On and On

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The fractured relationship between Israel and the US was the second item on news headlines this morning, but by the next bulletin it had been demoted it to the tail end. Because of Hillary’s concessionary language it was downgraded from sensational “rift,” announced with relish,( Paxman called it a ‘Crisis of Historic Proportions) to a grudging admission that both parties were making conciliatory noises. Too bad for the Beeb, slightly … Continue reading →

SHAHIL UPDATE

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This is still a huge story for the BBC – I refer to the Sahil Saeed kidnap narrative. It’s not often you see SUCH publicity being blasted through the BBC and it was the major headline yesterday and is still right up there in the rankings. As Martin said yesterday, every day is a good day to bury bad news when Labour have to be saved. Click through to read … Continue reading →

IS BRITAIN WORKING OR NOT?

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So, let me get this right. On the day when official figures reveal that an astonishing 8.16 million of our fellow citzens are now ‘economically inactive’ and when that rate is now 21.5 per cent of the working age population – the highest since records first began in 1971, good old BBC decides that all is looking quite rosy!   Rejoice – Gordon has saved the day! And just in case you may … Continue reading →

Setting The Tone (pt 2)

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Further to an earlier post comparing the opening paragraphs of BBC articles about the Tea Party and Purple People movements, here are two more examples of tone-setting openers. Both come from recent pieces by the BBC’s Madeleine Morris, one on the Tea Party convention in Nashville last month and the other on the first meetings of the new Coffee Party movement at the weekend. For the Tea Party it’s a … Continue reading →

"State or private?"

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Cristina Odone: I am sitting in a BBC Green Room. It’s school holidays, and I have no one to baby-sit Isabella, aged 6, so I bring her along to my interview. The programme presenter, well known for her liberal views, pops in: “Hullo – your daughter?” she smiles at Izzy. I nod, yes. The presenter looks at me: “State or private?” “State or private”. Not, “how old?” or “how sweet” … Continue reading →

THE RETURN OF SHAHIL

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I am sure that all decent people will be pleased to know that the little kidnapped British boy, Sahil Saeed, has been released from captivity from where he was being held prisoner in Pakistan.Is it just me or has the BBC coverage of this story – led by the fragrant Orla Guerin – been MASSIVELY  over the top all day? Thoughts? Click through to read and contribute comments on this … Continue reading →

So it Goes Again

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“The BBC is currently much more interested in the untimely granting of planning permission for a few houses for Jews. Joe Biden’s visit was just in time for that, but, dammit, just too late for the ceremonial dedication of a public square to Dalal Mughrabi.” Forgive me for re-posting a snippet of my own copy. I’ve been away from a computer, and now I see that Robin Shepherd has written … Continue reading →