My car was being serviced this morning so I was listening to Radio Five live on the way to the garage - to the Victoria Derbyshire phone in. The topic was the current situation in Lebanon.
I was stunned by the fact that caller after call was; a/Muslim and b/ Dripping in anti-Israeli propaganda, full of blood libels.
Israel was accused of every conceivable crime and not a bad word was spoken against Hezbollah. I heard ONE voice - an Englishman called John - who spoke solid sense but he was the only person who defended Israel during the 45 minutes I listened to this programme.
John alluded to the remarkably large number of pro-Jihad Muslims on the programme and accused the BBC of bias. Victoria answered by claiming that her programme reflected who was phoning in. The rest of those allowed on air were pro-Jihad and anti- Semites to the core. Radio 5 live is well know for it's liberal bias but listening to this programme was like listening to Radio Jihad. Worst of all, the British taxpayer is funding it.
David
Please have a look at:
http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/2006/07/milking-it.html
for an examination of misuse of photos
Posted by: Felix Quigley | July 31, 2006 at 12:10 PM
The researchers who answer the phones at BBC Five Live are biased and they cherry pick the callers they get back to and allow on the show. I've phoned in on 14 occasions to make points that differed from the majority of callers in the interests of balance.
However I was only called back once and having made my point they hung up on me so the guest in the studio could say "No I don't agree" without me being able to say why I thought his argument was flawed.
On one occasion I called in about Ken Livingstone meeting al-Qaradawi. When I explained what I wanted to say the researcher actually argued with me and said that al-Qaradawi was a mainstream muslim and how could I call him dangerous. Needless to say I did not get on.
Posted by: Tony | July 31, 2006 at 02:03 PM
Tony,
I have heard others claim that they have been given the exact same treatment by Five Live researchers, or Allah's little helpers as I see them.
Posted by: David Vance | July 31, 2006 at 02:13 PM
So we know what we have to do in order to air our views on the Beeb, then - pretend that you are a pro-jihadist, Israel-hating raving moonbat right up to the moment you are live on air. THEN and only then, say what you really want to say, and just try and get as much in as possible before they pull the plug on you.
It's the only way.
Posted by: Tom Tyler | July 31, 2006 at 02:24 PM
why dont you use a bit of snidey "taqiyya" style tactics,... and tell the phone researchers that you have lefty POV to air?..
Posted by: gudone | July 31, 2006 at 02:25 PM
sorry Tom! .. you beat me to it LoL
Posted by: | July 31, 2006 at 02:26 PM
* that was me!
Posted by: gudone | July 31, 2006 at 02:27 PM
If I want to hear a different point of view I turn over to Fox News. It would be great if we had a channel with a similar approach here in the UK. Maybe some day this will come about - but don't hold your breath whilst you wait
Posted by: Peter Turner | July 31, 2006 at 04:01 PM
Fox news is awful. Nothing to do with the political stance it takes, just the loud garish kaleidoscopic multi-coloured excitabilty of the whole channel. You wouldn't want to watch it with a hangover !
Posted by: Colm | July 31, 2006 at 04:10 PM
Colm, yes Fox News is loud and garish and not recommendesd for those with a hangover. It has far too many commercial breaks and could be much improved. However - it does present a right wing point of view which is a refreshing change from the constant left wing bias of the British Media.
Posted by: Peter Turner | July 31, 2006 at 07:00 PM
I think SKY news is much better. I don't think it is as left leaning as the BBC and I think it does a very professional job. I have been impressed by it's covereage of the current conflict, plus it's easier on the senses than FOX.
Posted by: Colm | August 01, 2006 at 09:53 AM