Biased BBC reader Clifford provides his first contribution… “The news reports onRadio 4 (the only BBC source I’ve used about this) since yesterday (11 October2011) evening have carried the story of the deal to release Gilad Shalit, anIsraeli soldier, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. All the reportsI have heard have used the word ‘captured’ to describe how Shalit came to beheld in Gaza by a Palestinian militant group, … Continue reading
I came across this while looking for some Mardell quotes for a recent post, and saved it until after I’d had a long look at it and taken time to absorb it all. It’s an hour-long discussion with Mark Mardell and BBC Washington editor Simon Wilson about US politics and how the BBC is going to cover the looming (13 months away) second-most important election in human history. Parts of … Continue reading
Middle of the week and so time for a new Open Thread. So, off you go…. Click through to read and contribute comments on this post.
The BBC has instantly knee-jerked into the natural default mode of disbelieving anything the US government says. Sarah Montague was quite visceral in raising her skepticism about US allegations that Iran has been plotting to carry out an act of terror on US soil. In fairness, both of her guests during the 7.50am interview on Today rather agreed that when it comes to the rogue regime of Iran, anything was … Continue reading
It’s a tricky one. The Slovakian Parliament has dared reject the will of the Eurocrats and so the whole Bail-Out is thrown into even further chaos. What approach will the BBC take? Cue interview with two Europhiles in the form of Sir Howard Davies and Lib-Dem MEP Sharon Bowles. Howard wants to see a central European Treasury imposed so that future major financial decisions do not require anything as irritating … Continue reading
It’s all about editorial decisions. Confronted with the breaking news that the entire Eurozone Bail-Out has been thrown into chaos thanks to Slovakia rejecting the deal even as the US accuses Iran of planning acts of terrorism on US soil using Mexican killers, it’s only natural that the BBC focuses on the searing issue of the day; Is Liam Fox gay? Pathetic. The BBC’s continued baiting of Fox comes down … Continue reading
First the good news. Slovakia’s parliament has voted against measures to bolster the powers of the eurozone bailout fund, seen as vital in combating the bloc’s debt crisis. The governing coalition had linked the vote to a confidence motion and as a result has effectively been toppled. Slovakia is the last of the eurozone’s 17 member states to vote on expanding the European Financial Stability Fund. Then the bad.. “However, the BBC’s … Continue reading
Did you realise that “questions remain” over the causes of the thuggery and feral maligance that infested the streets of some of our major cities a few months ago? Oh yes. Professor Tim Newburn, of the LSE, is working on a shared piece of “research”with The Guardian (tick box) looking into the real causes behind the riots! Naturally, the BBC is there to provide the Professor with a soapbox. Naturally the … Continue reading
“Institutionalising Altruism” – an interesting phrase used by Lord Hennessy in this interview on the BBC this morning. His Lordship holds the view that any changes to how the NHS operates that would mean that the lines of responsibility do not lead back to the Health Secretary are most unwelcome. It’s a perfectly valid view albeit one that I take issue with. However my question is WHY the BBC only … Continue reading
It’s all about WHO you know, don’t you know? Julia Middleton; founded ‘Common Purpose’, a member of the Media Standards Trust and founder of the left wing Demos think tank. A good friend of the BBC’s Robert Peston. Robert Peston; Media Standards Trust member and supporter of ‘Common Purpose’….his ‘Speakers for Schools’ charity works with the Education and Employees Trust….Anthony Salz; on the board of the Education and Employees Trust … Continue reading
