Has the BBC become a Tory tool?

[Vic]

I think this whole situation has been blown out of all propotion by the BBC.

For me as an individual, regardless of Gary Lineker, my opinions and the way i lead my life is not swayed, influenced or mobilised by what someone on social media has to say.

Yes, i can read it, take it on board, respect an opinion, and maybe enhance my way of thinking perhaps?

The thing that annoys me, is that Britain lost so many lives in WWII, because they fought for freedom.

Is this potentially the first brick in a gigantic wall of removing freedom, and the right to an opinion?

I sincerely hope not.

The first brick? Good heavens no. They've been laying the bricks for years. The right to protest, voter suppression, removing parliamentary scrutiny and giving power to ministers, removing rights of judicial challenge - the foundations are well laid.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

Thinking about it, I don't want this argument to be put back in its box with some mealy mouthed words on both sides to restore an unsteady peace.

The issues of the BBCs relationship with government and levels of interference in our national broadcaster have been a open sore for far too long now and it is debilitating parts of the BBC. The situation needs a full and frank airing and an outcome that allows the BBC to continue with whatever the majority in the nation want it's mission to be.

Personally I hope that those who would wish to see it cowed, used as a culture war tool, or dismantled and defunded are on the losing side of this argument.

Sadly the tories will love this. They want to drag the BBC down or make it right leaning. Ideally both. They and their plants on the board will be delighted with this and will hold the line.

 

[argyle]

Not falling for anything. The Left who have been busy cancelling everyone they don't agree with have had a taste of their own medicine. Piss funny. They're probably calling everyone who doesn't agree with the smug **** a 'gammon'. I'm not reading this thread but I'm guessing it's been used already.

Who have 'the left' cancelled? There's lots of tabloid bullshit about 'the left' cancelling people however.

 

[Vic]

The players will be taking the ear before ko

Taking the knee with one hand across the mouth...

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Regardless of what you think of Lineker's commentary...

I agree with the humanitarian posts he recently made on Twitter - however controversial.

Lineker was put into a very tough spot - speak up against abhorrent government policy as a citizen - in direct contradiction to the BBC's policy - or remain silent.

For what it's worth - I think that Lineker made the right decision - 100%.

And also for what it's worth - I think that the BBC was put in an extremely hard situation - due to its rigid policies.

Look - world politics are divisive. Is it realistic that any organization demands - as a condition of employment - that you keep silent on all political matters - period?! - I don't think that this is reasonable.

As an alternative - suppose the BBC had the policy in place that any political post made by one of its employees be accompanied by the following or similar some-such:
"The following post is my own and reflects my personal opinion and has nothing whatsoever to do with the stance and opinion of my employer, the BBC."

 

[blueparrot]

So are all BBC presenters going to be suspended for tweeting about politics. Pof Brian Cox does it almost weekly without anyone bothering, quite rightly I’d add.

 

[lazerblue]

This.
Shame so many Twitter trolls will casually slag off every pundit and presenter but they’ve really stood up to the plate principally on this one and are putting their jobs on the line

most of em work for other broadcasters so they're not really putting jobs on the line, just one of they're many gigs, it's not like they'll all be down the food bank is it

 

[threespires]

Sadly the tories will love this. They want to drag the BBC down or make it right leaning. Ideally both. They and their plants on the board will be delighted with this and will hold the line.

I know and I fully expect them to double down but I do wonder if they might have overplayed their hand here?

Whilst it will doubtless play well to their core base there does seem to be significant support for the opposing view and this episode has exposed to a much broader audience what a hugely compromised and entirety untenable figure the current Chairman is, not to mention the highly questionable appointments in multiple other roles in the recent past.

 

[Blue and true]

Good to see (inserts applause emoji)

 

[blueparrot]

Regardless of what you think of Lineker's commentary...

I agree with the humanitarian posts he recently made on Twitter - however controversial.

Lineker was put into a very tough spot - speak up against abhorrent government policy as a citizen - in direct contradiction to the BBC's policy - or remain silent.

For what it's worth - I think that Lineker made the right decision - 100%.

And also for what it's worth - I think that the BBC was put in an extremely hard situation - due to its rigid policies.

Look - world politics are extremely divisive. Is it realistic that any organization demands - as a condition of employment - that you keep silent on all political matters - period! - I don't think that this is reasonable.

As an alternative - suppose the BBC had the policy in place that any political post made by one of its employees be accompanied by the following or similar some-such?:
"The following post is my own and reflects my personal opinion and has nothing whatsoever to do with the stance and opinion of my employer, the BBC."

The BBC policies aren’t rigid though, they had no reason to involve themselves.