Good for a laugh James Forsyth has a short post at the Spectator’s Coffee House on the Beeb’s odd decision to keep its business editor Robert Peston off Have I Got News For You. The killer paragraph, though, relates to Peston’s reports last week on Osborne: What makes this decision all the more absurd is that the BBC is happy for Peston to report on George Osborne and the Deripaska … Continue reading
Not only but also… Did you read about Wossy and Russell Brands latest on-air prank? These stars in the BBC firmament thought it would be hilarious to make obscene phone calls to 78-year-old Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs. They left a series of lewd messages on Mr Sachs’s answer phone claiming, in shockingly explicit language, that Brand had had sex with his granddaughter, Georgina. Sachs was left deeply upset by … Continue reading
Weekend reading A slightly different take on the recession from Mark Easton: It must be the perverse part of my nature, but when asked to go somewhere that illustrated the looming recession, I chose the place analysts had identified as the most immune to the downturn, he begins. I’d agree: it must be the perverse part of his nature – the same part he votes with. So, instead of a … Continue reading
Free speech, BBC style For those who consider the BBC arrogant and aloof, Justin Webb has deigned to take on the critics: To Duhbuh and others who complain about coverage of Sarah Palin, I would say the party must take responsibility for not having the confidence to let her be herself. The interviews have been awful: that’s not media bias, it’s incompetence, hers to an extent but the party’s for … Continue reading
The ugly little thingsThe BBC provides us with more evidence of it’s ..ahem….impartial reporting by leading this evening’s coverage of the US election with Obama’s hilarious allegations that his opponents are using “ugly tactics”against him. Surreal. The way in which the BBC has sanitised the relentless smearing by the Democrat attack dogs of anyone who opposes The One shows that in the media land of the one eyed king, the … 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
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 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 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… 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
