Free the BBC (from Twitter)

We, the undersigned are BBC shareholders - we pay a licence fee as is required by law and it has come to our attention that the BBC, is making extensive use of and, in effect, promoting two major social networking sites at the public's expense.

The BBC is required not to give undue prominence to any product or service without editorial justification or to receive payment (direct or in kind) from the same.

Extensive reporting on issues surrounding Twitter and Facebook have become a daily occurrence at the BBC and even extend so users of both sites are integrated with the flagship iPlayer which licence fee payers have funded. Technology reporters in particular have become lazy in relying upon these dubious sources for stories.

We appreciate the BBC is duty bound to give us a service which represents good value for money but also believe that undue and unjustified prominence has been given to just two privately owned Internet-based corporations. In effect, giving them a boost at the expense of all the others. This represents bias.

Furthermore we also consider that the BBC does not appreciate the lack of privacy afforded to its younger users by encouraging passive use of Twitter and Facebook - particularly on the flagship iPlayer - and that this is a serious breach of trust.

We respect the right of the independent broadcasters to use social networking as they see fit but require the BBC, as a public broadcaster, to immediately close all accounts with all social networking sites and to prohibit the use of non-generic terms by broadcast staff. Furthermore, all reference to the above named sites to be expunged from the public record, removed or replaced with generic terms.

This is not only in the public interest in fulfilling the BBC's obligation to remain impartial, but it also requires the BBC to make better use of our money and not be party to the promotion of a private company.

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