July 06, 2004
BBC "SHOULD BE CLOSED"
The BBC just can't get a break these days:
The government has ordered the BBC to redefine the remit of its online services after an independent report into its internet activities said many of the corporation's websites were too commercial and should be closed.
Even those within the organisation condemn it:
A significant number of BBC news reports are untrustworthy and littered with errors because the corporation's journalists fail to check their facts, according to e-mails sent by one of the BBC's most senior news managers.
(Via contributor J.F. Beck, who is, like, really concerned about this ongoing assault on the public broadcaster.)
Posted by Tim Blair at July 6, 2004 02:56 PMThis morning on BBC world there was an overview celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BBC's first TV news transmission. It started intoning about "impartial reporting', as it was the 1950's I thought, things have changed. The report continued in the same vein, with a self congratulatory approach emphasising at every turn the 'impartiality' of their reporting. I nearly spat my breakfast at the screen in amazement. Even more anmazing is that the BBC seriously believes it!
Posted by: nic at July 6, 2004 at 03:29 PMWhen complaining to a media organisation about use of the "Deputy Sheriff" phrase, the person cited the BBC online article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3196524.stm
In reply, I cited a Gerard Henderson (linked to by Tim) article mentioning that Howard said neither of those words to the Bulletin.
Posted by: Andjam at July 6, 2004 at 04:03 PMIf merely screwing up on a factual basis were the BBC's biggest problem then all would be well: this is the sort of thing that can be fixed via managerial reforms. The thing is, the BBC is now an enemy propaganda organisation. It is beyond salvation. I don't think it can be reformed in time. Probably the best thing an incoming administration could do is to shut it down.
Posted by: David Gillies at July 6, 2004 at 04:37 PM"A significant number of BBC news reports are untrustworthy and littered with errors because the corporation's journalists fail to check their facts"
No, dear, they're untrustworthy and littered with errors because the facts fail to conform with Marxist dogma. Pravda had the same difficulties.
Posted by: Clem Snide at July 7, 2004 at 12:41 AMHey, don't diss Pravda...at least they had an official mandate to be a communist mouthpiece. The Beeb isn't even concerning itself anymore with what their mandate from the public is (or should be).
Posted by: PW at July 7, 2004 at 04:07 AM