Open Thread Sunday

 

Hope no one’s been rudely cut off mid stream….here’s a fresh page to list the bias and other things of note and interest….

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228 Responses to Open Thread Sunday

  1. AsISeeIt says:

    Rachel Burden BBC 5 Live : ‘when someone comes in – there’s the talent and the skills – but do they…. rock the boat?’

    No, don’t panic, of course she isn’t asking about immigration – it was the football transfer deadline yesterday.

    The powers that be haven’t seen fit to establish any ‘immigration window’.

    And now let’s talk about the shortage of primary school places…. housing shortage…. NHS funding…. shortage of midwives… youth unemployment…. lah dee dah dee dah dee doo

       13 likes

  2. Alan Larocka says:

    Kerry dining with Assad……….ooops……………….his daughter married to Iranian………………..ooops…………..
    http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/09/kerry-dining-with-hitler.html
    http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/25/kerry-exposes-iranian-family-tie-and-subjects-family-to-blackmail/#ixzz2dnYApWFS
    Couldn’t possibly be a conflict of interest.

       5 likes

  3. AsISeeIt says:

    In light of a top BBC man’s recent comments there are some much loved TV shows now requiring more diversity….

    BBC2 Francesco’s Italy: Top to Toe

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0073m2f

    (pericolosamente Italiano ?)
    – Dangerously Italian

    BBC4 The Art of Russia
    Art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon travels through time to unlock the world of Russian art

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pdgjw

    -Dangerously Russian

    BBC Radio 4 Front Row – Seamus Heaney tribute

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b038zhbh/Front_Row_Seamus_Heaney_tribute/

    -Dangerously Irish

       10 likes

  4. Flexdream says:

    BBC

       0 likes

  5. Geoff says:

    Off topic, but I’m seriously beginning to doubt the validity and stupidity of the Daily Mail commenters.

    For example on the Doreen Lawrence story all comments were anti her appointment, yet all the ratings were negative.
    Today we have a story about Vinnie Jones saying he no longer recognises his own country. Yet the top rated comment by a long way is merely one pointing out the irony that he is an immigrant in the US, preferring to gloss over the fact that he isn’t scrounging, shares a culture and language and isn’t trying to change those around him.
    A lot of manipulation going on here…

       9 likes

    • Geoff says:

      I got that wrong, all the comments were pro her appointment, yet all the ratings were negative, there were no anti comments whatsoever.

         5 likes

      • Rufus McDufus says:

        Interesting when Margaret Thatcher died, all high rated comments were pro-Maggie, except for the top 3 or 4 which were viciously anti – and outscored the others by a large factor. Definitely a co-ordinated action.

           12 likes

    • Guest Who says:

      Ratings are, anywhere (DM, CiF, BBC… here – at least no BBC-style 0 ranks as any scary rankings quickly get offset) at best a game.
      Especially during working hours.
      Think of those who have the time during the day to indulge if motivated or, in the case of the BBC, a 20,000 intranet to mobilise.
      It’s the power of the argument to you alone that matters, not what anonymous others get behind or mark down.
      Which is why I find the BBC 9am-4pm closing HYSays as devious as anything, especially when comments and ratings are projected as reflecting the nation as a whole.

         6 likes

    • Guest Who says:

      Boy, could we do with a new thread, which I sense must be due soon.
      As a last hurrah here on the always topical issue of threads, posting, likes, dislikes, false flags, polls, rigged polls, etc, the variance in quality of comment and numbers (of comments and ratings) can always intrigue.
      This site seems pretty consistent in calibre and numbers. 3 days on an open now seeing 200+. A hot topic can often match. And they stay open.
      The BBC can vary a lot. Usually defined, or defied by bizarre admin. Threads closed the same day on… one comment. Or approaching 2k.
      Telegraph or CiF too. Heck of a spread with very heavy modding often.
      Still, it can be interesting to look at the stats for the site of one of the biggest political party’s biggest hitters…
      http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2013/09/unity-is-strength-2
      And that’s after the entire Westminster bubble has linked to it.
      Quite why he seems such a go-to commentator for some is a mystery.

         1 likes

  6. Guest Who says:

    You know those jokes bandied about here that after all the side-stepping cover, legal fees, compensation payments, hush money. FOI legal teams, new hires, duplicate roles, vanity projects and poor investment propping up, there’d only be money left from the licence fee for Dad’s Army re-runs?
    Things may be even worse.
    BBC Newsnight ‏@BBCNewsnight
    Not sure Paxman entirely on board with #showusyourshorts film project http://bit.ly/135Mxcn – but u can join in here http://bbc.in/1advavz

    They are offering the public they charge, uniquely, the opportunity to make content (suitably filtered first).
    One can see why Paxo may have a long face.
    That and his new Graun power list status.

       1 likes

  7. Beeboidal says:

    A muddled BBC online article concerning Vodafone’s sale of its stake in Verizon.

    Despite the huge size of the deal, it will not generate tax revenue for the UK..

    but later

    They [Vodafone shareholders in the UK] will also pay tax on the dividends they receive.

    Does tax paid on dividends not count as tax generated by this deal?

    Not paying any tax on the deal may be controversial.

    but earlier

    However, it will pay $5bn in tax in the United States.

    Does paying tax in another jurisdiction not count as paying tax?

    Finally, Margaret Hodge gets a word in

    “I think we want reassurance that HMRC is doing its darndest to look over this deal in huge detail to make sure that Vodafone, under the existing law, is paying all tax due.”

    Guido tells me that the tax leglislation concering this deal was brought in by Gordon and voted for by Hodge. So if this is all so controversial, perhaps the Beeb could have a word Labour and Hodge about it. And then with the Guardian, whose use of the same law the BBC seems to have missed.

       17 likes

    • Roland Deschain says:

      Does tax paid on dividends not count as tax generated by this deal?

      Slightly more complicated than that. Only higher-rate taxpayers will pay tax on the dividends. Basic rate tax is already deemed to have been covered by Corporation Tax, whether or not any was actually payable.

      As for La Hodge, Eddie Mair on PM did actually point out to her yesterday that it was Labour that brought in that rule, but sadly allowed her to waffle without pushing the matter. No-one at the BBC ever seems to push her on her numerous hypocrisies.

      Why is it always taken as A Good Thing for companies to pay tax? It presupposes that the Government will spend it more wisely than the original recipient.

         10 likes

      • Beeboidal says:

        Well done, Eddie Mair. No ‘you are a nasty piece of work, aren’t you?’ for Mrs Hodge.

           6 likes

    • Dave s says:

      BBC land looks at commmerce and industry as purely to provide tax revenue. What do you expect from an organisation whose business model is based on tax extortion.

         9 likes

  8. Guest Who says:

    Can’t see the problem myself.
    http://order-order.com/2013/09/03/prescotts-son-in-running-to-become-labour-mp/
    ‘through the ranks as a journalist from a local press agency to an Assistant Editor at the BBC’
    Swinging the slot, I mean.
    At least he’s not a PPE drone. That would be just too predictable.
    Unison may need to pop out a advisory pack to support staff though, as certain media may get all understanding again should the apple not fall far from the tree.
    Or the BBC training years prove hard to shake in these different times.

       7 likes

  9. George R says:

    BBC-NUJ: censorship on impact of Mass Immigration on Education.

    In line with BBC-NUJ policy, Beeboid Ms RICHARDSON does not mention the negative impact of immigration on school places in England-

    “Half of school districts face places crunch”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23931974

    Supplementary information for Ms Richardson:-

    1.)

    “Pupils packed in like sardines: Baby boom and migrant influx fuel school places crisis.
    “One third of councils laying on ‘bulge’ reception classes for start of term.
    “Crisis caused by immigration, baby boom and more children in state schools.
    “Some schools renting out office space to cope with increased demand.”
    “One in ten children going to primary that was not first choice of family.”

    By ANDREW LEVY and SARAH HARRIS.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2409393/Schools-place-crisis-fueled-baby-boom-migrant-influx.html

    2.)

    “Pupils pay the price for migration taboo”

    By DAILY MAIL COMMENT.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2409410/DAILY-MAIL-COMMENT-Pupils-pay-price-migration-taboo.html

       11 likes

  10. George R says:

    “OBAMA ADDRESSES AMERICAN MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CONVENTION”

    (inc video clip).

    http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/09/obama-addresses-american-muslim-brotherhood-convention.html

    No doubt that will encourage Mardell and Beeboids to support Obama more strongly, and to support Islam via the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood.

    The daily Islamisation of the West.

       9 likes

  11. Jeff Waters says:

    OECD raises UK growth forecast – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23944091

    ‘The OECD economic agency has sharply increased its growth forecast for the UK economy this year to 1.5% from an earlier estimate of 0.8%.’

    That’s fantastic news, so why isn’t the BBC treating this as a major news story?

    If the OECD had halved rather than doubled its forecast for Britain’s growth, I think we all know what the BBC’s reaction would have been…

    Jeff

       10 likes

    • David Preiser (USA) says:

      Perhaps it’s not considered a major news story at the BBC because of the perspective Stephanie “Bike” Flanders has just given:

      It’s much better late than never, but earlier would have been better. That’s how most economists would respond to mounting evidence that the UK recovery is starting to be more balanced.

      It’s great news that manufacturing and exports seem to be playing a bigger part in the UK’s economic growth. It’s also good to see British firms expanding their business with the Bric countries.

      The shame is that all this is happening, just as those big emerging markets are slowing down – and just as they are looking to export more as well.

      Not negative enough? Just wait. She doesn’t mention the OECD explicitly, but it’s related because her piece is essentially about giving you negatives to detract from the good news about housing and manufacturing. So the good news isn’t anything to get excited about, and adds to a false impression. There’s been real growth in exports, you say?

      But, as the prime minister has pointed out, this progress is from a low base. Emerging markets still account for a much smaller share of exports in the UK than the European average. Let alone Germany.

      That weak position has been particularly troublesome recently, when emerging markets have accounted for so much of the growth in global imports (see chart from HSBC below).

      Now for the comedy:

      So yes (in case you missed me saying it the first five times), it is good news that the UK’s manufacturing sector is making and selling more at home and abroad.

      But that, too, is progress from a low base. Our manufacturing sector is still 11% smaller than it was at the end of 2007.

      And with emerging market economies now faltering, our hopes of rebalancing further may be even more dependent on the eurozone’s recovery than they were before.

      Flanders refutes those who think she’s talking it down, then talks it down. Gosh, Steph, why would people think you’re being negative?

         10 likes

  12. will says:

    Local TV may be coming to a screen near you soon – but not for the first time, as the UK already has a rich history of local television, writes social historian Joe Moran. But did viewers really want to watch pub darts and barber shop singers?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23906703

    I probably wouldn’t watch but if I wasn’t forced to pay for it I wouldn’t mind others receiving the service

       3 likes

  13. Span Ows says:

    Headline: Phone hacking: Ex-News of the World journalist Dan Evans charged

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23946070

    Doesn’t mention Daily Mirror anywhere yet for the period charged he was at the Sunday Mirror….

    I have a screen shot.

       13 likes

    • Span Ows says:

      I note Guido has a couple of posts on this today and highlights the Mirror angle; he also says Evans is being reported as ex NoW journo almost everywhere so can I preempt Dez and Co to say that we don’t pay for the other media but I expect the BBC to check their sources/stories, and be impartial….yep, some hope.

         13 likes

    • Beeboidal says:

      Near the bottom of the article it now has

      Mr Evans had also worked at the Sunday Mirror, leaving at the end of 2004.

      Update timestamp of 14:39, 14 minutes after your post.

         6 likes

      • Span Ows says:

        Thanks. Still don’t relate the two things though:

        Conspiring to intercept the voicemails of “well-known people and those associated with them” – phone hacking – between 28 February 2003 and 1 January 2005

        Mr Evans had also worked at the Sunday Mirror, leaving at the end of 2004.

        hmmmm

           7 likes

  14. Jeff Waters says:

    Comedian Mark Thomas joins disability activists blockading the BBC – http://www.demotix.com/news/2569539/comedian-mark-thomas-joins-disability-activists-blockading-bbc#media-2569505

       4 likes

    • Roland Deschain says:

      I knew there was a loudmouth lefty called Mark Thomas, but you’re telling me there’s a comedian goes by that name too?

         11 likes

  15. #88 says:

    Has anyone noticed an increasing trend for the BBC to use the TUC or Trades Unions as a proxy for the Labour Party in their stories lately.

    Yesterday we had the TUC campaigning on behalf of agency workers, last week they were on about the living / minimum wage (and McClusky was allowed his three penn’orth about Syria). Today they were in the studios whinging about the increasing numbers of part-time workers. Add to that, yesterday the teaching unions were invited to criticise Gove’s plans to improve performance in English and Maths.

    So it seems that the formula is now something like this:

    1) Presenters says that the Govt announces an initiative
    2) Labour interviewee opposes (and* / or)
    3) TUC or Trades Union interviewee opposes

    *To enable the BBC to double dip opposing comments

    I’m not sure why this has become so prevalent. Perhaps the Guardian / BBC / Union axis felt that Milband and his ministers weren’t doing a good enough job (or they were conscious of the criticism that Labour politicians were having too much access to their mikes and they needed a proxy).

    Whatever. They seemed to have opened up another front. The BBCs links to the trades unions seem to be growing by the day.

       14 likes

  16. Rufus McDufus says:

    Headline news on the BBC News website – ‘Israel missile test amid Syria fears’.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23947354

    The Arrow is a surface-to-air missile. It’s intended as a defence weapon for Israel. Why would Syrial fear it then?
    But – click on the story and the headline changes – ‘Israel missile test amid fear of Syria escalation’. OK, that’s slightly different. Their headline on the front page insinuatess Syria is afraid of Israel, not the Israelis fearing the Syrian conflict spreading which is the reality of the situation.

    And it begs the question – if an Israeli defence missile being fired in a controlled test into the sea is headline news, why is it not headline news when Palestinian (offensive) rockets are fired at Israel? For instance August 13th – 2 missiles fired at Sderot. Do these not count, or are they so frequent that the BBC doesn’t deem it important? If I fired a couple of rockets at Islington I doubt they’d ignore it.

       12 likes

  17. David Preiser (USA) says:

    The BBC is discovering that perhaps the Muslim Brotherhood never was quite as popular as they’ve led you to believe. This kind of thing keeps happening, and one has to wonder why.

       10 likes

  18. David Preiser (USA) says:

    Here are some more anti-war protesters for you, BBC:

    When Alinskyites Collide: Anti-War Protesters Descend on John Kerry’s Townhouse

    They weren’t personally home yesterday, but if John and Teresa* were angry that anti-war protestors were pounding on the door of their Beacon Hill townhouse, they might want to dust off their copy of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, or borrow a copy from Kerry’s boss, who trained under Alinsky acolytes in Chicago.

    Alinsky recommended that radical protestors descend upon the homes of what the Occupy crowd dubbed the “One Percent” in 2011; apparently, the goal in Saul’s fevered mind was to apply pressure by sufficiently angering the protestee’s neighbors, thus indirectly roping them as well into Alinksy’s patented formula of the protest as a form of organized public psychotherapy, to borrow from Mark Judge’s recent article.

    I wonder if Jonny Dymond followed them from the DC protest he attended reported on the other day.

       7 likes

  19. David Preiser (USA) says:

    Here’s one for you, from that Ex-BBC forum:

    BBC Apprenticeships

    BBC Director-General Tony Hall today announced that the BBC will take on an apprentice in every BBC local radio station across England and in BBC radio stations across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by September 2014.

    This information from The BBC Media Centre.

    “Tony Hall says: “I believe passionately in apprenticeships. This announcement of an additional 45 BBC apprentices demonstrates our commitment to broadening the routes through which talented young people can join the BBC. It also reaffirms our commitment to investing in talent from the broadest possible range of backgrounds and communities across the UK.””

    Ex-Beeboid reply:

    Fine–as long as the right kind of properly recruited people apply

    No matter which way one reads this, it backs up what we’ve been saying all along. From the mouths of (ex-)Beeboids….

       14 likes

    • #88 says:

      Only Labour party members, or the off-spring of Labour politicians* need apply.

      (I was going to add ‘*and Guardian readers’ but conscious that the word count in Job Ads is important, I didn’t. As night follows day they will be anyway….how would they get to read the ad in the first place?)

         10 likes

    • Guest Who says:

      Maybe a reference from green room maven Prescott, or his son?

         3 likes

  20. Pounce says:

    Got to hand it to the bBC for this one;
    Syria crisis: Bitterness grows against refugees
    James Reynolds has been speaking to a restaurant owner in Hatay, at a crossing used by tens of thousands of refugees. He also attended a rally on the Turkey-Syria border to get Turkish opinion on the growing number of refugees in the country.

    Can you imagine the bBC going around the UK getting the locals to vent their spleens against the growing number of…Migrants. Listen to how the locals are allowed to complain (without question) about the rise in Crime, the increase in rates, how these migrants can do as they please. Yup the locals really have their backs up over the influx of 2 million migrants . Can you imagine the bBC doing something similar in the Uk where over 4 million Migrants have relocated?

    Nah,neither can I.

       22 likes

  21. Guest Who says:

    Tick, tick, tick…
    http://tradingaswdr.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/get-together.html
    ‘Someone has to sort this out.’
    There are a few suggestions knocking about on other ‘sorting out’ options, though the market rate floor may not be that keen.

       3 likes

  22. Guest Who says:

    Newsnight’s ratings have been tanking.
    Hence…
    BBC Newsnight ‏@BBCNewsnight 6h
    MT @suellr See my #Newsnight report on FGM at 2230 BBC2 – UK govt betrayal of victims plus crazy exchange with a mullah about the clitoris.

    It might just work.
    Plus there may even be some education & information in there too.
    Be interesting if it does see an ‘Inside Out’ version rushed out to atone, where FGM is really the fault of women. Or Israelis. Or Israeli women. Or Margaret Thatcher.

       9 likes

    • #88 says:

      I watched it. A muddled piece that was both railing against FGM and it seems, our Asylum policy.

      While Paxo had a snide dig about government inaction (no prosecutions here, unlike the 100 or so in France) and that Ministers had refusal to appear, my mind went back some months to a ‘Your Call’ on the subject, when Gameshow gathered ‘experts’ together. This time the call for prosecutions was roundly condemned…the case for education, rather than criminalisation won the day.

      I well remember my days at school where we lined up and had our bits examined by the school nurse (‘cough’).
      I see no reason why this is not re-instated and the parents of daughters found to be mutilated are taken to court.

      Of course Gameshow’s handwringers thought that this was culturally insensitive and a step too far.

      So the BBC does all it can to play the cultural card and stymie (re)action….then complain when the Country is too cowed and uncertain to do something.

      It’s time the BBC made is mind up. Or better still minded its own business, leaving those elected free to do the right thing.

         12 likes

  23. George R says:

    Syria:
    -the new U.K political line, given that British people don’t want intervention-

    1.) make sure (says Cameron, without consulting British people) that a higher percentage of British taxpayers’ money, than any other country, goes to Syria. Why?
    If British people wish to donate towards Syrian refugees they can do so via charity, not via taxes.

    2.) keep open another Commons vote (says B. Johnson, with an eye on Muslim voters on London?).

    “UK ‘to lead world’ on aid for Syrian refugees”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23942037

    Of course, Beeboids would prefer the Obama-Muslim Brotherhood-Al Nusrah-Al Qaeda route, but they appear to accept the above 1.) and 2.) as second best for Britain for now.

       5 likes

  24. chrisH says:

    Good old BBC eh?…as subtle as a wayward mallet.
    Just heard a section of “The World Tonight”…stories of the inevitable rise of the Greens in Germany(Ritalah Shah)-albeit with a few moaning graspers from the free market sector gainsaying this-and then it was followed by the Fukishima nuclear reactor being more radioactive than previously thought.
    See what they did there?…good old Greens, nasty old nuclear power…there`s a global link you know!
    And next?…all hail Venezuela!
    Seamless, subtle and will have to vote green or socialist next time won`t I?
    Unless Chavismo can yet get a new lease of life…send your loo rolls to Caracas please if you`d be so kind!

       9 likes

  25. Sir Arthur Strebe-Grebling says:

    If I have to watch any more bBBC North West ‘news’ I’m going to put my boot through the television! Non-stop unquestioning propaganda for whingeing Scousers.

       11 likes

  26. noggin says:

    OT but … did anyone catch this?
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/stephen-fry-hits-back-at-accusations-of-islamophobia-8793025.html

    excerpt – “It is a topsy-turvy smothering of debate and an Orwellian denial of free speech to declare that speaking out against violence will cause violence.”
    HELLO! 😀 … where have you been Mr Fry, for all this time eh! … with your buddies and paymasters at the bbc?

    Can we assume, you ll be leading, backing a call for allowing Mr R Spencer back to the UK then?
    … we won t hold our breath.

    some of the comments? 😀 … priceless

    “I am afraid of anyone who hates me and everything I stand for and wants me and the civilisation I grew up in destroyed.”
    Our civilisation was destroyed by lefties like you Mr Fry. You have spent decades sawing off the branch you were sitting on … don’t complain”

       20 likes

  27. OldBloke says:

    Oh the irony. Union cutz!

       3 likes

  28. Charlatans says:

    Just reported by Guido Fawkes Twitter that Rach Reeves lied on Radio 4 this morning stating, without any challenge, that Labour does ot get most of its funding unions.

    Anybody surprised that such highly paid Sarah, and prompting producers, feel this tax funded broadcaster can mis-inform the people who pay their wageswith such impunity.

       10 likes

    • #88 says:

      Yes. Gameshow’s phone in this morning on the subject of TU funding for the Labour party was a remarkable slugfest, with the Tory funding mentioned almost as often as Labour’s.

      Although some from the hard left had a go at Miliband (including the ubiquitous Gameshow regular, ‘Geoff from Oldham’ – or Salford now…mmm?), we had ‘big business, hedge funds, bankers, the city…and of course Thatcher’ mentioned innumerable times.

      And although the discussion was supposed to be about the Unions, Kevin Maguire, introduced as ‘Associate Editor at the Daily Mirror’ (but Gameshow forgot to mention his roll as a Labour Party hit-man), had the freedom of the BBC to lay into the Tories as did most of the contributors.

      Gameshow himself joined in, taking the opportunity to talk about the amount of funding that the Tories got from hedge funds…completely irrelevant and inaccurate if my memory serves me.

      So, blow me down. Who would have thought that a BBC phone-in about Labour’s funding difficulty and their relationship with the unions would have turned into an hour long free hit at the Conservatives? And not a Tory in sight to provide, or given the opportunity to provide, balance.

      Surely this was an example of a serious breach of the BBC’s rules on impartiality.

         16 likes

  29. Charlatans says:

    Oops! …..that should be…….does “not” get most of it’s funding from the unions.

       2 likes

    • Albaman says:

      The issue under discussion was income from Union Affiliation fees. In 2012 Labour received £7.96m from this source. Total income for the period was £33m.

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23450435

         4 likes

      • Charlatans says:

        Albaman why on earth do you obfuscate for political bias at every opportunity?

        The issue under discussion was not “2012…Total income for the period was £33m.”

        The elephant in the room was GMB 90% planned cuts 2014.

        In any event the 2012 numbers you quote need some amplification since the BBC do seem to by choice to ensure those paying BBC tax for good clean facts are given some mis-information, or not the full picture, like you for political ends.

        See the confusing details on BBC link (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23450435) you published:

        Labour Donations were £5.1m and Unions affiliation fees £7.96m?

        Why raise 2012 numbers when they have absolutely no bearing on the comments I was making?

           3 likes

        • Albaman says:

          It is really quite simple. If total income in the last financial year amounted to £33m and only £7.96m came from Union Affiliation Fees then the “vast majority” of Labour’s income came from other sources.

             4 likes

          • Charlatans says:

            Stop wasting time on stupid on “I find a reason to say you are wrong”.

            We are not talking about vast majority of Labour party income in 2012.

            Guido Fawkes, me and every person listening were homed in to learn that GMB funding Labour in 2014 is to be cut by 90%.

            Looking at the 2012 Labour accounts have nothing to do with the point – they even mention the taxpayer weighed in at £6.7m to Labours 2012 coffers, which I have a bone to pick about as well!

               4 likes

            • Albaman says:

              You seem to have changed your argument from your original post!

              How very bBBC!!

                 4 likes

              • Mat says:

                You seem to be deflecting again ! how very mindless defender of multi billion £ corporation of you !

                   1 likes

              • johnnythefish says:

                I see your point, Albaman.

                Nevertheless, slim pickings on this site for you still. No argument with #88’s post, I see – what a hideously balatant example of BBC bias but, sadly, par for the course for Nicky Campbell.

                Look forward to the day when you have the good grace to acknowledge just one teensy-weensy bit of bias. Until then, your unswerving support for all things BBC continues to arouse suspicion.

                   0 likes

    • Beeboidal says:

      The Electoral Commission page the BBC linked to has gone ‘page not found’. I queried the Electoral Commission’s database for Labour donations and it came up with total cash donations of £11,204,672.03. Of this, the database shows £8,676,454.00 was provided by unions. The total value of funding, which includes public money, non-cash etc, is given as ££19,439,510.61. Anyone know how the figure of £33 million was made up?

         1 likes

  30. Fred Bloggs says:

    9.45am BBC news has just told us Richard iii died in 1415. Well we all know the bBC doesn’t know it’s Agincourt from it’s Bosworth’s.

       6 likes

  31. Arthur Penney says:

    I remember BBC news the other night doing a review of the morning papers.

    “We’ll start with this one as it’s in The Guardian”

       10 likes

  32. Guest Who says:

    http://order-order.com/2013/09/04/make-welfare-recipients-work-for-the-dole/
    ‘there seems to be a lot of public support judging from the surprised and disappointed reaction of BBC radio phone-in presenters today’
    Well, purely a subjective call by a hardly unbiased observer, surely? But could BBC staff be so overtly at odds with those they claim to speak for?

    UPDATE: Turns out some polling has been done on the idea already. According to Populus, the public overwhelmingly back the idea
    Seems they can. Unaccountably.
    Shocked, one tells you… shocked!

       6 likes

  33. JaneTracy says:

    With good news about the UK economy emerging on several fronts this week you might think that Stephanie Flanders would stop floundering on BBC News 24 trailers and cover it. Er no!

    “Ronald Coase and his economics”

    Many of you may well be thinking that Steph who oftem misses things has missed it all, but apparently not.

    “Stephanie Flanders ‏@BBCStephanie 23h
    @ToryTreasury You took out the bit about the 3.5% growth figure being annualised. A bit misleading without that….”

    I wonder if she has ever told Labour that they have been misleading?

       6 likes

  34. Ian Rushlow says:

    Welcome to the year 1013… a sensitive piece (no pun intended) on the practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Gambia — fast catching on the UK (supposedly illegal, but no convictions yet). See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23933437. It’s part of the current BBC campaign on FGM, although they are not yet sure whether they are for it (religious rights) or against it (women’s rights). Somewhat disturbingly in an already disturbing article, we learn that “the threat of FGM is recognised as a justification for claiming asylum in the UK.” Not by ordinary Britons it isn’t.

       5 likes

  35. Thoughtful says:

    http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/82194/news-full#comments

    I thought I’d post this as such a shocking story and low sentence. What truly is appalling is that shocking though it is such acts no longer merit reporting in regional media, let alone the mainstream.

    If this had happened the other way around you can bet the BBC would be carrying it as headline news and an appropriate sentence would have been handed down.

       5 likes

  36. Roland Deschain says:

    Norway: more BBC lies

    But, as in so many other instances, if you do not tell the BBC what it wants to hear, you don’t get heard.

       5 likes