viewers hit out at lengthy coverage of poll tax and miners' strike after baroness thatcher's death
Post on 14-Apr-2018
221 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
1/13
Public anger at BBC bias: Viewers hit out at
lengthy coverage of poll tax and miners' strikeafter Baroness Thatcher's death
Viewers complain bulletins gave too great an emphasis to critics
Twitter users accuse BBC of 'shameless' bias against the former PM
One viewer said: 'You name the socialist, they've interviewed them'
Another said the coverage was 'an absolute Left-wing biased disgrace'
By Vanessa Allen and Alasdair Glennie
PUBLISHED: 22:24 GMT, 9 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:54 GMT, 9 April 2013
BBC Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie has been accused of Left-wing bias
The BBC was accused of 'disgraceful' bias yesterday over its coverage of Baroness Thatcher's death.
Angry viewers complained its news bulletins gave too great an emphasis to her critics and to controversies
such as the poll tax and the miners' strike.
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
2/13
Twitter users accused the BBC of 'shameless' bias against the former Prime Minister. The broadcaster also
faced criticism because newsreaders did not wear black ties following the announcement of her death.
During her 11 years as Prime Minister, Lady Thatcher made clear her dislike of those running the BBC and
complained about its 'Left-wing' bias.
In the hours following the announcement of her death, those feelings were echoed by many.
EF, London, declared: 'Shameless Marxist BBC, Ken Livingstone. Tony Benn. You name the socialist, they've
interviewed them to try and ruin the memory of this great lady.'Paul Wells said: 'The BBC 10 o'clock news coverage of Baroness Thatcher's death is an absolute Left-wing
biased disgrace . . . I want a TV licence refund now!'
'Baroness Thatcher a great leader of 20th Century, BBC brings on the haters and emphasises insignificant
disturbances. Angry about the bias,' tweeted Bazee@Bazee.
Ken Scott claimed: 'BBC News showing their left-wing credentials by dragging a load of Thatcher haters out
for interview. All of them waste-of-time has-beens!'
Chris Latimer tweeted: 'I am beginning to see the point of view of those who think the #bbc is Left-wing. Their
coverage of Thatcher's death has been disgraceful.'
Concern over the BBC coverage was also reflected on Mail Online, where Jiminy posted: 'The BBC allowed a
union spokesman to be broadcast on Radio 2 news this evening saying that no tears would be shed in the
North East following Margaret Thatcher's death.
'I consider this to be the most cynical, nasty thing the BBC has allowed to be broadcast in many years. I will be
writing to complain. Sickened.'
There was also criticism that TV anchors failed to show sufficient respect. Huw Edwards, who was presenting
a programme on Lady Thatcher on both the BBC News Channel and BBC One, was among those who did not
wear a black tie.
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
3/13
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
4/13
Prime Minister David Cameron makes a live speech on BBC News outside number 10
Downing Street on the death of Lady Baroness Margaret Thatcher
Paul Wells said: 'The BBC 10 o'clock news coverage of Baroness Thatcher's death is an
absolute Left-wing biased disgrace. I want a TV licence refund now!'
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
5/13
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher shows emotion as she leaves a service of
remembrance for her late husband Sir Denis Thatcher who died in June 2003
One Twitter user said: 'Would it be too much for the BBC news readers to put on a black tie and show some
respect!?'
Another user, MediaUK.com managing director James Cridland, tweeted: 'No black tie for BBC News Channel
presenter? Surprising.'
However, other users noted that BBC presenter Mark Mardell was wearing a black tie, whereas Sky's Adam
Boulton was not.
A BBC spokesman said he could not comment on whether there was any policy regarding black ties, but
added: 'The guidance is to dress as appropriate, to dress soberly.'
The BBC News website made an embarrassing gaffe when it reported briefly that Lady Thatcher had died
following a 'strike' rather than a stroke.
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
6/13
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
7/13
Huw Edwards was among those who did not wear a black tie while reporting the news for
the BBC
One of Thatcher's arch critics - former Labour MP Tony Benn - was one of the first invited
to speak on BBC 5 Live and BBC World Service. Mr Benn is pictured here with miners'
leader Arthur Scargill (centre) in 1984
One Twitter user complained: 'Typical BBC left left left! The sooner the TV tax is abolished the sooner we can
consign the Labour Broadcasting Company to the bin. This was no typo.'
The BBC also invited Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to give his views within hours of her death.
Speaking on the BBC World Service, he said: 'Working-class communities in Ireland were devastated by
Thatcherism. . . her draconian policies prolonged the war here, she is most famously remembered for the
1980s hunger strikes.'
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
8/13
The BBC also invited Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to give his views within hours of her
death
Critics said it was 'disrespectful' to air an interview with Mr Adams on the day of Lady Thatcher's death, given
that the IRA tried to kill the former Prime Minister.
Tory MP Ben Wallace said: 'I think it's disrespectful to give such a significant amount of coverage to a man
who belongs to an organisation which tried to murder her.'
One of Thatcher's arch critics former Labour MP Tony Benn was one of the first invited to speak on BBC 5
Live and BBC World Service and was given free rein to criticise Lady Thatcher.
He said: 'Margaret Thatcher taught us the meaning of class war, we have paid a very heavy price for it.
'She used the power she had to make war on the miners and the trade union movement . . . and it was a very
divisive period as Prime Minister, but you have to recognise that was what she believed and that meant she
was not just fooling and she did in a sense open up the meaning of the phrase 'class war as she used her
power to make war on trade unions and the majority of the population.'
A BBC spokesman said: 'The death of Baroness Thatcher was a big breaking story of considerable interest to
our audiences.
'BBC News sensitively and respectfully reported the story as news of the death broke and continues to provide
extensive coverage and analysis across TV, radio and online featuring a range of voices and opinions.' On the
use of the word 'strike' instead of 'stroke', the spokesman said: 'This was an error which was quickly
corrected.'
* An Irish cricketer has apologised after tweeting that he hoped Lady Thatcher's death had been 'slow
and painful'.
All-rounder John Mooney, who scored the winning runs in Ireland's historic win over England at the
2011 Cricket World Cup, has deleted the message.
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
9/13
Yesterday he used his Twitter account to apologise, saying: 'I would like to apologise to anyone that I
upset.'
MAILONLINE & DAILY MAIL CAMPAIGN: HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
If you believe Lady Thatcher deserves a state funeral, and want the Government to
know, sign this online petition and submit it to us. We will pass it to the Prime Minister'soffice at 10 Downing Street
Name
Email
Telephone Number
Address
Submit
MOST READ NEWS
Previous
1
2
3
Next
The flames of hatred: 30 years of loathing for Baroness...
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
10/13
North Korea to 'launch missile TODAY' after warning...
Public anger at BBC bias: Viewers hit out at lengthy...
'I give up! I give up!': Dramatic moment heroic students...
'Placid' Jack Russell fatally bit week-old baby in the head...
Scotland still expects the Bank of England to bail them out...
'My parents are coming today, can you please wear pants all...
The one agonising battle even she could not win: How the...
Foul-mouthed crime tsar QUITS her 15,000-a-year youth...
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
11/13
Why wasn't she jailed? Brave female victim of woman who...
Weaned on the Beeb's hatred, no wonder the young rejoice at...
Grieving Mark and Carol fly in from Barbados and Switzerland...
Comments (148)
Newest
Oldest
Best rated
Worst rated
View all
Channel 4 news was/is just as bad. Jon Snow didn't even try to hide his left wing bias.
- Bernard , Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 10/4/2013 02:13
Click to rate Rating (0)
Report abuse
This is why I do not own a TV or pay the TV tax. The BBC is merely a socialist propaganda machine and should not be funded by
taxpayer's money. Privatise it or better still close it down and turn their new offices into housing.
- Serfer Dude , Chavtown EUSSR, United Kingdom, 10/4/2013 02:11
Click to rate Rating (0)
Report abuse
I am sick of the BBC left wing bias, I will be stopping my licence fee. Why should I pay for something that doesn't give a balance
view and is strongly one sided. When most of the people stop paying it will have to shut down.
- Maggie , Cheshire, United Kingdom, 10/4/2013 02:09
Click to rate Rating (0)
Report abuse
How can you say that Naughtie is biased? During one election he was talking about how many more seats 'we' need to get to
win...... haha forgot himself There is nothing wrong with him having a Labour leaning but the program makers need to balance the
presentations...... and not just have Labour reporters giving their views..... of course there probably aren't any right wingers in the
BBC, for which management should hold their heads in shame
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
12/13
- Tesa , Dorchester, United Kingdom, 10/4/2013 02:09
Click to rate Rating (0)
Report abuse
I wonder if Margaret Thatcher had been a male prime minister, on his death, would there have been all this controversy?
- EastickGirl , Adelaide, Australia, 10/4/2013 02:06
Click to rate Rating (0)
Report abuse
I was thinking this but thought I was paranoid, they lady had just died and hours laer they rounded up all the people they could find to
slag her off. Childish!
- NeverPrint MyComment , Fedupsville, United Kingdom, 10/4/2013 02:04
Click to rate Rating (0)
Report abuse
The B.B.C. biased, now who would have thought that .
- expat , auckland, 10/4/2013 01:47
Click to rate Rating 52
Report abuse
Pot. Kettle. Black! Yesterday I counted 18, yes 18 different pro-Thatcher articles on DM. In fact, I had to scroll 2/3 of the way down
the Home page before I got past them.
- Totoro , London, United Kingdom, 10/4/2013 01:46
Click to rate Rating 27
Report abuse
A nuclear war about to kick off and THIS is your lead article????
- atwbaker , Exeter, 10/4/2013 01:43
Click to rate Rating 19
Report abuse
I felt all TV news overused this story. There are many other things and all they do is talk about the death. It is a tragedy but it wasn't
the ONLY thing happening on Monday surely.
- Noodle Doodle , Noodle Town, 10/4/2013 01:41
Click to rate Rating 21
Report abuse
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
-
7/30/2019 Viewers Hit Out at Lengthy Coverage of Poll Tax and Miners' Strike After Baroness Thatcher's Death
13/13
Associated Newspapers Ltd
top related