Post by Teddy Bear on Feb 19, 2011 18:02:17 GMT
Recently, Jeremy Hunt criticised the BBC and accused them of 'institutional bias'..
I don't know what particular part of their bias he is aware of, as he only referred at the time to the fact that most BBC staff are Labour or Lib-Dem supporters, and then criticised them for airing the FIFA scandal just prior to their decision on who would host the World Cup, which was felt scuppered British chances.
Having now announced that Chris Patten is most likely to take over from Michael Lyons as Head of the BBC Trust, it makes me think that Hunt must be one of the most ignorant and impotent Culture Secretary's imaginable.
Of all the areas a Conservative could find the BBC guilty of bias then one would imagine their perceived priority to redress it would be
1. Anti -Tory / pro-Labour
2. Pro-EU
3. Pro-Immigration
4. Anti-Cuts as imposed by the Tories
5. Anti special relationship with USA except as bestowed by Obama.
6. Anti Iraq War
6. Anti Israel - pro militant Muslims
So picking Chris Patten, who was described in the Guardian in 2005 as being Less Tory than Tony Blair, who openly criticised George Bush and the 'special relationship', then European Commissioner for external relations, clearly favouring our EU status, opposed the Iraq War, and is President of Medical Aid for Palestinians, would seem like a very poor thought out choice to counter this bias.
In fact, now the BBC can pursue their bias and point out to their detractors that it is a Tory that oversees them, so how can they be left wing biased?
Seems that Hunt has played right in to their hands.
I think the mis-pronouncement made of his name a few weeks by some BBC presenters, putting a C in front of his name, were not wide of the mark.
What a jerk.
I don't know what particular part of their bias he is aware of, as he only referred at the time to the fact that most BBC staff are Labour or Lib-Dem supporters, and then criticised them for airing the FIFA scandal just prior to their decision on who would host the World Cup, which was felt scuppered British chances.
Having now announced that Chris Patten is most likely to take over from Michael Lyons as Head of the BBC Trust, it makes me think that Hunt must be one of the most ignorant and impotent Culture Secretary's imaginable.
Of all the areas a Conservative could find the BBC guilty of bias then one would imagine their perceived priority to redress it would be
1. Anti -Tory / pro-Labour
2. Pro-EU
3. Pro-Immigration
4. Anti-Cuts as imposed by the Tories
5. Anti special relationship with USA except as bestowed by Obama.
6. Anti Iraq War
6. Anti Israel - pro militant Muslims
So picking Chris Patten, who was described in the Guardian in 2005 as being Less Tory than Tony Blair, who openly criticised George Bush and the 'special relationship', then European Commissioner for external relations, clearly favouring our EU status, opposed the Iraq War, and is President of Medical Aid for Palestinians, would seem like a very poor thought out choice to counter this bias.
In fact, now the BBC can pursue their bias and point out to their detractors that it is a Tory that oversees them, so how can they be left wing biased?
Seems that Hunt has played right in to their hands.
I think the mis-pronouncement made of his name a few weeks by some BBC presenters, putting a C in front of his name, were not wide of the mark.
What a jerk.
Chris Patten to be new BBC chairman
Lord Patten of Barnes, the Tory grandee and last governor of Hong Kong, is to be appointed the new chairman of the BBC.
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor 4:43PM GMT 18 Feb 2011
A former chairman of the Conservative party, he has got the vital backing from David Cameron to take over from Sir Michael Lyons as head of the BBC Trust.
The appointment comes at a highly sensitive time for the corporation and will mark a return of a Tory to the top of the BBC after successive chairmen who were deemed close to Labour.
Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, who made the recommendation to No10 after interviewing candidates, told the Prime Minister that Lord Patten was “head and shoulders” above the other candidates.
Mr Hunt believes that Lord Patten will be able to stand up to the BBC over controversial aspects of its running including senior salaries and expenses. He has experience of dealing with highly-charged political issues and has a reputation for being strong-willed, a senior Culture Department source said, a clear reference to the Government's wish that the new chairman stands up to Mark Thompson, the director general.
The source added: “It was felt that at this time the BBC needed strong leadership and someone who has dealt with difficult issues before.”
The Tory peer beat Sir Richard Lambert, the former head of the CBI, and Dame Patricia Hodgson, a long time BBC trustee to the post. He will earn £110,000
Lord Patten’s appointment will not be welcomed by all his fellow Conservatives at Westminster however. He is considered of the left of the party, “a wet,” and too pro-European for many having worked in Brussels as a commissioner.
But Labour also raised questions about the likely appointment.
Ivan Lewis, shadow secretary of culture, media and sport, said: “The test of the new trust chairman - Chris Patton or otherwise - is whether he is willing to stand up for the BBC in the face of instinctive hostility from many Tories including (Jeremy) Hunt and (David) Cameron.
“He will also have to be strong enough to ensure accountability and transparency from BBC executives as crucial decisions are made about the corporation’s future.”
Mr Cameron is likely to announce his backing for Mr Patten next week. Next month, the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee will hold a pre-appointment hearing for Lord Patten and will issue a report. However, it is highly unlikely that the committee would come out against the new chairman.
Lord Patten lost his Commons seat, in Bath, in 1992 despite being credited, as party chairman, with delivering the surprise general election for John Major.
He was rewarded by the former prime minister who appointed him governor of Hong Kong. He was given the task of managing the handover of the colony to China in 1997.
During that period in Hong Kong his aide was Ed Llewellyn, who is now Mr Cameron’s chief of staff and one of his closest advisers. That link is likely to cause concern among some at the BBC who believe the Prime Minister is intent squeezing the corporation hard during his time at No10.
Two years after the Hon Kong handover Lord Patten took over from Leon Brittan as European Commissioner for external relations, serving a full five year term. He was then made a life peer in 2005.
He has been Chancellor of University of Oxford for the past seven years.
Lord Patten of Barnes, the Tory grandee and last governor of Hong Kong, is to be appointed the new chairman of the BBC.
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor 4:43PM GMT 18 Feb 2011
A former chairman of the Conservative party, he has got the vital backing from David Cameron to take over from Sir Michael Lyons as head of the BBC Trust.
The appointment comes at a highly sensitive time for the corporation and will mark a return of a Tory to the top of the BBC after successive chairmen who were deemed close to Labour.
Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, who made the recommendation to No10 after interviewing candidates, told the Prime Minister that Lord Patten was “head and shoulders” above the other candidates.
Mr Hunt believes that Lord Patten will be able to stand up to the BBC over controversial aspects of its running including senior salaries and expenses. He has experience of dealing with highly-charged political issues and has a reputation for being strong-willed, a senior Culture Department source said, a clear reference to the Government's wish that the new chairman stands up to Mark Thompson, the director general.
The source added: “It was felt that at this time the BBC needed strong leadership and someone who has dealt with difficult issues before.”
The Tory peer beat Sir Richard Lambert, the former head of the CBI, and Dame Patricia Hodgson, a long time BBC trustee to the post. He will earn £110,000
Lord Patten’s appointment will not be welcomed by all his fellow Conservatives at Westminster however. He is considered of the left of the party, “a wet,” and too pro-European for many having worked in Brussels as a commissioner.
But Labour also raised questions about the likely appointment.
Ivan Lewis, shadow secretary of culture, media and sport, said: “The test of the new trust chairman - Chris Patton or otherwise - is whether he is willing to stand up for the BBC in the face of instinctive hostility from many Tories including (Jeremy) Hunt and (David) Cameron.
“He will also have to be strong enough to ensure accountability and transparency from BBC executives as crucial decisions are made about the corporation’s future.”
Mr Cameron is likely to announce his backing for Mr Patten next week. Next month, the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee will hold a pre-appointment hearing for Lord Patten and will issue a report. However, it is highly unlikely that the committee would come out against the new chairman.
Lord Patten lost his Commons seat, in Bath, in 1992 despite being credited, as party chairman, with delivering the surprise general election for John Major.
He was rewarded by the former prime minister who appointed him governor of Hong Kong. He was given the task of managing the handover of the colony to China in 1997.
During that period in Hong Kong his aide was Ed Llewellyn, who is now Mr Cameron’s chief of staff and one of his closest advisers. That link is likely to cause concern among some at the BBC who believe the Prime Minister is intent squeezing the corporation hard during his time at No10.
Two years after the Hon Kong handover Lord Patten took over from Leon Brittan as European Commissioner for external relations, serving a full five year term. He was then made a life peer in 2005.
He has been Chancellor of University of Oxford for the past seven years.