Political Bias and the BBC

peterbr · June 2007

Well, looks like the "ring-wing loonies" on the forum were right after all according to the BBC itself.

Of course other media outlets are biased - but you don't have to buy or watch the output of CNN, Murdoch, Fox or Al Jezeera just for the privilege of turning on a TV set do you?

A politically balanced selection (I'm sure the Mail and the Sun have the story too)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6763205.stm
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/ ... 78,00.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... bbc119.xml
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main ... do1903.xml

<hr noshade size="1">
"Europe's nations should be guided towards a superstate without their people understanding what is happening. This can be accomplished by successive steps, each disguised as having an economic purpose, but which will eventually and irreversibly lead to federation"
Jean Monnet, founding father of the EU.

Unknown · June 2007

I think with the BBC it's more a question of underlying attitudes rather than conscious bias. It always amuses me when some of the current affairs journalists venture into the countryside. They behave as if they are seeing some primitive tribes people in the Amazon jungle.

peterbr · June 2007

Yes, probably right. As a boy from the Southwest, it was a bit of a shock working there some 15 years ago. But to carry forward your political bias into your journalism is simply unprofessional, particularly coving sensitive stories such as Israel/Palestine with international exposure.

But it's worked into the fabric of their output. For example racially balanced casts reflecting modern urban conurbations in historical and rural settings where this simply didn't exist. Also presenters. You have black, asian, Scottish whaever. But when did you ever hear any English regional accent on the BBC, even in local news?

<hr noshade size="1">
"Europe's nations should be guided towards a superstate without their people understanding what is happening. This can be accomplished by successive steps, each disguised as having an economic purpose, but which will eventually and irreversibly lead to federation"
Jean Monnet, founding father of the EU.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by peterbr

Yes, probably right. As a boy from the Southwest, it was a bit of a shock working there some 15 years ago. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Was it assumed that you were eating hedgehog butties and organising badger baiting in the basement?

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

I think with the BBC it's more a question of underlying attitudes rather than conscious bias. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Almost definitely. But at least it recognises it, in fact some would say it spends rather too much time and money being self-analytical, unlike most other media organisations, especially, for example, the 'fair and balanced' (sic) Fox News run by our dear friend, Rupert Murdoch.

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

Fnaar · June 2007

IMHO, the Beeb has a bias towards the left, but has some of the fairest (if not always best quality) reporting on the planet but criticises itself for being too far to the right.

No, Dougal, that baby elephant is far away! [:D]

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

I think with the BBC it's more a question of underlying attitudes rather than conscious bias. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Almost definitely. But at least it recognises it, in fact some would say it spends rather too much time and money being self-analytical, unlike most other media organisations, especially, for example, the 'fair and balanced' (sic) Fox News run by our dear friend, Rupert Murdoch.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Which I suspect exhibits conscious bias of the "let's distort things to counteract the distortions of the left" kind.

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens
Which I suspect exhibits conscious bias of the "let's distort things to counteract the distortions of the left" kind.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh come on, Patrick, please don't tell me you think there really is a general bias to the left in American media. Have you ever been there, let alone lived there?

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens
Which I suspect exhibits conscious bias of the "let's distort things to counteract the distortions of the left" kind.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh come on, Patrick, please don't tell me you think there really is a general bias to the left in American media. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No, not at all. When I've watched Fox (we're getting Sky, so I'll be able to watch more in future [;)]) I've got the impression that there's a bit of "it's the USA against the world," so the drum gets beaten for the USA in a very partial way.

willski · June 2007

From the Guardian article;

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Stephen Whittle, a former controller of editorial policy, pointed to a "lack of intellectual curiosity", while former political editor Andrew Marr said there was "an innate liberal agenda".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This begs the question "What did you do when you were in post to rectify the situation?"

If I had a baby elephant, I'd write a witty sig line about it - if I had any wit.

bobbyp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens
I've got the impression that there's a bit of "it's the USA against the world," so the drum gets beaten for the USA in a very partial way.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Strange, when I've watched the news in the US it barely even acknowledges the rest of the world exists.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by willski

From the Guardian article;

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Stephen Whittle, a former controller of editorial policy, pointed to a "lack of intellectual curiosity", while former political editor Andrew Marr said there was "an innate liberal agenda".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This begs the question "What did you do when you were in post to rectify the situation?"

If I had a baby elephant, I'd write a witty sig line about it - if I had any wit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There is some curiosity. The other night Jeremy Paxman was seen inspecting a farm with the air of one who really wanted to know where Waitrose's milk really came from.

Smeggers · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by willski

From the Guardian article;

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Stephen Whittle, a former controller of editorial policy, pointed to a "lack of intellectual curiosity", while former political editor Andrew Marr said there was "an innate liberal agenda".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This begs the question "What did you do when you were in post to rectify the situation?"

If I had a baby elephant, I'd write a witty sig line about it - if I had any wit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There is some curiosity. The other night Jeremy Paxman was seen inspecting a farm with the air of one who really wanted to know where Waitrose's milk really came from.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why? Are Waitrose cows more middle class than Asda cows? Perhaps they read The Indpendent and go to Tuscany on holiday?

Hickory Dickory Dock,
A baby elephant ran up the clock,
The clock is being repaired

simoncp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Smeggers

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by willski

From the Guardian article;

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Stephen Whittle, a former controller of editorial policy, pointed to a "lack of intellectual curiosity", while former political editor Andrew Marr said there was "an innate liberal agenda".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This begs the question "What did you do when you were in post to rectify the situation?"

If I had a baby elephant, I'd write a witty sig line about it - if I had any wit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There is some curiosity. The other night Jeremy Paxman was seen inspecting a farm with the air of one who really wanted to know where Waitrose's milk really came from.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why? Are Waitrose cows more middle class than Asda cows? Perhaps they read The Indpendent and go to Tuscany on holiday?

Hickory Dickory Dock,
A baby elephant ran up the clock,
The clock is being repaired
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You don't have to pay for Asda milk before you are allowed to buy Waitrose milk.

Political Bias and the BBC

Comments

Categories