From my Twitter feed this afternoon:
This is fascism in action. Those who disagree with the far-right government and Daily Mail lines are now to be excluded from our state broadcaster.
This is not about impartiality. This is about imposing a singularity of view to support a fascist view of the world - that there are 'others' who can be oppressed and that nature is a 'free gift' to be abused by a few for profit at cost to us all, and our future.
The sham that the BBC is impartial has been abandoned. It is now the state broadcaster, with the state being made up solely of centre and far-right parties, with both trending rightward very rapidly and neither willing in any way to call this out.
I am sickened, worried and despairing. After centuries of moving towards democracy that progress has very clearly come to an end. The fight for the survival of democracy is on, but maybe we have already realised it too late.
What a desperate day.
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WTF!
I just hope everyone else who could be a presenter or pundit on MotD tomorrow night follows Ian Wright’s lead and refuses to do it.
Who will be targeted next?
Craig
Alan Shearer has done just that Craig. Good for him and Ian Wright. As a sports presenter and well known figure he’s perfectly entitled to post his views on Twitter. This and the withdrawal fo the 6th episode of Attenborough’s program shows a craven, spineless attitude at the top of the BBC.
Sack Gibb (tory) and Sharp from being on the board of the BBC, and being it’s chairman.
Apparently, Alan Shearer has refused to host motd, too.
There must be at least one BBC sports journalist or former footballer who supports the government. Perhaps they could be encouraged to turn up in a black shirt.
At a push, Lord Sugar, or Andrew Neil could be asked back. Perhaps Boris Johnson, or even Nadine Dorries?
JRM, I hear
Alistair Campbell said he wouldn’t if asked. Already on 38 degrees there is a petition of nearly 97,000 to reinstate Lineker.
I imagine it won’t take that long to get the Attenborough programme reinstated if someone on 38 degrees starts a petition.
That’s quite shocking news. It would be interesting to see if any other high profile voices currently at the BBC takes any stance against this. I fear that without any people on the inside taking their own action, it’s just going to get worse.
Armando Iannucci was very good on R4 PM programme. Pointing out Lineker was stating facts – that we dont take more than our fair share of refugees, and that the language of the German thirties was being used.
And Iannucci also noted that Alan Sugar, Andrew Neil et al are free to spout their right wing views on Brexit, strikes etc without being disciplined.
It is clearly a very high risk moment – but if it removes the facade of ‘impartiality and balance’ by a requirement for the independent broadcaster to be ‘curious’ and ‘query’ and ‘ sceptical’ of politicians . including government – it might be a good thing. With the current ‘impartial / balance’ ethos we have had decades of climate denial .
If we now clearly have a state broadcaster run by th government – at least its out in the open.
I have just complained to the BBC:
It has been reported that the BBC has decided not to air the sixth episode of this series. “Senior sources at the BBC told the Guardian that the decision was made to fend off potential critique from the political right.”
If this is correct reporting, then I am complaining that the BBC should not be deciding what to air based on potential criticism from politicians.
This is a breach of the BBC’s remit for impartiality and a gross violation of freedom of speech.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints
Thank you
I encourage others to do ao
Done
The text of my complaint to the BBC, Richard. Just submitted.
My complaint concerns the BBC’s treatment of Gary Lineker on the basis that a tweet he wrote on government immigration legislation broke your impartiality rules. I note your action followed a barrage of complaints from members of the government and Tory MPs concerning Lineker’s tweet, often taking offence (apparently) to reference he made to language used in Germany in the 1930s (i.e. by the National Socialist German Workers Party – more usually known as the Nazi party).
First, factually Lineker is correct as much of the language of the Nazi party concerning ‘others’ (i.e. people they defined as non German) was very similar to much of the language on immigration – and the ‘small boat’ issue specifically – used by our current Home Secretary (Braverman), other members of the government and some Tory MPs. Thus, to draw attention to this fact is not being biased one way or another. It is actually being factual.
Second, your action in itself strongly suggests a lack of impartiality on the part of the BBC in that you are acting in support of arguments and criticism from members of one particular political party which is consequently biased and politically motivated. Your situation is further compromised and undermined by the fact that your Chairman has been a donor to the Tory party, at least one member of your Board is also a known supporter of the Tory party, and your Director General has expressed his support for the Tory party.
For these reasons the actions of the BBC toward Lineker are unjustified and deeply troubling, as they undermine the impartiality to which your claim to promote.
Thanks Ivan
I have attempted to submit a complaint to the website but it appears that this is no longer working. The final ‘continue’ button does not proceed to a ‘submit’ button so I think the traffic has taken it down. I’ll be sending this by snail mail.
Removal of Wild Isles episode from schedule
The decision to remove the Wild Isle from terrestrial broadcasting for fear of offending the political right is a shameful betrayal of the BBC’s purpose to educate and an indictment of its impartiality.
Senior sources within the BBC have reported this either directly or indirectly to the Guardian’s Helen Horton. The BBC’s response is also inadequate in which it attempts to deny the existence of a sixth episode available for broadcast but putting it on iPlayer instead.
I wish it recorded that I am extremely disappointed with the betrayal of the BBC’s function as an impartial observer of events, preferring to follow the direction of the current government and the pressure groups that support it.
Thanks
Division is distractions from the bigger picture.
The bigger picture must be the focus. Part of that bigger picture is the continued undermining of institution of the state, tradition and trust. The foundations of the BBC have been shaken today.
The chickens may be coming home to roost but its business as usual Divide and conquer. The tactic proven, time and time again since Julius Caesar conquered Gaul in 52 B.C., a highly effective strategy used to, well, conquer the people.
New MoTD feature: ‘Own goal of the month ‘.
Does the Chairman of the BBC Richard Sharp, a £400,000 Tory party donor, have a conflict of interest? Source: https://inews.co.uk/news/sacrificing-gary-lineker-bbc-impartiality-tory-donor-2202103
How about The Apprentice host, Sir Alan Sugar who has tweeted his thoughts about transport union boss Mick Lynch, Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/chris-packham-drags-lord-sugar-29423354
100% Richard
We should always look to expose and stand up against the bullies and fascists who suppress others and seek to impose a singularity of view. It’s surprisingly common and needs to be challenged where ever and when ever, not just on the BBC.
Thanks for this twitter feed copy. It has armed me with the facts I needed to complain to the BBC about their bias towards fascism and the corporate burning of the planet and against democracy and free speech that supports justice/human rights and the living planet.
Shall I let you know what their response is? I’ve not seen one from them that doesn’t muddy the waters.
Please do
Hey,
I found someone important who believes that Gary Lineker shouldn’t have compared the language used by our Government to that used in 1930s Germany – our Shadow Home Secretary. On LBC this morning.
“… followed shortly after by contributors Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards who both said that while they were not due to work on Saturday’s programme, they would not have appeared. Ex-England player Alex Scott also indicated she would not go on the show.” Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64920557
Late News just in: the players have said they won’t do after-match interviews in support of Linaker. Take out the pundits’ match analyses and the players describing how they scored goals, and the programme will run to about 35 minutes, leaving about an hour’s gap ín the schedules. You and Pippa Crerar are right: “How do the government think they can win this battle?” and the “BBC appears to have lost the dressing room on this one.”
Excellent
James Clevenger
Can you set out, concisely,. the definition of ‘fascism’ you are using? Might be an idea to add it to your Glossary.
OK
Later maybe, when I have done some birdwatching
Well, well, well. Welcome to the real world folks. While not a direct analogy, Independence supporters in Scotland have been subject to similar censorship and B.B.C bias for years. Well done to those coming out in support of Gary Linaker, but I’m afraid it’s not new to those of us who want Independence for Scotland.
I wonder when the BBC will feel that forecasts of bad weather transgress the rules on impartiality and need to be censored on the ground that
they might upset some people or even give rise to unfavorable speculation that the ensuing disruption is at least to some extent due to government incompetence. Weather men and women, beware!
The sham that the BBC is impartial has been abandoned
You said this here in Scotland we have know that for years you just have to listen to their presenters.
Recent events seem to me to be culmination of all the reasons why I don’t like the BBC anymore (since 2010/11).
Their policy of ‘being fair to both sides’ is totally undermined by Carl Schmitt’s assertion ‘Sovereign is he who makes the exception’.
There is no way that they are able to defend themselves from fascist manipulation with such a policy. And the man who sits atop it is known to have given one of the dodgiest prime ministers in living history a loan!!
Oh come on!
It’s time the BBC was changed I think. I know what I want but I would settle for a public enquiry into right wing bias on key programmes and personalities whom I have seen acting unfairly for far too long.
One of my favourite films is the American film ‘Network’ which foretold how a venerable and decent broadcaster could be brought down by populism and vested interests – I’d recommend that you watch it. It is amazingly prophetic.
Noted
Richard, democracy has been disappearing down the toilet since the 60s in so many ways. The closing of so many rail lines, the lack of investment and who dictated this – the motor industry. The cheapskate building of motorways which the civil engineers at the time made quite clear but it suited the Nasty party . In the 1970s’ the deliberate destruction of construction unions at the behest of the employers resulting in crap housing/schools/hospitals and office blocks and a need to import foreign workers. The dumbing down of exams, see the difference between A levels of the 60s/70s and today.
The vast majority of people are too unfit to do anything and with CCTV, mobiles that let the establishment know exactly where you are, highly politicised police and all domestic TV channels having a right wing bias – the road ahead is going to be tough and bloody – are you prepared for this?
Just a heads up to anyone thinking of banging in a complaint to the BBC about their handling of Lineker or Attenborough or Sharp or whatever – do remember that their complaints department was years ago farmed out to the same goons to whom they farmed out the business of chasing licence refusers — ie Capita, who you can be sure will be ready with some ChatGPT generated bollocks reiterating for the millionth time their standard line on how correct the BBC is in all its works.
Not saying don’t bother. Just saying don’t expect anything but the most insultingly robotic response.
Personally I gave up watching or listening to BBC news and currents affairs years ago. I save myself several hundred quid in licence fees and the NHS at least that sum in blood pressure meds.
Everyone should stop paying their TV licence. I stopped years ago.
Fine if you meet the conditions for not doing so
I don’t
I notice in your tweets you mention the junior doctors strike next week.
Today in London SOSDNHS had tens of thousands marching. I have seen no mention of it in any MSM paper apart from the Evening Standard. Even the i only had the doctors strike next week.
Could this be the intention of the Lineker debacle, to take the NHS off the front pages?
Maybe….
We should perhaps distinguish between the BBC as a whole, and the direction that it gets from the top and pressure from the government. Just attacking the BBC as a whole is doing the Tories job for them.
Sharp (Tory donor, banker to Johnson) as Chair, Davie (ex Tory candidate and supporter) as DG, Gibb (May’s Comms director) on BBC board, are the ones pulling the BBC’s strings at the behest of the Tory government.
What we need is a clear out of such naked political appointments. The BBC should be free to make fact based criticism of all governments, regardless of party. Its what its international reputation is based on. The Tories just want a state broadcaster
I suspect 95% of people in the BBC do not want the leadership they have been given
At least 95% Richard I should think. Robin is entirely correct in pointing out that just attacking the Beeb is exactly what the Beeb hating hard right want. And the BBC appeasing them won’t save it from them either getting rid of it, or reducing it to another propaganda outlet for the tories. You can’t appease or placate the increasingly fanatical and irrational political right now, you have to fight them as Richard is doing.
And you’re right Robin, Sharp, and even more so the utterly impartial hardliner Gibb have no place in the BBC. As I pointed out in my complaint to the BBC in the weekend.
Which, along with many thousands of others, appears to have borne fruit. Gary is back presenting MOTD this Saturday.No apology from him either, not that he was ever going to. Good.