Let’s talk about BBC

[briantrumpet]

Trump really has got the BBC in a hole. I think that Ian Dunt hits the nail on the head here: 'balance' does not (necessarily) serve the truth. Imagine a BBC cowed by a litigious Hitler into giving the Nazi regime's public statements equal weight, and that's where we are with Trump: a regime which provably lies all the time, but whose commentary the BBC now (largely) feels it has to report uncritically, for 'balance' (or at least not to upset Trump).

 

[Beebo]

Trump really has got the BBC in a hole. I think that Ian Dunt hits the nail on the head here: 'balance' does not (necessarily) serve the truth. Imagine a BBC cowed by a litigious Hitler into giving the Nazi regime's public statements equal weight, and that's where we are with Trump: a regime which provably lies all the time, but whose commentary the BBC now (largely) feels it has to report uncritically, for 'balance' (or at least not to upset Trump).

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It’s the reason why James OBrien left Newsnight.

you can't give equal equivalence to an argument like global warming when 99% of the experts are on one side of the fence.

 

[briantrumpet]

It’s the reason why James OBrien left Newsnight.

you can't give equal equivalence to an argument like global warming when 99% of the experts are on one side of the fence.

Ditto the economics of Brexit. But that's what happened. "It's too late to do anything about it" is probably less catastrophic in the case of Brexit though.

 

[Pross]

It’s the reason why James OBrien left Newsnight.

you can't give equal equivalence to an argument like global warming when 99% of the experts are on one side of the fence.

Yebbut it's an echo chamber and the sheeple are sleep walking into slavery whilst those who know the truth aren't allowed a voice and are being silenced

 

[Pblakeney]

Trump really has got the BBC in a hole. I think that Ian Dunt hits the nail on the head here: 'balance' does not (necessarily) serve the truth. Imagine a BBC cowed by a litigious Hitler into giving the Nazi regime's public statements equal weight, and that's where we are with Trump: a regime which provably lies all the time, but whose commentary the BBC now (largely) feels it has to report uncritically, for 'balance' (or at least not to upset Trump).

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Most likely Lyse Doucet too.

 

[secretsqirrel]

I listen to Newscast and Americast and have done for many years, but now I find that it getting more and more important to listen to other podcasts for balance. BBC output used to be a one-stop-shop for news when I had less time but I find Americast is now so bland an uncritical that I gone over to listening to the News Agents and Rest is Politics etc. for better coverage.

Ukrainecast is still excellent with Derbyshire and Shevchencko.

 

[PurplePenguin]

I always think it is valuable to hear the case for the defence.

 

[briantrumpet]

I always think it is valuable to hear the case for the defence.

Sure, for more than one reason, not least in judging whether the counter-evidence they produce is credible (or even honest).

Of course, in a court case, it will be permitted to reference a witness's previous statements to help a jury judge whether a witness is credible.

 

[icowden]

I always think it is valuable to hear the case for the defence.

Always?

"Sir Christopher Chope, Sid the Sexist, Roger Mellie and Gina Martin thank you for joining us.

Now Gina - you have been campaigning for the Government to introduce changes to the law that would allow prosecution of men who attach cameras to their shoes to take pictures up Women's skirts. You say it is invasive, demeaning and an invasion of privacy.

Over now to Sir Christopher who blocked the law, Roger and Sid for the pro-up skirting side of the argument.
Sid and Roger - you say it's just bloody women being over sensitive and there is no harm in taking pictures of their knickers or genitals without consent? Sir Christopher, presumably you are also in agreement?"

 

[Beebo]

Always?

"Sir Christopher Chope, Sid the Sexist, Roger Mellie and Gina Martin thank you for joining us.

Now Gina - you have been campaigning for the Government to introduce changes to the law that would allow prosecution of men who attach cameras to their shoes to take pictures up Women's skirts. You say it is invasive, demeaning and an invasion of privacy.

Over now to Sir Christopher who blocked the law, Roger and Sid for the pro-up skirting side of the argument.
Sid and Roger - you say it's just bloody women being over sensitive and there is no harm in taking pictures of their knickers or genitals without consent? Sir Christopher, presumably you are also in agreement?"

The problem is that the production team have to find a rentagob who will argue for the other side, and there are only a very few people who are prepared to do that. So it is very easy for the same people to get rolled out over and over again.
It’s why Farage gets on Question Time so much.

 

[Psamathe]

Trump really has got the BBC in a hole. I think that Ian Dunt hits the nail on the head here: 'balance' does not (necessarily) serve the truth. Imagine a BBC cowed by a litigious Hitler into giving the Nazi regime's public statements equal weight, and that's where we are with Trump: a regime which provably lies all the time, but whose commentary the BBC now (largely) feels it has to report uncritically, for 'balance' (or at least not to upset Trump).

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I always seem to remember how it was once explained to me: If one group is arguing that it is currently raining whilst another vehemently disagreeing claiming it isn't raining then it is not a reporter's job to present both parties but instead to look out of the window and tell us if it is raining or not.

 

[secretsqirrel]

I always seem to remember how it was once explained to me: If one group is arguing that it is currently raining whilst another vehemently disagreeing claiming it isn't raining then it is not a reporter's job to present both parties but instead to look out of the window and tell us if it is raining or not.

This.

And we wonder why some people seem to have a strange relationship with truth.

 

[Pblakeney]

Trump really has got the BBC in a hole. I think that Ian Dunt hits the nail on the head here: 'balance' does not (necessarily) serve the truth. Imagine a BBC cowed by a litigious Hitler into giving the Nazi regime's public statements equal weight, and that's where we are with Trump: a regime which provably lies all the time, but whose commentary the BBC now (largely) feels it has to report uncritically, for 'balance' (or at least not to upset Trump).

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I just listened to yesterday's Newscast with Jeremy Bowen. He doesn't say nice things about Donnie (mostly echoing things said on this forum) so definitely off script as far as the BBC are concerned. Doubt he'll struggle to find work in the future though.

PS - There was no "balance".

 

[briantrumpet]

I just listened to yesterday's Newscast with Jeremy Bowen. He doesn't say nice things about Donnie (mostly echoing things said on this forum) so definitely off script as far as the BBC are concerned. Doubt he'll struggle to find work in the future though.

PS - There was no "balance".

I suspect he'll retire like John Simpson, if he's made to feel unwelcome. He's 66 now.

 

[matticus]

We're halfway through this year's Royal Insititue Lectures. It's basically Maggie Alcockwasserface talking for 3 hours (with some guest experts) about astronomy, and the various space missions that have been to neighbouring planets. (With a variety of fun demos for the very young audience).

Would this programme have been better with a Flat Earther allowed to speak?
Or a Moon-Landing denier?