Concerning BBC coverage of South Africa’s Jacob Zuma.
BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Zuma – a polygamist who has married at least five times – is renowned for his charm.
So, here is the “charming” Zuma sharing some of his thoughts on Blighty in the Indie….
“I am very clear on these issues,” he said. “I’ve not looked down upon any culture of anyone, and no one has been given an authority to judge others. The British have done that before, as they colonised us, and they continue to do this, and it’s an unfortunate thing.”
The BBC seemed curiously reticent to explore Zuma’s political personality in any depth, but perhaps like Peter Biles they were just simply charmed off their feet?
Things must be bad in South Africa, as the BBC tries to avoid telling us:
Channel 4 –
” Zuma needs Brown to boost his ratings”
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/zuma+needs+brown+to+boost+his+ratings/3568792
An un-BBC take:
‘Mac on…President Jacob Zuma of South Africas’s visit’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1255307/Mac–President-Jacob-Zuma-South-Africas-visit.html
For BBC: even parts of the political ‘left’ criticises ZUMA:
“Zuma comes louder”
http://www.hurryupharry.org/2010/03/04/zuma-comes-louder/
‘Times’ leading article on ZUMA:
“Time to step up”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article7050415.ece
( Non such at BBC.)