BBC bans fans of The Archers from posting messages to radio show’s Facebook page after public criticism of ‘awakened’ storylines
- The Archers fans are not allowed to post on the show’s Facebook page
- The Corporation has told fans that ‘regular posting’ on the page will be ‘paused’
- Fans claim it’s an attempt to silence critics about the show’s long-running storylines
- BBC claims pausing comments about the group is not a response to criticism
The BBC has banned The Archers fans from posting on the show’s official Facebook page after they criticized the “woke upstorylines.
The Corporation, which launched the nationwide radio soap opera in 1951, told its 92,000 Facebook users that “regular posting to this page is being interrupted.”
Diehard fans say the move is an attempt to silence critics who feel the Radio 4 show, set in the fictional village of Ambridge, focuses too much on politically correct issues such as climate change.
Prior to the ban, several fans had used the official page to vent their anger over recent storylines.
While many accept that the show should reflect the realities of modern life, they also describe writers’ attempts to weave issues into storylines as clumsy and boring.
Diehard fans say the move is an attempt to silence critics who feel the Radio 4 show, set in the fictional village of Ambridge, focuses too much on politically correct issues such as climate change
In one episode, former eco-warrior Kirsty Miller, played by Annabelle Dowler, (pictured) advocated for an electric vehicle charging station
One listener wrote, “I have to say The Archers is just becoming a cliché. It’s writing script by number.
“It used to have big storylines, everyday storylines and a sense of humor. Now it just seems like a tick box of all the trendy issues of the day. Sad.’
Another added that “the current storylines don’t match the first, let’s say five decades.”
In one episode, former eco-combatant Kirsty Miller, played by Annabelle Dowler, advocated for an electric vehicle charging station proposed for a plot of land sold by David and Ruth Archer.
She said: ‘We will need them if they are serious about phasing out petrol and diesel in the next decade… You cannot campaign for a greener future and then block the infrastructure needed to support it. ‘
When told that others might view the station as an eyesore, she replied, “Here we go – the battle lines are already being drawn.”
She’s not the only Ambridge resident to have spotted their green credentials.
In another episode, Kate Madikane, played by Perdita Avery, outlined plans to make her family’s Home Farm business more sustainable. the road to net zero.’
The episode featured the electric vehicle charging station proposal for a piece of land being sold by David and Ruth Archer (pictured – Tim Bentinck and Felicity Finch as David and Ruth Archer)
The Archers has a huge presence on social media and fans of all ages love to share their thoughts on storylines.
Some have expressed their sadness at the ban, writing, “This is such sad news and I think we deserve a proper explanation.”
Several unofficial Archers Facebook pages say they have been flooded with applications to join in the wake of the BBC’s actions, but fans are refusing to maintain the integrity of their groups.
A BBC spokesman said: “We have limited resources… The Facebook group’s pause is in no way a response to criticism.”