Bigger than Enron?
- Thread starter DemoCoder
- Start date
The BBC does seem to dig up lots of anti-French articles.
Almost as many as they do of Anti-US articles.
Almost as many as they do of Anti-US articles.
Ilfirin said:DemoCoder said:
When I posted this, I knew someone would reference that (since I had just said it one minute earlier), but it is not inconsistent, since I am merely referencing a topic for discussion, I am not making any assertions as to the authenticity of the story. I would have posted it no matter what the source, since I am looking for discussion on this material.
It's called a free press, chaps.
Seriously, though, the BBC must be one of the few major news sources who are not owned by the big organisations (News International, etc). These large organisations are reputed to put a certain slant on their reporting depending on the pressures put on them by their owners (Murdoch et al).
You may think that the BBC are gunning for the US and French governments, but I can assure you, they are just as aggressive with our politicians also.
Seriously, though, the BBC must be one of the few major news sources who are not owned by the big organisations (News International, etc). These large organisations are reputed to put a certain slant on their reporting depending on the pressures put on them by their owners (Murdoch et al).
You may think that the BBC are gunning for the US and French governments, but I can assure you, they are just as aggressive with our politicians also.
DemoCoder said:
Would not your previous statement about the BBC not being a credible source completely invalidate any discussion stemming from their articles? That's the assertion you (and everyone else) make when you say that, whether you realize it or not.
Anyway, I was just poking fun a bit at modern human nature - everyone uses sources that back whatever it is they deem correct, and call anyone else's sources that dispute their assertion as incredible; regardless of the fact that they might have used those sources yesterday, or again tomorrow.
It's really quite entertaining actually.
Well, if it was a rumor on indymedia, i would have still posted it, even though I dispute the credibility of indymedia. How else would I start the discover "I have heard that Elf/French corp did X, but can't reveal where I heard it from?"
BBC is no different than PBS/NPR/VOA. But I must say that neither BBC nor VOA/PBS/NPR put out the kind of investigative reporting we see in some American newspapers. I'm talking about multimonth investigative efforts that interview and collect facts from all sides in the story.
NPR/VOA/PBS simply carry "guests" who have a side of their story, and are allowed to tell it. 60 Minutes and 20/20 do better than that by atleast carrying both sides to any issue, however, the frequently "cut"/edit the side that they don't agree with so you don't get to see the whole story.
Rarely do I read any articles on BBC or watch a BBC news broadcast that even goes as far as 60 minutes in terms of investigative reporting.
BBC is no different than PBS/NPR/VOA. But I must say that neither BBC nor VOA/PBS/NPR put out the kind of investigative reporting we see in some American newspapers. I'm talking about multimonth investigative efforts that interview and collect facts from all sides in the story.
NPR/VOA/PBS simply carry "guests" who have a side of their story, and are allowed to tell it. 60 Minutes and 20/20 do better than that by atleast carrying both sides to any issue, however, the frequently "cut"/edit the side that they don't agree with so you don't get to see the whole story.
Rarely do I read any articles on BBC or watch a BBC news broadcast that even goes as far as 60 minutes in terms of investigative reporting.
That's because BBC news is little more than an extension of the standard domestic news in the UK - or at least, that's how it appears to me. On the other hand, the BBC World Service (Radio) does have a wide variety of reporting. I'm not sure if investigative journalism is within their remit, however.
BBC TV programmes such as "Panorama" do the investigative journalism which you are missing. Of course, we only get to see these here in the UK.
BBC TV programmes such as "Panorama" do the investigative journalism which you are missing. Of course, we only get to see these here in the UK.
Your right, if BBC does produce 60 Minutes-like programs, they don't appear on BBC America channel.
I have to say however, that hands down, bar none, PBS's Frontline and Nova specials get my highest marks for objectivity and attention to detail.
If you've never seen Frontline, I'd advise you to try and find it. The attention to nuance and detail on issues is amazing, as well as context.
I have to say however, that hands down, bar none, PBS's Frontline and Nova specials get my highest marks for objectivity and attention to detail.
If you've never seen Frontline, I'd advise you to try and find it. The attention to nuance and detail on issues is amazing, as well as context.
Well, to be honest, although I've heard of 60 Minutes, I've never actually seen it and I'm not even sure I can view it on any of my Cable TV channels. Cable/Satellite TV is a pretty recent development here in the UK (I've only had Cable for around 6 months) and many people just have the basic 5 terrestrial TV channels (and most can't get reception on Channel 5, anyway!). This is improving as a Digital TV push is occurring with around 15 free channels available.
Trust me, though, the BBC does produce are range of very good documentaries and investigative news programmes. Those of the independent terrestrial TV companies, on the other hand, tend to be rubbish, with the exception of a few on Channel 4. "Lowest Common Denominator" programming is all too rare, unfortunately.
Trust me, though, the BBC does produce are range of very good documentaries and investigative news programmes. Those of the independent terrestrial TV companies, on the other hand, tend to be rubbish, with the exception of a few on Channel 4. "Lowest Common Denominator" programming is all too rare, unfortunately.
