011, guest Jeremy Clarkson made the following remarks: ‘I do sometimes use the train to come to London but it always stops in Reading. It’s always because somebody has jumped in front of it and somebody has burst. ‘You just think, why have we stopped because we’ve hit somebody? What’s the point of stopping? It won’t make them better.’” These remarks are both irresponsible and insensitive, and made worse by the fact they were made during a family show at 7pm. Whether Mr Clarkson was 'joking' or not the effects of the comments cannot be underestimated when in 2009 alone 5675 people in the United Kingdom took their own lives. In a week in which we learned that a high profile sports star had tragically ended his life Mr Clarkson s remarks were decidedly distasteful. Suicide impacts on families, wives, husbands, parents and children left stunned and bewildered by the death of their loved one in such tragic circumstances, and it is time that the BBC took responsibility for the behaviour of the people to whom it pays very large salaries. It is proposed therefore that the BBC both reprimand Mr Clarkson and that they 'dock' his salary by a significant amount and donate it to the The Samaritans ( http://www.samaritans.org ) whose volunteers deal with callers every minute in emotional distress and contemplating suicide, and whose work in preventing death is phenomenal and understated. They have also produced a booklet 'Reducing Suicide at Railway Stations', which is an invaluable resource.

Updates

June 10, 2012

Reaching this number shows that many people agree the BBC has a responsibility to handle such sensitive topics with more care. I am grateful to see this conversation growing as more people recognize the importance of supporting organizations like The Samaritans.

Reached 250 supporters

June 8, 2012

March 3, 2012

The response to this petition has grown into a powerful collective expression of disappointment regarding those insensitive remarks. It is heartening to see so many people agree that professional accountability should be expected when public platforms are used in such a harmful way.

January 19, 2012

The feedback I have received underlines how deeply these comments hurt those who have navigated the pain of losing a loved one. I am currently preparing a formal inquiry to the BBC to ensure they understand the weight of the public disapproval regarding this incident.

Reached 100 supporters

December 4, 2011

6 Comments

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Emma Mendoza
14 years ago Featured

How insensitive can one person be seriously. People are hurting and he turns it into a joke on national tv. Shame on him.

P
Paul Saunders
14 years ago Featured

Total BS. If a normal person said that at their work they would be fired immediately. Why is he any different?

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Mark Frost
14 years ago Featured

Clarkson is a total disgrace. Think of how many families have suffered because of stuff like this. Dock his pay and put it to some actual good for once.

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Sarah Rahman
14 years ago Featured

Completely vile things to say. He has absolutely no filter and thinks he can say whatever he wants because of his ego. The BBC needs to stop rewarding this behavior with paychecks.

J
Julie Dunn
14 years ago Featured

Awful comments. My brother took his life and hearing this stuff on the tv is honestly just sickening. He needs to face some consequences.

D
David Kapoor
14 years ago Featured

Never liked him. He is arrogant and clearly lacks any empathy for others. Donate the money to samaritans they actually help people.

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