Propaganda on the BBC
Discussion
Now, i know this is a frequently discussed topic, but rarely is it so blatent.
We have Radio 1 on at work (sigh) and i just had to endure a minute or Labour schpiel called the "Minute Manifesto". I didn't hear much in the way of actual policies, but i did hear the word 'fair' more times than i could count (in this context i think fair means 'punish success').
Presumably i'll be hearing a similar one from the Conservatives and probably Lib Dems at some point in the near future, but since the BBC is mandated to be politically neutral, why are they playing these at all? I'm all for encouraging voting and awareness but a minute's worth of crap spun so much it couldn't stand straight is not the right approach IMO. That's called free advertising.
Also, i'd wager we won't be hearing one from smaller parties (UKIP, Greens, SNP, BNP, Plaid Cymru) and i'll also bet there will be varience in listener numbers when they are played for different parties.
Am i wrong to be unimpressed by this? Is it a good idea? Please post your views.
We have Radio 1 on at work (sigh) and i just had to endure a minute or Labour schpiel called the "Minute Manifesto". I didn't hear much in the way of actual policies, but i did hear the word 'fair' more times than i could count (in this context i think fair means 'punish success').
Presumably i'll be hearing a similar one from the Conservatives and probably Lib Dems at some point in the near future, but since the BBC is mandated to be politically neutral, why are they playing these at all? I'm all for encouraging voting and awareness but a minute's worth of crap spun so much it couldn't stand straight is not the right approach IMO. That's called free advertising.
Also, i'd wager we won't be hearing one from smaller parties (UKIP, Greens, SNP, BNP, Plaid Cymru) and i'll also bet there will be varience in listener numbers when they are played for different parties.
Am i wrong to be unimpressed by this? Is it a good idea? Please post your views.
Simbu said:
Am i wrong to be unimpressed by this? Is it a good idea? Please post your views.
I've got to say 'yes' to both your questions.Neutrality would be achieved by either providing 1 minute manifestos for all parties (which I suspect the will be doing, at least for the 3 big parties), or by doing none at all. We are in a situation in this country where voter apathy and lack of interest about politics among the youth is huge. If they took the 'broadcast nothing' approach then it wouldn't encourage anyone to think a little bit harder about voting and politics. At least by adopting this approach they may get some people to go and vote who may have previously not bothered.
Everyone knows that these broadcasts are spun to within an inch of their life. The benefit, imho, is that it can make people think about things a little more.
Propaganda on the Beeb for all parties? The big three will all get their airtime, and in the different kingdoms no doubt the local Nationalist parties will get theirs.
Do you engage in political debate with them? I have plenty of debates with my colleagues, they can be good fun.
Esseesse said:
Dare2Fail said:
Everyone knows that these broadcasts are spun to within an inch of their life.
Disagree. Labour voters in my office (Medical related people, I'm the odd one out) seem to think everything that come out of Gordon's mouth is 100% factually correct.
So true.
I still remember when they referred to the group responsible for moscow metro bombings "separatists". And when the main Chechen terrorist was killed they called him a rebel or resistance leader or something along those lines...
I guess one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter is still as true as ever.
I guess one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter is still as true as ever.
Willie Dee said:
Yeast Lord said:
I've had enough. I'm ripping my tv licence up and never paying it again.
you paid it in the first place? 
That was on the BBC too, so it must be true.
Incidentally, someone once told me that if you demand to see a warrant when a licence inspector calls, they can not enter the house without one, and will nearly never follow them up as warrants are time consuming and likely to be refused without some reason to believe you have a TV? True?
I guess the quantum ionising megawhirl technology in their "detector" vans is so top secret that it's not submissible as grounds for suspicion?
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