Britannia Radio

Biased BBC

Saturday, September 06, 2008 Hugh # What, me worry? Mark Easton is clearly not afraid of the stereotypes portraying the media as part of an out-of-touch liberal elite. Here he is on the forthcoming recession, which in fact could be jolly good for us: "I can't help feeling that for many, the downturn might act as a positive corrective. For those too young to remember what a recession feels like, belt-tightening may bring a new and healthy understanding of what "essentials" really are; a realisation that economies (as it says in the small-print) can go down as well as up - and we need to be able to adapt to both." Comments: 33 (unread) - Biased BBC Home Hugh # When the left's right Most of the criticism of the Beeb comes from the right, but not all of it.Nick Cohen's piece in Standpoint is a good critique of its drama and particularly the appalling Bonekickers: "As a matter of course, BBC writers have blamed crimes against humanity perpetrated by the enemies of the West on the “root cause” of Western provocation. Occasionally, but more frequently than the casual viewer might appreciate, they have gone a step further and presented the atrocities of totalitarianism as the atrocities of the West," he notes. "For whatever reason, the BBC still had the brass neck to show fanatically racist white Christian sectarians beheading a moderate Muslim, when nowhere in the world are white Christians, fanatically racist or otherwise, beheading Muslims." Mostly, though, it's worth reading just to be reminded of the reviews Bonekickers received: “Mind-bogglingly dreadful,” said The Guardian. “Rubbish,” said The Times. The authors have the right to fail, said the man from The Independent, but “I’m not sure that it was wise of them to exercise it so vigorously”. Hat-tip to deegee in the comments Comments: 20 (unread) - Biased BBC Home David Vance # 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! It's your space, use it wisely. Comments: 37 (unread) - Biased BBC Home David Vance # POSTSCRIPT. Yes, I know I said I was finished with the US election for the week but the BBC were at their work again this morning and I will not let it pass. Just after 7.15am, Ed Stourton and Sarah Montague were doing a quick review of the papers. They mentioned the unfortunate fact (for them) that the Palin bounce had moved McCain equal to the Chosen One in the polls but Ed went on to trail the Independent's pathetic hatchet-job on Palin today, with Montague sniggering at the suggestion that Palin's environmental record was "even worse that that of Bush".Then, to finish the week, Naughtie was wheeled on to share his summary of the events of the past two weeks. This distilled down to the fact in his view the candidates had more in common than you might think (rubbish!) and that on the downside, McCain did have the "age" issue and the reputation of being cranky whereas Obama has the "otherness" of his race. Come on Jim, just have the guts to come out and say that along with the rest of the loathsome BBC, you worship Obama and have been stung at what McCain/Palin have achieved this past week. 60 days to go, 60 more days to indulge in more sly and not so subtle character assassination. I'll be here to make damn sure it is documented. Comments: 48 (unread) - Biased BBC Home