Dominic Cummings

[Fame Monster]

She was also clear that government ministers will not come on to answer questions, but it's a commonplace for interviewers to put "hostile" questions to politicians. If she'd had a government minister there in an interview and said it to let him/her challenge it, no-one would bat an eyelid. "I put it to you..."

True but I think saying, "you broke the law didn't you, Mr Cummings" or "describing people as elite is lazy, isn't it" is acceptable because it's a standard interview technique in order to elicit a response from an interviewee who, by being present, has a right of reply and can challenge the assertions. It doesn't pass as the opinion of the journalist.

Making statements like that last night on the intro to the show is a completely different kettle of fish with the anchor basically giving an unchallenged opinion as to the facts rather than allowing the viewer to form their own opinion on the basis of an interview exchange.

 

[Fame Monster]

Isn't it some crazy time since a minister ventured to Newsnight?

I assume the sentiment of the message had to pass the producer anyway, as I would guess it was put on a teleprompter.

What's the reason for the boycott?

I remember Maitlis' giving a monologue about coronavirus a while back, was it that that upset someone?

 

[Chris in London]

It’s presumably making it more difficult for the police to enforce any rules though. Cummings’ actions completely undermine the government’s messaging.

for post number 1632 this made a surprising amount of sense

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

Thats a really piss poor attempt at deflection.

quite a paranoid post that tbh.

 

[meltonblue]

What's the reason for the boycott?

I remember Maitlis' giving a monologue about coronavirus a while back, was it that that upset someone?

All boils back to this government not wanting to be scrutinised and trying to insinuate bias and opinion on reporting on facts (see over the pond for the approach they’re taking). It isn’t just about the bbc, just look at Johnson’s comments to the committee today. It’s the most dangerous government in my lifetime.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

What's the reason for the boycott?

I remember Maitlis' giving a monologue about coronavirus a while back, was it that that upset someone?

As far as I can tell, they don't want to be questioned.

Obviously currently one minister a day does the early morning rounds of BBC1, Sky, Radio4, but the govt had essentially boycotted the BBC for months as they got given a hard time, entirely coincidental to repeated attacks on the BBC and threats about funding. It gives the impression of trying to bully the BBC.

 

[bluethrunthru]

As far as I can tell, they don't want to be questioned.

Obviously currently one minister a day does the early morning rounds of BBC1, Sky, Radio4, but the govt had essentially boycotted the BBC for months as they got given a hard time, entirely coincidental to repeated attacks on the BBC and threats about funding. It gives the impression of trying to bully the BBC.

Don't forget how they have boycotted GMB since Morgan started to rip into them.

 

[super_city_si]

Worth a read

 

[mat]

What's the reason for the boycott?

I remember Maitlis' giving a monologue about coronavirus a while back, was it that that upset someone?

The same on they gave GMB when Morgan was asking them nasty questions. They refuse to go on media shows that require proper scrutiny. Instead they'll send Boris to see Holly and Phil and Liz Truss to Loose women.

 

[davek1808]

What's the reason for the boycott?

I remember Maitlis' giving a monologue about coronavirus a while back, was it that that upset someone?

If these stupid born bastards hadn't fucked the response and handling of this pandemic up then the cowardly fuckers wouldn't have anything to hide and would be able to do all kind of interviews, all she did on news night is say what most of us want to, and the best of it is, it was all true what she said.