Getting the BBC to admit it is wrong is like squeezing blood from a stone

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This needs remarking on, even just for the sound byte we’ve all thought but rarely heard spoken by a public figure:

“Getting the BBC to admit it is wrong is like squeezing blood from a stone.” – Ben Bradshaw, former Beeb journalist and [current UK Government] Fisheries Minister.

I wonder whether the Government will let the BBC off the hook when the Charter renewal discussions begin? Maybe they are just enjoying making the Beeb squirm for a change, or Greg Dyke (Boss Hogg to his friends) do some work.

Many thanks to Nigel Holland who brought this to light in the thread below.

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4 Responses to Getting the BBC to admit it is wrong is like squeezing blood from a stone

  1. Phil says:
    November 28, 2003 at 10:35 pm

    I so wanted to read that but they make me pay for it as I am in Hong Kong – anywhere else I can see it?

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  2. David says:
    November 28, 2003 at 11:32 pm

    This comment is out of place, but I wanted to note the BBC’s use of scare quotes here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3247266.stm
    The headline is:
    Iraqis rally against ‘terrorism’

    I guess the BBC is taking a neutral stance on whether the attacks on the Red Cross, the UN, oil pipelines, etc. actually constitute terrorism.

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  3. d mac says:
    November 29, 2003 at 7:06 pm

    OT: Those greedy Americans

    (this is actually front page news at the moment)

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3249574.stm

    The woman is fine, btw.

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  4. mack says:
    November 29, 2003 at 8:22 pm

    OT: Those greedy Americans

    It is hard to imagine that this story would make national news even if it had occured in the UK.
    It does smack of an attempt by the BBC to use any story that will produce a hurrumph from a US-sceptic audience

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