Victoria Derbyshire had a bit of a melt down today, (around 11:00) but what’s new?,  when interviewing Ian Peters, managing director of British Gas Residential Energy, dropping all pretence of professionalism, preferring instead to harangue him for having the temerity to put prices up. When he expressed sympathy and understanding for customers she berated him and told him ‘Don’t do it then!’…later claiming that ‘you don’t care a hoot … Continue reading →

I see that the BBC has taken the catastrophic failure of the  Al-Madinah free school in Derby to create the impression that ALL free schools are a disaster unlike the wonderful State controlled sector (well, the part of that which isn’t ON STRIKE today) I heard an interview on Radio 4 just after 5pm which was a full on onslaught into the concept of free schools which managed to avoid … Continue reading →

I woke up at 6.30am to hear a BBC presenter on the Today programme ponder “Was this the end of the Republican Party”? This related to their cave-in over the raising of the Debt ceiling, allowing Obama to spend another £1trillion or so that the US doesn’t have. Mark Mardell was then invited on so he could ruminate on the “stupid” strategy of the GOP and how hopefully now that … Continue reading →

  The Trussell Trust has launched a political campaign demanding an inquiry into the reasons behind the rising need, allegedly, for food banks. Just a coincidence that it made its claims just in time for PMQ’s…Ed Miliband even quoting them in one of his questions….it says the figures were released to coincide with World Food Day. The Trust’s executive chairman is Chris Mould.. a member of the Labour Party. No … Continue reading →

 From the Guardian: Rupert Murdoch has launched a twin attack on the BBC and the “toffs” he says are about to gag the press just days before the government makes a key decision on the new newspaper watchdog. The media has lambasted what he says is a leftwing bias in the corporation’s journalism, accusing it of being a broadcast arm of the Guardian. “Huge lack of balance in UK media … Continue reading →

   Some good advice for BBC journalists in the Middle East: Paul Conroy: “War journalists must avoid being used as propaganda” The acclaimed war photographer spoke at the Cheltenham Literature Festival about the changing impact of journalism in conflict. Journalists have a bigger influence on how war is perceived than in years gone by. Discussing how journalists and photographers cover wars and the pressures they are under, Conroy, who covered … Continue reading →

It’s not BIAS as such, more an insight into the mindset that prevails at the highest level in  the BBC. “I deserve my £330,000 BBC salary, say Yentob: Executive defends his pay packet and admits he feels uneasy about salaries paid to top star” It’s a bit rich, if you’ll pardon the pun, to read Yentob revelling in the ££££ we pay him even as the organisation over which he … Continue reading →

Here you go,  a new mid week thread for you.  Sorry I have been a bit absent recently, aim to post more in the time ahead.

    The Independent reports: The BBC has been censured by Parliament’s spending watchdog over its relationship with a powerful property company which has been criticised over its tax arrangements. In a report published today, the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns over the BBC’s arrangements with the Peel Group, a private real estate conglomerate which owns the BBC’s new Salford broadcasting complex. “The BBC risks becoming overly dependent on the … Continue reading →

Germany’s Energy Poverty: How Electricity Became a Luxury Good Germany’s aggressive and reckless expansion of wind and solar power has come with a hefty pricetag for consumers, and the costs often fall disproportionately on the poor. Government advisors are calling for a completely new start.       Bob Ward’s paymaster, Jeremy Grantham (investor in Big Oil) doesn’t like climate sceptics: The [Sceptic’s] misinformation machine is brilliant. As a propagandist … Continue reading →