Has the BBC become a Tory tool?

[Pingu the Penguin]

The real scandal here is his wage for MOTD.....

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

We agree in terms of he shouldn't have gone near the reference unless he could qualify them.

And certainly when he has already been warned about him making political statements on a medium such as Twitter.

There's a clear double standard from the BBC though - Alan Sugar has been far more explicit in his political views on Twitter (not to mention his racism), but he's not attacked the government, only the opposition.

Between this and the decision not to broadcast an Attenborough documentary because of concerns it would upset Tory MPs, it's obvious that the BBC is unable to operate independently from the government.

 

[Charlesfarsbar]

Lineker can't say the same. That's the point. He's been warned plenty of times re his Twitter.

A Holocaust survivor has experience and gravitas on the subject.

Lineker has neither.

Everyone has a duty to call out this type of language and no one should be castigated for doing so

The road of the Nazi‘s rise to power was pathed by people turning a blind eye and shrugging their shoulders

They are a warning from history that we don’t ever make the same mistakes again

Lineker has the platform to bring this to the attention of people who would normally not be interested in politics , well done him

 

[Zinchilla]

We agree in terms of he shouldn't have gone near the reference unless he could qualify them.

And certainly when he has already been warned about him making political statements on a medium such as Twitter.

Fair point, and that’s the whole point of Twitter (bloody awful place), short, sharp comments without long context just raise the temperature. It’s why Delaney loves the place!
And if he has already been warned - and I‘ve no idea if he has - then he’ll have to take the consequences. But as ever there doesn’t seem to be a level playing field in this country - pile ons ensue if it’s the wrong voice saying an inconvenient truth.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

The real scandal here is his wage for MOTD.....

Yes. Outrageous amount of money for being an arrogant tosser.

 

[WestGorton]

Everyone has a duty to call out this type of language and no one should be castigated for doing so

The Nazi‘s rise to power was pathed by people turning a blind eye and shrugging their shoulders

They are a warning from history that we don’t ever make the same mistakes again

Lineker has the platform to bring this to the attention of people who would normally not be interested in politics , well done him

Absolutely

 

[blueish swede]

He chose to go down the Nazi/Holocaust route, always a bad move that never ends well and maybe now he'll think before he goes trawling for likes and retweets.

#Stayinyourlane

#Sutor ne ultra crepidam

You are Apelles of Kos and I claim my 5 drachma.

 

[pee dubya]

What a lot of shit.

Whatever his motivation or hypocrisy, the guy should be allowed to express his opinion on his personal social media accounts.

The impartiality angle might have case if he presented a political show. He doesn't though.

 

[Beaker]

Whether or not you agree with what Gary Lineker tweeted, there’s something a bit disconcerting about him effectively standing down because he took an anti government stance when the BBC’s own chairman is a known Conservative donor.

 

[hcblue95]

Look peeps, it simple...

Had Linekar said this whilst employed by only Sky, BT Sport etc, they'd be no issue.

Buuuuuuuuuut, he IS employed by the BBC, a taxpayer funded institution that expects all its representatives, in every form of media, to be impartial. Its no different to bringing the company you work for into disrepute for comments made on social media. Of course he's entitled to his opinion, but not whilst employed by an impartial, taxpayer funded institution.

Agree or disagree with his comments makes no difference here. He is representing the BBC, which is not meant to have any opinion for or against due to the nature of how it is funded, otherwise the 'impartial BBC' would be accused and seen as siding with a particular point of view, which it's not allowed to. He's broken that commitment and so is being "spoken to".

If anyone has any issues with any BBC representative for their comments, Kuenssberg, Bruce, et al, you have to make those complaints, not expect the BBC to take action themselves. And remember, there are no 'free speech laws' in the UK.

It's obviously not that simple because you are wrong.