Cummings vs Johnson

[Vornwend]

Can't imagine life without the BBC - its a world class broadcaster (and widely recognised as such) with fantastic content across all genres. News, drama, documentaries, comedy you name it. The online and radio content is also an absolute treasure trove. I'm not sure a subscription only service would deliver the same quantity or quality so for that reason I'm against changing its funding model.

Despite the criticisms, and undoubtedly some failings, its still the nations trusted go to braodcaster for all the big moments in history. It's either right or left leaning depending on who you listen too or which programme/reporter youre talking about but if you're minded to you don't need to dig very deeply to find ample evidence of impartiality. The party in power always get more scrutiny than opposition parties do, thats the nature of the thing. The current government is one of the most inept and corrupt in recent history so not surprising that its being frequently called out by the BBC , thats not the same as saying its driven by some sort of left wing ideology.

 

[john-e89]

[ref]john-e89[/ref], I’m not saying the BBC is perfect and their task of being impartial to any political ideology is practically impossible, but you’ll only really see the benefit of something when it’s gone.

It's impossible when they employ gutter journalists like Kuenssberg and have no interest in reigning her in. Question time with Dimbelby was so skewed left it was hilarious. The list goes on.

It's a damn shame as it used to be something that folk could depend on, not now. If this is what it takes to shake the corp to a huge shakeup and get things back on track then that would be great. Personally I have no interest in seeing it collapse but it cannot carry on as is and hope to have any credibility, nor do they deserve any at the moment. Let's hope they wake up and get back to where they ought to be.

Ken Bruce an exception.....you can't criticise perfection....

 

[john-e89]

Can't imagine life without the BBC - its a world class broadcaster (and widely recognised as such) with fantastic content across all genres. News, drama, documentaries, comedy you name it. The online and radio content is also an absolute treasure trove. I'm not sure a subscription only service would deliver the same quantity or quality so for that reason I'm against changing its funding model.

Despite the criticisms, and undoubtedly some failings, its still the nations trusted go to braodcaster for all the big moments in history. It's either right or left leaning depending on who you listen too or which programme/reporter youre talking about but if you're minded to you don't need to dig very deeply to find ample evidence of impartiality. The party in power always get more scrutiny than opposition parties do, thats the nature of the thing. The current government is one of the most inept and corrupt in recent history so not surprising that its being frequently called out by the BBC , thats not the same as saying its driven by some sort of left wing ideology.

Unlike labour that bankrupt the country everytime they're put in....just imagine the mess if Corbyn the terrorists hero and his daft as a brush henchwoman had got in....now that is truly truly scary. Never mind we have capt' hindsight and gob 'let me clear' on a stick to look forward to....Only not as the people will see sense again when this stupidity has settled be whoever is in charge.

 

[sp3ctre]

I hate the way the BBC operates as a tax. I never watch it but have to pay for it. By all means have a BBC network but put it behind a paywall and if it really is as good as they say then people will pay for it. Unfortunately though, I think people won’t because the majority of the stuff on the BBC is garbage.

 

[Chris_D]

I hate the way the BBC operates as a tax. I never watch it but have to pay for it. By all means have a BBC network but put it behind a paywall and if it really is as good as they say then people will pay for it. Unfortunately though, I think people won’t because the majority of the stuff on the BBC is garbage.

Whenever I tell Dutch friends that you have to pay for a TV license or goons will turn up at your door threatening legal action and police intervention they usually give me 1 of 3 repsonses:
1) 'fk off Chris, you're so full of sh!t'
2) 'that's fkd. It's so fkd it's beyond fkd'
3) 'well they're idiots for paying and I won't be moving there anytime soon. Is that why you left? '
:lol:

 

[Pondy]

Ken Bruce an exception.....you can't criticise perfection....

Maybe a petition should be started.......Ken Bruce for PM. He could replace PMQs with Pop-Master. Now that I would watch.

 

[john-e89]

I hate the way the BBC operates as a tax. I never watch it but have to pay for it. By all means have a BBC network but put it behind a paywall and if it really is as good as they say then people will pay for it. Unfortunately though, I think people won’t because the majority of the stuff on the BBC is garbage.

Whenever I tell Dutch friends that you have to pay for a TV license or goons will turn up at your door threatening legal action and police intervention they usually give me 1 of 3 repsonses:
1) 'fk off Chris, you're so full of sh!t'
2) 'that's fkd. It's so fkd it's beyond fkd'
3) 'well they're idiots for paying and I won't be moving there anytime soon. Is that why you left? '
:lol:

Well they've got number one of their responses nailed.....nothing to do with a broadcast corporation either.... :evil:

 

[Chris_D]

I hate the way the BBC operates as a tax. I never watch it but have to pay for it. By all means have a BBC network but put it behind a paywall and if it really is as good as they say then people will pay for it. Unfortunately though, I think people won’t because the majority of the stuff on the BBC is garbage.

Whenever I tell Dutch friends that you have to pay for a TV license or goons will turn up at your door threatening legal action and police intervention they usually give me 1 of 3 repsonses:
1) 'fk off Chris, you're so full of sh!t'
2) 'that's fkd. It's so fkd it's beyond fkd'
3) 'well they're idiots for paying and I won't be moving there anytime soon. Is that why you left? '
:lol:

Well they've got number one of their responses nailed.....nothing to do with a broadcast corporation either.... :evil:

Adds you to my 'snipey old ladies of the forum' list.
:lol:

 

[Pondy]

Well they've got number one of their responses nailed.....nothing to do with a broadcast corporation either...

 

[Vornwend]

Unlike labour that bankrupt the country everytime they're put in.

I'm sure you' want to believe that because it fits your narrative but unfortunately it's a complete myth promulgated by the right wing press and politicians. The facts, however stated, don't back it up I'm afraid. Put simply Labour borrow less and repay more. This is true even when you strip out the effects of the 2008 financial crisis and covid.

The fact is that since 1955, when they were first measured, there have been 14 recessions and contractions (by year or quarter) and 10 of them occurred under Tory governments. Let that sink in. So, if Labour are so bad with the economy, why have more recessions occurred under Tory governments–and in proportion to their number of years in office?

If you're interested this is a very thorough analysis covering all of the post war period:

https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2021/06/24/the-tories-have-always-borrowed-more-than-labour-and-always-repaid-less-they-are-the-party-of-big-deficit-spending/

I don't disagree about your view on Corbyn but it says something for the state of politics in this country that the only alternative was Johnson!

 

[Flyingfifer]

Can't imagine life without the BBC - its a world class bullshitter (and widely recognised as such)

I fixed it for you

If you're interested this is a very thorough analysis covering all of the post war period:

https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2021/06/24/the-tories-have-always-borrowed-more-than-labour-and-always-repaid-less-they-are-the-party-of-big-deficit-spending/

There are so many colossal issues with that "analysis" I wouldn't know where to begin. Its a far too simplistic, 50,000ft look at a deeply complex and intricate web of a subject.

I dont accept that the tories are in any way the party of "fiscal" prowess but its two turds in a shite soup.

 

[john-e89]

Unlike labour that bankrupt the country everytime they're put in.

I'm sure you' want to believe that because it fits your narrative but unfortunately it's a complete myth promulgated by the right wing press and politicians. The facts, however stated, don't back it up I'm afraid. Put simply Labour borrow less and repay more. This is true even when you strip out the effects of the 2008 financial crisis and covid.

The fact is that since 1955, when they were first measured, there have been 14 recessions and contractions (by year or quarter) and 10 of them occurred under Tory governments. Let that sink in. So, if Labour are so bad with the economy, why have more recessions occurred under Tory governments–and in proportion to their number of years in office?

If you're interested this is a very thorough analysis covering all of the post war period:

https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2021/06/24/the-tories-have-always-borrowed-more-than-labour-and-always-repaid-less-they-are-the-party-of-big-deficit-spending/

I don't disagree about your view on Corbyn but it says something for the state of politics in this country that the only alternative was Johnson!

Flying beat me to it but as he says I too have no idea where to even begin with that stat post....if that's all it takes to run a country then..... :?

Not going down a political tennis game that'll end in tears so I'll just leave you with Liam Byrne's note.... :wink:

Oh and before you dismay at Johnson being all there is, be glad you're not in America with Joe....!! Bit scary here admittedly but wow....if he's all they have....!!

 

[R.E92]

What surprises me most about the licence fee is that anyone pays it. I've never paid for a TV licence, I just bin all their letters before reading them and get on with life.

Regardless of what the government does, the BBC is still doomed. Young people don't watch it so their funding is coming from an ever shrinking pool.

I find their content clumsy and cringe-worthy. Their programming seems obsessed with identity politics. The biggest offenders are the reality shows like the dancing shows and the baking competitions, some diversity officer came along with a tick-list of skin tones and sexual orientations and now all BBC shows look like some menagerie.

 

[Flyingfifer]

What surprises me most about the licence fee is that anyone pays it. I've never paid for a TV licence, I just bin all their letters before reading them and get on with life.

Regardless of what the government does, the BBC is still doomed. Young people don't watch it so their funding is coming from an ever shrinking pool.

I find their content clumsy and cringe-worthy. Their programming seems obsessed with identity politics. The biggest offenders are the reality shows like the dancing shows and the baking competitions, some diversity officer came along with a tick-list of skin tones and sexual orientations and now all BBC shows look like some menagerie.

Ditto!
I must say I really appreciate that they make their letters obvious so I can just bin them without having to bother opening them
19/09/14 I cancelled mine and I will never go back

The BBC has from around 2010 been on a death spiral of slurry journalism, partisan and bias programming. It deserves to be shoved out into the wild and given a chance to survive but if it fails I wont mourn its death.

 

[Flyingfifer]

Its like episodes of a soap opera

[youtube]3fV5dQmydWc[/youtube]

 

[Nanu]

Question, If the BBC are so perfect, then surely if the statutory licence fee is removed, people will happily pay an annual subscription won't they?

 

[Nanu]

I can't judge Cummings or Boris on a personal level as never met them so don't see how you can.

On a professional level though and the position these people hold/held the actions displayed re the partying is a disgrace and these people need to go. We were in a lockdown governed by law, no mixing etc, simple as that and the latest with the invites of what 100 staff saying it will all be done in a socially distanced way in the garden is a complete and utter farce. You or I wouldn't have got away with it. It's been mentioned some Downing Street staff declined the invite as they didn't feel comfortable which says it all.

These people should simply be prosecuted if found they broke the law at the time.

Tim.

Totally agree but, if Johnson who did attend a couple has to go, then so do each and every one else who attended or organised the "gatherings" who consist in the main, civil servants.

I would also ask questions of the Police officers who protect Downing Street. They must have known what was happening, so why didn't they do anything to stop it?

 

[Vornwend]

Question, If the BBC are so perfect, then surely if the statutory licence fee is removed, people will happily pay an annual subscription won't they?

I don't think its perfect but I suppose the answer to your question is that many would but many wouldn't. The BBC is a public service to society and country. The BBC world service is an example of something that most licence payers probably wouldn't pay for out of choice but is a soft power tool for the UK - global Britain anyone? Disability and educational programming are others. I don't have any need for the M1 or Trident missiles or HS1 or even Nadine Dorries but my taxes help pay for them :x Some folks are probably not even aware of some of the things it does - like maintaining the freeview transmitter network.

Many European countries also have public service broadcasters, some, like the Netherlands, choose to fund them directly through government from taxation (incidentally the Dutch, even if they are not aware of it, pay c50 euros per adult as opposed to the BBC licence which is per household) but that's a funding model that some believe is flawed because the government can exert too much direct power over them. Channel 4 is an example of another model.

For all its faults I think the BBC is a valuable British institutiion, far from perfect and certainly not immune from the need for reform but one that generates considerable benefit to the economy (not counting the major US studios BBC Worldwide is the largest TV programme distributor in the world and generates >£1bn gross value added ), society and our international reputation (its probably the UK's best known brand?)

A little dated but made me chuckle:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1019966795125539

 

[john-e89]

Best known UK brand would be the royal family no..? :?

Even back then the Beeb was obvs in the mire hence the self procaliming "Were in the s**t let's bang our drum" vid.....notice Saville wasn't in it....wonder why...."We harbour wrong un's and charge you public for the privilege... Enjoy the BBC"

Dont think it's coincidence Wills won't have anything to do with it and refuses to speak to it either....

 

[Vornwend]

Even back then the Beeb was obvs in the mire hence the self procaliming "Were in the s**t let's bang our drum" vid.....notice Saville wasn't in it....wonder why...."We harbour wrong un's and charge you public for the privilege... Enjoy the BBC"

Bit like the Royal Family harbouring Andrew Windsor and us paying for his security eh?

Didn't the BBC and Prince William just collaborate on the Earthshot documentaries shown in the autumn?