Who are these secretive bloggers?

Via Secular Blasphemy I read this article by the deputy editor of the BBC's Newsnight (ironically a blog item), warning bloggers that the BBC reads blog posts about the BBC. Apparently some bloggers have been surprised that people other than their friends can read their blogs, and have reacted badly when some BBC honcho comments on their blog:

I recently came across a comment claiming Jeremy disliked recording his weekly podcast. I posted a response and the blogger seemed appalled - "the BBC's watching us - spooky" was his reply. But if you write something about us on the internet surely I have every right to read it and respond - that's not spooky.

I have to say I find this a little hard to believe. Most bloggers are interested in finding ways to drive more traffic to their site, and if they worry about anything it’s that no one but their friends will read their blogs. Still, it’s good to know BBC writers read what we write about them. Perhaps one of them will read one of my many articles on how BBC science reporting is quackery, with uncritical reporting on acupuncture and the like. Perhaps they will decide to actually read the studies they are reporting on and stop writing headlines such as Acupuncture 'more than a placebo' when the study shows no such thing. Do you think?  No, nor do I really. But I await with interest the BBC reporters’ comments on those posts. BBC: let’s see what you got.

Comments

[BronzeDog]

I think I'll take a whack at guessing what they'll say.

The BBC is all about reporting both sides of an argument. You're really closed-minded for not just blindly agreeing with us. There are many people who claim benefits from this stuff, but we're not going to bother mentioning people who don't get any benefit from it. You just have to respect their unverifiable beliefs. It's not our job to find the truth, just to pass on what people tell us, no matter how implausible. Science doesn't know everything, therefore it obviously knows nothing. Why do you have to complicate things by searching for verifiable facts? People have believed this stuff for thousands of years. Who are you to question them? This stuff is all-natural, so it's got to be better. It's also very advanced, since it involves quantum stuff. This stuff is endorsed by really educated people, who you laugh at, just like they did for Galileo. You're persecuting them with your negativity and arrogant worldview.

[Babbler]

What did you expect from the country of £131.50 TV licence and CCTV?

[Jan Haugland]

Good points there. He hasn't answered me either. Why am I not surprised?