Not in the least - I'm actually a big Alonso fan, but I do like to try to understand the reality of the Hamilton/Rosberg story (as opposed to the frenzy that the media tries to whip up). The BBC coverage has been fine, and they let Eddie Jordan express some very strong views about the quality of management at Mercedes. I think that Zed_Steve may have done the BBC a dis-service by quoting selectively from their story (unless it was updated after he read it).
In terms of the team sticking by a driver, if anything would have stopped them it would have been Lewis's actions in deliberately disobeying team orders in Hurgary.
The reality is that Mercedes are paying Lewis €20m this year, whereas they are only paying Nico €12m. That means that they expect a greater return on their investment in Lewis (for Formula 1 is at least as much - if not more so - a business than a sport). Having Nico lead the WC probably doesn't suit their business plan.