The BBC used to shun artist who tried to mention products or advertise slyly i.e. give a plug, yet it does seem that since Terry Wogan had his chat show, it became the norm to plug stuff even though it goes against the institutions rules from the very inception.
I would like to see a governor who made certain they all followed the rules and constitution of the BBC and began shunning those who broke those plugging rules once again.
The BBC can speak of factual things such a Facebook because these entities exist in every day life and are part and parcel of the modern media i.e. people relate to Facebook as they would a directory.
You make a very valid point. Virtually every program encourages tweeting and quotes a # address, and Facebook similarly. The BBC never accepts blame for anything, so they would probably say that they are just making it easier for the public to interact and get in touch. However, I think there is a very good argument that they shouldn't be doing this, as it does benefit those specific companies, which are private commercial businesses.
EDIT They are encouraging the use of these sites. That IS promoting them.
Every business or product ever mentioned or pictured is effectively getting free publicity, promotion typically involves some active endorsement.
Unfortunately since American Public Television lost a great part of it's government funding, it has resorted to showing sponsor messages at the beginning of the hour, but don't have the more annoying 15 minute interval commercial breaks of commercial television.
BBC merely mention facebook or twitter in its news. It does NOT promote those sites nor does it advertise them.
because it would be a bit odd if they simply could not mention any company name or product, ever.
They are not allowed to deliberately promote, ie advertise, but talking about it in context within a story or suchlike is not promoting it.
Then how does it talk about Facebook and twitter????
