*
This morning's Today was almost completely free of right-of-centre voices.
*
Charges for online newspapers were discussed with Tim Luckhurst, "Professor of Journalism at the University of Kent and a former editor of the Scotsman" in the words of the programme. If the name is familiar to you it's because he used to report for the BBC. He had previously worked for the Labour Party (standing for them in the 1987 general election) and now writes for The Guardian, which he praised on today's programme as "a great British newspaper". He also praised the Guardian's ideological soulmate, the BBC for its "excellent journalism" (sic) .
*
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Wallace was invited on to discuss government cuts to funding for counter-terrorism programmes in Pakistan (with Brown being caught out again by a blundering admission of reality from Her Ladyship Kinnock), though he was more interested in attacking David Cameron (for some reason). John Humphrys's interruption coefficient here was a paltry 0.2 (Lord Wallace not being a Tory). Later Labour MP Kim Howells came on to respond (I.C. of 0.5).
*
The abuse of the internet by rogue governments was discussed by Sarah Montague with a lawyer Robert Amsterdam and Labour MP Tom Watson (a ex-crony of McBride in Brown's inner circle), I.C of 0.5.
*
Obama's popularity (or increasing lack of it) was discussed with left-wing Reverend Al Sharpton, a man who made every possible excuse (unconvincingly) for the president.
*
I will pass over Observer film critic and BBC presenter Mark Kermode discussing the BAFTAs - as he's a BBC institution now, offering left-wing film reviews to all and sundry.
*
On at the end was a (presumably) right-of-centre voice featured, in duet with another (definite) left-winger: Richard Exell, labour market expert for the TUC (praising the government, warning against a change of government), and Katja Hall, director of employment policy at the CBI.
Who’s on Question Time Tonight? #BBCQT
9 hours ago
Tim Luckhurst, "Professor of Journalism at the University of Kent ". Now, there is glory for you !
ReplyDeletePS a bit of googling on Prof. Tim Luckyboy fails to uncover any academic research published in peer reviewed journals. So it is yet another New Labour political appointment to a Professorship which demeans genuine academics. All part of the corruption and dumbing down of education.
ReplyDeleteThese Labour placemen get everywhere, don't they?
ReplyDeleteMy jaw dropped when, at the time of the floods in my next-door county Cumbria, who popped up as head of the Environment Agency but former Labour minister Chris Smith? (He's now Baron Smith of Finsbury!!)
What qualifies him to be in charge of Britain's river and coasts other than his Labour Party membership card? Certainly not a degree in science.
It is even worse here North of the Border. Former Minister of Health in the Scottish "government", Susan Deacon, had a whole department at Queen Margaret's Uni. devoted to womens' issues created for her and was given a Professorship. She has no background in academia at all and has never had a job outside politics !
ReplyDeleteIt's absurd just how many have of our politicians have never had a job outside politics - at least until they lose office. Yet they all land on their feet, usually with nothing but a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics to their name.
ReplyDeleteCraig,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a problem with the "Western World" generally. Especially, worrying when we look at the Global Power shifts in the last year and those to come !