Ministry of Truth? (view from Siberia)

[lirmak]

Reading the messages in this forum it may seem that UK is already
Airstrip One and BBC is the Ministry of Truth (G. Orwell)

I lived both under the communist rule and in Putin's Russia so my general impression about "Biased BBC" is the following: some people have daily only bread, others can afford butter, chosen few even caviar. The caviar-eaters are not happy about the product's quality (too salty etc) so they discuss the shortcomings of the industry.

For me BBC World now is 50% of all video information I could watch without disgust. Another 50% comes from CNN. Both channels come through the dish on my roof.

Since the beginning of Iraq war I keep recording the world events. There are already 7000 files in my collection. Probably I am blind or my senses are damaged by "hunger" (see above) but I did not notice any "BBC bias".

What I really feel is that when I want straight and honest viepoint I switch from BBC to CNN but when I expect the touch of intellect I go back to BBC.

I envy you guys who can discuss the "bias".
In my country to discuss "bias" is to discuss news.

[steevo]

Maybe you should read the articles here and elsewhere of bias, manipulation and raw propaganda. Is there reasoning and logic you don't understand? Don't claim to be more qualified... If anything, with your sense of reference you may be less. It may surprise you to know that when pressed, even BBC have admitted being leftist. Former long-time BBC members have been extremely critical.

[Teddy Bear]

Welcome lirmak and thanks for your observations and comparisons. I guess it shows that everything is relative. Coming from a society that has a recognized HEAVY propaganda machine I can understand where you might find the BBC and CNN a 'breath of fresh air'.

As far as bias goes, there's very little difference between BBC and CNN, but you could decide to listen to FOX for an alternative view that might challenge you previously held perceptions.

Think about this - if you're used to butter, then you will not be happy when somebody sells you margerine masquerading as butter. In these days when information is so easily available, the real intent of so called news agencies is readily apparent.

[lirmak]

Thank you people for your reaction.
Maybe you are right. Someone in a free society must watch carefully its foundations and find the first cracks in democracy.
Both BBC and CNN since the beginning of the crisis started to show programs where the word
"regulation" was the dearest one. The new US president shakes hands with terrible dictators discussing the "new world order". I have participated in BBC "breakfast" program where I have expressed my concern and recommended the Europeans to read "1984" and "The road to serfdom" one more time. BBC was not so interested in these ideas.

[Teddy Bear]

I can easily believe that the BBC don't want to be identified with 1984, it describes them perfectly which is why we also refer to them as Big Brother Coverage