Saturday, 04 February 2012 07:20
A Newsnet Scotland editorial 
The constitutional debate is off and running in earnest.
London and Edinburgh are currently locking horns as the fight for control of Scotland heats up – this is a no holds barred contest and it’s winner takes all.
It’s already turned into a bitter war of words as claim and counter claim vie for supremacy.
The Scotsman and Daily Record have nailed their colours firmly to the Unionist mast, the Herald appears less sure, but one thing can be stated with confidence and that is that no media outlet in Scotland will support independence.
We can all vote with our wallet as far as the newspapers are concerned, however there is no such right when it comes to the BBC. Own a device capable of receiving a TV signal and London will demand £145.50 from you … with a threat of conviction if you refuse.
Given this ‘TV tax’, it is incumbent on our national broadcaster to provide us with fair, balanced and informative news free of bias and devoid of manipulation.
With Scotland gearing up for what is undoubtedly the most important debate in the nation’s history, the role of the BBC has never been more important – the responsibilities on the state broadcaster have never been more apparent.
This week saw former BBC Head Jeremy Peat call for more Scottish focussed content on BBC national news programmes. Peat’s call for more Scottish tailored news follows the decision by BBC Scotland to axe two news and current affairs programmes.
The decision to get rid of Derek Bateman’s Newsweek is one of the most incredulous decisions ever taken by those currently running BBC Scotland.
However it isn’t the dumbing down of news and current affairs, or the ever increasing tabloidisation of BBC Scotland that causes most concern. The real issue as far as Pacific Quay is concerned is the growing manipulation of news – political news.
Newsnet Scotland has been monitoring recent output from BBC Scotland and the results do not give cause for optimism – BBC Scotland is in trouble, and if it continues unabated then the broadcaster may well turn the constitutional debate into a one-sided travesty.
A London designed template forged in the nineties amid expectations of a continuous line of Labour/Lib Dem administrations is slowly buckling under the unexpected rise in support for the SNP.
Unable to deal with this unforeseen change in the Scottish body politic, BBC Scotland in some areas at least, appears to be succumbing to the worst excesses of its once well camouflaged Unionist leanings.
Below are three examples of this corrosion and the news manipulation that is being repackaged and presented to an unwitting electorate starved of information, facts and objective debate for literally decades.
The first example relates to a story that Newsnet Scotland broke on the 24th January.
The story involved a Conservative peer who added three extraordinary amendments to the Scotland Bill as it passed through the House of Lords.
The amendments sought to deny the Scottish people any say in their constitutional future by insisting that any Yes vote in the referendum would only be binding if the rest of the UK agreed in another UK wide poll.
The unelected Tory peer also called for legislation to be brought forward that could have resulted in a Northern Ireland style partition of Scotland.
If Scotland voted Yes to independence then, unless the islands of Orkney and Shetland agreed with the national vote then they were to be brought under London control along with the rocky outcrop known as Rockall – once claimed for Westminster, the vast oil, gas and renewable reserves surrounding the regions would no longer belong to Scotland.
A big story? Definitely; Controversial? Absolutely; Deserving of coverage? We thought so, and so surprisingly did BBC Scotland.
Here’s how BBC Scotland reported the Conservative politicians plan to grab Scotland’s natural resources and neuter the Scottish electorate:
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Seventeen seconds is all it warranted. No mention of Rockall and no mention of the second UK wide referendum. Almost as bad as the glaring omissions was the way that the partitioning of Scotland was carefully presented as though the islanders were being offered a right.
Also conspicuous by its absence was any mention of the oil, gas and renewable resources that would be lost to Scotland.
The only possible explanation for this clear manipulation of the story is that the BBC knew that it would not play well with a Scottish electorate – thus, the parts of the story that could not be repackaged were simply ignored and the Orkney – Shetland aspect was sanitised and reworked.
The second example is the suppression of the Samsung renewables investment.
The announcement by Samsung Heavy Industries that they would be investing £100 million in the Scottish renewables sector was a huge story by any standards.
The Scottish government is promoting Scotland’s vast green energy resources heavily against a backdrop of Unionist claims that companies are wary about investing in Scotland due to the referendum.
The size of the investment, £100 million, makes it one of the biggest commitments in Scotland to date with the possibility of 500 jobs being created.
However BBC Scotland managed to contrive to create a renewables news item on Reporting Scotland that gave the impression that it had been a bad day for Scotland’s green energy ambitions.
Published that very day was a report from a body called the UK Committee on Climate Change.
The report contained the following:
“Our assessment of progress to date against milestones for 2020 suggests that good progress has been made on investment in renewable electricity, with capacity being added at a rate in recent years that is consistent with meeting the likely capacity required to meet targets by 2020. Preparations for CCS are progressing, and delivery against renewable heat is currently ahead of the indicative trajectory towards 2020.”
The report was constructive and included a view from the report authors that the Scottish government would have to implement some new policies if the ambitious climate change targets were to be achieved. It was a fair enough assessment, positive in tone and containing honest qualified opinions – nothing more.
However, here is how BBC Scotland used the report in order to turn excellent news on Scotland’s renewables industry and the ambitious carbon reduction targets – into bad news. Look out for Raymond Buchanan’s unnecessary snide remark at the end of his presentation.
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The investment and jobs boost is squeezed inside an item that is wholly negative about Scotland’s carbon emissions goals, the positive aspects of the report are simply ignored.
The impact of the Samsung investment is lost as negativity and doom pervades the item.
The equivalent investment in England would have been £1.2 billion – it is unthinkable that the national broadcaster would have treated such an announcement of inward investment in the same appalling lopsided manner.
The press release that accompanied the report can be viewed here: http://downloads.theccc.org.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/Scottish%20report/Scottish%20…
The full report can be viewed here: http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/scottish-report
Read the press release and the full report, and then compare it to what appeared on Reporting Scotland.
Finally, Fred Goodwin and the BBC Scotland agenda
When the Fred Goodwin broke at the start of the week it was apparent to anyone with an ounce of common sense that this was a populist manoeuvre by a UK coalition under pressure, it was designed to deflect attention from Cameron’s EU U-turn, the faltering economy and anger over public sector cuts.
The story was seized upon by a news media who knew that the former high-flying banker was an easy target, they knew what the outcome was likely to be and Cameron didn’t disappoint.
In London, Miliband and Cameron traded verbal blows over Fred’s knighthood and all was dutifully reported by the press and broadcast media.
In Scotland though, something strange happened when First Minister Alex Salmond attempted to put forward his own views on the matter.
An interview with BBC Scotland heard the First Minister suggest the stripping of the knighthood was an attempt to divert attention from bad news. Mr Salmond also suggested that there were people currently sitting in the House of Lords at least as deserving as Mr Goodwin of having their titles stripped.
Goodwin and Alex Salmond
This was the main thrust of Mr Salmond’s recorded statement, and in keeping with their overall coverage with regards the other leaders, one would have expected BBC Scotland to report the First Minister’s concerns.
However that’s not what happened. Instead the BBC chose to ignore Mr Salmond’s comments regarding the knighthood loss and focussed entirely on an answer to a question posed by the BBC interviewer.
Mr Salmond was asked about a letter he sent to Mr Goodwin in May 2007. In the short letter Mr Salmond wished Mr Goodwin, then the RBS Chief, good luck in his bid to acquire Dutch bank ABN Amro and said that it was in Scotland’s interest for RBS to be successful.
It was before the banking crash and few people were predicting the cataclysm that was about to unfold – the letter was not controversial.
In the end, the consortium that included RBS, Santander and Dutch-Belgian group Fortis outbid Barclay’s Bank for ABN and the rest is history.
The first suggestion that BBC Scotland were up to something came in an online article headlined: ‘Alex Salmond regrets past support for banker Fred Goodwin’.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16835023
A read through the article though and one finds nowhere that Mr Salmond says this. Indeed a video alongside the piece shows Mr Salmond suggesting that people with criminal convictions ought to be looked at with regards to removing honours.
The First Minister also suggests that the decision is more about diverting from bad economic news than about preserving the integrity of the honours system. It’s only an edited section at the end that hears Mr Salmond say that with the benefit of hindsight that they would have done things differently – a reference to the period before the banking collapse.
Here is what Mr Salmond actually says:
“If we all had our time again we’d look at things differently. I think there are very few people who can justifiably say that they anticipated the full extent of the financial collapse – the financial crisis.
I mean I know some people claim they did but I think if you examine the record you’ll find there’s very few people on the planet – and I am certainly not one of them – who anticipated it.
So, yeah, of course, if we had the benefit of hindsight we’d do things differently and I am sure that is true of lots and lots of people.”
But BBC Scotland, rather than focus on the thrust of Mr Salmond’s remarks, which were pertinent, instead chose to adopt a very subjective headline using a word that Mr Salmond does not use ‘regret’.
So brazen is BBC Scotland’s manipulation of the interview that even arch-Unionist Alan Cochrane questions the BBC’s interpretation of Mr Salmond’s remarks, pointing out that he never used the word.
As ever, by the time the interview made Reporting Scotland, it had been edited to such a degree that the First Minister’s criticisms of the UK coalition and the honours system were missing. Jackie Bird tells the viewer that Mr Salmond has “told BBC Scotland he regretted his previous support …”.
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So, a story that started with Fred Goodwin losing a knighthood was turned into an attack on Alex Salmond by BBC Scotland.
The issue was relevant of course, and no-one would deny that Mr Salmond’s letter was a pertinent part of the story, but surely not to the exclusion of his other remarks that were, if anything, more relevant and equally significant.
The First Minister had made some justifiable comments relating to some Lords who might be deemed not fit to hold honours – Labour and Tory peers with criminal convictions spring to mind.
However, BBC Scotland felt that these comments ought to be airbrushed out of the flagship teatime news, and so it was that most Scots who rely on reporting Scotland for their daily roundup of the day’s events ended up with a deliberately one sided and damaging image of Salmond.
Here’s the deal, it isn’t the BBC’s role to cherry pick parts of an interview in order to set the political agenda. Their job is to report what is said, and if needs be, hold all politicians to account on our behalf.
If the SNP is to have past ‘weaknesses’ over the Fred Goodwin affair paraded on national TV then we need to see objectivity and balance and parade Labour’s weaknesses on the same show and submit their leaders to the same scrutiny.
Jack (now lord) McConnell pushed for Goodwin to receive a knighthood and Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling held several meetings with the banker and also sought his advice. Mr Goodwin was held in high esteem by very many people.
Finally, and still on the subject of Mr Goodwin and the knighthood we come to First Minister’s Questions and Radio Scotland’s Sarah Paterson.
Below is a recording of Ms Paterson as she introduced her item on FMQs on Thursday evening at teatime. Note her opening remark in which she claims that Mr Salmond’s letter to Mr Goodwin was sent “at the height” of the banking crisis.
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Now, it could be that Sarah Paterson doesn’t know when the banking crisis was at its height, but even a BBC Scotland presenter ought to know that it happened after the acquisition of ABN Amro and not before.
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Comments
2012-02-04 03:00
1) Do you agree that Scotland should have full fiscal powers? Yes/No
2) Do you agree that full fiscal powers should be expanded to full Independence? Yes/No
Hence following the same format as the UK government arranged devolution referendum of 1997 and therefore the UK government would have no grounds to complain.
PS don’t encourage them, [comment edited]
Moderator’s note: Please do not encourage people not to pay their licence fee in NNS comments. Not paying the licence is a criminal offence, and by urging people not to pay you risk opening NNS to the charge that we promote or condone criminal acts. That puts the site at risk. Thank you for your understanding.
2012-02-04 10:38
Moderator’s note: Please do not encourage people not to pay their licence fee in NNS comments.
The licence fee is not the issue here. The issue is the partiality and bias being displayed by BBC Scotland. We should be very wary of those who would hijack this issue in support of their own highly questionable agenda regarding the BBC’s independent funding model.
2012-02-04 12:21
Moderator: Thank you for the clarification. But NNS needs to be extremely careful to avoid legal problems. We have already come under attack from anti-independence parties, and they will use any excuse to discredit the site. NNS cannot be used as a forum to promote or condone any kind of law-breaking, whether civil or legal.
2012-02-04 15:14
If I were to go into a shop to buy a product, for example a TV, and I left the shop and I didn’t pay for it then that would be theft, however, if I went into the shop to buy a TV and I left the shop and ‘I didn’t buy it’ then this would be regarded as an entirely different thing, I hardly think that anyone would want to prosecute me for ‘not buying a TV’, do you? I didn’t say don’t pay for a license, I said don’t buy a license.
Why would anyone want to prosecute me for not buying a product I don’t use?
I will admit that I could have been a bit clearer and since you have given me this opportunity, I shall;
Don’t Watch Broadcast TV! Don’t Buy A TV License! And don’t break the Law!
It is not illegal to own a TV without possessing a TV license!
It is not illegal to watch broadcast TV on an internet demand player ‘after’ it has been broadcast without a TV license!
It is not illegal to use the TV to watch videos, blue ray and DVD’s without a TV license!
It is not illegal to use a TV to listen to digital radio without a TV license!
It is not illegal to use a TV as a PC or game consol monitor for playing games without a TV license!
Since giving up TV in April last year when my last license ran out and cancelling my direct debit in October of the year before as well as using the cash saved to buy the box sets of Farscape, the new BSG and Stargate Atlantis and more from eBay, all of which I get to keep and watch at my leisure, I have also donated £30 each to SNP and Newsnet so please forgive me for standing my ground and remember it does work to your advantage too!
I do think you were a bit harsh on my smiley 🙂
I don’t miss having biased anti-Scottish nonsense shoved down my throat, though I will admit it means I am sometimes a wee bit behind with and therefore complaining about the latest propaganda they try to propagate.
Don’t worry I’ll try to be clearer in the future and keep up the good work, cheers 🙂
2012-02-04 03:44
Its true what you have all said.
The Propaganda. is getting thicker and thicker as time goes on. Time to declare UDI..
BBC are Anti-Scottish no chance of fair reporting, and they ask you to pay for this .
2012-02-04 04:14
Great article.
Its true what you have all said.
The Propaganda. is getting thicker and thicker as time goes on. Time to declare UDI..BBC are Anti-Scottish no chance of fair reporting, and they ask you to pay for this .
They don’t ask for you to pay for this, they demand it, with menace… and if you refuse they then attempt to jail you.
2012-02-04 03:57
SOS, Save Our Scotland vote yes.
2012-02-04 16:08
A simple easily understood slogan for independence. SOS, Save Our Scotland vote yes.
So true. I always hate it when after watching something live
I see a BBC headline or article that is totally different than what actually happened.
The best ones are B. Taylor’s “alternate universe” versions of FMQs especially his pathetic rating of LaMont Blank’s performances.
2012-02-04 17:20
Quoting DonMc:
A simple easily understood slogan for independence. SOS, Save Our Scotland vote yes.
So true. I always hate it when after watching something live
I see a BBC headline or article that is totally different than what actually happened.
The best ones are B. Taylor’s “alternate universe” versions of FMQs especially his pathetic rating of LaMont Blank’s performances.
True, rhymer, but I think most folk, you and I included, regard The Great Blubber as a figure of fun, rather than someone of unbiased opinion. The BBC however, is a “state broadcaster” and many people still regard it as the model of propriety and balanced news coverage that its own propaganda claims it to be. So it is entirely unacceptable for the BBC to be so blatantly anti-SNP in its news presentation as it currently is.
2012-02-04 04:20
Question is: What to do? Complaints to the BBC make no difference; non-payment of licence fee makes no difference (apart from making the individual feel better).
Some statement from SNP I think is required, maybe also a couple of planted questions during FMQ, along with robust challenges during interviews.
Us complaining amongst ourselves for the next two years might convince a few hundred people, but this needs to be highlighted to the tens of thousands who trust the BBC as their only source of news.
Demonstration outside Pacific Quay might help, but likely to be ignored or brushed off.
I don’t know the answer, but it is a growing problem, and getting more urgent by the day.
2012-02-04 10:43
Some statement from SNP I think is required…
Any attack on the BBC by the SNP will be portrayed as an attempt to “gag” the broadcaster. Protest at the blatant bias and downright dishonesty of BBC Scotland must come from the public. After all, we are the ones who lose most by this betrayal of democracy.
2012-02-04 05:06
Scottish resources, agriculture, energy, the will of the people will be and can be won by our efforts, we can, and will defeat the lies that are being spread by people that have no heart in our great country, once again “urgently needed the support of the Scottish people more day by day” its a no brainer lets do this!!
2012-02-04 05:26
Whenever I get disheartened by all this Anti Scottish bile from London I think of Martin Luther King. A black man is President of the US, if only MLK had lived to see it.
We will get Independence no doubt in my mind. Never give up.
2012-02-04 21:25
Now the only thing I did was wrong
Was stayin’ in the wilderness too long
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
The only thing we did was right
Was the day we started to fight
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
2012-02-04 07:08
I agree with you, can we get a protest, a large protest outside Pacific Quay. Bring in Student Groups, Senior Citizens, Unions, Church and all the rest of us.
Invite International media, have a few spokespersons briefed and ready with the evidence.
We could attack on many fronts, surely we could instigate legal proceedings against them, they are in breach of their charter. Also, can this go to the EU and come at them from that angle at the same time.
I said as much as this a few weeks ago, someone came on and asked me to contact them, I did, but got no reply back.
I don’t have contacts to get this up and running but somebody out there does, and they can count on my support, full support.
2012-02-04 11:09
2012-02-04 11:56
2012-02-04 23:18
2012-02-04 07:13
Oh well break the law time, I doubt.
2012-02-04 09:45
Aye it’s time something was done. I’ve tried complaining but nothing changes.
Oh well break the law time, I doubt.
Quoting Jimmy the Pie:
Aye it’s time something was done. I’ve tried complaining but nothing changes.
Oh well break the law time, I doubt.
Make the call I think the Scottish people would be surprised at just how many would anwser. /we are all waiting. The Diaspora
2012-02-04 08:45
2012-02-04 08:58
2012-02-04 09:00
I Have long said that we should have someone (possibly working for the SNP on a full time basis) recording all BBC Scottish political output (from both radio and television).
This would be done in order to build up a clear and undeniable case to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the BBC’s pro-unionist bias.
In the mean time, can I suggest that NNS follow this investigation with regular further reports (as and when they are required) and put them in an area of the site together so that they remain viewable and dont get lost to us viewers, in order to build up a body of evidence for reference?
Another donation on it’s way on Monday… you deserve it for this great work NNS.
Ps.Alex Salmond did not predict the financial collapse along with most other folk in the entire world… Ron Paul was pretty much alone in his prophecies…
www.youtube.com/…/
2012-02-04 09:08
Should that policy be promoted by another party then it would be a legitimate aspiration of that party if elected to institute.
Thereby and knowing that only the denial of money will in any way whatsoever make the BBC change tack then Newsnet is stifling reasonable demands.
Newsnet must be fully aware that the BBC in Scotland is a law unto itself. It sits there in its glass palace spouting its anti Scottish rhetoric secure in the knowledge that whilst the compliant Scots population knuckle under and keep paying the tax that supports this propaganda then nothing, absoultely nothing will change.
Therefore articles such as this pointing out the activities of the BBC are for your readers enjoyment only. Nothing will change.
Scrapping the Licence fee altogether and replacing it with an encrypted service chosen freely by subscribers is the policy of the Scottish Democratic Alliance.
So, if people would vote for independence if they were 500 pounds richer then they would be 145 pounds in credit right away by not paying the licence fee.
If you continue to obstruct this legitimate view then you stifle debate. Surely this is not what you are all about.
Sometimes to make an ommlette you have to break the odd egg !.
2012-02-04 09:34
Whilst this site prefers not to encourage people to withhold the licence fee/tax what if that precise proposal and to scrap the tax altogether was party policy ?. If it were SNP party policy then that would be mainstream policy by the democratically elected Scots government ?.
Should that policy be promoted by another party then it would be a legitimate aspiration of that party if elected to institute.
Thereby and knowing that only the denial of money will in any way whatsoever make the BBC change tack then Newsnet is stifling reasonable demands.
Newsnet must be fully aware that the BBC in Scotland is a law unto itself. It sits there in its glass palace spouting its anti Scottish rhetoric secure in the knowledge that whilst the compliant Scots population knuckle under and keep paying the tax that supports this propaganda then nothing, absoultely nothing will change.
Therefore articles such as this pointing out the activities of the BBC are for your readers enjoyment only. Nothing will change.
Scrapping the Licence fee altogether and replacing it with an encrypted service chosen freely by subscribers is the policy of the Scottish Democratic Alliance.
So, if people would vote for independence if they were 500 pounds richer then they would be 145 pounds in credit right away by not paying the licence fee.
If you continue to obstruct this legitimate view then you stifle debate. Surely this is not what you are all about.
Sometimes to make an ommlette you have to break the odd egg !.
fantastic,I want to break some eggs. you can always take the high road. that is for after we get free from the yoke of the oppressor, .poitics is the dirtiest game in the world. you can be really clean when we get our independence.
2012-02-04 09:51
However, regarding this website, I think they are right to be careful regarding content. Don’t you think there are many, many people who would jump at the slightest chance to have this site shut down??
So, I agree with the mods on this one.
2012-02-04 10:53
Whilst this site prefers not to encourage people to withhold the licence fee/tax what if that precise proposal and to scrap the tax altogether was party policy ?. If it were SNP party policy then that would be mainstream policy by the democratically elected Scots government ?.
No party could adopt a policy to abolish the TV licence fee without also setting out a fully detailed alternative funding model which would guarantee both the BBC’s independence and the overall level and standard of service at a cost to the consumer and/or taxpayer which is at least no greater than under current arrangements. To date, nobody has been able to come up with such a model.
The licence fee is not the issue here.
2012-02-04 09:17
Any MSM you do not support. Do not participate with.
Falling ratings will bring change
People get there information from multiple sources.Most do not believe the hype. In fact it usually has the opposite effect. People switch off
2012-02-04 10:47
So its previous stance seems to have been merely an attempt to persuade its readers of its political neutrality whilst doing exactly the opposite.
2012-02-04 23:27
2012-02-04 09:19
2012-02-04 10:26
“BBC does not stand for British Broadcasting Corporation,
it stands for British Bullshitting Censorship”
2012-02-04 09:20
2012-02-04 09:52
Wonder how the BBC will spin it this time in order to imply it is the SNP’s fault.
2012-02-04 10:35
2012-02-04 16:11
oh no, not the snow!!!!!!
Wonder how the BBC will spin it this time in order to imply it is the SNP’s fault.
Well…… Sitting in the park today it was 9C and raining heavily
Must be localised global warming in Glasgow – or maybe just a. Half-assed weather prediction from the Beeb.
2012-02-04 09:23
It is just a wind up talking shop.
Irrelevant just like all the dinosaurs in it.
A retirement home for bloodsuckers
Stop stressing.
2012-02-04 09:35
There needs to be a step up in the number of complaints by all of us to the BBC in addition to the Scottish Government’s complaints in order for the BBC to take notice, but this will only happen if the SG informs the people of Scotland as to what is going on,
As the Government they have the power to do as such, through a Press release or whatever other means they have at their disposal.
In opposition you can be much easier silenced by the MSM. Another route available to the Government is via First Ministers questions and the SNP has the majority say there.
2012-02-04 09:36
That does not mean that programmes cannot be purchased by another broadcaster it is a refusal to have biased propaganda presented as news.
2012-02-04 09:37
There are some very clever people out
2012-02-04 13:37
Just read on the bbc that some group mamaged to hack into the British and US Police phone calls ” the topic of conversation was hacking.
not really that clever. Just an example of poor operational security for the officers who were using a public teleconfersncin g service to share information on Lulzsec members.
2012-02-04 22:47
Quoting roboftheburnawn :
Just read on the bbc that some group mamaged to hack into the British and US Police phone calls ” the topic of conversation was hacking.
not really that clever. Just an example of poor operational security for the officers who were using a public teleconfersncin g service to share information on Lulzsec members.
Was only making the point that if people can hack into this – they can hack into anything.
And if “its not really clever ” what does it say for the security of both these countries
2012-02-04 09:44
Can we put together a wee programme which shows all this bias? I’m sure we have capable people, and other stations would be interested in airing it.
2012-02-04 10:01
I think that the bias is now so blatant, that it is only a matter of time, before the BBC get called out on their atrocious political bias in Scotland. They have, in all but name, become a propaganda tool of the NO campaign.
I hope this comes to a head soon, as it cannot be allowed to continue in a democracy, with a state funded and London controlled broadcaster.
Although the control of broadcasting is not devolved, is there any reason why the Scottish Government cannot set up a watchdog to ensure political fairness anyway?? It may not have statutory powers, but if set up correctly, then it’s reports and conclusions would certainly have more credibility than the current system of regulation by the political appointees of the BBC trust.
Perhaps even the suggestion of such a move by the Scottish Government, might get the BBC to wake up to political REALITY in Scotland??
The voters of Scotland will soon be making a momentous choice, and the state broadcaster needs to be fair and even handed, so as the electorate can make an INFORMED choice, free of duplicity and blatant bias, we currently see from the BBC. To date the BBC trust have not ensured this will happen.
The Scottish Government needs to step in.
2012-02-04 15:56
2012-02-04 10:03
The BBC are not the only way to get a message out.
2012-02-04 09:48
If this is as I remember then that is disgraceful, that a supposedly impartial news organisation is so politicised.
2012-02-04 10:47
Is it not also the case that the BBC news and news editorial team obtain people with strong links to the Labour Party?
Many of these people are indeed former Labour party office holders, future Labour Party Office Holders, married to or partners of, Labour Party officials or are Labour party office holders. Not only that but they head the misnamed Independent complaints organizations BBC Trust and OFCOM. I meant to point out the Gordon Brown was a BBC Scotland employee.
2012-02-04 09:49
2012-02-04 09:56
BBC bosses banned Alex Salmond from its panel at Scotland’s Six Nations clash with England today – despite him vowing NOT to mention independence, it emerged last night.
WHY ARE WE PAYING TO BE &^*(%$()& Are we Stupid.
2012-02-04 10:03
BBC bosses banned Alex Salmond from its panel at Scotland’s Six Nations clash with England today – despite him vowing NOT to mention independence, it emerged last night.
Call 03700 100 333 and make a polite but accurate complaint. Let’s get moving on this. Let’s ‘melt’ the BBC switchboard, so they think twice about this nonsense decision. He is the First Minister of Scotland. he is not standing in council elections. He represent Scotland on the world stage, and is the voice of Scotland.
2012-02-04 12:39
2012-02-04 12:47
2012-02-04 17:01
2012-02-04 11:49
Evidently this ‘duty to impartiality’ doesn’t extend to their news and current affairs programming, just to rugby matches.
2012-02-04 15:56
Yes, it was reported in the Sun’s article on this that the BBC have said that they can’t have a political leader on because, and I’m not making this up, they “have a duty to impartiality”.
Evidently this ‘duty to impartiality’ doesn’t extend to their news and current affairs programming, just to rugby matches.
If that’s the case, why did they have Cameron on Countryfile a couple of weeks back?
2012-02-04 17:52
2012-02-04 09:51
However, it just occurred to me that there is an on-line petitions page to get matters raised in Parliament, but that does require considerable signatories.
Every other method leaves my mood as black as The Earl o Hell’s waistcoat.
2012-02-04 10:06
2012-02-04 10:51
I know how you feel, but make a complaint anyway on 03700 100 333, so they know people are not happy.
Just had another thought. Is the Earl o Hell a member of the House Of Lords? ;-))
2012-02-04 11:24
2012-02-04 10:36
2012-02-04 11:25
Sorry Bob, but thats pretty much our only way to complain, and if we don’t complain through these channels, then the BBC will have the perfect case to say – ‘we never receive any complaints’.
Yes, by all means carry on with speaking to MSP’s etc, but we’ve got to keep the complaints rolling into the BBC.
2012-02-04 10:11
Just heard a wee piece of news that may cheer ya all. Glasgow Labour Cllr has quit, “I’m resigning from Lab not because I’m deselected but this budget has no vision for jobs, education strategy, Glasgow Labour in GCC not working. No ideas no vision no passion”
😀
2012-02-04 14:20
Andy Muir
@McMuir Cancel @cllrjendunn surprised it took that long to get out. Was announced last month to Gla East Labour Party I’d resigned from party.its old news
twitter page has something here…
More on Mr muir here….
2012-02-04 14:58
Well well!
Isn’t that a huge endorsement of our impartial MSM?
…It must have sure been covered well by the BBC, cos I was soooooo well informed of this development and I am utterly shocked that no one here seems to have been informed until now!
Aye?
2012-02-04 10:11
2012-02-04 10:17
“Own a device capable of receiving a TV signal and London will demand £145.50 from you … with a threat of conviction if you refuse.”
You are required to have a licence to view any live broadcast programmes, so …………
Simply inform them when you receive a renewal notice that you DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENCE. They must then prove that you do.
2012-02-04 10:56
I think you have to clarify that YOU DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENCE TO OWN A TV.
“Own a device capable of receiving a TV signal and London will demand £145.50 from you … with a threat of conviction if you refuse.”You are required to have a licence to view any live broadcast programmes, so …………
Simply inform them when you receive a renewal notice that you DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENCE. They must then prove that you do.
The unfortunate truth is that even if you had every BBC channel de-tuned on your TV you are still legally required to have a, “Broadcast receiver licence”. What you buy, officially, is t licence to receive broadcasts not just BBC Broadcasts. What is more if you stream broadcasts on your computer you legally need that licence.
2012-02-04 11:30
However, it is a very grey area. Last tv I bought had no application nor instructions in the box that said I had to buy a tv licence – if it did it would only help to promote the argument of ‘tax on technology’
2012-02-04 13:25
I hear what you are saying but I made a specific point not to mantion the BBC and simply wrote telling them “I do not require a licence”.
I dont enter into any conversation with the collection agents who come trying scare tactics and never sign anything.
It is indeed a very grey area tf, and I don’t throw any light on it for them, or give them any cause to take offence.
I ask when I am likely to receive a reply to my letter then to leave my property or I will call the police and have them moved on.
I don’t buy any newspaper for the same reason that I wont pay for any propaganda and trash programmes anyone chooses to transmit on tv. The World Wide Web is good enough for me, and it is free to the world.
I can assure you it is an extremely grey area which is causing problems big time for the licence authority.
2012-02-04 10:22
2012-02-04 11:00
Auld Bob. Speaking as a progressive patriot and not a gradualist nationalist I would urge you to hold tight.
As a Old man who started supporting the SNP before he left school in 1952 I’ve been holding tight now so long that I have developed an enlarged prostate and the relief is now most urgent.
;-))
2012-02-04 10:23
2012-02-04 10:28
Davidson says SNP is ‘insulting’ rugby fans – Politics – Scotsman.com
www.scotsman.com
TORY leader Ruth Davidson has suggested that the SNP were “insulting” thousands …
See More
2012-02-04 10:34
Its all the fault of the SNP now.
Student loans chief in tax scandal got job with help of SNP ministers
2012-02-04 10:35
In spite of the rules for BBC political neutrality, it seems pretty certain that BBC Scotland are under the direct orders of the Westminster government to undermine the SNP by mis-reporting, false rreporting, economy with truth, call it what you will.
2012-02-04 10:35
NNS has a pretty clear political bias (that’s why we read it) whilst the BBC has a mandate to be balanced, which by it’s nature will annoy people of all political persuasions as they will not see their own political beliefs mirrored in the reporting.
The BBC will never reflect the views of a section of society with one discrete agenda, it represents a range of views.
2012-02-04 10:50
2012-02-04 13:45
My worry is that its all very well having a Scottish Government wanting to move forward, but my faith in them takes a nosedive when I watch them being totally hamstrung and clueless around the BBC. When its time to negotiate, Westminster will eat them alive. If the SNP cant deal with flubber wie blubber, how far can I trust them to get Trident to hell out my country?
2012-02-04 23:27
If the SNP cant deal with flubber wie blubber, how far can I trust them to get Trident to hell out my country?
Ever heard the expression, “Give them enough rope”?
I have this feeling that the SNP exec are sitting there with a great big coil of strong nylon hawser. They are paying it out a wee bit at atime. When the case is really solid and the defence unable to be made, there will be a squad of SNP officials hauling the end in sharply. So sharply that the noose will catch not only the BBC but the Wastemonster too. In fact, I would just about bet they have been in contact with authorities bigger & better than the UK parliament long ago. There is great virtue in patience.
2012-02-04 14:26
I am afraid I do not even see any irony here at all no one is being forced ,under threat of criminality, to pay NNS 145 quid a year or anything else for that matter.
The BBC has a statuary duty and is clearl;y in breach of that duty so no I dont get the irony.
2012-02-04 10:42
As I’ve not owned a licence for a very long time, I can’t check what is says ?.
2012-02-04 23:33
—–
broadcast / v., n., adj., & adv.
v. (past broadcast and past part. broadcast or broadcasted)
1 tr. a transmit (programmes or information) by radio or television. b disseminate (information) widely.
2 intr. undertake or take part in a radio or television transmission.
3 tr. scatter (seed etc.) over a large area, esp. by hand.
n. a radio or television programme or transmission.
adj.
1 transmitted by radio or television.
2 a scattered widely. b (of information etc.) widely disseminated.
adv. over a large area.
—–
See what it says – widely disseminate, Scatter widely and so on?
2012-02-04 10:43
2012-02-04 11:14
2012-02-04 11:29
2012-02-04 14:38
I see no reason whatsoever to subscribe to the brain damage trash dished up from London, or watch Bruce Forsyth make an idiot of himself for mega money. The sad thing is that he is very far from being a one off.
2012-02-04 10:45
The Beeb need to fall back to excuse No 2 “Because we hate you” It would be more convincing.
2012-02-04 10:47
They answer unanimously (I took notes):
Publicly challenging the BBC will do us more bad than good by a fair measure.
The only time the Party has done something about it was when they refused Alex participation on the Leaders Debates. It cost us a pretty package and for naught.
It does not matter.
Par for the course.
We are going to win anyway, despite the BBC.
If we’ve reached where we stand right now “with their attitude”, we can reach anywhere never”they“less.
The longer the rope the higher they’ll hung.
Is harder than they think to con the Scottish Public.
Et caetera….
As I posted above:
I just love how Auldacquantance puts it:
“BBC does not stand for British Broadcasting Corporation,
it stands for British Bullshitting Censorship”
2012-02-04 10:52
2012-02-04 10:57
2012-02-04 10:58
So it would appear that the unionists have conspired and decided to starve the SNP of the oxygen of publicity during the referendum campaign/debate. As NNS says, you just have to watch the debates live in Holyrood and then compare them with what the BBC and STV actually edit to show to realise straight away that the item has been manipulated to exclude vital input by the SNP and place it in a bad light.
The BBC and STV appear to be a job-creation club for former unionist politicians and their acolytes to hang out in. Ranging from John Boothman, the online editor for BBC Scotland, to Bernard Ponsonby, the STV political editor, these organisations are full of such people whose political impartiality must be seriously questioned
The taxpayer owned and funded BBC regularly bring to our screens so-called “experts” to give us their opinions but these are always people with unionist political allegiances. Evidence of this occurred yesterday when we had the BBC describing Professor Arthur Midwinter as being an “expert” in local government finance and and an “economist” when he is not and failing to mention the extremely important fact that he is a former Labour councillor, when he made outrageous claims against the civil servants who produce the annual GERS reports.
All of this is anti-democratic and an affront to the people of Scotland. Therefore protests must be stepped up by activists who support a free and unbiased media in Scotland. Large and perhaps permanent demonstrations outside BBC HQ and a torrent of letters of complaint to the BBC, OFCOM and other direct protests must be employed amongst other things to force the BBC to change their ways.
2012-02-04 11:06
2012-02-04 11:29
By the way there is a web page for that show here –
Right lads and ladies, gie thaim laldyie.
2012-02-04 11:20
It was always going to be like this, and never going to be easy, as the unionist establishment is now under threat like it has never been before.
So it would appear that the unionists have conspired and decided to starve the SNP of the oxygen of publicity during the referendum campaign/debate. As NNS says, you just have to watch the debates live in Holyrood and then compare them with what the BBC and STV actually edit to show to realise straight away that the item has been manipulated to exclude vital input by the SNP and place it in a bad light.
The BBC and STV appear to be a job-creation club for former unionist politicians and their acolytes to hang out in. Ranging from John Boothman, the online editor for BBC Scotland, to Bernard Ponsonby, the STV political editor, these organisations are full of such people whose political impartiality must be seriously questioned
The taxpayer owned and funded BBC regularly bring to our screens so-called “experts” to give us their opinions but these are always people with unionist political allegiances. Evidence of this occurred yesterday when we had the BBC describing Professor Arthur Midwinter as being an “expert” in local government finance and and an “economist” when he is not and failing to mention the extremely important fact that he is a former Labour councillor, when he made outrageous claims against the civil servants who produce the annual GERS reports.
All of this is anti-democratic and an affront to the people of Scotland. Therefore protests must be stepped up by activists who support a free and unbiased media in Scotland. Large and perhaps permanent demonstrations outside BBC HQ and a torrent of letters of complaint to the BBC, OFCOM and other direct protests must be employed amongst other things to force the BBC to change their ways.
The BEEB is also a training ground for these people. A certain Gordon Brow was a former BBC Scotland employee.
2012-02-04 14:53
Technology and the world has moved on light years from the days of the Ex British Empire. Some in Scotland would have us shackled forever, thank Providence they are a rapidly declining number.
2012-02-04 11:09
2012-02-04 11:14
BBC Scotland is so overtly anti-Scottish it doesn’t care anymore.
2012-02-04 11:15
“Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, said he had been forced to use taxpayers’ money (£ 1.500 M) because certain NHS organisations could no longer afford to honour PFI deals that had been “badly negotiated” by Labour ministers.
“Labour left some parts of the NHS with a dismal legacy of PFI, and made them rely on unworkable plans for the future. They swept these problems under the carpet for a decade and left us with a £60bn postdated PFI cheque to deal with,” Lansley said.
“The problems facing some parts of the NHS left to us by Labour now have to be sorted out. Tough solutions may be needed for these problems, but we will not let the sick pay for Labour’s debt crisis.”
The six other NHS trusts are Barking, Havering and Redbridge; Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS foundation trust; St Helens and Knowsley; North Cumbria; Dartford and Gravesham; and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.”
From
guardian.co.uk/…/…
Does anybody know if Barnett’s consequential rule applies?
2012-02-04 16:03
there already is one “Exposing anti-independence on the BBC” get over there
Done gents. Thanks for the heads-up!
2012-02-04 11:23
2012-02-04 11:26
But something will have to be done about these people and sooner rather than later.
2012-02-04 11:28
2012-02-04 11:31
2012-02-04 11:31
2012-02-04 11:49
Unfortunately this organisation won’t change this side of independence but we can highlight as this piece does how they are part of the problem for Scotland rather than the solution.
It more than rankles that they make us pay for them to be the broadcasting arm of the Labour Party/ Union but I believe their days of bullishly ignoring all complaints are numbered.
In the same way that we will never get control of our own affairs by settling for Devo max or it’s equally opaque siblings we will never get acceptable coverage from the BBC this side of independence.
We could write them a thousand letters of complaint a week for the next two and a half years to no avail. However when we vote YES in 2014 we send them the ultimate complaint letter.
Being the paragon of politeness that I am I won’t quote the phrase Sarah Connor dispatches Arnie with in James Cameron’s movie but it would be along these lines.
2012-02-04 11:50
The one overriding observation I have come to through my interest in this, is the unbelievable media bias which exists in the USA… when you observe this, the levels of distortion, manipulation and lies are simply unbelievable. The BBC in Scotland cannot hold a candle to what goes on in the States… at least not yet!
I understand that Ron Paul is a conservative (loosely, cos he actually is a Libertarian with ideas which are in a new class of politics of their own), but this post is about the issue of Media bias and propaganda, not about the political viewpoint.
I feel that we should be very aware that developments in America, more often than not, influence our society over this side of the pond. (In no small part, due to the media ironically… movies, the format of news shows etc).
For an understanding of just how extreme the Orwellian manipulation of the media can become and to raise awareness that the direction of the BBC is headed full speed towards this, I highly recommend watching this documentary and relating it to the experiences of how the BBC treat the SNP and a democratically elected representative of the people…
Remember, you may or may not agree with the politics. The issue here is purely the media propaganda issue. Enjoy.
2012-02-04 13:46
2012-02-04 14:35
The media have the power to create dictatorships by controlling the information that is available to the population.
The sad reality is that most folk still get all their information (and hence build their beliefs) through the MSM such as the BBC… www.youtube.com/…/
We must ‘As a priority’ change that situation… and remember that all revolutions are Grass Roots revolutions… nothing will change through becoming the main stream. The SNP must stay true to their grass roots beginings, in order to continue the growth to independence. Even though we have grown to power, we must not outgrow the idea.
2012-02-04 13:53
One thing the incredibly expanding viral interest in Scottish independence and the situation with Ron Paul state side; has taught me, is that the threat of revolutionary political change (away from the status quo… away from the institutions), is that those with invested interests in the system will go to any extremes to protect their investment! …the house of Lords in Westminster only care about their private club. They do not give a monkeys about you! They do not care!
please… for me. Take 1 hour & 20 minutes out of your busy lives and watch the documentary, but keep thinking about the SNP and our media bias here as you watch.
The experience is…. enlightening.
I would like some responses to this post, as I think it would prove a great catalyst for debate from an extended perspective , regarding the concerns of media manipulation/propaganda.
2012-02-04 15:06
2012-02-05 11:56
Last night in the Nevada Caucuses, Ron Paul appears once again to have been the victim of Vote Fraud… Clark county is the most populated of the districts and we have this one late result from Clark county… www.youtube.com/…/
Notice it was a late result from Clark County, but the Youtube video was posted over 5 hours ago. (Read the comments on the YouTube video.)
Now look at the reported results on CNN, which still show Clark County at 3% declared. www.cnn.com/…/nv
Storey is also an issue with 80% declared in a possible win for Ron Paul. Paul also won NYE, But CNN still show Romney first.
2012-02-04 11:56
2012-02-04 12:04
The odd negative advert identifying the work of the Lords etc wouldn’t go wrong in my view. (Don’t worry the newspapers will take the cash).
This has to happen before we are tied to spend a 1/4 of what labour, lib/dem’s and tories will be allowed to spend.
Maybe the kind Weir’s or other worthies can help. 2 years of lies from the British Nationalists/Unionist’s will impact on the less well informed.
2012-02-04 15:16
2012-02-04 12:07
It’s just a load of made-up crap!
2012-02-05 00:21
2012-02-04 12:08
2012-02-04 15:23
2012-02-04 12:10
As someone here has mentioned, come Autumn 2012 we can tell the BBC and their biased unionist staff where to go…nearest employment office.
2012-02-04 12:14
2012-02-04 12:30
I first heard this reported at 03 35 this morning Will Carling was reported as having said to the English team to remember the Scots hate the English
PS I was so taken aback I noted the time
2012-02-04 12:39
Hi Bob
I was so taken aback I noted the time
I noted it some time before that but at that time in the morning after I’d had a busy day at the Medical Centre, shopping and cybernattering I though I had been mistaken, but there it was when I awoke and it is still being promulgated as we type.
2012-02-04 13:40
And no doubt meeting your union friend with his SNP card added to your fatigue Hope you met him after your visit to the Drs as I’m sure your BP would be off the scale
In any case well done for your years (obviously) of trying to set him on the right path It has paid off in the end A lesson for us all to keep plugging away
2012-02-04 16:25
2012-02-04 12:18
The BBC used to try and cover up their bias, or rather, their state control, but now they are brazen.
I dont trust the BBC, who were once a respected and fair news outlet that have become corrupt.
The Scotsman and Record, who cares about them, their news quality is sketchy, with the record its laughable.
2012-02-04 12:49
2012-02-04 12:34
I own a TV with no aerial, which plays music, movies, TV shows from a hard disk in a computer… the TV license inspectors paid me a visit, looked around, and granted me a 4 year waiver.
2012-02-04 13:05
2012-02-04 13:26
It’s a moot point personally because I’m going to stop paying the licence fee for political reasons. I intend to collect evidence such as this article through 2012. After that, I will stop paying, and stop watching the BBC. I’m intending to tell the TV licence fee agency that I have stopped and why I have stopped – and that I’m knowingly breakin the law as I will continue watching non-BBC TV.
2012-02-04 23:53
2012-02-04 20:50
Not sure if it’s been addressed elsewhere in the comments, but there is no legal requirement to a TV license for simply owning a TV.
I own a TV with no aerial, which plays music, movies, TV shows from a hard disk in a computer… the TV license inspectors paid me a visit, looked around, and granted me a 4 year waiver.
Your post made me think of this david.When buying a tv the shop is obliged to take your name and post code ect.If i refuse to give it can they refuse to sell me the tv?
2012-02-04 22:35
2012-02-04 23:58
2012-02-04 12:40
I notice Piston Broke says the SNP should write to the BBC about cleaning up its act, but I think the ball starts in parliament. It is a dire example of bigotry, prejudice and spite, right at the heart of the country, particularly serious due to the regular coverage of FMQ in the media.
And as someone else points out, it is a hatchery for nasty stories, as is the printed press.
2012-02-04 13:06
2012-02-04 12:56
2012-02-04 13:04
2012-02-04 13:18
“The attack on politically neutral civil servants by Professor Arthur Midwinter, who was also a Labour councillor for several years, has caused outrage with SNP Linda Fabiani saying he should be “ashamed of himself”.
It may be a mistaken reference to “Labour advisor”, the author George Ponsonby would know – here’s the link to the article:
2012-02-04 13:22
2012-02-04 13:36
“And yesterday SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, a former minister who now chairs the Scotland Bill committee, insisted that Prof Midwinter is partisan because he briefly worked as an advisor to former Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander.”
2012-02-04 13:20
2012-02-04 13:20
I suspect it still is. But am I the only one that finds the idea of Labour being part of the social elite somewhat ironic.
Poor Keir Hardy, he must be reaching record speeds as he spins in his grave.
2012-02-04 13:33
One question, is the Scottish social elite still heavily populated by the Labour party as in the McConnell/Wark days?
Pretty much the same as before if not even worse.
2012-02-04 15:27
2012-02-04 13:16
Says it all really!
2012-02-04 13:34
“TORY leader Ruth Davidson has suggested that the SNP were “insulting” thousands of spectators at today’s Calcutta Cup clash by suggesting that patriots, proud to be Scottish and British, are “anti-Scottish”.
“Ms Davidson was speaking on the eve of the Scotland versus England rugby match at Murrayfield, which was expected to be attended by her and Alex Salmond.
“The Scottish Conservative party leader made her comments following a row about SNP politicians claiming that opposition parties were “anti-Scottish” for criticising Alex Salmond’s party’s policies.”
Grandstand for some, banning for others. Hm.
2012-02-04 13:23
2012-02-04 13:25
2012-02-04 13:34
Strangely, I seem to remember one Gordon Brown PM inviting the BBC into his home to see him and his family supporting England in the last World Cup. Clearly that wasn’t political at all.
2012-02-04 13:35
Anyway, without much trouble I turned up this –
Perhaps someone who speaks legalspeak might make more of it than I have.
2012-02-04 14:01
2012-02-04 16:52
The Council of Europe actually is a bigger organization than the EU. I’ve seen some ot their reports and they are quite hard on the EU for political propaganda. They claim the EU is very much not democratic.
2012-02-04 16:50
“provide unbiased and fully independent information, both in news coverage and in-depth factual programming, capable of earning the audience’s trust and of representing a reference point in the rapidly expanding information market,”
2012-02-04 18:59
“Broadcasters should recognize their special relationship to the sense of national identity and community;” (my bolding). Irony anyone?
2012-02-04 13:50
May be a bit of rope there for a claim of discrimination or asking for Barnett Consequentials.
2012-02-04 14:01
Good Day,
I have already advised that I will not be attending due to the recent biased coverage, in favour of the SNO, of the referendum issue.
When, and why, was this debate set up for Burns night?
Was there discussions between the SNP and BBC Scotland, after the coverage of the farcical, and hastily arranged cabinet meeting at Bute house, to arrange the NNS debate on the very day that Salmond has decided to release his ‘so-called’ consultation?
Do you not think it unfair that the majority of attendees to the debate will have little, or, no time, to study the SNP’S proposals?
The BBC in Scotland appears to be ‘stuffed-full’ of Nationalist sympathisers – Brian Taylor/Glenn Campbell/Isobel Fraser/Gordon Brewer and all editorial and presentation staff on Reporting Scotland – let’s hope that when the 70% No vote has been delivered in the Neverendum, some sort of enquiry can be set up to get to the truth.
Kind Regards
XXXX
Dear Mr XXXXX,
Thanks for the taking the time to get in touch. I reject categorically the suggestion that either myself of any of my staff that you refer to are biased in favour of any political party.
I commissioned this programme for editorial reasons. I can assure you that our editorial decisions are taken without fear or favour to anyone and done entirely independently.
Best wishes
Daniel Maxwell
Daniel Maxwell
Editor
Newsnight Scotland & Political Programmes
BBC Pacific Quay
40 Pacific Quay
Glasgow G51 1DA
It seems to me that the BBC may be trying to appear as impartial as possible in the organised debates, knowing there will be detailed attention paid to them, while presenting as much of a one sided a view on news and other programmes as they can get away with. A large vocal protest should be organised to take place at Pathetic Quay, preferably with the rival Scottish News tipped off…
2012-02-04 15:35
Should there be spasmodic blunderings of this variety, we will have our answer on that question.
2012-02-05 16:16
Did you really receive this letter accidentally, or was it deliberately mistakenly sent to you, in order to mislead you?
Should there be spasmodic blunderings of this variety, we will have our answer on that question.
Genuine error I’d imagine, as the letter I sent initially was neither pro or anti SNP, or pro or anti Union.
2012-02-05 13:40
That way they can genuinely say ” for every letter accusing us of being biased in favour of the Labour Party, we have two saying we are biased in favour of the SNP”
2012-02-04 14:02
BBC anti-independence propaganda is at a level I would say which is now worse than the US-funded anti-Chaves TV stations in Venezuela.
2012-02-04 14:07
2012-02-04 16:41
As a newbie thanks for any info we can get. The bbc as described above can’t be trusted.
Two years of uphill unionist/bbc blather is going to be hard enough to stomach. But something else is rubbing me up at the moment.
The SNP rules the roost in the Scottish parlament, it campaigned for and won a majority to govern Scotland. This gives it the strength to go head to head with Westminster on the independence question and has got them nicely scared and running.
Fair enough I’d say …!
Down at the local level, in 4 months we’ve got the council elections. At the moment the media coverage seems to be dominated by the tales of woe and doom that’s fallen on Scotland.
All probably part of the great plan to screw up the yes vote.
The coun. elec. are however in my opinion just as important as the referendum because should the SNP win a lot of ground in the form of seats gained, then this would without doubt be an enormous boost to the bargining position of the SNP and send a very bright signal to the Scottish population – we mean business! So vote yes.
One further important effect would be to show the unionists that in spite of their lies and misinformation they’re not making any headway into deceiving us. Keep your Foulkes and Forsyths, we don’t need them but they’ll soon need us.
Sorry for the wee rant but I had to get it off my chest 😉
2012-02-04 16:42
As a newbie thanks for any info we can get. The bbc as described above can’t be trusted.
Two years of uphill unionist/bbc blather is going to be hard enough to stomach. But something else is rubbing me up at the moment.
The SNP rules the roost in the Scottish parlament, it campaigned for and won a majority to govern Scotland. This gives it the strength to go head to head with Westminster on the independence question and has got them nicely scared and running.
Fair enough I’d say …!
Down at the local level, in 4 months we’ve got the council elections. At the moment the media coverage seems to be dominated by the tales of woe and doom that’s fallen on Scotland.
All probably part of the great plan to screw up the yes vote.
The coun. elec. are however in my opinion just as important as the referendum because should the SNP win a lot of ground in the form of seats gained, then this would without doubt be an enormous boost to the bargining position of the SNP and send a very bright signal to the Scottish population – we mean business! So vote yes.
One further important effect would be to show the unionists that in spite of their lies and misinformation they’re not making any headway into deceiving us. Keep your Foulkes and Forsyths, we don’t need them but they’ll soon need us.
Sorry for the wee rant but I had to get it off my chest 😉
2012-02-04 14:07
“The BBC are banned from reporting inside XX…” or
Following say a disaster in a ‘closed’ nation..
” The government run TV station xxx in XX played down the incident or chose not to report the incident”
We are all shocked and think OMG I am so glad it is not like that here!
NEWS BULL “…IT IS AND WE ARE ALL BEING CONNED!…”
2012-02-04 14:08
It is this insidious and subtle propagandising that is equally as bad as the overt political bias.
My answer – switch off or turn to another channel and openly discuss the BBC bias and propaganda with friends, family and colleagues.
2012-02-04 14:09
Let’s get past the worst of the winter weather so we can attract as many people as possible. Having it now, on a bitterly cold day or worse, may keep away some people who either cannot or do not want to go outside in wintry conditions.
The best way to bring this to the attention of the general public is a campaign of smaller campaigns. Having group after group of people complaining about BBC Scotland will eventually get through to the public. Individuals must keep the complaints flooding in the BBC Audience Services and always ask for a written response.
Hopefully we can manage to get at least one major media organisation there to film and broadcast the demo.
Please can you show your support for the campaign by Liking us on Facebook and/or following us on Twitter.
twitter.com/#!/SaveNewsweekSco
Thank you.
Regards
John “Newswatch” Thomson
Save Newsweek Scotland
2012-02-04 14:49
“The BBC are banned from reporting from XX“
Or
“The State run TV channel xxx, played down the incident/ didn’t report the incident”
Maybe we should send our complaints to National TV stations around the world and get them to report on the consistent bias tactics of the BBC on Scotland and in particular the First Minister Alex Salmond.
2012-02-04 15:25
I think the worst possible outcome would be to lose the Independence vote and suffer the consequences from a conservative led Westminster government.
So it’s in truth that my vote, isn’t for a political gain nor the politics of envy but in truth a vote for Scotland which no honest man/woman would leave in the hands of Cameron.
2012-02-04 15:25
I might be “incredulous”, but the decision is definitely “incredible”.
2012-02-04 15:31
“The decision to get rid of Derek Bateman’s Newsweek is one of the most incredulous decisions ever taken by those currently running BBC Scotland.”
The author should note that “incredible” means “hard to believe” or “beyond belief”, whereas “incredulous” means “sceptical” or “expressive of unbelief”.
2012-02-05 12:38
“one of the most incredulous decisions”
I might be “incredulous”, but the decision is definitely “incredible”.
I contacted NNS about this but was ignored. I won’t be troubling myself to try and help them out again. If I want to be snubbed I’ll write to the BBC. They’re the professionals.
2012-02-04 17:08
Words fail….
So just what is their excuse for reporting, and interviews with English rugby players expressing the statement that they have been officially instructed that the Scottish People hate the English. If I was able to hear on the phone I would ask my local plod to investigate a racist action and arrest the suspects including the English Rugby official making the claim, the player who said it on camera and the BBC people involved. Something like that could stir up Englanders to riot or worse at the game.
2012-02-04 17:13
2012-02-04 15:54
to register a complaint and it only takes a minute or two.
The representative taking the calls was polite and will be tired this evening.
Worth a call to boost the number of those complaining
2012-02-04 16:24
Think you’re right Jester, a point in mind is todays protests in Moscow against Putin and his Government, the numbers are hardly massive but that doesnt deter the worlds media turning up on their doorstep to cover this. Scotland take note. The time is right for action, to hang with what the EBC thinks, its whats right and wrong and we have right on our side. Enough is enough, lets give the British Bullshit (like it rodmac) Corporation a big headache and humiliate them on the worldstage by exposing their hypocrisy. Now that would be their worst nightmare and send the signal to them that their time is up in Scotland.
2012-02-04 16:52
“You get to continue to live under the freedom and liberty afforded to citizens in the UK. Freedoms that are rarely met anywhere else on Earth. You get to live in a country that with its unique unification is, as it always has been, better p…laced than most to pull itself out of this global rescession. And most importantly of all you get to stick two fingers up at the Narrow minded extremists. And say, “No! I will not fold before the onslaught of Nationalism. I will not go quietly into the night and let you destroy the prospects of my fellow countrymen and, no! I will not blame others for my ills and excuse the Nationalist executives failings by casting shadow over inocent neighbours!”
I’m not going to respond, they can have a debate amongst themselves 🙂
2012-02-04 17:00
2012-02-04 17:01
YOUR COMPLAINT:
Full Complaint: BBCs manipulation of the news in Scotland is both disgusting and offensive. You are governed by a charter of impartiality yet you ignore that totaly. You should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you. This is your country, yet you are supressing democracy. Do all of you think it is ok to do what you are doing just now, surely not. There must be at least one of you who is appalled at what the BBC news is doing in Scotland, and if there is, then do something about it. Do you all want to remembered in the generations that come as being the broadcaster who destroyed democracy.
Trying to tweak the concience of any potential whistle blowers.
2012-02-04 17:06
2012-02-04 17:15
especially large social network groups
Hit the BBC where they are
On Facebook they have a variety of pages. One that deserves attack is the BBC World Service page, where the BBC put out this picture of all is well
facebook.com/…/…
Your free to comment on any article, it doesnt matterif the article is relevant, if the page is distrupted enough, all users will begin to realise the image that the BBC World Service try to oexcude is not the true picture!
2012-02-04 17:20
Strangely, I seem to remember one Gordon Brown PM inviting the BBC into his home to see him and his family supporting England in the last World Cup. Clearly that wasn’t political at all.
2012-02-04 17:24
WOW how could anyone vote for independence now with that massive carrot dangling there lol
2012-02-04 17:33
“You will only lose things if you vote yes that’s for sure. The only people that get something are the SNP. The rest of us will be in a downgraded nationalist country (AB)”
2012-02-04 17:41
Maybe you could ask what we stand to lose by voting yes think that might provide a funnier response
2012-02-04 18:04
BBC Points Of View – Messageboard – bbc.co.uk/…/mbpointsofview
Send your messages and video’d comments to – pov
bbc.co.uk.
This is their words – not mine: –
“If your eagle eyes have picked up a continuity error, inaccuracy or anything else about a programme that you’d like to draw our attention to, then let us know by filling in this simple form”. – www.bbc.co.uk/…/form.shtml
2012-02-04 18:41
———–
After banning Scotland’s First Minister from a pre-arranged appearance before, and during, the Scotland vs England Rugby game, (on rather strange political grounds), the BBC news reports carried a rather potentially dangerous inflammatory item. They interviewed an English Rugby player who claimed the entire England team had been instructed the Scots hated the English.
This may indeed be a matter properly dealt with by the Scottish Police as inciting hatred is a criminal offence. Perhaps even a further complaint to The Council For Europe may be in order after the example of the Egyptian sports field killings. I cannot believe the BBC could sink to such depths of iniquity and irresponsibilit y.
——————————
It only takes a moment and they acknowlege they got the message.
2012-02-04 18:20
2012-02-04 18:46
2012-02-04 18:51
2012-02-04 19:37
2012-02-04 20:50
2012-02-04 18:50
On the subject of this article:
Quote:
The issue was relevant of course, and no-one would deny that Mr Salmond’s letter was a pertinent part of the story, but surely not to the exclusion of his other remarks that were, if anything, more relevant and equally significant.
Much is being made of this letter in all sections of the media. When will we see some of the letters sent from Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Lord McConnell to Sir Fred? Surely they would be of more interest.
2012-02-04 19:49
5.8.2 In 2010-11, 57 per cent of the 35,446 fiscal fines issued to people as main penalties were issued for ‘miscellaneous’ offences, including:
8,950 (25 per cent) Communications Act offences ( i.e. mainly TV licensing).
BBC mis-reporting again it seems.
2012-02-04 20:06
2012-02-04 19:23
Over a prolonged period we have had the unionists scare stories about Scotland and the consequences of Independence. Ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime and all levels between, but on no occasion whatsoever has the obverse been portrayed? The state of the RUK post Independence.
I would estimate that a few, those with a modicum of brains, at Westmidden have an inkling on their position/state after independence, but by and large those rogues at Westmidden do not have a clue.
I remember posting this comment some months ago:
YOU COULD NOT MAKE THIS UP EVEN IF YOU REALLY, REALLY, REALLY TRIED TO.
scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/…/…
“ Ministry of Defence officials have told the Scottish Sunday Express nothing has been done to examine the implications of a ‘yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum and what they describe as the “hypothetical question of an independent Scotland”.
It is an embarrassing admission, given that just days ago the Scotland Office taunted Alex Salmond for having no properly formulated plan for the Armed Forces.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, also demanded that the SNP be “honest” with voters about defence by publishing a detailed blueprint.
The Scotland Office issued a statement saying it was “irresponsible and wrong” of Mr Salmond to instigate a referendum without a plan for the security of an independent country. “
Currently Westmidden do not have a clue:
They are in the process of setting up no less than five probes into what the implications will be for the RUK once Scotland breaks free.
“ Up to five separate inquiries could soon be under way in the Commons into the implications of Scottish independence on the UK.
The most powerful committees of MPs at Westminster are considering launching their own probes into the consequences of Scotland becoming independent.
The Press and Journal learned last night that the prospect of a Treasury committee inquiry into the financial implications of independence has already been raised. “
To summaries:
With regards Defence WMD they have admitted that it would cost £Billions to re-site them. That is even if they could find a site to base the subs and warheads which is looking very, very doubtful.
They have lambasted Scotland on their economy, post Independence, yet they haven’t got a clue on the dire straight in which the RUK’s economy will be.
YOU COULD NOT MAKE THIS UP EVEN IF YOU REALLY, REALLY, REALLY TRIED.
2012-02-04 19:32
I bet the BBC could.
2012-02-04 19:33
On life after independence, while it is one thing to be rid of the BBC, there will be a desperate need for a state broadcaster, that is balanced but also independent of government influence.
The alternative is having James Murdoch run things. He’s openly called for the BBC to be disbanded anyway, only so News International can move in. Do we raeally want that in Scotland?
[Online Editor – From the outset this site has made it absolutely clear that we do not endorse the breaking of the law.
Any suggestion that we have “finally woken up” to comments regarding the licence fee is a complete misrepresentati on of this site.
We hope this clarifies matters.]
2012-02-04 20:31
A year or so ago I would have said no. However, at least you know where you stand with Murdoch and you know what you are getting. Unlike the BBC who claim that they stand for impartiality and fair coverage when they blatantly don’t.
Also Murdoch’s empire is a ‘buy in’ – whereas the BBC is a forced tax.
2012-02-04 20:56
2012-02-04 21:12
Shouldn’t we offer them a properly funded news organisation and political review once we are independent. Suggest that their experience and insight would be valueable, thus meaning that they would command a high pay bracket in any new organisation?
They are fighting for their livlihoods at the moment, why give them more incentive to lie?
John
2012-02-04 21:25
2012-02-04 22:02
Maybe we should say: “sack them all, then hire the ones who can prove they behaved neutrally”? I only want neutral coverage, as I think that our message is so overwhelming that it can convince by itself.
We will need our own truth and reconcilliation committee once we gain independence, that much is clear.
John
2012-02-04 22:27
2012-02-04 20:52
Glad to see that the moderators have finally woken up to the anti-licence fee comments. They have been a regular and potentially damaging occurence for some time. Try and remember that Alex Salmond has had at least two articles published – how would his support of a site that appears to endorse criminality be viewed by the public? I strongly suggest that any views on the licence fee are kept out of comments.
On life after independence, while it is one thing to be rid of the BBC, there will be a desperate need for a state broadcaster, that is balanced but also independent of government influence.
The alternative is having James Murdoch run things. He’s openly called for the BBC to be disbanded anyway, only so News International can move in. Do we raeally want that in Scotland?
NFS…..Will you kindly show mw exactly which statuatory (Criminal) Law one would be breaking? Its a serious question because in the past ten years or so, NO ONE for the licencing authorities has ever been able to prove that it is a criminal offence. I KNOW bexause I have faced down these people TWICE in the sherrif court and on both occasions when they were asked to point out the law they couldnt result CASE DROPPED. So if you can succeed and prove this assertion of yours that it is criminal to not pay the licence fee, Please GO AHEAD. Am sure your evidence would be appreciated by the TVL owners (BBC)
2012-02-04 21:17
” The BBC used its income from the licence fee to pay for its TV, radio and online services, plus other costs, as shown below”
If I don’t listen to the radio and its online services can I legally claim a reduction. If the Licence fee is not solely for bbc tv but for a whole serious of other areas – WHY AM I PAYING FOR THEM.
Surely there is a legal mind out there that can say that, as the licence fee is not solely for the bbc, but for other profit related areas – and as I don’t need a licence fee to listen to any other radio channel, why do I have to contribute to the bbc’s radio channels.
2012-02-04 21:48
Are the current crop of BBC news gurus planning to move to London after independence.
It would be pretty difficult to face a new fairer government after all the damage they have tried to inflict on it.
Will their egos survive having to rely on the good graces of a government they tried to destroy.
It should be interesting to watch, possibly newsworthy in itself.
2012-02-04 21:55
Actually the sentence “I was watching news about Syria.” Was seperate to everything else I wrote. There is actually more opinion and news coming out of Syria and available to the public which reveals the lies of their state media than Scotland.
2012-02-04 22:02
2012-02-04 22:07
“Dont quote me but im sure there is something about it in the charter.” We can’t quote you, you don’t sound sure.
2012-02-04 23:26
Anyway I think its section 22 of the Charter under “Roles of the Trust”. Something like “persuing the effective promotion of the Public Purpose”. It was someone else on here that first posted about it one of the other many times this has came up.
@Robotheburnawn Your asking the wrong person. I was just stating what the licence is for, its not just the BBC, I dont make the rules. Also it is considered a tax now for all intents and purposes in England and Wales gathered by Capita mostly. Im not sure how it is covered by Scottish Law or even if it is. It is my slighty informed opinion that the govt. is looking at is as a template for the way to privatise parts of HMRC & DWP which they have mooted recently.
Edit: There you go confirmed. bbc.co.uk/…/… although it appears contexual TBH. Meh.
There is a lot of intersting stuff in there about how wooly their mandate really is. The Audience Council stuff looks interesting. Ive never heard of a BBC audience council…
2012-02-05 01:34
You state “I think its section 22 of the Charter under “in regard to the BBC charter stating the BBC is suppossed to be bias as “Dont quote me but im sure there is something about it in the charter.”
You think? Your opinion is based on something you think you read? Could I respectfully ask you once you have been able to formulate an opinion that you are sure of you could come back to the discussion. It’s difficult to debate with someone who is unsure what their opinion is based on.
2012-02-05 12:09
2012-02-04 22:13
If I don’t listen to the radio and its online services can I legally claim a reduction. If the Licence fee is not solely for bbc tv but for a whole serious of other areas – WHY AM I PAYING FOR THEM.
Surely there is a legal mind out there that can say that, as the licence fee is not solely for the bbc, but for other profit related areas – and as I don’t need a licence fee to listen to any other radio channel, why do I have to contribute to the bbc’s radio channels
2012-02-05 00:08
2012-02-04 22:06
How ironic that his last BBC blog had the word “impartiality” in its title. www.bbc.co.uk/…/ric_bailey
More on this buffoon here: bbc.co.uk/…/ric_bailey.shtml
2012-02-04 22:46
news.bbc.co.uk/…/default.stm
Also; their descriptions of FM’s questions are always biased against Alex. Such as “Salmond regrets Fred Goodwin letter”.
2012-02-05 00:07
2012-02-05 00:47
‘Salmond Censured’
Exclusive: Leaked emails show BBC backtrack after TV deal.
2012-02-05 01:19
2012-02-05 01:28
2012-02-05 01:41
2012-02-05 11:01
Where are our modern day Burns and Knox’s ?.
2012-02-05 11:58
Its exactly the kind of thing that we fought against in two world wars. It is so disappointing that the Westminster Regime (who lets face it control this broadcaster) is going down this path.
2012-02-07 16:32
2012-02-05 17:00
They don’t seem to have that first hand either it appears to have come from one of the Scottish Sundays.
2012-02-05 19:05
It’s a bit reminiscent of The Nazis whipping up The Germans prior to the invasion of Poland.
I’m not suggesting for a moment that there is any intention to invade Argentina but Cameron and the likes of The Daily Mail seem to be spoiling for a fight.
They must remember how unpopular Thatcher was prior to suckering The Argies into invading The Falklands which saved her bacon and allowed her to con the population to re-elect her in 1983.
2012-02-07 16:06
How much credibity should we give Moore’s trade mission to Brazil? Has there been any announcements of anything coming from that mission?
2012-02-07 17:07
From the article:
Dauntless will set sail for the Falkland Islands in the coming weeks armed with a battery of missiles that could “take out all of South America’s fighter aircraft let alone Argentina’s,” according to one Navy source.
The Type 45 destroyer is the most advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic ship in the world equipped with 48 Sea Viper missiles and the Sampson radar, which is more advanced than Heathrow air traffic control
According to this we’re to believe that every country in South America cannot muster 48 fighter aircraft between them. The Argentine air force has 404 aircraft, the Brazilian air force has 817 aircraft. Am I to assume then that none of these are fighter aircraft?
This is the kind of guff propaganda that Westminster has been feeding the people of these islands for generations. In the 1920s/1930s the people in the UK were told they lived in the richest most advanced country in the world. They were found out when the Yanks came here during WWII. The Yanks considered the UK to be a quaint, backward country with no refrigerators, very few cars etc. For the sake of the sailors on HMS Dauntless, I hope they’re not about to get found out again.
Sorry – Reply was meant to be in response to mountaincadre.
2012-02-07 17:43
and
As far as I can see, they would have 29 Mirage Variants and what was the air wing off their ancient Carrier, 34 A4s and 11 “Partially Operational” Super Etendards. The rest is all prop, transport and trainers.
So, lets be generous and say 74 “Modern” Jets, Airframes Vintage between 1960s and at the very best 1985, with Avionics Upgrades.
There may be numbers but this is strictly second or even third string kit being mostly castoffs from the US and French of Two Generations Ago.
The Brazilian Navy has a carrier – the old French “Foch” which the Argentinians operate whatever they can fly off of for qualification of pilots. If they flew attack missions off that then the Brazilians would be declaring war. The Brazilian AF has slightly more modern aircraft – 10 Mirage 2000s but the rest of their attack wing is Northrop F5 – again,a 60s Aircraft but with some modern avionics. Which, according to the wiki, managed to embarass a couple of French Rafales in Wargames.
Actually, unless they’ve both got some stuff stashed somewhere, it is Entirely feasible that a Type 45 with two sets of reloads could splash the entire attack wings of Both airforces before they were within attack missile range.
2012-02-07 16:37
2012-02-07 16:45
Of course you will not see him in our history lessons at school…Yet!
2012-02-23 19:37
Actually, there is no law that states that you must own a television receiver. I’m surprised that more Nationalists don’t turn their back on the whole charade, as I did a quarter of a century ago. Life is much better when a Unionist sewer does not run through your living room.
2012-02-23 19:59
Anyway, going O/T for a minute, and as Talorgan resurrected this story, can anyone tell me if we have had a topic on the BBC Scotland website open for comment this year ?
One of the main reasons for closing down the blogs was to allow other news stories to be commented on. From memory, I think we had four stories to comment on in the BBC Scotland webpages between the closing of the blogs in October until Christmas, but since new year i think thats a big fat zero.
Can anyone back me up on this ?
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