Just wanted to point out that BBC didnt even put any Action Line info up for tonights episode.

https://gyazo.com/577c732f3102e5a531a3c01e37828c10

It is not very good that the BBC is meant to be unbiased and what not, yet they seem to not think gay themed issues should get action line help??

The above picture illustrates that too, as u can see in it, from the action line page on the BBC website, no section for LGBT or violence related to LGBT either.

TUT TUT TUT BBC

We said the same in our house tonight, they put one out for crazy stuff 1 person in a million might worry about but somthing that might effect millions... Nothing

Yep exactly. I am sure this will be on newswatch this weekend. If not, we should make the BBC aware they are being biased.

why is an action line needed?

there was no violence in the episode ? or did I miss it?

There doesn't need to be violence, there have been many episodes that had no violence in them, like for example when there is stories about cancer and other stuff. Words are just as powerful to cause emotions in vulnerable people with similar real life events.

just saying

there would need to be an action line after every single episode for one thing or another then?!

I think if people identify with issues on soaps they might be prompted to google this day in age without needing the helplines.

tho I do wonder if the displayed helplines are made use of when shown

But that is beside the point. It shows that the BBC are being biased, regardless if people actually use them is irrelevant.

I don't think they are, If anything the bbc are normally biased in favour of lgbt and other minorities

But wasn't it Ben that started the violence. OK they were being heckled by some idiots but it was him that started the fight. Paul was right he should have just ignored them.

Don't think Ben started the fight he said he mouthed off back to them, he didn't attack them physically

I think it's note directed at Ben starting the fight, not the homophobic remarks

everyone is just ignoring that bit Vald!

yes it was wrong being heckled with homophobic abuse but Ben's answer was to try and Slaaap Im Dahn instead of walking away

In true Mitchell fashion.

Except that Ben has been chinned more times than Fraudley Harrison ever was.

He fares better when he has a handy picture frame.

when a character has a miscarriage do you see it? when Stacey had her depression did you see it? really? or just a women on a roof? when a character is raped do you see it happen?

the fact is this kind of hate crime is horrific and in my mind warrants a number being stated at the end,

today in Stockton near durham a man was set on fire in a homophobic attack. people need educated and a strong message being sent out that this is in no way exceptable.

It is not the job of an entertainment programme to do that

errrm i disagree, i think its everyone's job, stamp out hatred everywhere, we all need to take responsibility for our world, were all the same at the end of the day,

and if i did take your point that its not the responsibility of the programme then they shouldnt have run the story line.

Bit Strange isn't it

No but the BBC as a public service broadcaster putting up the action line is not going that. Action line was needed for Pam's situation regardless of the Ben stuff

No because the programme is to entertain not educate

but the story raises the point of Ben who struggles with being gay violently attacking someone who called him a homophobic name. as an aside its a horrible word to use on evening tv.

so there is two sides to the story, Ben could have reacted differently and his boyfriend would still be alive. where does the blame lie?

Your theory is basically saying homophobic attacks are wrong ( which they very much are no one can argue with that) but also saying it is acceptable for ben to react the way he did so the education to young impressionable people is that if someone says something homophobic you should batter them.

Edit to add, just because I feel I might be comng across as anti advice line. I as a straight person saw no need for one but just out of interest what advice line are people saying should be shown? link to the place as well if you like I am interested in a different perpective

Do people even watch the credits anyway? As soon as I hear the duff duff I switch to ITV for Emmerdale.

I'd ditch the action line completely. It's just a fictional soap after all. If this were a documentary about issues then I would expect an action line.

The BBC action line which is opened for any issues in shows with a generic "if you've been affected by any of issues raised in tonight's EastEnders. They open it for all sorts and they don't need to condone anuthing they could just list the topics as grief, homophobia, anger management. The action lines the BBCs public broadcasting safety mechanism, it's not about making a political statement it's about preventing those with mental health issues or no support network being excessively affected by their shows.

I've not used it but my understanding is it then directs someone to a more appropriate organisation.