General BBC-related comment thread!

Please use this thread for comments about the BBC’s current programming and activities. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog – scroll down for new topic-specific posts. N.B. This is not an invitation for general off-topic comments, rants or chit-chat. Thoughtful comments are encouraged. Comments may also be moderated. Any suggestions for stories that you might like covered would be appreciated! It’s your space, use it wisely.

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148 Responses to General BBC-related comment thread!

  1. Jennifer says:

    Is Mark Sandell having another affair? How many trips does he go on on BBC MONEY with his new love?

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  2. GCooper says:

    That Hillhunt – what is he like?

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  3. LLB says:

    think DV should give the police the ISP Number of the second post, quite clearly a criminal offence

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  4. TPO says:

    Whites killed Christ | 10.06.08 – 9:19 pm |

    Ring the BBC immediately. You’re bound to be offered a 100K position with their social cohesion and diversity unit.
    With a bit of jumping up and down and shouting ‘racist’ you should be able to make it onto their editorial policy guidelines unit.

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  5. archduke says:

    panorama is having a right old go at the americans over iraq right now.

    of course, kofi annan and oil for food is never mentioned.

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  6. David Preiser (USA) says:

    I agree with LLB @ 9:30pm. The Whites killed Christ comment is slander, nothing else, with specific libelous intent. I don’t care if it’s a sock puppet or a drive-by. Even though the commenter is not serious about the racialist theory he lays out, he is serious about slandering and libeling the people who inhabit this blog.

    David Vance or any available mods, please report the ISP number.

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  7. Martin says:

    Yes Panorama. An investigation into the money invested in Iraq.

    1. What is it to do with the BBC? It’s American money

    2. What did the dopey cow go off on a tangent and start talking about Iraqi’s killed by evil Americans? The programm was suppose dot be about Money.

    I’m expecting them to try to tie John McCain in to this somehow.

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  8. bodo says:

    I thought I had mis-heard when the BBC trailer said ‘so where has all the taxpayers money gone?’ – ‘What? A hard-hitting critique of the Labour years?’ I thought. I should have known better – its an attack on the AMERICAN govt. Oh well.

    Guess we’ll have to rely on C4’s Dispatches for fearless documentaries. Gordon Brown this week, Islamic extremism next week.

    Can anyone remember when the Beeb did ANY Panorama-type serious documentary that was vaguely critical of Labour? As someone said… they’re first question seems to be ‘Would Tony/Gordon approve?’. If not, then the programme idea gets binned.

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  9. dismayed with the BBC says:

    For all non-UK based users of the BBC website it look like the adverts are hear to stay,the Guardian reports that due to difficulties in collecting subscriptions the BBC will have to stick with adverts.

    What a load of crap, why can every other company manage to deal with subscribers from various countries.

    The BBC’s blogs were inundated by irate bloggers complaining about this intrusion on how they get to view the BBC website.

    I would have thought that with the tens of thousands of expats who subscribe via their local providers to various BBC packages , all this additional revenue must add up to quite a substantial amount for the BBC.

    What an arrogant group of underachievers must haunt the corridors of BBC HQ.

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  10. David Vance says:

    Just saw it folks – will deal with it.

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  11. Martin says:

    The BBC are too bone idle to collect omney through “proper systems”

    They’d rather just employ inbred wife beating unwashed goons to go around people’s houses making physical threats. So why sohuld they care aobut collecting money for their website via subscription? They get £3.5 billion as it is.

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  12. gus says:

    The Iraq war blah blah blah, we are cowards blah blah blah, Conservatives are evil blah blah blah, Islam is the religion of Peace blah blah blah, children are starving, blah blah blah, did we mention that Islam is the Religion of Peace? blah blah blah, Muslim children are starving blah blah blah, Government is good as long as it’s liberal/Labour blah blah blah, don’t hold us accountable, we are the Government/BBC blah blah blah.

    Have I covered this weeks stories.
    Or this weeks weak stories?

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  13. ColinChase says:

    gus:

    blah

    I’d hang on to the day job, if I were you.

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  14. gus says:

    If you were me, you’d have one Colin.

    Touche.

    That was easy.

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  15. George R says:

    Paging BBC’s chum, Ms. S. Chakrabarti:

    “Al-Qaeda suspect being deported”

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7447343.stm

    She won’t allow him to be deported to Algeria, surely?
    As the guardian of our freedoms, surely she must intervene, and take on her Joan of Arc role to get under our feet and misrepresent us in this unworthy cause?

    Where is she? Oh, her priority at the moment must be to be present at Westminster, representing the National Lottery-subsidised ‘Liberty’ outfit as a political lobbyist against any provision to hold ‘terror’ suspects for up to 42 days, and to so enhance the security of UK citizens. Nice one.

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  16. George R says:

    It really is hard to keep up with the number of ‘terrorist’ suspects who have been charged in the UK since this Labour government came to power in 1997.

    There is a pattern to the sort of people these suspects are; they seem to have a common belief-system; but the BBC simply calls them ‘men’:-

    “Two men held on terrorism charges”

    (These two ‘men’ have Somali connections.)

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7447215.stm

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  17. Jack Hughes says:

    ColinChase: What is your point ?

    Do you work for the BBC ? Do you think the BBC is perfect most of the time – occasionally making mistakes which are randomly spread among different points of view ?

    Or do you follow the theme of this blog: that the BBC has got its own “house opinion” – developed through the process of group-think. This house opinion is reflected in which stories they cover, the priority of those stories, the angle they take, even the choice of individual words.

    And its not just news – its documentaries, drama, comedy, chidren’s programmes like Blue Peter. Pretty much everything except sport. Maybe that’s next.

    Tell us what you think. Or criticise points made. Don’t just have a go at other posters.

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  18. Lady of the Lake says:

    @gus 10.34pm

    You forgot, America and Israel are the biggest threats to world peace, and that it is imperative we adopt 3rd world living standards to alleviate climate change – and reduce world poverty (of the relative kind): men should be shot at birth so they don’t contaminate the world with testosterone, and we’re all going to have a gay time on the sunny plains of the EU, one big happy family teaching the world to sing – preferably on reality TV.

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  19. George R says:

    “BBC news too London-centric, says report”

    And it could be added that the kind of London the BBC reports has often been seen through Livingstone’s pink glasses.

    The report, sponsored by the good old BBC Trust, is written by BBC frequent broadcaster, Prof. Anthony King.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2105111/BBC-news-too-London-centric%2C-says-report.html

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  20. George R says:

    Hey, I don’t think this fits with the BBC’s ‘multiculturalism’:-

    “Muslim parents to blame for children turning to extremism”

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/education/2106757/Muslim-parents-to-blame-for-children-turning-to-extremism.html

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  21. ColinChase says:

    Jack Hughes:

    Do you work for the BBC?

    No

    Do you think the BBC is perfect most of the time

    Nothing’s perfect.

    occasionally making mistakes

    Who doesn’t?

    which are randomly spread among different points of view ?

    Random seems a good description.

    Or do you follow the theme of this blog:

    Written by Wagner, I believe. Or possibly Richard Strauss. No, wait. It’s Meatloaf.

    that the BBC has got its own “house opinion”

    Yes. Good broadcasting counts.

    developed through the process of group-think.

    Hmmmm. Jeremy Clarkson versus Bill Oddie? Norton vs. Humphrys? Gene Hunt vs. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists? Probably not, then.

    This house opinion is reflected in which stories they cover, the priority of those stories, the angle they take, even the choice of individual words.

    There are editorial guidelines if that’s what you mean…

    And its not just news – its documentaries, drama, comedy, chidren’s programmes like Blue Peter.

    They make all of those, yes. So we agree on that, at least.

    Pretty much everything except sport. Maybe that’s next.

    No they’ve been doing that for a long time. I have distant memories of Peter Dimmock. And John Arlott. And Kenneth Wolstenholme.

    That was easy. Have I been inducted into the Biased Brotherhood?

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  22. Miv Tucker says:

    What’s this whites killed Christ bizz?

    Were some comments deleted?

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  23. GCooper says:

    One troll vanishes – another appears.

    It’s just so astonishingly boring. But perhaps that’s what the BBC trolls hope to achieve – a slow process of attrition?

    FWIW, I suggest we just leave them to bleat into the wind – the direction of which, as they know only too well, is changing.

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  24. GCooper says:

    Miv Tucker – we had a nutcase on board. Don’t worry, he had nothing to say of any interest. Mercifully, Mr Vance seems to have sent him (and his comments) to a better place.

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  25. Biodegradable says:

    deegee mentioned this on another thread, it’s well worth reading:
    Is it time to give up on the BBC?

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  26. GCooper says:

    Meanwhile, it’s a pretty impressive sleight of hand on the part of the Europhile BBC to have completely ignored Stuart Wheeler’s High Court challenge to McBean’s lies about a referendum.

    Clearly, as any fule kno, stories about ‘The Apprentice’, a hack attempt on a retail website, Girls Aloud, beached dolphins and…. I’m sorry, I believe I just fell asleep for a moment… are far more important.

    Amateurs and polemicists put in a bag and shaken-up to give a random result of nothing.

    We need rid of these imbeciles.

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  27. ColinChase says:

    GCooper:

    t’s a pretty impressive sleight of hand on the part of the Europhile BBC to have completely ignored Stuart Wheeler’s High Court challenge to McBean’s lies about a referendum.

    Haven’t they just? Oh, what’s this?

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7442980.stm

    We need rid of these imbeciles.

    Harsh but fair.

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  28. GCooper says:

    Good to see you endorse your paymasters’ priorities Mr Chase (and, no, I don’t believe you. I think you work for the BBC or are in some way affiliated with it),

    So, perhaps you’d now explain to us why Girls Aloud warrant a front page story and a constitutional challenge does not?

    Isn’t it your ‘public service’ (sic) function that is claimed to justify the TV poll tax?

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  29. Peter says:

    Looks like Hillhunt has a new name.

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  30. ColinChase says:

    GCooper:

    I’m looking at the UK main news front page. Wheeler’s legal challenge is given banner treatment as one of three features across the middle of the page.

    There’s a story about Cheryl Cole way down among the also-rans at the foot of the page.

    The layout doesn’t remotely fit your description, which is no surprise.

    Are you sure you’re not reading the CBBC News page? Cheryl is big news for tweenagers. Euro referendums are, sadly, not.

    Or possibly Heat?

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  31. GCooper says:

    ColinChase writes: “I’m looking at the UK main news front page. Wheeler’s legal challenge is given banner treatment as one of three features across the middle of the page.”

    Well, clearly we are looking at quite different BBC news websites.

    It’s 1.27 am and http://www.news.bbc.co.uk produces no reference whatsoever to the Wheeler story.

    Maybe you get a different feed at White City?

    It seems Planet Beeb has its own curious priorities.

    Which was (just in case it had escaped you) my point.

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  32. ColinChase says:

    GCooper:

    It seems Planet Beeb has its own curious priorities. Which was (just in case it had escaped you) my point.

    Alas it was not.

    Your point was that the Europhile BBC have completely ignored Stuart Wheeler’s High Court challenge to McBean’s lies about a referendum.

    Which they didn’t. Here it is again:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7447014.stm

    When do you plan to clear out the imbeciles?

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  33. GCooper says:

    ColinChase writes: “When do you plan to clear out the imbeciles?”

    Just as soon as your paymasters lose the next election.

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  34. Anon says:

    Interesting Melanie Philips article if it hasn’t already been posted – BBC bias :

    http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/764681/paradise-lost.thtml

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  35. Anon says:

    Spot on GCooper.

    Anyone in their right mind would be appalled by the BBC’s support of Dr Kollerstrom – indefensible.

    The BBC is a total disgrace.

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  36. Peter says:

    “When do you plan to clear out the imbeciles?”

    How soon can you be ready?

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  37. gus says:

    The BBC is liberal. Liberals believe in moral relativism. Liberals believe that those whose political philosophies they hate are evil.
    America is evil.
    Israel is evil.
    Corporations are evil.
    Government is good.
    Taxes are good.
    Government paid for..Programs are good.
    To make it quite simple, liberals are RETARDED. They live off of TAX MONEY.
    They have never created anything. They see those who create and benefit from Capitalism as evil and greedy, because they CANNOT COMPETE within the Capitalist system. But they love to TAX CAPITALISM!! Most liberals are blissfully ignorant of where the TEAT MILK they SUCK came from. Seriously friends. Colin (obviously a banned poster with a new moniker) hasn’t a clue. The BBC is COMPLETELY GOVERNMENT (READ TAXPAYER) dependant. Their view of the WORLD/U.K. is “hurray government cash works for me”, shouldn’t it work for everyone? Everyone’s job should be paid for by the TAXPAYER!! Yes, and who would pay the taxes then?
    Here in America, Obama, et al, and his followers EXPECT the GOVERNMENT to bathe them, feed them, and wipe their dirty bottoms. They never notice that the constituencies that are supported by LIBERALS (Labour/Democrats) are COMPELETELY DEPENDANT ON GOVERNMENT for their very existance and dinner.
    They are like my 7 year old son. Seriously. My boy believes that ICE CREAM is mannah from heaven. The difference is that my boy, will in time, become self sufficient and will not become another bureaucrat/loser/drain on the taxpayers.
    Lastly, even the government sponsored employees that do work hard, have no clue. Those who DO NOT WORK FOR GOVERNMENT provide ALL of their income.
    Government provides NOTHING, it merely redistributes SOMEONE ELSE’S earnings, to someone who isn’t productive. Let the excuses and reasons begin.

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  38. It's all too much says:

    Link to Telegraph article

    “BBC too London centric”

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2105111/BBC-news-too-London-centric%2C-says-report.html

    worth a read

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  39. Hugh says:

    Why’s “ice cream” in capitals?

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  40. ColinChase says:

    Gus:

    To make it quite simple, liberals are RETARDED. They live off of TAX MONEY.

    Quality argument wins. Every time.

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  41. Hugh says:

    Unbelievable coverage of Bush’s farewell tour of Europe:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7447428.stm

    “The US president and his European hosts ended the summit by admiring a show of Slovenia’s dancing Lipizzaner horses – a fitting image the BBC’s Oana Lungescu at the summit said – as it suggests the days of cowboy diplomacy are over and, after the strains of the Iraq war, Europe and the US seem back in step again.”

    Er…

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  42. George R says:

    The security of the British people could be improved against the Islamic jihad threat if the UK political parties, much of the MSM (inc. BBC) shifted their endless superficial chatter away from ’28/42 days’, and acted on this real threat:

    “Islamic fanatics are openly using the internet to recruit children in Britain, says Civitas.”

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1025552/Islamic-fanatics-bypass-law-use-Net-recruit-children.html

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  43. David says:

    On News 24, the topic is GWB’s final Presidential visit to Germany. Now, rather than discussing what he’s going to be talking to Angela Merkel about, the BBC show 6 or 7 Berliners saying just how much they dislike the man.

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  44. Yaffle says:

    Hugh,

    Well spotted. One BBC reporter reiterating the prejudices of another BBC reporter in a “news” story.

    It’s not even much of a quip. What have dancing Lipizzaner horses got to do with cowboys?

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  45. PaulS says:

    Peter | 11.06.08 – 1:25 am

    Looks like Hillhunt has a new name.

    Same old name.

    Colin is an anglicized form of French ‘colline’ meaning hill.

    Chase is another word for ‘hunt’.

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  46. Biodegradable says:

    Contrast & Compare:

    Shortages bite in Spanish strike
    Page last updated at 16:33 GMT, Tuesday, 10 June 2008 17:33 UK
    “There’s been no hostility and it is rather good-natured”
    James Barber
    English driver stuck in Spain

    Spanish media say truck driver suffers burns in apparent strike-related incident
    MADRID, Spain (AP) – Spanish media are reporting that a truck driver has suffered serious burns in an incident that appears to be related to a protest of high fuel prices.
    The newspaper El Mundo and other news outlets say the 43-year-old man was sleeping in his truck when it caught fire. The reports say four
    other trucks also burned in the incident Wednesday near the eastern city of Alicante.
    The Interior Ministry and police in Alicante said they had no immediate information.

    Spanish truck drivers have been on strike since Monday to protest rising fuel costs, disrupting supplies of fuel, food and other goods.
    On Tuesday evening one protester was killed by a van that drove through a picket line at a wholesale market in the southern city of Granada.

    Trucker killed in fuel strike
    A TRUCK driver was run over and killed by a van overnight as he was working on a picket line in southern Spain during a strike by hauliers protesting high fuel prices, police said.

    The incident occurred at the entrance to a wholesale market in Grenada, a police official in the city said.

    Earlier, a Portuguese driver was killed near Alcanena, north of Lisbon, as he tried to stop a lorry at a road block set up by the strikers, police said.

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  47. GCooper says:

    PaulS writes: “Same old name.”

    Indeed. Same old style, too.

    Once a troll…

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  48. Teinte says:

    PaulS: “Colin is an anglicized form of French ‘colline’ meaning hill.

    Chase is another word for ‘hunt’.”

    What wit.

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  49. p and a tale of one chip says:

    Constrast and compare:

    Two die as fuel strike spreads

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7447525.stm

    Page last updated at 02:06 GMT, Wednesday, 11 June 2008

    The page updates on the AP story and the second link are both from today, as is the BBC link to the trucker deaths.

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  50. Sue says:

    PaulS | 11.06.08 – 11:16 am
    I don’t like HillH’s new name. Why not go for something like natural elevation of earth’s surface pursues a fox with hounds and stuff.
    or small mound has mislaid something like spectacles or car keys. I won’t continue.
    Yes I will.
    Or rogue starry-eyed smiley that comes up on haloscan looking sarcastic in the middle of a sensible comment making it look stupid.
    I admit that last one was a bit too long.

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