Let’s talk about BBC

[Beebo]

But that's not the point AS (or andrew Neil) was making.
Neil was pointing out that there have been political appointments at the BBC for a long time.

So why is it news all of a sudden.
What has changed.

 

[Pblakeney]

So why is it news all of a sudden.
What has changed.

We don't like who the next political appointment might be.
It is perfectly fine when they are one of ours.

Maybe that.

 

[secretsqirrel]

But that's not the point AS (or andrew Neil) was making.
Neil was pointing out that there have been political appointments at the BBC for a long time.

So what.

Lord Grade was Tory life peer, but nobody complained because he did lot of good work and didn’t try to sabotage the institution from within.

 

[BoldonLad]

Over my adult life, the BBC has been accused of bias of several kinds.

I recall a period (maybe in the 1970s, I cannot find any links) when there were accusations that the BBC was being infiltrated by the RC Church. If I recall correctly, the claim was based on statistics relating to the %ge of Catholics in the general population vs the %general of Catholics on the BBC staff.

There was similarly a period when the BBC was accused of being anti Catholic (during the "Troubles" in NI. Similarly, claims of bias against Christianity because of it's reporting of Child Abuse by clerics.

Perhaps, all of these claims and counter claims suggest the BBC is actually rather balanced?

However, the editing of the Trump speech was idiocy, there was just no need to do it, there was plenty of evidence, without sinking to making it up.

 

[monkers]

 

[Psamathe]

So why is it news all of a sudden.
What has changed.

Maybe because according to reports one such appointee has started actng in a maner to pursue their political aims rather than in the interests of the BBC.

Different "appointees" can act in different ways. Just because somebody was appointed by a politician does not make them unsuitable just that such political appointees are more likely to be using their position to further their political agenda rather than fulfil the best interests of their role.

Similar to the House of Lords - some politically appointed Lords do take their role appropriately and properly scrutinise proposed legislation whereas others just pursue the political agenda of their appointer.

 

[briantrumpet]

Maybe because according to reports one such appointee has started actng in a maner to pursue their political aims rather than in the interests of the BBC.

Different "appointees" can act in different ways. Just because somebody was appointed by a politician does not make them unsuitable just that such political appointees are more likely to be using their position to further their political agenda rather than fulfil the best interests of their role.

Similar to the House of Lords - some politically appointed Lords do take their role appropriately and properly scrutinise proposed legislation whereas others just pursue the political agenda of their appointer.

Exactly this. One might take into account how such political appointees have acted in other circumstances, and Gibb's actions with both the Jewish Chronicle and GB News don't inspire confidence that he wants to separate his political views from his media positions: he comes with a particular agenda.

I was going to say that it's a mystery to me why Labour haven't looked at the BBC more closely, but then I remember both Glasman and Nandy, the latter of whom seems desperately uninterested in the culture & media bits of her brief, and deeply ineffective.

 

[Psamathe]

... but then I remember both Glasman and Nandy, the latter of whom seems desperately uninterested in the culture & media bits of her brief, and deeply ineffective.

Nandy's record on political appointments is somewhat "tarnished", maybe highlighting the problem

Nandy apologises for breaking rules on football regulator appointment
The culture secretary has apologised for breaking rules by failing to declare she had received donations from the man she picked to run England's new football regulator.

 

[Pross]

Another example of the deterioration of BBC journolism this morning. Jon Kaye interviewing Wes Streeting and constantly asking if he was going to launch a leadership challenge and could he rule out ever doing so. Streeting's response was 'I do not foresee any situation in which I would challenge him'. Jon Kaye then kept coming back with 'so you aren't ruling it out'. What exactly did he want to hear? It would pretty stupid to rule out challenging under any circumstance.

 

[Ian H]

 

[briantrumpet]

Another example of the deterioration of BBC journolism this morning. Jon Kaye interviewing Wes Streeting and constantly asking if he was going to launch a leadership challenge and could he rule out ever doing so. Streeting's response was 'I do not foresee any situation in which I would challenge him'. Jon Kaye then kept coming back with 'so you aren't ruling it out. What exactly did he want to hear? It would pretty stupid to rule out challenging under any circumstance.

Those silly questions are so pointless, but have been trotted out regularly for as long as I can remember.

 

[Psamathe]

Another example of the deterioration of BBC journolism this morning. Jon Kaye interviewing Wes Streeting and constantly asking if he was going to launch a leadership challenge and could he rule out ever doing so. Streeting's response was 'I do not foresee any situation in which I would challenge him'. Jon Kaye then kept coming back with 'so you aren't ruling it out'. What exactly did he want to hear? It would pretty stupid to rule out challenging under any circumstance.

Those silly questions are so pointless, but have been trotted out regularly for as long as I can remember.

Also, Streeting answering "wouldn't challenge" does not mean he would not stand were a leadership election called. Hence the political game of "Stalking Horse"

 

[Psamathe]

Interesting the impact this Gibb guy is having on BBC staff morale

MPs and BBC staff call for Robbie Gibb to leave broadcaster’s board
In an online meeting with Davie, staff questioned the position of Gibb ...

Several said Gibb and all political appointees should be removed from the body. ...

Staff watching Davie’s address tried to raise the issue of Gibb’s place on the board. “Why is Robbie Gibb still on the board,” asked one.

“The board needs independent oversight free from political interference,” said another. “Until Robbie Gibb and any other political appointee are removed, we cannot possibly be truly trusted to be an unbiased organisation.”

Another said: “I find Robbie Gibb’s continued presence at the BBC to be incredibly demoralising. It feels as if he is fighting against and undermining the work we’re trying to do.”

(excerpts from the article focusing on BBC staff questions in the staff meeting with Davie.

 

[Beebo]

Interesting the impact this Gibb guy is having on BBC staff morale

(excerpts from the article focusing on BBC staff questions in the staff meeting with Davie.

View: https://youtu.be/jHm7Eg0IMDA?si=Z_9EWzEoysLezPO0

 

[secretsqirrel]

Another example of the deterioration of BBC journolism this morning. Jon Kaye interviewing Wes Streeting and constantly asking if he was going to launch a leadership challenge and could he rule out ever doing so. Streeting's response was 'I do not foresee any situation in which I would challenge him'. Jon Kaye then kept coming back with 'so you aren't ruling it out'. What exactly did he want to hear? It would pretty stupid to rule out challenging under any circumstance.

Kuenssberg School of Gotcharism. The politicians that have wised-up get accused of not answering the question.