Was extreme right-wing BNP leader Nick Griffin’s appearance on the BBC’s Question Time a win for free speech or a loss for quality television? Guardian commentators and British MPs weigh in.
BBC
BBC’s Question Time gets Nicked with a reborn Alf Garnett
Despite 300 police holding back protesters and calls from politicians to ban him, the leader of the UK’s far-right British National Party, Nick Griffin, had his one-hour of fame when he appeared as a guest on BBC1’s prestigious Question Time.
Watch Griffin on Question Time
The Beeb has pre-released clips of BNP leader Nick Griffin’s controversial appearance on Question Time. Watch it here.
BBC puts “neo-fascist” BNP leader to air
Leader of the UK’s extreme right-wing British National Party, Nick Griffin, is appearing on the BBC’s Question Time (think Q&A with posher accents) today, and it’s causing quite a stink. Follow the fallout as it happens on the Guardian’s liveblog.
Why a Tory victory is just what Rupert wants
If the Conservative Party gain power in the UK, they will “rip up” the BBC’s royal charter, deregulating the TV industry to improve the market for commercial operators, according to the party’s shadow culture secretary.
The BBC questions global warming
The BBC’s Climate correspondent, Paul Hudson, has penned a controversial piece suggesting global warming stopped in 1998, and airing the views of climate sceptics. It’s a big u-turn on the Beeb’s usual line, and the fallout could get heavy.
Pay websites: Beeb gives News the bird
The BBC has given a two-fingered salute to Rupert Murdoch and son James’ self-interested push to charge for internet news websites.
Mark Scott: Why public broadcasting matters more than ever
ABC director Mark Scott has hit out at James Murdoch over his attack on the BBC, accusing him of wanting to “destroy the BBC as we know it” which would be a “tragedy”. Read the full speech here.
ABC chief bites back at Murdoch
ABC director Mark Scott has hit out at James Murdoch over his attack on the BBC, accusing him of wanting to “destroy the BBC as we know it” which would be a “tragedy”.
Wankley Awards: James “independent media” Murdoch
James Murdoch this week launched an attack on the BBC, announcing that it’s essential for the “future of independent digital journalism that a fair price can be charged for news to people who value it”. So, no free news allowed.
£60 biscuit jars and £50 socks: more BBC expense claims revealed
More expense claims by BBC executives have been published, including a £1579 Christmas dinner, £1000 for champagne and chocolates and a £59.95 biscuit jar.
No sex, please — we’re the BBC
The BBC usually reserve most of their smuttiest and sweariest content for after 9pm — but now they’re rethinking whether to broadcast it at all, following a survey that found many viewers were unhappy with the public broadcaster’s declining moral standards.
The BBC’s big spend
The BBC has published five years’ worth of expense claims made by its executive board members, totalling £363,963.83 and including a £100 bottle of champagne and a £500 handbag.
Computer says no: there’s little new in Digital Britain
Britain’s digital White Paper is by and large a patch up and an attempt to find the money to try and meet some of the high flying objectives.
Sod off Clarkson: BBC cash may go commercial
The BBC is fighting a rearguard action to keep its hands on its licence fee.
BBC stars take pay-cut
100 BBC television stars have been told to expect a pay cut of 25%-50% due to the worsening economic climate.
What the ABC can learn from the BBC over Chaser-gate
Last year, the BBC faced a similar situation to the one the ABC is in over the Chaser skit, and the repercussions are still being felt. No wonder the ABC are taking Chaser-gate so seriously.
Google and the Beeb get cosy
Old episodes of Are You Being Served could soon be migrating to YouTube, under a new deal between the BBC and Google.
Budget frenemies: our ABC and the film and TV industry
The ABC is, at one and the same time, the greatest friend of the Australian film and television industry, and one of its greatest enemies.
Media briefs: Fairfax: have sponsor, will travel
The Hun’s prejudicial murder framing … Seattle journos create their own news source … BBC reporter breaches rules on impartiality
Cuts keeping coming across the media
Odd how three separate Australian media companies have settled on the figure of 80% as the size of the cuts in their dividends or distributions to long suffering shareholders, writes Glenn Dyer.
UK media slashing jobs, looking to the future
The UK media is shedding jobs like the US banking sector. The future of the British media is beginning to emerge, writes Glenn Dyer .
Media briefs: Capital punishment for all the kids, Bud Light swear jar…
Capital punishment for all the kids… Herald Sun demonstrates hanging… Bud Light swear jar…
The ABC heavies and their $100,000 European vacation
While we cannot afford any new programs or production staff, we continue to send the senior executives on unnecessary and overpriced overseas junkets, writes ABC insider ‘David’.
Redefining the role of SBS in the digital revolution
During the Howard years, Australian media underwent a revolution, writes Bernard Keane.
