Conrad Black, the media mogul, tells it like it is in a letter to his own newspaper, the Daily Telegraph:
The BBC is pathologically hostile to the Government and official opposition, most British institutions, American policy in almost every field, Israel, moderation in Ireland, all Western religions, and most manifestations of the free market economy.
It benefits from an iniquitous tax, abuses its position commercially, has shredded its formal obligation to separate comment from reporting in all political areas, to provide variety of comment, and is poisoning the well of public policy debate in the UK. It is a virulent culture of bias. Though its best programming in non-political areas is distinguished, sadly it has become the greatest menace facing the country it was founded to serve and inform.
It isn’t just at war with the Government; it is attempting to take over the formation of public opinion and is masquerading as the officially persecuted voice of truth against the Government. Alastair Campbell’s excesses have facilitated this pretence. But he, at least, has been doing his job, and promoting Tony Blair’s interests.
It is not the BBC’s function to assassinate the truth about the Iraq war. From Jeremy Paxman’s insolent question of the Prime Minister: “Do you pray with” President Bush, to the mouthy challenges to British military spokesmen at Iraq war press briefings, the BBC’s only interest seems to have been to destroy and supplant the Government as a source of authority in the country.
It was a little dumb of the BBC to push the leftist envelope this far while their charter is up for review. Here’s hoping they reap the whirlwind.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BBC II: A reader from Britain weighs in:
Just finished reading your column in today’s Sunday Times. Whilst doing so we were listening to Radio 4 – Broadcasting House 9am. These reporters are dredging the swamps in their attempts to find anti-American stories in Iraq. This one had me shouting at the radio. They reported that since the war orphanages have closed in Iraq and children are roaming the streets. These kids feel safe to camp out near the Americans but sometimes they are moved on – if they’re smoking or peddling hash, etc. One 11-year old reported that he was hit by a soldier. This reporter went on and on trying to create an issue. No mention of the fact that 3 Americans were killed guarding a hospital. He also reported that 12 year old girls are prostituting themselves with locals with other children are attacking them, too. Why couldn’t he interview an Inman about this? I thought the soldiers interviewed should be commended for their patience and good manners – but the reporter put in a complaint about them.
I am now resenting the fact that I have to pay a license fee for for this tabloid crap.
And the resentment is spreading. The British people are forced to pay for this propaganda if they own a television set.
The Dish 