BBC defends 'excessive' Goody coverage

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The BBC has defended its coverage of Jade Goody's death, after dozens of viewers complained that the story had been given too much prominence.

The broadcaster received 69 official complaints, with many more being posted online, after reportage of Goody's death led the news bulletins across the corporation's TV, radio and world service outlets.

However, BBC News executive producer Peter Horrocks has defended the coverage, saying that the prominence was justified because of the public interest in her and "the effect that her sad death had on awareness of cervical cancer".

He added that minute-by-minute traffic figures for the BBC website showed that more people visited the site following Goody's death on Sunday than normal, adding that she was "overwhelmingly the most popular story".

Horrocks admitted that there had been a different reaction to Goody's death among the broadcaster's varying audiences, saying: "This highlights one of the challenges of producing news through a range of services for all of the UK population.

"While some of you have told us that you didn't like Jade Goody, or didn't want to hear news about her, we have to bear in mind those licence fee payers who have a strong level of interest and who expected us to provide measured coverage of her death."

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, a BBC spokesperson said: "Though Jade Goody was not the lead item on either the early evening BBC News bulletin or on the BBC News at Ten on Sunday, we did give the story appropriate prominence in our coverage."

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Bit stupid to complain over coverage isn't it?

She's dead now so frankly I couldn't care, atleast there isn't much more coverage.

as ive said, they wouldnt cover it if people didnt want it. So obviously, people who dont like her complain, but you dont get people who liked it phoning up saying i liked your coverage. but ah well

I ACTUALLY SCREAMED OUT LOUD WHEN I SAW THE TITLE WITH 'GOODY'
:@:@:@:@
yeh why are they giving yet more coverage and bringing it up AGAIN eeek they could've gave their "explanation" before she died but this is takin the pee

I was annoyed enough opening the papers every day seeing yet another goody story, then opening bbc.co.uk to find more.

I know she was dying, and she's dead now, so i feel sorry for her family etc. but it shouldn't be in the news

What a waste of time. The BBC should of stuck their fingers up at the people complaining. People were genually interested in her story. Nothing else was happening anyway :/ You weren't forced to read it, any other major news was covered alongside. She was a public interest.

I have to admit, if someone else dies, what do they get.. A funeral. Jade Goody is nothing special, seriously.

Jade goody was only special after appearing in big brother