I was on the local BBC this morning, having been invited to discuss the merits or otherwise of corporal punishment. There were three of us in the studio – one was a retired teacher (Opposed to it) , a Human Rights Lawyer (Opposed to it) and yours truly (In favour of it). I thought the discussion had balance and I was afforded the time to make my points, criticising the … Continue reading
You can always rely on the BBC to spin stories to reflect favourably upon the EU. Take this nonsense that “Europe agrees bank crisis plan”. Really? Well, what is the “plan” exactly? It appears to reduce down to an agreement to “work together” and “seek” a relaxation of rules. Oh, and Sarkozy has issued an unspecified threat against bank executives. I suggest that this is NOT a plan but rather … Continue reading
So, who to believe when it comes to understanding outflows of money from the UK to Ireland? The BBC is suggesting that there is nothing happening and no reason for any concern but others take a very different view. I wonder why the BBC is so determined to retail the notion that the Irish government securing 100% of savers deposits would have no impact on the UK money market. Any … Continue reading
“Holocaust denier gets MP backing“ This is such a dishonest headline, sticking to literal truth while implying that Chris Huhne (in deploring an arrest in Britain, under EU law, for an offence which is not illegal in this country) is somehow ‘backing’ the (IMHO) eccentric view that the Shoah is “a lie”. Mr Tobin is being extradited to Germany for what he has written on his Australian website. I’ll let … Continue reading
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! It’s your space, use … Continue reading
So Newsnight decided to “debate” Mandelson’s return with a panel made up exclusively of Labour supporters: first Minister Liam Byrne on his own; then the Guardian’s Polly Toynbee and the Independent’s Steve Richards. Now, why does this ring a bell? That’s right! They did the same thing when he resigned (the second time) – which even the governors admitted was biased. Some things, it seems, never change. Thanks to dave … Continue reading
Well now, Mandelson is back. Gordon Brown is relentlessly selling us the line that we need “serious people for serious times” – as the BBC obligingly parrots. But Mandelson is a man without political integrity, twice forced into resigning. I met him a few times politically and counted my fingers after shaking hands with him to ensure all were still there afterwards. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, Margaret … Continue reading
This time, it’s spot the bias in this piece of free association by Matt Frei. I mean, I know it is biased because… Well, because it’s by Matt Frei and is, as far as I can tell, about American politics. But what the hell does it mean? …the latest opinion polls suggested the public was selling Palins and McCains and buying Obamas and Bidens. It was not a rally. But … Continue reading
Guido has a good post on Newsnight here, taking in its inability to report the markets (“pathetically bad”, he says); a harsh comment or two on Crick’s pointless Place that Face, which even Paxman seemed embarrassed by; and a note on our favourite Trotskyite, the programme’s economics editor Paul Mason. He also links to this piece by Iain Martin at the Telegraph which he argues it would be better just … Continue reading
I have not watched the Palin/Biden debate yet, but I can only assume Palin has done very well indeed. The reason I say this is that listening to the BBC’s coverage of this event on the Today programme this morning the entire tone was that Palin had not fouled up. Essentially the BBC line was that “gaffe-prone” Palin had managed to just about hold her own, though she wobbled “a … Continue reading
