WEBB OF WITLESSNESS

Webb of Witlessness Justin Webb may be an intelligent person, it’s just that he carefully hides it in his work for the BBC. Today the latest in the BBC’s “elect Obama- The One” coverage features a prominent diary entry from Webb none too subtly entitled “palling with Pinochet”. Reading Webb in recent times I have been struck by the force of his dislike for Sarah Palin. I suspect it comes … Continue reading

Another Boring Story

Another boring story It’s not a good day for Peter Mandelson. Well, at least it isn’t if you read the paper – any paper. Mandy admits tycoon meetings, says the Sun; Mandelson back under the miscroscope, says the Guardian; while the Mail is a little more wordy with Mandelson admits he has known Russian oligarch years longer than he previously acknowledged; the Telegraph, though, is worst of all: Mandelson admits … Continue reading

THOSE BAD REPUBLICANS

THOSE BAD REPUBLICANS Classic case of BBC bias in this woven report on the US election. It commences with an attack on Sarah Palin’s “alleged abuse of power” before (cue strings..) informing us that Obama’s beloved grandma may not live to election day and then segueing into the statement that McCain is “taking advantage” of Obama’s enforced absence. Aren’t those Republicans bastards? Click through to read and contribute comments on … Continue reading

Just Because He Always Does It

Just because he always does it… doesn’t mean it’s not worth pointing out how far Justin Webb’s blog goes in ignoring the BBC’s obligations on impartiality. If the rules really do permit the Beeb’s North American Editor to suggest that Palin would be the number one choice (after McCain) to lead America for those that hate the country, what’s the point of them? Click through to read and contribute comments … Continue reading

Who Controls The Present Controls The Past

“Who controls the present controls the past ….” Dominic Casciani has been briefed by the Home Office, or Justice Ministry, or whatever they’re called this week, on the underreporting of violent crime. Decent of him to pass the briefing on to us verbatim. But does this serious error in one particularly crime affect all the figures? No, insist the statisticians and ministers. What’s more, police chiefs say it’s purely a … Continue reading

Open Thread

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

Bad Racism, Good Racism

Bad Racism, Good Racism The BBC are worried about the Bradley effect. The theory goes that some white voters tell opinion pollsters they will vote for a black candidate – but then, in the privacy of the polling booth, put their cross against a white candidate’s name. And the fear among some supporters is that this could happen to Barack Obama on 4 November, when the country votes for its … Continue reading

Poetic justice

After the Beeb’s efforts to keep the Osborne story going for as long as possible, it seems fitting that the accusations of bias against it don’t seem to dying off quickly, despite the protests by both Steve Mawhinney and Nick Robinson. The integrity of the BBC is coming under question for the way it has treated the case of the Russian billionaire and his British contacts. Hundreds of viewers are … Continue reading

THIS WEEK.

Nice to see a consensus on the contributors on This Week that The Taliban are actually nice guys. Not terrorists, according to Imran Khan. This was another dreadful programme only enlivened by pop-opera diva Katherine Jenkins impressive political insights…, Click through to read and contribute comments on this post.