, many of the nation’s younger telly-taxpayers have been bemused this morning (and will be again tomorrow morning), because the usual fare of children’s holiday entertainment has been pulled from BBC2, to be replaced with continuous coverage of the World Athletics Championships 2005. Whoopee, not! If the BBC’s tedious sports coverage matters so much, why not drop the endlessly repeated CelebrityHomeCookingAuctionMakeover Show from BBC1 for a change and give us all a break from the irritating tunes, tired clichés and faux-drama therein? Still, going by the BBC’s past performance, it could have been a lot worse.
Turning away briefly from the issue of BBC bias
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popular bbc words and phrases
engage,multi-cultural,sustainable development,climate change,global warming,well-known right wingers(they do not mean footballers)environment,bob geldof.
on a more positive note
lindsey brancher the bbc newscaster is good at her job and a credit to the profession.would there were more like her.
When’s Blue Peter (and Konnie) back?
“….Chavez called the United States the “most savage, cruel and murderous empire that has existed in the history of the world.”
The Venezuelan leader said “socialism is the only path,” and told the students the collective goal is to “save a world threatened by the voracity of U.S. imperialism.”
From CNN website, could be James Naughtie or any Beeboid though.
It seems he BBC has been neatly challenged in the Evening Standard: http://hurryupharry.bloghouse.net/archives/2005/08/09/the_meeting_place_of_the_antifascist_left.php
It was just a little while ago in June when both BBC1 and 2 decided they both had to give coverage to Wimbledon throughout the day. I don’t know if it matters much since they’ve only got crap on anyway.
Nobody is interested in most of the BBC’s sports coverage. They get the dregs, like athletics, bowls and women’s football that no commercial company wants. Because of the unique way the BBC is funded they can sell us stuff we don’t want at the price they decide.
By the way, BBC radio news tells us tonight that £60,000 affordable houses are to be built on ‘land owned by the public sector’. What’s wrong with the the phrases ‘publically owned land’ or ‘land owned by the public’? Yet again the BBC betrays its socialist leanings. It sees itself, along with the government and councils as dipensing largesse, much like feudal lords of old, to a grateful people. The money we are forced to pay the BBC is rightfully theirs to do with as they wish. We should be happy that they deign to provide us with ‘quality TV and radio with it.
Do I detect a teensy weensy bit of disappointment on the BBC that the space shuttle has come home safely? Maybe it’s just me. One thing I am sure about though. If the EU ever gets a manned spaceship into orbit (some hope) without US help, the BBC will be predictably gushing in its praise of the achievement no matter how many tiles come off the thing.
Rob wrote:
“By the way, BBC radio news tells us tonight that £60,000 affordable houses are to be built on ‘land owned by the public sector’. What’s wrong with the the phrases ‘publically owned land’ or ‘land owned by the public’? Yet again the BBC betrays its socialist leanings. It sees itself, along with the government and councils as dipensing largesse, much like feudal lords of old, to a grateful people.”
I find your comments puzzling cos as a leftie I would rather hear tehm say “publically owned land” or “land owned by the public” as this is a much more socialist construction “land owned by the public” implies the common ownership by the people.
The “public sector” construction is more of a Blairite “Third Way” descritption.
Personnally I think in your comments betray a bit of parabio on your part. I know the BBC are not perfect and even tho I disagree with many on this website I recognise when there’s some truth in what folk say but on this one I think you are wide of the mark.
On the issue of the athletics I agree totally with the blog – show the athletics by all means but ditch the so called lifestyle programming. The kids are on holiday and I can’t think of a more public service broadcasting thing to do is put on kids programmes.
Simon wrote
“Do I detect a teensy weensy bit of disappointment on the BBC that the space shuttle has come home safely? Maybe it’s just me. One thing I am sure about though. If the EU ever gets a manned spaceship into orbit (some hope) without US help, the BBC will be predictably gushing in its praise of the achievement no matter how many tiles come off the thing.”
I think this is a very ignoble suggestion. I doubt you are seriously saying that you think that people at the Beeb wanted there to be a tradgedy resulting in the loss of life. If you are I think your hatred of the beeb has got the better of your reason.
Recently there was a shuttle tradgey. NASA have said the fleet is ageing and is going to be taken out of service. During the mssion a spacewalk was undertaken to to remove potentially hazardous materials that could have caused a fatality.
Given all of the above it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to establish that the landing was potentially risky and by implication that the “weather problems” explanation for the delay in landing may have been a diversion for a ore serious problem.
I personally have no desire for the Shuttle to crash or burn up coming home. I still managed to work out for myself that the current situation was risky. SO if I can work it out so can most others and it is inevitable that the coverage would reflect this – it would be stupid not to.
I don’t doubt there are those at the Beeb who don’t like the American hegemony in world affair but I doubt any one of them wanted the Shuttle to crash and burn.
Anonymous: “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to establish that the landing was potentially risky and by implication that the “weather problems” explanation for the delay in landing may have been a diversion for a ore serious problem”
Well perhaps, but, if the weather was a cover for something more serious, surely going to the trouble of landing on the west coast rather than the east coast (complete with resultant relocation hassle and expense) wouldn’t have been necessary!
Anyway, the Beeb’s naffed-offness, if any, with the Shuttle mission was that they had especially extended their weak Breakfast show on Monday to cover the Shuttle’s return, only to be left with a bit of a gap to fill – a gap that is even wider than Najinsky’s* inane grin 🙂
* named after the famous race-horse, Natasha Kaplinsky – famous for never winning races because she keeps pulling to the left, but, was, by all accounts, a good ride for her partner in last year’s Strictly Horse Dancing show.
Najinsky’s* inane grin
* named after the famous race-horse, Natasha Kaplinsky – famous for never winning races because she keeps pulling to the left, but, was, by all accounts, a good ride for her partner in last year’s Strictly Horse Dancing show.
ROFL!!!!
Maybe the BBC didn’t wnt trgedy. But they LOVE it if the nasty Great Satan runs into trouble.
So you get a lot of ignorant criticism of US technology when it beats by a country mile (or a hundred) anything the UK or the EU has ever done in space. As an example Britain has NEVER sold a satellite in open competition. The US has sold HUNDREDS, they have had production lines running since the 1970s. UK space technology is dmn joke – but still expensive. Does the BBC ever challenge all the UK taxpayer money spent on space activities that have NEVER led anywhere ? No – because they too live on the concept of wastefully spending other people’s money.
For example – if you allocate costs to output, the 10 O’Clock news probably costs a million pounds each night or thereabouts. Is that good value ? Of course it isn’t. But the BBC is free to keep pissing our money against the wall, and is now holding out the begging bowl for more subsidy well above the inflation rate.
Listen to….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/pm/
…todays version. Skip to 22mins 10 seconds.
While I dont agree with all of it, bless Mr Silk for having a go.
that thing about “najinskys inane grin” is the funniest thing I`ve heard. Brilliant!
(ps can anyone tell me how to copy and paste selected passages from this blog?)
The anonymous who posted the token leftyie item about the beeb not wanting the shuttle to blow up was me – “A lurker.” Dunno how or why I posted as different name cos “A lurker” is the default setting. I just want to get straigh that I’m not trying to be deceitful and lead you to all believe that there is more than one leftie who can be bothered to read and post no this blog.
“Another Anonymous” and “JohninLondon” you are the first two people who have ever acknowledged that something I’ve posted may have a glimmer of truth in it – well done. My hopes for some form of reasoned debate, rather than the ususal reactionary, bigotted and knee jerk responses, have been realised.
John – yep you are right US technology pretty much leads the way not only in space, computing and killing people in the most efficient manner. I’m no fan of US foreign policy but I can recognise that their technological base is second to none.
I dont think the beeb did want to gloat at the potential loss of the shuttle tho I think the other post abot them being pissed off about them having to cancel the extention to the crap breakfast show – and yes you don’t have to be on the right to think the breakfast show is crap.
OT
BBC 10 o’clock News reporting on ManU’s victory – once again an excuse to patronise the new American owners:-
“…everyone including the Glazers know quality when they see it (pause) PROBABLY…”
“..no wonder the Glazers looked pleased with themselves – tonights score will earn them £15m..”
recent extract FIFA website not(as far as I can see) recorded by BBC:-
“Up four spots from tenth since the last instalment of the world ranking came out, the USA are now looking down on such world football giants as France, England, Spain and Germany as they sit on their highest-ever perch since the ranking began”.
Re Natasha Kaplinsky
Well I never – extract from BBC’s own profile
“After leaving Oxford, where she studied English, Natasha worked in the press offices of Neil Kinnock and John Smith before answering an advert to present early morning bulletins…”
Not that anyone could tell by watching the Breakfast show
Nothing whatsoever to do with BBC bias but a good indication of where the Lefties are going…………
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1545421,00.html
Those pesky yanks. Vibrant democracy. Mostly transparent institutions. And the stability and prosperity to develop centres of learning/excellence that allow them to mostly succeed at whatever they turn their minds to. And they’re not wimps either, as two generations of ‘ze Germans’ and Uncle Joe have discovered.
Frankly, when confronted with the Challenger’s successful mission and further evidence of the US’s technical might, magnanimity and generosity are the last things I expect from self-important Islington liberals.
But Phil Williams and the hack in California weren’t too bad, to be fair.
And if there’s any Americans reading, congratulations. You deserve some good news.
Thanks simo! And congrats to you guys too, for that amazing rescue of the Russian submarine crew. That was very cool.
Thank you, Simo, your good wishes are greatly appreciated.
What Susan said. We Yanks were cheering for the great work that the British Navy did by rescuing that sub. Excellent!
There’s a Don’t have your say on “Should Iran face sanctions?” now…
What is interesting is that most of the people who support Iran’s position seem to be Iranian ex-pats living in the West. Why aren’t they in Iran supporting their country of origin??? The Beeb don’t care how loony some of the comments on their website are.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4133054.stm
Lurker in a burqa:
Do you think that George Monbiot is English? If he’s French (and that’s what his name suggests to me) it’s no surprise when he says:
“…I don’t hate Britain, and I am not ashamed of my nationality, but I have no idea why I should love this country more than any other.”
I guess it’s about time for the UN to start making passports for “citizens of the United Nations of Nations”
Almost missed that one (it’s Bilal Patel again!):
Iran should not face sanctions. What it does have the right to do though, is to pull out from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the US or Europe keep on interfering with its right to nuclear energy. Iran is not obliged to be in this Treaty, under which it is allowed to do what it’s doing anyway. So, like India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea who actually have nuclear weapons and have not signed up to the Treaty, Iran should be allowed to do the same. Iran has been very patient in the face of sheer hypocrisy on the part of Western nations.
Bilal Patel, London, UK
Just a thought: I wonder what would happen if everyone on here who wants to get their comments posted on the Beeb’s website would write in as Bilal Patel… Whose comments would they filter out? Does Bilal have an email address that guarantees his postings will get published automatically? How many Bilal Patel’s are there and do they all share the same opinions?
This is beginning to be very interesting.
When will decency come to the BBC?
Orla Guerin, she of the bent persuasion, refered to Gaza as being “occupied Palestinian soil”. As everyone knows, but conveniently forgets, the Gaza Strip was Egyptian territory; it may be going to be Palestinian land now (“soil” is a very emotive term), but it was not taken from the Palestinians.
And also, again, no background was given. Over and over again we are told that Israel is an occupying force, but we are never told anything about the origins of this occupation.
We are also told, repeatedly that the occupation is “illegal”. Israel fought a war of defence and the territories are held pending a peace treaty. This is never mentioned and the overall result is bias against Israel.
The Palestine Liberation Organisation was founded in 1964 when Gaza was in Egyptian hands. The Palestinians didn’t seem to think it was their “soil” then (or the West Bank either, apparently) or else what were they trying to liberate? The answer is the whole of Israel, and it might be fairer if the BBC would present more of the complete picture when covering current events.
Perry de Havilland of Samizdata gets an article into the Times !
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3284-1728654,00.html
if i may take the liberty simon’s post on the shuttle was a schoolboy moment which was not meant at all.
we have more serious accusations to make such as the above by smithy on orla guerin.the answer is that she loathes israel and so i remind orla guerin of my feelings towards her.
i do not like thee dr fell
the reason why i cannot tell
could it be that the bbc are frustrated missionaries and are in fact trying to emulate the heroic missionaries of the last century who journeyed to africa?
but the religion of the bbc is socialism and in britain there are no takers.
worse still i can’t believe that channels show “big brother” early in the morning on weekends. that is surely an adult programme?
i am not happy that youngsters are being brainwashed by such tacky trash. especially in the morning/ day.
leave the kids alone i say
I’ve just sent in a comment to the (D)HYS. I sent it in the name of Bilal Patel. I wonder if it will make it past the filters….
Interesting how the BBC are so free with gushing adjectives to describe their lefty comentator pals (when it suits the agenda, of course).
Fringe terror shows win applause
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4135722.stm
“A top psychologist has praised the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for staging a number of shows on terrorism.”
“Dr McVey, an expert in group behaviour, added:”
What is a “top psychologist” as opposed to a bog standard one? ne that agrees with anti-american themed terror “comedy” of course.
Jorge
I’m afraid that not only is George Monbiot a British citizen but his father is a big cheese in the Conservative Party:-
http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.person.page&PersonID=56217
I’m tempted to make some remark about parenting skills but good taste forbids…
Yes, George Monbiot is a superannuated teenager rebelling against Daddy. Sad for him,but amusing for the rest of us to watch.
Rob, so have I.
Monbiot is a f***ing disgrace to the Western Tradition.
Joerg even…
Can i just say, not being politicallly biased, but this morning on the bbc news there was coverage of michael howard’s criticism of the government. along with news on drinking times etc, at lunch the news was the same except the michael howard interview was removed.
can anyone explain why? apart from the fact that the communist party, i mean bbc, are so anti anyone that criticises the government?
I hear someone told me that they complained and called up, the guy said ” we removed it because it had coverage in the morning” just like all the other pointless , misinformed news we get, except this time the conservatives have hit the nail on the head and the bbc and government dont like the truth.
typical really, but we will let the public see, its just a matter of time.
Yoo hoo! Bibal Patel London E1 has another letter in the Daily Mail…..does this guy every sleep?
a bbc lady journalist whose name i do not recollect today suggested “that angela merkel who is a conservative is the flavour of the month”
the bbc is in for a disappointment hopefully when the conservatives win the german elections.
excuse my impertinence but in the hope of persuading others not to make ott comments i think most us agree that we are accusing the bbc not of evil but of massive bias and self-indulgence.
richard,
I suppose it depends on your viewpoint.
If you think that socialism in immoral in the extreme like I do, then advocating is evil.
To force someone to pay for something (on pain of jail) that harms them could be seen as immoral.
To me the BBC is the enemy, and they ARE evil.
They drink kiddies blood as well you know…..have you never watched that den of Satanism called Blue Peter?
Actually looking at the comments 99.9% are talking about the inbred bias being displayed at the Beeb. Come the next Tory/Liberal government ….bye bye Beeb hello privatised news channel!
Again, Rob Read cuts to the chase and calls a spade a spade.
Socialism is Bad for the donor and Bad for the recipient. Enforced Socialism (as opposed to duty, honour and a sense of service) is mankinds most Evil creation.
Evil.Evil.Evil.
………and to illustrate my point, in this video, think of the octopus as the BBC/Liberal Left, and the Shark as you and me just minding our own business and trying to get on in life.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/octopus/media_players_blue/shark_hi.html
Has everyone seen this on BBC basic maths?
http://timworstall.typepad.com/timworstall/2005/08/the_bbc_accurat.html
multi-culti watch:
UK majority back multiculturalism
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4137990.stm
MORI’s take on it.
Muslims ‘take pride’ in British way of life
http://www.mori.com/polls/2005/muslims100805.shtml
A poll is a poll, but some of the responses are inconsistent and I think it’s to do with what exactltly people understand ‘multi-culturalism’ to mean.
i.e. Can you say ‘Yes’ multi-culturalism is great then in the same breath say ‘but others should integrate more’?
“But the survey suggests a more “confused” attitude to the concept of multiculturalism, Mr Page added.
Some 62% of the national population believe “multiculturalism makes Britain a better place to live”, according to the poll.
Culture and values
At the same time, 58% thought “people who come to live in Britain should adopt the values of and traditions of British culture”.
First thing they should have asked is “What do you understand by the word multi-cultaralism”? and had a multiple choice option.