The BBC’s political independence from the British Government, theoretically enshrined in its Charter, is more tenuous than ever.
NHS Protest March relegated to a footnote by BBC
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The government exerting control over the media? In Merrie England?
Surely that cannot be? 🙂 x
I had my home phone tapped during the 1980s, as I was a ‘legitimate cause for concern’ due to my union activities and membership of Militant Tendency. When I asked why ballot papers were numbered with the same number that was next to my name on the register in the Polling Station, I was told I would be removed by the Police, if I didn’t leave immediately. I then protested against non-English speaking voters being ‘indicated where to vote’, by ‘interpreters’ in Polling Stations in London, and was escorted out by Police, who took my name and address. When attending political marches and demonstrations over the years, I was routinely photographed by undercover Police posing as press photographers.
Much later, working for the Special Operations division of The Met, (So much for the vetting process…) I was aware of all sorts of nefarious activities perpetrated by those parts of the Security Services that have not made the news since the time of Walsingham.
That “authoritarian, paranoid, right-wing government in Blighty” is not on the rise.
It has always been here, in a variety of disguises.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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My real concern, especially while ministers are attacking the Civil Service, is with the rise of authoritarian, paranoid, right-wing government in Blighty, rather than with the BBC’s internal problems. With the diminished impartiality of professional news services, relying on Facebook and Tweets for digests doesn’t look the worst option any more. It’s like watching a thousand magicians misdirecting an audience. We denounce an American President for attacking his country’s democratic institutions and blind ourselves to our own Government’s deliberate eroding of our rights and freedoms.
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Thank you, moorezart.
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Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Things are definitely amiss in the corporation. Too many third-party production companies involved, and everyone getting salaries that are far too high. Even newsreaders have their own agents now, negotiating fees on a contract basis. Media is echoing Football, in so many ways.
Best wishes, Pete.
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