. Study this BBC Views Online article, Ex-Minister fined for being drunk, then complete the following sentence: The ex-Minister is a member of the ________ Party. Clue: See this Times article, Ex-minister in wine frenzy, which does manage to mention Twigg’s political affiliation – yes, it’s the same party that’s just pushed through 24-hour drinking legislation. For advanced players, The Times also provides many more details than the BBC article, … Continue reading →

– where once we had BBC defends ‘digital face’ trails we now have, according to The Times, BBC drops ‘horrific’ bouncing head: The BBC dropped a “bouncing head” trailer for digital television after it was described as horrific by viewers and prompted 1,300 complaints. It featured a dismembered animated head, made up of hundreds of tiny heads, bouncing over hills. The head transformed into the face of well-known BBC presenters. … Continue reading →

was devoted mostly to the topic of Christianity in London. The presenter, Emily Maitlis, noted that 70% of Londoners (in common with ~70% of the nation at the last census) describe themselves as Christians, although the media devote more time to other much less statistically significant faiths (although by far the next biggest group in the UK are those of no faith). Whilst this makes a welcome change, the coverage … Continue reading →

Intrigued by Dan’s comments on the people smuggling issue (read comments), I clicked again on the BBC article I had hyperlinked. It has been changed! The headline said words to the effect “international migrant smuggling ring” (and “people smuggling” was certainly not prominently displayed in the first paragraph). I know that there is such a thing as a screen capture but don’t know how to do it (nor, naively it … Continue reading →

…or so hits to go. 1,000,000 will happen while I am asleep Sydney time, so preemptively, congratulations and thanks to the indefatigable Natalie for all of her hard work in “keeping the bastards honest”.* *Australian political slang (see Don Chipp if you are interested). PS Remember to vote – the good guys are gaining ground! Click through to read and contribute comments on this post.

Very subtle, but this on 14 December: “The large-scale violence in Sydney started on Sunday, when thousands of young white men attacked people of Arabic and Mediterranean background on Cronulla Beach – apparently in revenge for a recent attack on two lifeguards. Many of the rioters had been alerted to congregate in the area by receiving mobile text messages. The fighting then spread to other parts of the city, injuring … Continue reading →

Interpol calls it “people smuggling“, but at the BBC, they are “migrants“. Click through to read and contribute comments on this post.

Talking of Oliver Kamm, he has posted on the Newsnight “Allies on Trial” show. The writer and broadcaster William Shawcross, having declined to participate, wrote to Mr Kamm, who continues the story thus: William explained that, while he would be happy to be part of an investigation or discussion, he would not take part in a form of entertainment. I am glad to set down his reasoning, with his permission. … Continue reading →

Adloyada had her first stint as a guest blogger for Today yesterday, where the subject for discussion was whether the media runs Britain. Oliver Kamm has discussed – and dismissed – the idea that “money” runs Britain, and Tim Ireland says it ain’t the EU either. Kudos to the Beeb for this initiative, and for being ready to ask bloggers who were critics of the organisation. And before anyone says, … Continue reading →

I know, I know – the PLO are merely activists for change, just like B-BBCers. I never knew that Marwan Barghouti was one too: “The rebel list is headed by a jailed activist, Marwan Barghouti, under the new name al-Mustaqbal (the Future)… Barghouti is serving five life terms in an Israeli prison over militant attacks.” [emphasis added] Mr Barghouti is a rather forceful “activist”: “He was convicted on May 20, … Continue reading →