The BBC has over the years developed a reputation for accuracy and proper and appropriate reporting. That reputation has been more than a tad tarnished of late.
MediaLens highlights BBC reporting which was incorrect, and simply wrong, to say the least - even if the topic, of and in itself, wasn't such an important one.
"It is not only when death is being inflicted by Western firepower that the BBC can be expected to conform to state doctrine. It applies most definitely to events of state pomp and ceremony: royal weddings, Trooping the Colour, Armed Forces Day, anniversaries of D-Day, and on and on. Indeed, the BBC distinguishes itself by setting its 'patriotism' volume control to eleven on such occasions.
Reporting on President Obama’s state visit to the UK, BBC political editor Nick Robinson gushed happily on the News at Ten:
‘There was never any doubt that Britain was in love with Obama.’ (May 25, 2011)
Robinson was seemingly unaware of the slippery step where ‘balanced’ journalism tips over into hagiography.
In fact, many in this country believe that Obama shares ultimate responsibility for numerous war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere. We asked Robinson:
‘What gives you the right to sweep aside this section of the British public?’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
He responded:
‘The opinion polls back up my suggestion that Britain - or, at least, a sizeable majority of opinion - is enthusiastic about President Obama.’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
We answered:
‘The recent ComRes/ITV News poll suggests 40% of the British public disagree, or haven’t made up their minds, about Obama being “a good president”. That’s hardly “love”, to quote you.
‘54% agree or don't know that he's "lived up to expectations". Is that “love”?
‘Only 34% think he’s “doing a good job of managing the situation in Afghanistan.” And the same low figure, 34%, on his handling of the Middle East.
‘None of this justifies your gushing assertion:
‘ “There was never any doubt that Britain was in love with Obama.”
‘Perhaps some Britons are indeed “in love with Obama”. This isn’t surprising given that you, and much of the rest of the national media, have swooned over Obama from Day 1. That’s not reporting; it’s propaganda.’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
To give Robinson credit, he did at least respond one more time:
‘Noted!’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
However, his reporting and analysis are unchanged. The BBC's Nick Robinson remains a reliable channel for the mix of official propaganda and platitude that passes for political comment."
MediaLens highlights BBC reporting which was incorrect, and simply wrong, to say the least - even if the topic, of and in itself, wasn't such an important one.
"It is not only when death is being inflicted by Western firepower that the BBC can be expected to conform to state doctrine. It applies most definitely to events of state pomp and ceremony: royal weddings, Trooping the Colour, Armed Forces Day, anniversaries of D-Day, and on and on. Indeed, the BBC distinguishes itself by setting its 'patriotism' volume control to eleven on such occasions.
Reporting on President Obama’s state visit to the UK, BBC political editor Nick Robinson gushed happily on the News at Ten:
‘There was never any doubt that Britain was in love with Obama.’ (May 25, 2011)
Robinson was seemingly unaware of the slippery step where ‘balanced’ journalism tips over into hagiography.
In fact, many in this country believe that Obama shares ultimate responsibility for numerous war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere. We asked Robinson:
‘What gives you the right to sweep aside this section of the British public?’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
He responded:
‘The opinion polls back up my suggestion that Britain - or, at least, a sizeable majority of opinion - is enthusiastic about President Obama.’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
We answered:
‘The recent ComRes/ITV News poll suggests 40% of the British public disagree, or haven’t made up their minds, about Obama being “a good president”. That’s hardly “love”, to quote you.
‘54% agree or don't know that he's "lived up to expectations". Is that “love”?
‘Only 34% think he’s “doing a good job of managing the situation in Afghanistan.” And the same low figure, 34%, on his handling of the Middle East.
‘None of this justifies your gushing assertion:
‘ “There was never any doubt that Britain was in love with Obama.”
‘Perhaps some Britons are indeed “in love with Obama”. This isn’t surprising given that you, and much of the rest of the national media, have swooned over Obama from Day 1. That’s not reporting; it’s propaganda.’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
To give Robinson credit, he did at least respond one more time:
‘Noted!’ (Email, May 26, 2011)
However, his reporting and analysis are unchanged. The BBC's Nick Robinson remains a reliable channel for the mix of official propaganda and platitude that passes for political comment."
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