Editorial
Page 4
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No time to turn the other cheek
THERE HAS been a mixed reception to the BBC2 TV Brass Tacks programme (CM February 18) in which road transport was described as a "rag bag industry". The establishment — that is the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Road Haulage Association, and the Freight Transport Association — have decided on a lowprofile approach.
They, together with some of the vehicle manufacturers, are writing to the DirectorGeneral of the BBC to complain about the unbalanced nature of the programme's content. This, to us, is too similar to our man in Moscow sending a diplomatic note to Comrade Chernenko to voice our displeasure at the Afghanistan invasion.
The establishment should be aware that their members and customers are not only displeased with the programme and their low-profile response — they are incensed.
We are inquisitive. Is the low-profile approach because they accept the content of the programme to be substantially correct? Is it perhaps because they believe that the viewers will not remember it? Or is it because they know something we don't know, perhaps a skeleton in the cupboard? We intend to find the answers to these questions. At least one man in the industry knows what lies behind the slogan "Who dares wins". Others might understand the less daring phrase "Faint heart never won fair lady". Is road transport not daring? Is it staffed by faint hearts? We think not!
We will not falter in promoting the image of this industry. We know that those who do the work will be with us.