Hello Folks!
We need a little assistance here to help our good friend Matthew. Regardless of your opinions about his contributions to Hawkwind, he is part of our Hawkwind family and families stand by each other. Please take the time to show your support…..
If you’re upset by the horrific and deeply unpleasant overreaction to Matthew Wright’s comments last week concerning the first murder in the Hebrides for more than 40 years; if you’re worried about free speech being curtailed by a self-appointed but very noisy moral minority, then we need your help.
Matthew made a mistake for which he is genuinely sorry. He is a kind and sincere person who would never intentionally make light of someone else’s suffering. Anyone who has experience of live television knows how easy it is to say the wrong thing or to be misinterpreted. Can anyone honestly say that they have never laughed in an inappropriate moment or said something which they have immediately regretted? Matthew does not deserve this witch hunt!
A letter writing campaign has been organised to stir things up against Matthew. We need to do something to redress the balance and let the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom know there are still plenty of people out there who don’t feel the urge to complain about every comment they disagree with. Please show your support for Matthew by writing to Ofcom in his favour.
Do this online https://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/specific-programme-epg
(As there does not appear to be a space on their site for giving positive comments, use this form, but make sure you put in the subject line, something along the lines of “In SUPPORT of Matthew Wright”. (It may also be worth while pointing out to Ofcom the imbalance of only facilitating negative comments on their site with no place for the positive J)
Or write to Ofcom using snail mail: Ofcom Complaints (TV), 2A Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 9HA
Your letters should make some of the following points:
There was clearly no intention by Matthew to offend.
He’s apologised twice on television and once in the Daily Star Sunday.
His comments on Tuesday 6 December taken in isolation on YouTube etc betray the diverse range of opinions heard on The Wright Stuff and are therefore not a fair reflection of Matthew, his panel or the programme.
The response by those offended seems out of control, verging on a campaign of hate directed at Matthew and far in excess of anything he said.
Certain politicians appear to be riding the wave of anger for their own selfish ends.
The grief of Liam Aitchison’s family must have been exacerbated by the media campaign against Matthew.
Furthermore it should be noted that Matthew and his family are themselves grieving after his 16-year-old nephew was tragically killed in January this year.
If you have the time, it is also worth copying in or writing to channel five
Email: customerservices@channel5.com
(Customer Services
Channel 5 Television
10 Lower Thames Street
London
EC3R 6EN)
Jeremy Hunt Culture secretary (huntj@parliament.uk)
And the Culture Media Sport Committee headed by John Whittingdale:
cmscom@parliament.uk
Remember, if we allow these keyboard bullies to get away with their hateful campaigns, this sort of witch hunt could happen to any one of us at any time, resulting in the loss of our job or livelihood if we inadvertently say or do something, without meaning offence, for which someone else decides to be offended. These hate filled internet campaigns are dangerous and destroy lives!
Thanks everyone, do your best, it means a lot!
All at Hawkwind HQ x
Jason E Cooper 