Category Archives: BBC bias

Cameron attacked Labour for supporting Sadiq Khan as their candidate to be the London Mayor….the Labour that ‘sympathises with terrorists’.

In his statement he said…..

“If we are going to condemn not just violent extremism but also the extremism that seeks to justify violence in any way, it is very important that we do not back these people and that we do not appear on platforms with them,” the Prime Minister said.

He told us that we must understand the problem of Islamic extremism within the Muslim community or we will take the wrong path to deal with it.

Well you could start with the MCB….the failure to understand their views and how those views are so very widespread within the Muslim community means that for years we have been failing to grasp the real problem behind ‘radicalisation’….it’s not poverty, marginalisation, discrimination or a war on Islam and Muslims…..it starts with an ideology that very clearly creates a very stark them and us divide within society.  The refusal by politicians and the media to admit that means it is left to fester…..and leaves us with a very uncertain future.

You may have noticed that the BBC has been doing some catching up on the subject of the Ahmadis after having refused to broadcast the fact that the murder of  Asad Shah in Glasgow was the result of mainstream Muslim hatred of Ahmadis.  However, you may also have noticed, that the BBC ascribes the hatred to the usual ‘small group of extremists who don’t represent Islam’ line.

Victoria Derbyshire took a look at the subject last week.  And yes, it’s just a small group of extremists to blame.  No mention of the views of the extremist, sorry, ‘conservative’, MCB which is by far and away the most representative Muslim organisation in the UK today…oh hang on, here’s the one mention we do get…a screen shot of the MCB’s mantra of peace and love scrolling by on a computer …the MCB ‘condemns violence or hatred towards any group’.…..that’s alright then…..

Others might disagree…from the Independent:

The Muslim Council of Britain has officially decided I’m not Islamic enough – but I never did anything wrong

Why should this even matter to an outsider? The MCB has for long been a credible organisation, representing several mosques and Islamic groups, and done a lot of valuable work on behalf of Muslim communities across the UK. But their recent statement has wider, and potentially dangerous, implications for us all.

When Muslims start playing God in this way, religious prejudice, bigotry and hate will inevitably rise – including here in Britain.

Why did the BBC put that screen shot front and centre in its programme and yet not mention the MCB’s real beliefs on the subject at all?  Not hard to find…here’s their latest pronouncement after the killing of Asad Shah…

Why does the BBC ignore the fact that this mainstream, powerful and influential Muslim group, lays the groundwork for the widespread Muslim beliefs about the Ahmadis that lead to such attacks, or indeed that such views are ddefinitely not the preserve of a small, unrepresentative, extremist segment of Muslims?

The BBC, as always ducking, the truth, scared of the real answer and what it means for Europe.

Always interesting those little comments that slip out and which reveal so much.

Peter Allen was discussing Northern Ireland and Stormont.  We heard how things may not be perfect now and people may not be happy with Stormont’s government but they forget how bad it was before…Allen piped up….‘A bit like Europe then’…..Yeah that’s right Peter, the EU, so unappreciated…it may not be perfect but let’s not forget that without it, that unelected, undemocratic EU regime that uses every trick in the book to force ‘ever-closer union’, submission and compliance to its demands, the Fascist dictators would be back in power.  The EU, we’re lucky to have it, you’re so right Peter…..better the devil you know.  Vote remain…tied to the Titanic.

We also had Cameron on PMQ’s attacking Labour for supporting Sadiq Khan who has very dubious beliefs and common purpose with some very dubious people.  Martha Kearney on World at One told us that the allegations against Khan were ‘disputed allegations’ which seems an odd turn of phrase clearly designed to throw doubt on allegations that are in fact very well founded.  She also told us that Labour MPs shouted ‘racist’ at Cameron…..now that is pretty well impossible to discern from the audio, I  heard one female voice shout it but only by listening very closely a couple of times, and it raises the question why the BBC would mention something so hard to hear….clearly just want to throw mud hoping it will stick [The Telegraph then picked up the story…but probably from the BBC…which shows how the BBC effects the whole media narrative and sets the hounds running]…no ‘disputed’ allegation of racism here though…..if you oppose Islamic extremism you’re a racist…..Labour playing the race card to close down democratic debate and ignoring the Islamism of its own Mayoral candidate and it’s Cameron that the BBC chooses to undermine.

Nicholas Witchell, still the BBC’s royal correspondent, had a sly dig at Prince Charles when discussing his own interview with Prince William.  Talking about his workload and how he decides what to give priority to, William said he was giving more time to his family.  Witchell decided this was the result of some deep, psychological trauma William had suffered …..ie he had been somehow neglected and he witnessed how his father had treated his mother…ie Diana and all that.  This was pure Witchell speculation and invention…nothing to do with Charles having called Witchell ‘That awful man’ once and William having snubbed him last year?….The man the royals love to HATE: So what HAS the BBC’s Nicholas Witchell done to upset them so much? 

No wonder Giles Fraser loves immigration so much….his flock doth increaseth so much….and as they probably don’t speak English too well it doesn’t matter that Giles speaks utter bilge most of the time….

When you get this, I will be deep inside Frau Merkel’s Islamistan! Detail the bias here please, you know it makes sense!

The BBC would have known about Natalie Rowe’s claims about Whittingdale since 2014 when they started to come out into the public sphere, and mid 2015 they were published in her book.

Did Rowe contact the BBC immediately herself in early 2014?  It looks like she had a falling out with the BBC, Panorama, around then over their harassment of her for an exclusive story about something.

Rowe seems to have forgiven them by the middle of 2015 and is making direct accusations about Whittingdale…and the BBC is not reporting them…….why not?   Make of this what you will…..the BBC ‘holding back’, the BBC not reporting….not reporting what exactly?……#Whittingdale……in the public interest, crucial for the BBC [future?]…

Did the BBC know about Whittingdale at least by October 2015?  And if so…why not report it?…..How can they attack the Press for a ‘cover-up’ conspiracy if they themselves have done exactly the same?……

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 26 Oct 2015  @BienSoeur @Glenn_P_Rice After you find out what #BBC held back on reporting, NO ONE should ever pay a licence fee. #WHITTINGDALE

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 26 Oct 2015  @BienSoeur @Glenn_P_Rice Wait till I let you in on what #BBC haven’t reported and believe me, it’s of great Public interest,for them crucial

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 22 Jul 2015   @JWhittingdale What a disgrace you are! You have a love of Prostitutes & drugs so leave the #BBC alone and concentrate on what you know BEST

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 5 Nov 2015  @JWhittingdale @BBC > Can’t bare the stench of corruption

 Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 19 Dec 2015  Soon folks this Email from-Editor of @Independent namely #Amol will become more clear. #BBC #Whittingdale #Coverup

In reply to BBC Politics  Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 21 Dec 2015  @BBCPolitics @BBCNews Shame the #BBC hands are tied, when it comes to outing corrupt Tory Politicians. #newsnight. Jog on !

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe Jan 17 2016  @PrettyHatMech @hannahmge @bbcnickrobinson @BBC @janemartinson No worries, #Whittingdale Exclusive very soon. This week will be interesting

[Jane Martinson is from the Guardian]

Here are the 2014 Tweets regarding the BBC’s Alistair jackson who was trying to arrange some sort of exclusive deal….

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 2014   @KazzJenkins No need to complain,I’ll just post the email on Twitter , that will show the Contempt of #BBC , it’s show them at their worst

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe 15 Apr 2014  @JackoJourno Unfollow me you Parasite , don’t leave anymore messages on my phone , I’m not a dumb DOM , I wouldn’t give you an exclusive

Natalie Rowe ‏@RealNatalieRowe  @JackoJourno stop texting me privately do it on Twitter for everyone to see, have the guts, screw you ,Panorama and BBC, should be ashamed

Memory lane….let’s take a trip….

Labour’s Hugh Gaitskell in October 1962, predicted the truth five decades ago….

‘Of course, the Tories have been indulging in their usual double-talk. When they go to Brussels they show the greatest enthusiasm for political union.

‘When they speak in the House of Commons they are most anxious to aver that there is no commitment whatever to any political union.’

What the Tories two-faced?  You are kidding pal!…..Remember this…..

Reform EU or Britain quits – George Osborne lays down ultimatum

George Osborne will today deliver a stark warning to Britain’s European partners that the UK will leave the EU unless it embarks on whole-scale economic and political reform.

“The biggest economic risk facing Europe doesn’t come from those who want reform and renegotiation – it comes from a failure to reform and renegotiate.

“It is the status quo which condemns the people of Europe to an ongoing economic crisis and continuing decline.”

“There is a simple choice for Europe: reform or decline. Our determination is clear: to deliver the reform, and then let the people decide.”

British PM Cameron lays out terms, warns Britain could still leave EU

Britain would “think again” over its EU membership if no deal is reached.

Just last November Cameron said we could have to consider leaving the EU…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfpeiH0uDF8

Oh and remember this from his Bloomberg speech…..rings hollow today…….

Proponents of both sides of the argument will need to avoid exaggerating their claims.

However, now, it’s a looming, blooming, apocalypse if we leave the EU…

UK economy ‘could be 6% smaller’ after EU exit, warns Treasury

Britain’s national income could be 6% smaller by 2030 if the UK leaves the European Union, a major report by the Treasury will say.

The 200-page report says the size of the cut in gross domestic product would be the equivalent of about £4,300 a year for every household.

Trade barriers will be higher – hitting exports – and investment will be lower both within the UK and from abroad after an EU exit, the report argues.

 

George Osborne: UK would be ‘permanently poorer’ outside EU

The UK would be “permanently poorer” outside the European Union, Chancellor George Osborne has warned ahead of the in-out vote on membership on 23 June.

So how times change eh?  One minute it’s a reasonable and appropriate action to take to leave the EU if it remained unreformed, the next it is the end of the world if we do….and of course it is unreformed.

But then abrupt changes of tack and opinion are not unusual for Osborne….and nor is incompetence at economic forecasting and management…remember the omnishambles in 2012?  Of course that was just one of many to come….2016 just the latest.  But also remember the frenetic BBC analysis, the forensic way the BBC poured over every little detail so as to better embarass Osborne….as I say how times change when it comes to Osborne’s doomladen prophecy about leaving the EU, the BBC doesn’t seem too keen to ask too many difficult questions.

But let’s first consider Osborne’s opinion on how the economy is running.

In November last year things were looking up and he and Cameron were promising us the world…Here they are seeming very pleased with themselves in 2015…

But hang on, just three months later after giving us his barnstorming prediction of economic boom the forecast was suddenly turned upside down and we were heading for recession…

George Osborne warns of further spending cuts in Budget

Chancellor George Osborne has warned he may have to make fresh cuts to public spending in next month’s Budget.

Mr Osborne told the BBC global economic turmoil and slower growth meant “we may need to undertake further reductions”…as figures showed the UK economy was smaller than expected.

Labour’s John McDonnell said it was “a total humiliation” for Mr Osborne and that the British people would end up paying for Mr Osborne’s own failures.

He accused the chancellor of having “sneaked off to China to admit what Labour have been saying for months – that his recovery is built on sand”.

“Far from paying our way, Osborne’s short-term economics means Britain is deeper and deeper in hock to the rest of the world,” he said. “He is threatening the British people with paying an even higher price for his own failures.”

And what of the 2016 budget…surely George got it right this time?  Er no…..

It’s official: this is George Osborne’s worst Budget since the ‘omnishambles’ of 2012

This is another ‘omnishambles’ on an epic scale for Osborne, and he may drag the government down with him

George seems to have a little bit of trouble forecasting the economics even three months ahead…never mind forecasting the political reaction to his stunts.  How can he be forecasting the prospects for our economy up until 2030, predicting an economy in ruins without the EU to prop us up?

What does the BBC think?

Have they gone in all guns blazing, tearing his figures apart and examinig them in the minutest detail as per norm with a Tory budget?  Not really.

Things didn’t start well with this rather upbeat and positive spin on Osborne’s claims from Kamal Ahmed:

UK economy ‘could be 6% smaller’ after EU exit, warns Treasury

Nick Robinson levelled things out a bit on the Today programme (08:10) with an interview with Osborne that asked the right questions but didn’t get bogged down in the figures too much.

We also had Brillo on Sunday, slightly off thread but about the EU, tackling Tristram Hunt, asking the questions that you very rarely hear on the BBC about what the risks might be of staying in the EU such as increased immigration, economic risk of being dragged down with the EU and a forced marriage as the EU grinds inevitably towards ever-closer union taking us with it.   Hunt blustered and gave us bland, sweeping answers that answered nothing really.

Back to the economic apocalypse of a Brexit and we have the BBC’s ‘Reality Check’…..which seemed merely to be playing at impartiality and in reality was just putting a positive spin on the figures.

It tells us that Osborne may be exaggerating slightly but he’s in the right ballpark…the trend is still a negative one if we leave.

The BBC tells us that it has examined the economic models used to make the predictions and…

If you are still reading, the thing to take away from this morning’s events is this: ignore the headline figures – the Treasury thinks that leaving the EU would be bad for the UK economy, reducing its output by a considerable amount.

Ah…so we’re still doomed even of you ignore the models….er….aren’t the Treasury figures based on the models so how can we ignore them, how can we judge the truth of the treasury figures without knowing if they were generated using a credible model?

What if you really want to get to grips with the models, do they stand up to scrutiny?….

If what you care about is economic modelling, then this is a perfectly respectable piece of modelling, following broadly similar methodology to the one from the Centre for Economic Performance,

So the models are trific?  Guido thinks not….

Lobby journalists and MPs have reacted with bewilderment at the Treasury’s use of a number of complex mathematical equations to underpin their argument for Brexit. This much vaunted analysis was based on a “gravity model”, a device used to model “trade flows between two countries as a function of economic variables such as GDP, geographic..and cultural variables”.

Well, the Treasury’s gravity model has been discounted numerous times for its use in predicting the impact that large scale economic changes will have on the economy. 

Regardless, let’s get things in perspective as the BBC guides us through the maths…

One useful thing from this Treasury report is that it helps put into context the significance of the UK’s contribution to the EU Budget. The Treasury says that the 6% of GDP in 2030 would cut tax receipts by £36bn, dwarfing the contributions to the EU. Indeed, the Treasury has reached the £36bn figure after subtracting the UK’s £7bn a year average net contribution.

See what I mean… the BBC just oozes pro-Osborne fudgery, it looks like analysis but always edges towards the pro-EU side….’We’ve examined the figures…yes, maybe slightly off, but the general thrust is correct…we’re doomed, doomed I tell you, if we Brexit!’

Or to put it in BBCSpeak:

Reality Check verdict: The precise figure is questionable and probably not particularly helpful. If you want to be influenced by economic modelling, the useful thing to take away is that the Treasury thinks leaving the EU would be bad for the economy, by an amount that would dwarf the savings from not having to contribute to the EU Budget.

So you might think leaving will mean more money but in fact…we’re doomed.

As I have said the BBC isn’t tearing Osborne a new one over his figures as they normally do, and even seem to be giving a bit of subdued cheerleading.  Robinson did a decent interview though and he will be giving Gove a going over on Tuesday at some time…no doubt 08:10.  Kuenssberg gives a mainly pro-Osborne analysis here being fairly dismissive of the Brexit camp.

Osborne is essentially getting away with murder here…the BBC not really holding him to account despite the rain of scorn being poured down on him and his figures from other quarters…and not much of a look back at Osborne and Cameron’s hypocrisy and failures on leaving the EU and the budgets.

Why do we get nothing like this from the BBC?  Here is Nelson Fraser in the Spectator giving Osborne a going over [It will be interesting to see if Nelson gets an interview on the BBC about this…they usually drag him when he has something critical to say  about Osborne’s handiwork]…

The BBC have been so busy facilitating Osborne’s latest Project Fear wheeze that we will all be several thousands pounds worse off by 2030, that it seems to have missed this, as a Biased BBC reader draws to my eye;

A Biased BBC contributor shared this with me.

“I thought you might be interested in the email below which was just sent out to BBC News staff. Jasmine Williams is also known as Jasmine Lawrence, and these links show what she did ahead of the European and local elections in 2014. Interesting to see the BBC promoting her just before the EU referendum!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/27518447

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2635680/Top-BBC-editor-brands-Ukip-racist-sexist-Twitter-News-channel-boss-accused-bias-hours-election.html

This email is being sent to everyone in BBC News on behalf of James Stephenson, News Editor

Dear all,

I am delighted to announce that Jasmine Williams has been appointed as Deputy News Editor on a year’s attachment. She is currently an Assistant Editor on the News Channel, where she has combined editing with a substantial planning role. Jasmine has a wealth of experience working across platforms as a news editor and deployment editor on the desk, planning editor and assignment editor.

Jasmine will be sharing the weekend news editor role and the planning editor role with Toby Castle, rotating between the two sides of the job each month. She will be taking up her new role in May.

James

What joy and not a hint of bias. No Sirree!

OK then, time for a new one of these! Detail the daily tsunami of bias here.