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BBC agrees to consult JDRF about diabetes after EastEnders joke

DCUK NewsBot

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The BBC has agreed to consult the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in future before making reference to diabetes, after a throwaway line on the soap opera EastEnders caused offence to many in the type 1 diabetes community. The line, which was included in Tuesday's episode (23 February), was a joke about sugary snacks and children's parties: "If kids don't give themselves diabetes it's not a good party is it?" Many were critical of the joke on social media, and the BBC has responded by agreeing to consult the JDRF and ensure that references to diabetes are sensitive and accurate. However, the BBC also pointed out that the character who spoke the line is not intended to be taken particularly seriously - "a factetious character" in the words of the spokesperson - and is certainly not presented as an authority on diabetes. The spokesperson also defended the dramatic necessity of presenting disagreeable viewpoints on the show. Despite this, many felt that the line spreads misinformation, particularly about type 1 diabetes, which is in no way caused by over-consumption of sugar. It was widely felt that any popular form of media has a duty to provide an accurate representation of diabetes - including distinctions between the two very different types, type 1 and type 2 - or not mention diabetes at all. Image source: JDRF.org.uk

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Good. When I was a young child I was eating some sugar lumps and a woman said to me "Don't eat sugar like that - you'll give yourself diabetes" And she wasn't joking.

Some years later when I got Type 1, I had to be convinced that I hadn't caused it myself.

It's ok the BBC saying the character shouldn't be taken seriously, but you can only use a character to make a joke like that if all the viewers realise the stupidity of what's being said. In the case of Type 1, I think very few non-diabetic people know about it, so the 'joke' doesn't work, and only spreads misinformation and perpetuates myths.
 
The joke was also inaccurate in respect of T2s too, but no-one seems bothered about the feelings of a few fatties do they?
 
Common sense prevails, don't watch the soaps but you hear so many stories of them getting the storyline wrong with regards to diabetes.

Hope the BBC make a sizeable donation to the JDRF for their services
 
In the programme, it was actually talking about children and a horrible throwaway sentence. I know children are getting type 2 nowadays, but if you see what many parents and their families go through when a child is diagnosed (and some are not so lucky, and have been misdiagnosed, being classed as an over protective parent and children can die because of it) it's heartbreaking and especially if the family have more than one child with this condition, it can be a relentless 24/7 every week, every month, every year and the decades too, which could accumulate to, 60, 70, 80 or 90 + years of their lives.
 
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Comment removed by poster as original post has now been restored.

goodbye.
 
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zand said:
So only T1s have a right to comment on this now then?
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Anyone can comment zand but the article is referring to a birthday party for young children, some toddlers.
Imagine if you had a child with Type1 and had watched the programme and it brought back memories of your child's diagnosis.
There are some photographs within this article that would make you want to weep to see these children in hospital.

http://childrenwithtype1diabetes.org/an-open-letter-to-the-bbc-eastenders

If you are personally upset by the programme then you have the option of complaining to the BBC.
 
comment removed by poster as superfluous now that original has been restored.
 
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It is not us and them comments, far from it. The remark was directed at young children who were at a birthday party for a 1yr. old. It was implied that young children who eat sweets will become diabetic. It was crass and unforgivable as it affected many parents of young children with Type1 diabetes.
There is nothing more I can say to you as you are determined to have the last word.
 
comment removed by poster as it is unnecessary now that original post has been restored.

Edit: @catherinecherub I never wanted the last word, just the right to post my thoughts.
 
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This is clearly about children and not type 2 adults, from what I gather the word 'fatties' wasn't even mentioned. JDRF are correct in their response to the sentence in question. It's not a fight with any diabetes type's, as I did reply to your post zand, which you must of read and I used your comment, but I removed it from my post, as not to cause a type war ' fight'. I know all too well what it's like to see a very child near death with type 1 and the parents who struggle with this condition, caring for their child or children ( I know 3 in one family) the mum was a PE teacher, and has now decided to give up her job because of the wet beds, up at night doing blood tests, hospital appointments, medication, her GP signed her off of work for 2 weeks, but she is not going back, it can be devastating, both mentally and emotionally.
 
zand said:
The joke was also inaccurate in respect of T2s too, but no-one seems bothered about the feelings of a few fatties do they?
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I think the point the JDRF were trying to make was on the behalf of people with T1D.

Agreed, it was inaccurate in respect of people with T2D or any other as you mentioned. Stereotyping/making fun of a condition has always been the source of a cheap laugh... sadly.

The inaccuracy being that sugar alone is the only reason to develop T2D is correct although sugar is indeed in the spotlight. It's a tricky issue, as it is attributed to most, but not all.

Partha was in the Daily Mail, hopefully there'll be some better awareness... well, if the DM are writing about it:

http://diabetestimes.co.uk/leading-...-guidance-to-eastenders/#sthash.h4qLIeue.dpbs
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ders-comes-fire-viewers-character-s-joke.html

Wonder what happens to the writer/s in that situation?
 
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