Post by Teddy Bear on Sept 2, 2011 21:13:12 GMT
Besides the article below from the Telegraph, the Daily Mail too elaborates on the subject. Some of the over 1000 comments posted on the Telegraph article tell of peoples own perceptions of BBC bias on the subject. Well worth a read.
UK riots: David Cameron attacks BBC and pledges more money for problem families
David Cameron has launched a strong attack on the BBC for advocating doing nothing in response to the riots as he pledged more money for problem families
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor
9:45AM BST 02 Sep 2011
The Prime Minister criticised the BBC for what he called trying to “mush” together the riots with other ills in society – such as the behaviour of bankers – and using it as an excuse to do nothing until all inequalities are addressed.
"There is a danger that when you listen to the BBC, there is a danger of trying to put these things into a great mush and make an excuse for not acting," he said.
"Some people almost say that until we deal with the problem of inequality in our society, there is nothing you can do to deal with rioting."
But a BBC spokesman dismissed the criticism, saying the corporation's coverage had been "impartial and balanced".
The Prime Minister also has said he will make enough funds available to ensure the deep-seated problems that caused last month’s riots are properly and effectively tackled.
He said he was in favour of “tough love” when trying to deal with the reasons behind the outbreak of violence and criminality which he described as “a wake up moment.”
In an interview, Mr Cameron said he had been talking about the “broken society” for six years and said it was now vital to push ahead with plans to change the way welfare benefits work, restore discipline in schools and ensure people understand that they have responsibilities.
He said that there was a “hardcore” element in the riots but also a number of people who simply “passed broken shop windows and just popped in and helped themselves.”
The Coalition has been attacked by Labour for talking about getting to grips with the social problems that helped fuel the riots, while cutting budgets to vital projects.
But Mr Cameron said he would ensure George Osborne, the Chancellor, had enough money to drive through the right policies.
He said: “The problem there are a number of people in our society that don’t have proper moral boundaries.”
Describing himself as a “commonsense Conservative,” Mr Cameron said he would sum up his approach to the problems as “tough love.”
He said for some people involved in the riots there “probably were failures in their backgrounds.” But he added that when people step out of line there needs to be tough punishments.
He said Theresa May, the Home Secretary, and Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, would be at the forefront of tackling the issues thrown up by the riots.
Mr Cameron also defended the Coalition’s defence review, arguing that the successful operation in Libya had not suffered because of cuts to capability.
He said: “I do not think we did suffer from not having an aircraft carrier.”
He said Britain was able to use bases in the Mediterranean and flew “20 per cent of the strike sorties” that helped advance the rebel cause in Libya and topple Gaddafi.
He added that Britain had “punched at or above its weight” and rejected criticisms that America now viewed Britain “as a weak ally.”
But the Prime Minister added: “In the West there is a danger of people taking too much credit. This is a victory for the Libyan people.”
Responding to his comments, a BBC spokesman said its coverage had been "impartial and balanced."
"The BBC's coverage and analysis of the recent riots endeavoured to explore all aspects, as our audiences would expect. We also sought to reflect a range of views as to the reasons behind the riots," he said.
"We are confident we did this in an impartial and balanced manner."
David Cameron has launched a strong attack on the BBC for advocating doing nothing in response to the riots as he pledged more money for problem families
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor
9:45AM BST 02 Sep 2011
The Prime Minister criticised the BBC for what he called trying to “mush” together the riots with other ills in society – such as the behaviour of bankers – and using it as an excuse to do nothing until all inequalities are addressed.
"There is a danger that when you listen to the BBC, there is a danger of trying to put these things into a great mush and make an excuse for not acting," he said.
"Some people almost say that until we deal with the problem of inequality in our society, there is nothing you can do to deal with rioting."
But a BBC spokesman dismissed the criticism, saying the corporation's coverage had been "impartial and balanced".
The Prime Minister also has said he will make enough funds available to ensure the deep-seated problems that caused last month’s riots are properly and effectively tackled.
He said he was in favour of “tough love” when trying to deal with the reasons behind the outbreak of violence and criminality which he described as “a wake up moment.”
In an interview, Mr Cameron said he had been talking about the “broken society” for six years and said it was now vital to push ahead with plans to change the way welfare benefits work, restore discipline in schools and ensure people understand that they have responsibilities.
He said that there was a “hardcore” element in the riots but also a number of people who simply “passed broken shop windows and just popped in and helped themselves.”
The Coalition has been attacked by Labour for talking about getting to grips with the social problems that helped fuel the riots, while cutting budgets to vital projects.
But Mr Cameron said he would ensure George Osborne, the Chancellor, had enough money to drive through the right policies.
He said: “The problem there are a number of people in our society that don’t have proper moral boundaries.”
Describing himself as a “commonsense Conservative,” Mr Cameron said he would sum up his approach to the problems as “tough love.”
He said for some people involved in the riots there “probably were failures in their backgrounds.” But he added that when people step out of line there needs to be tough punishments.
He said Theresa May, the Home Secretary, and Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, would be at the forefront of tackling the issues thrown up by the riots.
Mr Cameron also defended the Coalition’s defence review, arguing that the successful operation in Libya had not suffered because of cuts to capability.
He said: “I do not think we did suffer from not having an aircraft carrier.”
He said Britain was able to use bases in the Mediterranean and flew “20 per cent of the strike sorties” that helped advance the rebel cause in Libya and topple Gaddafi.
He added that Britain had “punched at or above its weight” and rejected criticisms that America now viewed Britain “as a weak ally.”
But the Prime Minister added: “In the West there is a danger of people taking too much credit. This is a victory for the Libyan people.”
Responding to his comments, a BBC spokesman said its coverage had been "impartial and balanced."
"The BBC's coverage and analysis of the recent riots endeavoured to explore all aspects, as our audiences would expect. We also sought to reflect a range of views as to the reasons behind the riots," he said.
"We are confident we did this in an impartial and balanced manner."