Another malevolent aspect of the BBC is what I call the ratchet effect. In essence, the BBC uses its media bully pulpit to force political debate ever leftwards. There's a good example of this on Today this morning in the prime time 8.10am slot. The issue being discussed is the proposal by government to introduce minimum prices for alcohol in England and Wales. Now those of us who are more libertarian minded may conclude that it is no business of Government to be interfering in the free market and setting prices but obviously the BBC is in favour of such overt authoritarianism. So listen to the "debate" it frames between Sir Ian Gilmore (in favour of government setting such minimum prices but they must be higher than currently prescribed) and Gavin Partington from the Wine and Spirits Trade Association. I felt really sorry for Mr Partington who was sneered at by the BBC presenter and interrupted by the execrable Gilmore. The Coalition may be moving to accommodate the BBCA agenda on this issue, but instantly the BBC ratchets it further to the left. Government control of beer and spirits? Yes, but it needs to be higher..always greater..always MORE. It's NOT that I care much for British Foreign Secretary William Hague. His anti-Israeli comments combined with his weasel words about British sovereignty in the EU leave me cold but I did feel a bit sorry for him when he was interviewed by the BBC earlier today (Link to come) There were two things that struck me about the interview, which concerned the political upheaval in Tunisia and the prospects of the like elsewhere in the Arab world. First, Sarah Montague seemed hell bent to get Hague to say that Britain should be supporting revolutions. She has several attempts to get him to say this, which he avoided. Second, the glacial tone of the interview - quite striking. The BBC elevates the NHS to the position of unassailable criticism. I suppose there is something about this anachronistic monolith that absorbs vast amounts of cash that appeals to the State Broadcaster and all who work within it. This morning, David Cameron was on the Today programme for an interview concerning the planned changes he wants to make to the monolith. The BBC had already set the mood music for the interview by running interviews with all those interested parties with vested interests in maintaining the status quo. One could have been forgiven for thinking that Cameron was seeking to..PRIVATISE the monolith, rather than simply devolve power from the top to closer to the patient. You should listen to the interview if you get the chance. Cameron plays the BBC game by telling us how wonderful the NHS is and then tries to glance aside the fusillade of criticism from John Humphrys. I'd love some Conservative to find the courage to just once tackle the BBC's pro NHS bias - here is where the data lies that merits such criticism. But instead, this was all about Cameron being seen to be nice and caring and seeking a better socialised healthcare system. Here's some good news.."BBC faces hundreds of job losses" Now it's all very well for Jeremy Dear, leader of the NUJ, to whinge about HOW AWFUL it is but let's face it, we're all in this together.Thing is that a 20% reduction is not enough, it needs to closer to 100%. There is no way that the cash-stricken UK can afford the indulgence of the State Broadcaster on that multi billion annual fee it charges so alas it's time for Auntie to visit Dignatas. I'm sure all that world-class impartial talent can find alternative employment without feeding off us.
MIDDLE AGED, GIFTED AND BLACK
Can't wait for the BBC's coverage of this story. He's in the Tea Party (ergo racist), he supports Sarah Palin (ergo racist and also hate inciter) and..oh yes, he's BLACK. Mark Mardell, are you paying attention? If you don’t attend Tea Party rallies or listen to political talk radio, the name Herman Cain may not register. Cain intends to rectify that. He’s planning to seek the GOP nomination, so he’s spreading his blustery, relentlessly upbeat right-wing social and economic message, which can be heard weeknights from 7 to 10 on WSB in Atlanta. Cain is so exuberantly confident of his message that he has upgraded its status: he bestows upon audiences not speeches or talking points but “The Hermanator Experience.” He’s even trademarked the phrase. Truth be told, what distinguishes Cain’s message is less its content—“From the standpoint of our conservative beliefs and values, Sarah Palin and I are probably identical,”
Listen, can you hear that sound? Yes, it is the sound of BBC prejudices popping as their bias is challenged ...
Great to see these filling up SO quickly, here's another one...BBC bias, surely not?NEO-PURITANISM ON THE LICENSE FEE
YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION....?
AN ARTICLE OF BBC FAITH
>> MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
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