Even as Gordon Brown digs the UK into ever deeper recession, BBC coverageof Obama’s unfolding administration continues to put the fawn into fawning. His newly announced treasury team, replete with Harvard and Berkeley professors, appears to offer little different in substance to the current Bush/Paulson endless bail-out approach – other than they will bail even more out! This is “the jolt” that Obama promises and which the BBC uncritically lets … Continue reading
Had to laugh at BBC1 Morning News today. There was an item on how wonderful Alistair “Spend Spend Spend!” Darling’s pre-meltdown mini-budget was, with a spokesman from accountants Ernest & Young. It all started well but then – gasp horror – the E&Y man pointed out the shocking state of UK public finances prior to the current financial troubles. This was met with a rapid “moving along quickly” response from … Continue reading
Here’s a thread to discuss BBC coverage of the Government’s pre-budget statement. Worth saying I think that it was Labour who introduced the pre-budget statement. This junket that nowadays occurs is in many ways midwife to valuable pro-Government spin. Thanks to Paul S for highlighting Fraser Nelson’s helpful list of Gordon’s spin – how many of these points will the BBC promote in its coverage? Look out for action contrasted … Continue reading
Sunday Matinee: starring Marr, two Labour stooges, and a Tory punchbag. (Courtesy of dodgy reception, using clips from last week’s Marr show. My highlight? John Reid’s incredulous chuckle at Marr’s simply splendid intro for him)
The bias I mean. I’ve just watched Andrew Marr’s interview with David Cameron for his regular Sunday mornng show. The first minute or two of Cameron’s performance were used in correcting Marr’s premise that the Conservative position was just to let the recession “take its course”. Isn’t this so typical? The Conservative always placed on the defensive by the casual distrust of the BBC man? If you listen or watch … Continue reading
General BBC-related comment thread! Please use this thread for comments about the BBC’s current programming and activities. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog – scroll down for new topic-specific posts. N.B. This is not an invitation for general off-topic comments, rants or chit-chat. Thoughtful comments are encouraged. Comments may also be moderated. Any suggestions for stories that you might like covered would be appreciated! … Continue reading
Poor Rashid Rauf– the on the run Brummie now turned to wormfood care of a well directed US missile as he and his Islamist pals tripped through the mountains of Wazirstan. Rashid was linked to a UK plot to use liquid bombs to blow up transatlantic airliners but he was on the run after escaping from those ever so tough Pakistani jails. Rashid was arrested in Pakistan on 9 August … Continue reading
If a Conservative In Name Only such as London Mayor Boris Johnson wants to win favourable plaudits from the BBC, what better way than to suggest that the 400,000 illegal immigrants that live in London be granted an amnesty and allowed to stay? The BBC believes, as an article of faith, that all immigration is a good thing and so those in political life who cheer-lead for the law-breakers who … Continue reading
I was reading Robert Peston announce that Alistair Darling may have to increase taxation in a few years time (to helpfully unspecified levels – cheers Robert). Peston adds that “the bulk of the tax cuts will be directed at those on lowest incomes, partly because they have the highest propensity to spend – for the good of the economy – and also for reasons of social justice.” OK, I accept … Continue reading
I see that BBC Trust report into Manuelgate is due out later today. I’m sure that Wossy will be excused any further punishment beyond the minor slap on the wrist he has been given. I will be on the BBC this morning here in Northern Ireland and I will be demanding that Ross have his obscene contract terminated forthwith and that this incident highlights the entire credibility of the license-tax … Continue reading
