Let’s talk about BBC

[briantrumpet]

While we're at BBC-bashing, I wish they'd stop this nonsense "shadow" thing for Reform They aren't 'shadow' anything. But it does betray the BBC giving them the gloss of the official opposition. Yusuf's not even an MP, FFS, just someone most Reform supporters would deport in an instant.

One of the most useful pieces of advice for pithy writing I remember came from the very wise Guy Keleny, and he always said (he was the style police for the Independent) that if you can delete a word without changing the actual meaning of the utterance, delete if, every time, if you are trying to be factual. BBC, take note. Though Chris Mason would be left with about 23 words out of 500.

 

[Psamathe]

While we're at BBC-bashing, I wish they'd stop this nonsense "shadow" thing for Reform They aren't 'shadow' anything. But it does betray the BBC giving them the gloss of the official opposition. Yusuf's not even an MP ...

I think it's quite funny. Delusions of grandeur. Just keeps highlighting how they don't understand Parliament. Bit pitiful really.

I suspect those not Reform fanboys/fangirls it just highlights their daftness, lack of understanding, egos, etc. They might like to pretend they are some sort of "opposition" but reality says very differently and most people like in reality not in Färange's wet dreams.

 

[briantrumpet]

I think it's quite funny. Delusions of grandeur. Just keeps highlighting how they don't understand Parliament.

Oh no, they understand it, and that's why they use it, as it gives the illusion that they are a government in waiting, rather than just a load of xenophobic Tory cast-offs with just six MPs, four of whom helped create the mess they complain about incessantly. It's fair enough for them to try it on, but the BBC should know better than to use terminology which is factually incorrect.

 

[secretsqirrel]

You know that degree subject that everybody derides as a ‘mickey mouse’ course, Media Studies?
Right now it could be one of the most important subjects in the world.

 

[briantrumpet]

You know that degree subject that everybody derides as a ‘mickey mouse’ course, Media Studies?
Right now it could be one of the most important subjects in the world.

Could take up the slack from the plummeting numbers doing computer science.

 

[secretsqirrel]

Could take up the slack from the plummeting numbers doing computer science.

Well yes, if people leave the techy stuff to AI, we need people to understand, analyse and critique what AI is producing and not become passive consumers.

 

[briantrumpet]

I've just been a moaning minnie and complained about 'Shadow Home Secretary, as that's Chris Philp (gawd help us).

 

[briantrumpet]

Meanwhile, apparently R4 was referring to Farage as "would-be Prime Minister". FFS, one might be excused if one thought that that's what some BBC people desperately want to happen. Starmer and Mahmood wanted to channel Reform vibes, and the BBC want to be GB News so that Reform voters watch it.

 

[Psamathe]

Meanwhile, apparently R4 was referring to Farage as "would-be Prime Minister". FFS, one might be excused if one thought that that's what some BBC people desperately want to happen. Starmer and Mahmood wanted to channel Reform vibes, and the BBC want to be GB News so that Reform voters watch it.

From BBC coverage these days, I think Chris Mason and to a degree the BBC have given up any pretence of "independent" and have blatantly moved to Reform UK support.

 

[briantrumpet]

From BBC coverage these days, I think Chris Mason and to a degree the BBC have given up any pretence of "independent" and have blatantly moved to Reform UK support.

They've openly said they want to attract Reform voters to BBC output, but they've not admitted that the only way to do this is to report the lies uncritically, because that's what Reform voters want to hear, not awkward truths.

https://bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/bbc-news-tim-davie-robbie-gibb-reform-voters-nigel-farage-trust/

 

[Pross]

From BBC coverage these days, I think Chris Mason and to a degree the BBC have given up any pretence of "independent" and have blatantly moved to Reform UK support.

I caught Channel 4 News yesterday purely by chance, I’m not sure I’ve ever watched it before. They seem so much better than the BBC these days which is quite worrying.

 

[Psamathe]

I caught Channel 4 News yesterday purely by chance, I’m not sure I’ve ever watched it before. They seem so much better than the BBC these days which is quite worrying.

I find them, much better. And yesterday you got the worst. C4 News have some very good reporters and presenters. Mr Guru-Murthy (doing last night) is not one of them - he's a truly useless interviewer as he keeps interrupting the interviewee, often asks irrelevant side-issue questions, etc.. The others (now) are good.

BBC just state events whereas C4 News also gives context and background often with guests (specialists) being interviewed. Their reputation seems solid enough that they mostly get well qualified and senior interviewees to explain beyond the event.

 

[briantrumpet]

"Donations row". Yeah, Chris, it's just an argument about some money or other. It's clear he is either unable or unwilling to be the political editor.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje87w9j342o

 

[Pross]

"Donations row". Yeah, Chris, it's just an argument about some money or other. It's clear he is either unable or unwilling to be the political editor.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje87w9j342o

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Is the insider Chris Mason? Actually, silly question - he’d just say keep doing what you’re doing as it’s amazing.

 

[briantrumpet]

Is there another party in UK politics?