Top story for today must surely be the revelation that the BBC fabricated a scene for a 2008 edition of the Panorama programme (presumably introduced by your goodself) about the apparently legitimate activities of clothes retailer Primark (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13794227). An interesting video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUSsG_tDDY0. The BBC will have to publicly apologise to Primark, and rightly so. The perpetrator was Dan McDougall, who was allegedly a journalist working for Panorama. Journalist? Lying scum more like, as are most other journalists. We can only hope that Mr McDougall enjoys spending the rest of his life asking "Do you want fries with that?".
Even the BBC's apology for "a rare lapse in quality" is a lie. I have long held the view that if the available facts don't fit the news story then the BBC will simply make them up, and yesterday's revelation backs up my view yet again. I am currently in a battle with the BBC Complaints Department concerning the film where the effects of volcanic ash on a jet engine are demonstrated by someone referred to as a scientist (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8632572.stm) yet the whole item is just wrong, wrong, wrong from start to finish. Why? Because the truth was not available, so they made it up.
Your favourite daily rag, the Daily Mail, have also covered the story (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004298/Panorama-documentary-Primark-BBC-apologise-fake-child-labour-footage.html) and lambast the BBC for their poor reporting. As a mark of retaliation I suggest that you boycott stories from the Daily Mail for the next year. That'll show 'em!
On several occasions I have suggested that you discuss the credibility of the BBC's news, but my requests have been ignored. I make that request again today. Otherwise, why should I believe a word you say?
I expect Panorama/Primark to be the first item on your show today, so let's take a look at the lies to be peddled today...
1) GREECE CRISIS - Conservative MPs say that we should let Greece default on its debt rather than commit ourselves to another bailout : Delayed from yesterday, after the man with a wart took precedence. That says it all really, and shows how important this story is to you. I will take your recommendation then and not listen. After all, how can I trust you to tell me the truth? Next...
2) ALCOHOL - Are you teetotal because of what drinking did to your parents? : I am teetotal, and the answer to your question is "Yes". At the age of about 6 or 7 I remember my father dropping a wine bottle one day. It smashed on the floor and while picking up the pieces he managed to stand on one and cut his foot quite badly. I've not touched alcohol since. Next...
3) SUMMER PESTS - After 1, we discuss summer pests with our resident expert : Blimey... where to start? I'm not entirely sure why your web page links to another page about cabbage white butterflies. Although we see them in our garden, they are not in sufficient numbers to be classed as a pest. The main summer pests around here are tourists with caravans, so can your resident expert deal with them? Other wildlife pests are a small price to pay for living in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK. You said on Ken's show that this resident expert is a chap called Mark Holtman. A quick Google shows that he works for a company called Portland Pest Control based in Watford (http://www.wecando.biz/profile.php?bid=2211 and third paragraph http://www.pestcontrolnews.com/2010/july/issue_2.php). So, he is not a "resident expert" then, is he? More lies! Next...
4) TERRY WALTON - And we catch up with Terry Walton on the Jeremy Vine Show allotment : Aaaahhh.... the return of sound effects man. How do I know that his gardening information is the truth? How do I know he is on an allotment? How can you prove that he is even in Wales? I can't see him from here.
No BBC story then? No examination or explanation of what went wrong? No attempt to reassure your listeners that BBC News is to be trusted? Nothing to address the Bollocks to Truth ratio that is now very firmly in the former's favour?
Even the BBC's apology for "a rare lapse in quality" is a lie. I have long held the view that if the available facts don't fit the news story then the BBC will simply make them up, and yesterday's revelation backs up my view yet again. I am currently in a battle with the BBC Complaints Department concerning the film where the effects of volcanic ash on a jet engine are demonstrated by someone referred to as a scientist (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8632572.stm) yet the whole item is just wrong, wrong, wrong from start to finish. Why? Because the truth was not available, so they made it up.
Your favourite daily rag, the Daily Mail, have also covered the story (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004298/Panorama-documentary-Primark-BBC-apologise-fake-child-labour-footage.html) and lambast the BBC for their poor reporting. As a mark of retaliation I suggest that you boycott stories from the Daily Mail for the next year. That'll show 'em!
On several occasions I have suggested that you discuss the credibility of the BBC's news, but my requests have been ignored. I make that request again today. Otherwise, why should I believe a word you say?
I expect Panorama/Primark to be the first item on your show today, so let's take a look at the lies to be peddled today...
1) GREECE CRISIS - Conservative MPs say that we should let Greece default on its debt rather than commit ourselves to another bailout : Delayed from yesterday, after the man with a wart took precedence. That says it all really, and shows how important this story is to you. I will take your recommendation then and not listen. After all, how can I trust you to tell me the truth? Next...
2) ALCOHOL - Are you teetotal because of what drinking did to your parents? : I am teetotal, and the answer to your question is "Yes". At the age of about 6 or 7 I remember my father dropping a wine bottle one day. It smashed on the floor and while picking up the pieces he managed to stand on one and cut his foot quite badly. I've not touched alcohol since. Next...
3) SUMMER PESTS - After 1, we discuss summer pests with our resident expert : Blimey... where to start? I'm not entirely sure why your web page links to another page about cabbage white butterflies. Although we see them in our garden, they are not in sufficient numbers to be classed as a pest. The main summer pests around here are tourists with caravans, so can your resident expert deal with them? Other wildlife pests are a small price to pay for living in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK. You said on Ken's show that this resident expert is a chap called Mark Holtman. A quick Google shows that he works for a company called Portland Pest Control based in Watford (http://www.wecando.biz/profile.php?bid=2211 and third paragraph http://www.pestcontrolnews.com/2010/july/issue_2.php). So, he is not a "resident expert" then, is he? More lies! Next...
4) TERRY WALTON - And we catch up with Terry Walton on the Jeremy Vine Show allotment : Aaaahhh.... the return of sound effects man. How do I know that his gardening information is the truth? How do I know he is on an allotment? How can you prove that he is even in Wales? I can't see him from here.
No BBC story then? No examination or explanation of what went wrong? No attempt to reassure your listeners that BBC News is to be trusted? Nothing to address the Bollocks to Truth ratio that is now very firmly in the former's favour?
The Jeremy Vine Show : First for completely ignoring the Elephant In The Room ... and not criticising the BBC no matter what they do or how bad it gets.
Ha ha, love this, I loathe the show too. Its his voice i cant stand as well. Will def read this blog to confirm why i dont need to listen. The bit about the allotment reminded me of archie andrews. A vent act on the radio!? Only on the BBC
ReplyDeleteThanks Gill, I do my best!
ReplyDelete