Protest and survive
Saturday, June 23, 2007 
The Radio 4 Today programme wants to interview Joe Jackson in Berlin, where he is recording a new album following his recent European tour. In particular, they want to record him playing his song 'In 20-0-3' which was released following the introduction of the New York smoking ban in, er, 2003.
I won't quote him direct but Joe is concerned that they just want some light entertainment to add colour to their coverage of the smoking ban and what he (a musician) has to say won't be taken seriously. I disagree. He may not be an 'expert' in the conventional sense but the fact that he is passionate and clearly knows his stuff forces people to sit up and listen. (I know journalists and MPs who would never read an 'official' policy document from cover to cover, but they have read Joe's essays on smoking.)
Of course, we can't control how the media presents our message but that's life. The important thing is to take every opportunity to get that message across. Sometimes we'll fail, other times we'll succeed. But you have to be a player. At the moment I'm the middle man between Joe and the BBC. If you'd like to hear Joe on the Today programme this week post a comment on this blog asap. It may convince him to do it.
Reader Comments (10)
That is a very difficult one Simon. I would love to hear Joe Jackson on the Today prog but only if it is live. Absolutely no way if it is a recorded interview. We are talking about the BBC here. It isn't as if they were impartial.
I think we should take every opportunity to speak publicly that comes up. Its not as if we are are getting "equal time" on this disgusting legislation. The only reason the ban is "working" in Scotland is because the press avoid the issue like genital warts.
FWIW, Go, Joe, Go!!
We badly need someone like you: lucid, reasoned, intelligent, and most importantly, fully aware of the lies that are being vomited in the name of science.
I absolutely second that. Joe Jackson has produced an excellent document. He is incredibly articulate. He understands the history and the impacts thoroughly, and he's so very human, talented and likeable.
I would certainly say that he should go for it, and go for it in a way that simply won't allow for it to *not* be taken seriously.
Oh yes. Go Joe GO!! :)
Always loved your music (if you're reading) :)
I really hope Joe decides to do it. There is virtually no coverage of any opposition to the ban. I feel that the spin is that all right minded, intelligent people welcome it. Only the ignorant or selfish do not. Joe, on the contrary, is articulate and very well informed. We need spokesmen like him.
I agree with everyone above but want to expand a bit further on what I said above in case it was taken as a "no" vote.
If he appears live then we will hear at least some of what he has to say. If it is a recorded interview it will be edited and slotted in so that he comes across as a fool.
Go for it Joe!!!!!!!
Joe would be a great spokesperson, not sure I would trust the BBC either, but like you say Simon "The important thing is to take every opportunity to get that message across. Sometimes we'll fail, other times we'll succeed".
Hopefully it will be the latter
Support all comments – go for it, Joe.
Sounds brill. But; one big caveat... he MUST make it absolutely clear he'll only go out live. I know it's been said before, but the BBC is not impartial-I know this from personal experience, along with two friends, I was hung out to dry by a BBC interviewer while she kissed Maureen Moore's arse so hard she must have callouses on her lips.
Most of us have grown up trusting the BBC and that's what makes it so dangerous.
P.S. My friends and I are wise to them now and I wouldn't normally touch radio 4 with a disinfected barge pole, but if J.J. is on for us, well. Oh, Maureen Moore is CEO of ASH Scotland. She's a bit like Dot Cotton, but without the charm.
Whilst I agree with everything people have posted with regard to the BBC, I would love to hear Joe interviewed. He is calm, collected and knowledge of the subject is vast. It is clear from his essays that he has a great passion for the subject.If he BBC concede to a live interview, then I am sure he will succeed in winning over those who sit on the fence in this debate. The BBC may play the devil's advocate, but I am sure that Joe's voice of reason would show the devil for what he really is.
Please Joe, take up the offer.