A reader alerts me to Nick Robinson's latest post on his blog, which appears to have a bit of a go at me. I think. He's written a piece which appears to dimiss the latest brou-ha-ha about Prescott as a bit of a storm in a tea-cup. He then writes this...
Incidentally, this is another example of some blogs trying to make the political weather. First, they demand to know why the mainstream media - and, in particular, the BBC - are not covering an alleged "scandal". Then they report unsubstantiated allegations which have been denied by those involved, which some newspapers then report as second hand news.
Let's be clear. This isn't because they are better journalists, free from censorship. They often have a political agenda. This is a political phenomenon copied from the United States where the Swift Boat Veterans were used to damage John Kerry. Here's proof, from my old friend Iain Dale - a former Tory candidate and chief of staff in David Davis's leadership campaign who chivvied the mainstream media for not covering the story of Cherie Blair signing the Hutton report to raise funds at an auction. This entry on his blog is titled It's Up to the Blogs to Make it Hit the Fan.
It's interesting he quotes the last link, which is my post which encouraged the mainstream media to take up the issue of Cherie signing the Hutton Report. Well I think that could be described as mission accomplished! At least four political editors tell me that if it hadn't been for me writing that no one would have taken it further. The story dominated the political headlines for the next three days. It is as natural as light following day for blogs to write in more hardline terms than political journalists do. And there's no reason why the likes of Tim, Guido and myself shouldn't hype something when we feel the media are deliberately avoiding an issue for whatever reason. If it occasionally stirs people into action, so much the better.
28 comments:
Typical of a BBC hack. They only have one view of the world and it is distorted by their lieberal arrogance! They can't report the truth because they don't know or care what it is! PS If the 'Swifties' were lying why didn't Kerry sue. Clue: They weren't.
Maybe he's just jealous?
His blog is shit and I wonder how much it costs us, the TV licence payer, each year to run?
I think he is having a go at Guido by proxy mate!!! To maintain his impartialty he has sighted you or he is being cunning as you advised about Mr P's outing by Guido and the naming of certain individuals! That way he cannot say he is directing or endoursing guido's site and the information within in it!
I note that the piece in question contains 10 lines on Prescott and 15 lines on blogs.
A dummy's guide. Quite.
Pretty obvious the blogging is working then if Robinson feels it necessary to defend himself and the BBC whilst attacking those such as yourself and Guido.
His description of the stories being unsubstantiated allegations holds no weight either, the whole lobby knows about Rosie and have done for a while. If he knows about it and doesn't report it he only has himself to blame when blogs act to replace his censored claptrap.
To answer your question Iain, he's missed the point. But critical comments of his coverage seem to struggle to make it to be published on his blog. I've tried twice to be critical (not posted) and once to praise (posted).
What is actually happening, Iain, is the mainstream media are starting to kick-up as they realise their ability to manipulate the news and set their own (often politically driven) agenda is being erroded by the growth of blogging. Keep it up!
Quite right Iain. To judge by most of the comments posted on Nick R's blog relating to this story most people agree with you.
his comment about people with political agenda's made me laugh.
kettle and pot come's to mind.
Without Blogs we'd all be at the mercy of high powered spin and rebuttal party machines, politicians who just tell us what we want to hear, and the media outlets who own there long term future to the government or the a certain naturalised American citizen.
Nicks a little tetchy although he's right to point out some of the issues about current affair (no *Prescott* sorry pun intended) related blogs.
Nick R is so sensitive! Correct me if I am wrong but did he not admit to being the only political reporter who did not know Prescott was having an affair when the first story broke!! The truth is he does not want to piss off NuLab again after Cameron quoted him at PMQs last week.
"unsubstantiated allegations which have been denied by those involved" - gosh, I remember when Nick Robinson was a proper journalist who investigated things and didn't believe every word NuLab uttered.
But does he?
He didn't cover Cherie signing & Labour auctioning the Hiutton report, said the original Prescott allegations (I mean Tracey Temple, know it's hard to keep up there's so many) were "a bolt from the blue" when it appeared the whole of Westminster had known for ages, and in general, seems quite willing to accept any old crap NuLab care to shove his way.
Sad when a man sells his soul.
I despise the BBC but I think Nick Robinson does a decent enough job. Unfortunately, his bosses dance to Labour's tune and presumably, right now, that is to safeguard Prescott's position at all costs.
But on this issue I think there's more out there. A lot more than we know right now. So from the point of view of yourself and Conservative Home, you should pursue it until you're blue in the face.
Which you will be if Prescott gets hold of you!
He's just smarting because everyone was slagging him off in Guido's comment section. You just keep doing what you do Iain!
If you're upsetting the BBC you must be doing something right. Keep up the good work.
Incidentally I love the inference in his piece that the BBC doesn't have an 'agenda'.
Blogs like this are the way of the future. The point is that almost anyone can write a blog and so for every blog with an agenda there will be others without it or even against it.
Nick appears upset that this new found freedom, which has given the public quick and fast access to almost every newsworthy event (and quite a few that aren't newsworthy), also allows the public to very easily deduce Nick's own agenda from the stories he chooses to report.
This is one of 2 things:
1 Young Nicholas actually believes the opposite and is pissed off with the al-Beeb thought police who control him and what can say. This is a Soviet ere style response to state his real views
2 He does believe it and is clearly a lot more stupid than he thinks he is
Given that Trevor Kav blabbed about Prescotts multiple affairs months ago on the BBC, where is the follow up by the BBC
A minor point but Robinson does refer to you as an 'old friend'. Setting aside the implicit agism of the remark, do you really need friends like that?
The BBC doesn't have a political agenda of course...
Storm in a D-cup?
Another grotesquely idle and biased lump of Mainstream Media deadwood starts to feel the chill winds of competition...of course he's going to welcome it about as much as a French farmer would the latest GATT round..!
Looks like Robinson is suffering a right old collective fisking in the comments section.....
"Then they report unsubstantiated allegations which have been denied by those involved."
NR and the Beeb (and the dead tree press) carry on sourcing their 'usual channels', blithely unaware that they are learning relatively less and less. The BBC R4 'World Tonight' interview last night was a perfect example of how a pro-Prezza spinner can run rings round even an experienced old hand like Robin Lustig. The BBC journo then interviewed kept talking about the 'the Conservative Opposition' as if this is a straight party-political squall.
Do bloggers such as ourselves really have a right-wing political agenda as NR suggests? Seems more like a growing public demand for accountability from the whole pack of unprecedentedly highly-paid tax-funded politicos - something no journalist seems to care about. Our anger (which I can recall used to be called 'left-wing'!) is if anything cross- or non- or even anti-party. The cosy club of 'professional' journalists is terrified, as bloggers no longer trust 'reporters' or 'Opposition' to sort things out.
(With apols for length.)
To be fair to the Beeb, on R4's PM programme the refreshing Eddie Mair tore into Prezza's Snapes-person with a pair of forceps: he even got Snape to admit that it was the 'media pressure' that forced JP to register his visit as private, opening up scope for a parliamentary investigation.
That's useful to know...
Nick Robinson has actually done me a favour (and I suspect a favour for a number of other readers of his blog) - he has pointed me at your blog :-)
I am also now aware of Guido's blog (now found via a quick google search).
Maybe Nick had special reasons for complaining about these blogs - to increase their readership ;-)
This comment in the Independent yesterday may explain the subject matter from Mr Robinson. ( credit to Wordblog here.)
One thing in his favour: he - or his editor - allowed comments, including one from me, which were almost unanimously hostile to his view to be published. And my how he got slated!
Nick is probably the king of the blogs (or is it Adam?).
The clue is by noticing his very little personal comment.
A skill aquired only to the gifted, like me.
The power of such few words is only surpassed by William sheakspear himself and it is amusing that he has kicked the hell out of the loaded political agenda that soils your minds.
BBC 1 blogs 0
Gary
I think Nick has a point. Un-researched and unsustantiated claims can get carried away with in the blogosphear, and we must take care in what is being reported and be sure. Having a political agenda doesnt make a story any less valid however, and we all know Nick is a Tory, so maybe we should take some of what he says seriously.
On the otherhand he does work for the BBC, and they must hate us independant bloggers, because indeed we report what they dont, and should continue to do so...
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