The NPR ombudsman, Jeffrey Dvorkin, criticises BBC coverage of Katrina.
I am sure that the BBC is not inventing these interviews. But the effect is that it sounds less like reporting than like caricature. Public radio listeners likely understand what is going on — that BBC cultural assumptions about the United States remain mired in a reflex European opposition to American foreign policy. But what comes through the radio sounds mean-spirited and not particularly helpful; it probably evokes knowing glances and smirks among editors and producers back in London.
There is more right than wrong in the BBC’s coverage. But when it comes to portraying certain American cultural expressions, the BBC seems to have a tin ear.
(Via Instapundit – same link as below.)
Comrade Cheree
Bloody good work finding all those “lost” links…
i never knew John Reid used to be drinking buddies with war criminal Karadicz…
It might explain a few a things after all…
Am checking out all your links above now..
great stuff
RB
The Poll tax – of course! Why do you think it was made ‘unworkable’. Because the leftist parasites knew they might have to pay something in, instead of taking it out, so they took to the streets and rioted. Now the Tories hang their heads and apologise for trying to impose a fair local tax – the cowardly ccc..onservatives! I am not against paying council tax in one form or another, provided that is not exorbitant and exploited by corruptees who increase it exponentially to juice their corruption. And as we help pay the police in part at least from the local charge, they might at least make an effort to root out the corruption of which I complain. When was the last time you heard of such a prosecution? The Poulsen enquiry, is the only major one I can think of – and that didn’t really reach the top level before it was wrapped up. Other than the Northern Ireland mafias, municipal corruption is the worst form of organised crime that is rampant in our nation. And before someone picks me up on that, of course that’s not true – corruption that is funded by central taxation tops the list in the organised crime stakes. And if what I do here is ranting, what else can a 72 year old pensioner do, other than rant? I apologise for old-farting in church, but in that regard I seem to be the least of your worries on this blog. And isn’t its purpose to let off steam? The council tax rises are iniquitous and making pensioner’s pips squeak. I’m just channeling those squeaks into a forum that I think is widely read and does a good job. It may be off topic, but I didn’t raise it first and it is a worthier cause than some issues raised here, IMHO.
BP
Sorry, I forgot to mention that what lit my fuse was being dismissed by a ‘corporate financier’ (and a ‘Cockney’ one to boot) who described people in my position as ‘asset rich and cash poor’. Asset rich, my asset! Why does the fact that I bought a modest bungalow with what I had saved from a life of hard work in public service entitle those who didn’t from ripping me off more and more every year because I live in it? Rant over!
Call me cold-hearted, insensitive and unfeeling if you will (OK, You’re cold-hearted, insensitive and unfeeling), but the sight of grossly obese residents of New Orleans saying as how they hadn’t eaten for five days, did cause me to have mixed emotions. “It’s called a crash diet”. Surprised BBC didn’t use “Who ate all the pies…” as BGM.
As an ex-pat Brit., I appreciate the importance of ice in a gin and tonic, but it took me some time to appreciate the importance of ice in the emergency relief aid. It was to keep the insulin cool, as a significant proportion of New Orleans’ residents were diabetics. It’s a little hard for BBC reporters to be over critical of the New Orleans’ relief agencies when there were corpses on the street for up to six days and each person interviewed has a better excuse for inaction. “Leave them long enough and they’ll be a tourist attraction.”