Call to end BBC's insipid political correctness

[TonyGosling]

Impartiality no excuse for "insipid" BBC programmes
Monday, 18 Jun 2007 11:54
http://www.adfero.co.uk/news/news-channels/headline-channel/impartiali ty-no-excuse-insipid-bbc-programmes-$1100769.htm
The BBC acknowledges impartiality as a "core value" The BBC has been warned its efforts to become more impartial must not lead to "insipid" programme-making.

The claim is made in a new report from the corporation's governing body the BBC Trust that was initially commissioned by its predecessor the board of governors.

It insists that impartiality across all genres is "essential" to ensure that the BBC fulfils its contract to viewers, who both own and fund the broadcaster.

Today's report, launched to ensure the BBC remained impartial "in the face of rapid technological and social change", is designed to complement the corporation's existing impartiality guidelines.

Accompanying research conducted by the report's panel found that 84 per cent of consumers considered impartiality as difficult to achieve, while two-thirds said all broadcasters regarded themselves as more neutral than they actually were.

And eight in ten argued that the BBC should report on all views; no matter how unpopular they are.

"We know that audiences demand and value impartiality as essential to the BBC's independence. They particularly value impartiality in news, and they recognise its importance in other programme areas," commented BBC trustee and steering group chairman Richard Tait.

"But BBC audiences believe that impartiality should not lead to political correctness. The BBC agrees and one of our new principles makes clear that impartiality is no excuse for insipid programme-making.

"Providing space for controversial and passionate writers and contributors of all kinds will ensure impartiality is an antidote to political correctness."

The report criticises the corporation for screening an episode of comedy The Vicar of Dibley that promoted the Make Poverty History charity campaign, and quotes former political editor Andrew Marr as saying the BBC possesses an "innate liberal bias".

Responding to the report, BBC deputy director general Mark Byford, recognised that impartiality was a "core value" for BBC licence payers, and a "hallmark" of the service being offered.

[TonyGosling]

History of Political Correctness.
I like Marx, particularly his analysis of agrarian robberies known as the enclosures or the 'agricultural revolution'. This attack on Marx does have some saving graces....

Felix Vile - great name!


Link

[suraci]

I listen to Radio One a lot, and it's coverage of world events is anything but unbiased or insipid. It is profoundly partisan in this so called war on terror. It rarely mentions Israeli crimes, and only seems to ever mention the Muslim community in relation to their being possible suicide bombers. The "wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan are without exception covered as being tough for the lads out there fighting for freedom and democracy.

Radio One's news might not be flagship political coverage territory, but millions get a regular propaganda boost form it as they go about their day. If a person is told something enough times, it melds into the lexicon, and becomes their reality. This is the part Radio One and the BBC generally serves; they frame the debate so that instead of questioning Israel's part or the the Neocon involvement, all the audience can do is think in terms of when the army should withdraw, or why they are under funded, or hos tough it is for the boys out there fighting for us.

The BBC is neither impartial nor insipid in it's news coverage. It is doing valuable work for the vicious swine who have caused so much chaos these past few years. We should regard it as the rottweiller it is, with it's leash in the hands of criminal.

[PaulStott]

I used to listen to Radio 5 all the time, but it is so PC I found it rather choking.

Very twee, very self satisfied and smug - New Labour on the airwaves.