Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 21, 2012 23:45:42 GMT
DB and Craig over at the new site for what used to be Biased BBC Blogspot, but is now just Biased BBC, have picked up various Tweets by World Affairs producer Stuart Hughes, to show how he uses the power he wields at the BBC to further any cause he feels worthy.
The first has to do with comments made by John Griffin, London mini-cab boss of Addison Lee, about cyclists.
Reading the BBC article, which Hughes actually wrote, as to what the Addison Lee boss said, I fail to find anything inflammatory, despite his own admission that ‘it might have been’.
“[Cyclists] leap onto a vehicle which offers them no protection except a padded plastic hat.”
…cyclists were “throwing themselves onto some of the most congested spaces in the world”.
YUP!
“The influx of beginner cyclists is going to lead to an overall increase in accidents involving cyclists,” he said.
Probably!
Both cyclists and motorists have a responsibility to use the roads safely”
“The rest of us occupying this road space have had to undergo extensive training. We are sitting inside a protected space with impact bars and air bags and paying extortionate amounts of taxes on our vehicle purchase, parking, servicing, insurance and road tax.
“It is time for us to say to cyclists: ‘You want to join our gang, get trained and pay up.’”
“Contrary to what has been reported, at no point did I suggest that motorists are never to blame,” he said.
“Both cyclists and motorists have a responsibility to use the roads safely.”
What he’s stated are simple facts. The only thing I can see that can cause a reaction is that cyclists should be trained, and pay some sort of tax.
What's wrong with that?
In Denmark infractions committed by cyclists involve them having points added on their driving licence.
However, the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has taken umbrage at his remarks, accusing him
To me this is absurd, and the story actually suggests that it is the LCC that’s acting irresponsibly. Looking at their website, where they seem to want any and all other traffic to cease travel, to give themselves the freedom to move without fear, I can see why they would be favoured by the BBC, along with the many other stupid causes they promote to make themselves appear caring and concerned for the 'underdog'.
Anyway, Hughes has now launched a 'Boycott Addison Lee' campaign and is (ab)using his BBC status to promote it, completely in defiance of the BBC. charter.
Now it's also revealed that he'd also launched another campaign when he discovered that he would be charged £200 for the Olympic torch that he was picked to carry in the torch relay, and also (ab)using his BBC powers to raise an outcry.
While doing a little research of my own on Hughes I came across this piece by him concerning Robert Fisk of the Independent.
Fisked' by the international press corps
What struck me was the acknowledgement that Fisk was a fierce anti-Israel and anti-US figure, but the praise heaped on him, even within a left-wing self-righteous disagreement, shows that his opinion is the one that the BBC caters to and regenerates.
He must be aware of the criticism of Fisk for his 'anti-Zionist views, but makes no attempt to 'distance' himself from them, making himself JUST THE SAME.
But after all these years monitoring BBC bias, I'm hardly surprised, this is just to show how blatantly and carelessly they give themselves away.
The first has to do with comments made by John Griffin, London mini-cab boss of Addison Lee, about cyclists.
Reading the BBC article, which Hughes actually wrote, as to what the Addison Lee boss said, I fail to find anything inflammatory, despite his own admission that ‘it might have been’.
“[Cyclists] leap onto a vehicle which offers them no protection except a padded plastic hat.”
…cyclists were “throwing themselves onto some of the most congested spaces in the world”.
YUP!
“The influx of beginner cyclists is going to lead to an overall increase in accidents involving cyclists,” he said.
Probably!
Both cyclists and motorists have a responsibility to use the roads safely”
“The rest of us occupying this road space have had to undergo extensive training. We are sitting inside a protected space with impact bars and air bags and paying extortionate amounts of taxes on our vehicle purchase, parking, servicing, insurance and road tax.
“It is time for us to say to cyclists: ‘You want to join our gang, get trained and pay up.’”
“Contrary to what has been reported, at no point did I suggest that motorists are never to blame,” he said.
“Both cyclists and motorists have a responsibility to use the roads safely.”
What he’s stated are simple facts. The only thing I can see that can cause a reaction is that cyclists should be trained, and pay some sort of tax.
What's wrong with that?
In Denmark infractions committed by cyclists involve them having points added on their driving licence.
However, the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has taken umbrage at his remarks, accusing him
"Mr Griffin's article is only likely to incite his 3,500 drivers to behave even more irresponsibly, putting the safety of the hundreds of thousands of Londoners who cycle daily at even greater risk."
"It's hard to see how the government departments and corporate clients that currently use Addison Lee services can continue to do so without appearing to condone the chairman's complete disregard for cyclist safety."
To me this is absurd, and the story actually suggests that it is the LCC that’s acting irresponsibly. Looking at their website, where they seem to want any and all other traffic to cease travel, to give themselves the freedom to move without fear, I can see why they would be favoured by the BBC, along with the many other stupid causes they promote to make themselves appear caring and concerned for the 'underdog'.
Anyway, Hughes has now launched a 'Boycott Addison Lee' campaign and is (ab)using his BBC status to promote it, completely in defiance of the BBC. charter.
Now it's also revealed that he'd also launched another campaign when he discovered that he would be charged £200 for the Olympic torch that he was picked to carry in the torch relay, and also (ab)using his BBC powers to raise an outcry.
While doing a little research of my own on Hughes I came across this piece by him concerning Robert Fisk of the Independent.
Fisked' by the international press corps
What struck me was the acknowledgement that Fisk was a fierce anti-Israel and anti-US figure, but the praise heaped on him, even within a left-wing self-righteous disagreement, shows that his opinion is the one that the BBC caters to and regenerates.
He must be aware of the criticism of Fisk for his 'anti-Zionist views, but makes no attempt to 'distance' himself from them, making himself JUST THE SAME.
But after all these years monitoring BBC bias, I'm hardly surprised, this is just to show how blatantly and carelessly they give themselves away.