To think the BBC are working overtime to promote Nigel Farage

[Unfinishedkitchen]

Just that really. He must have friends high up in the BBC.

Before the referendum he was practically on every BBC programme. He was probably even asked to appear on Strictly and read the bedtime story on CBeebies.

There are actual elected politicians who get zero time on any BBC programme but as soon as Farage farts he’s swarmed by the BBC.

There he is today, top of every news hour, with his new party next to self styled ‘woman of the people’, Rees-Moggs sister, Annunziata.

[Fiveredbricks]

So what's it to be? The BBC are biased and pushing for no brexit and whatever shitty deal we can get, or they're now biased and pushing and promoting Farage and the Brexit party...

Make your damn mind up MN.

[Alsohuman]

He is an elected politician, he's an MEP.

[Unfinishedkitchen]

Fiveredbrick, you do realise MN isn’t one person right?

And you know I meant as an MP. About 5 people voted him in as an MEP, mainly because up until recently most people didn’t even realise MEPs were a thing so people like Farage and that nomark Aryn Rand fanatic, Daniel Hannan could walk it.

The BBC are taking the absolute piss with their overpromotion of Farage. It’s embarrassing.

[meditrina]

He headed the party which had a huge swing in the last euro elections, and today announced the formative n of a new party.

It wouid be a travesty if that were not reported.

(No I'm not a supporter, but Beeb cannot overlook stuff such as this).

[TrojanWhore]

"About 5 people voted him in as an MEP"

OP: your prejudice is showing.

UKIP under Farage came top in the 2014 EU elections.

[Fiveredbricks]

Yes but 'logic' @Unfinishedkitchen says they can't be doing both 🙄

Take your remainer goggles off... Fgs.

[BeerandBiscuits]

YABU.
Why shouldn't the BBC report it?

[kamelo]

He's been an MEP for nearly two decades, a former leader of a party that came first in 2014 Euro elections, came third in 2015 GE. On both occasions with over 4 million votes and a significant reason why there was a referrendum.
Love him or loathe him, he's a huge political player. To not report the formation of his new political party would be a travesty and prove the main stream media bias they are often accused of..

[stillpinching]

The reporting on this today has been an utter disgrace. He gets airtime out of all proportion to his importance and he incites hatred, as seen in his appalling speech today that pretty much incited violence against MPs. Nothing he says is fact- checked and no time is given, for the sake of balance, to those with opposing views. While too often when they report on climate change they have a quack on after to counter it

Something is very wrong at the BBC, it's certainly not what it was.

[Quintella]

The BBC should report the news of his new party but they should not just parrot what he says as though it's fact.

[Quintella]

While too often when they report on climate change they have a quack on after to counter it

Ugh. Yes. They love 'balance' when it comes to things like climate change.

[Unfinishedkitchen]

I see his ‘people’ are all over the internet too! Where is he getting this kind of money from? New parties don’t usually get so much promotion or have so many social media content managers? Koch brothers?

[Alsohuman]

He's a politician, since when have they been "fact checked"? Equally he's been interviewed like any other politician, not "parroted". Ffs, can't believe I'm defending coverage of fucking Farage!

[meditrina]

You don't have to supports Farage to realise he's an important player.

(Only the Labour Party has been caught red-handed with the dog-whistle, though I suppose the others might be up to it too).

But it's just plain wrong to accuse anyone who disagrees with your take on things as being a shill. Most people don't want to live in an echo chamber.

[meditrina]

"Ffs, can't believe I'm defending coverage of fucking Farage!"

Me neither, but the premise of this thread is wrong and that needs to be said.

[contentedsoul]

Well after witnessing the government completely try to derail the result of the referendum and seeing how backwards labour is.
I had intentions of never voting again. But whether you agree with Nigel Farage or not, he certainly has a "presence" and I'll vote for him.

[stillpinching]

There was a long tradition of challenging politicians when they spout shit. Alsohuman, but you're right- it's not just farage who often goes unchallenged now. Recently John Redwood was given a very satisfying ticking off on channel 4 news. Heidi Allen was also called out minutes later, so gutsy unbiased journalism does still exist, but it's not often found on the BBC anymore, sadly.

[wigglypiggly]

It makes a change from the BBC supporting no Brexit

[Alsohuman]

The Right accuse the BBC of favouring the Left who make the same accusation the other way. That indicates balance to me.

[BeerandBiscuits]

I think he'll get a lot of votes.
If the BBC boycotted him he'd get even more votes.

[CherryPavlova]

He is given too much air time. Odious, corrupt man. Other UKparties with greater parliamentary representation get far less coverage.

[Unfinishedkitchen]

There’s a middle way between acting like fanboys and boycotting. It’s called proportionate reporting. Top billing every hour is disproportionate.

[colouringinpro]

Totally agree. Disproportionate amount of coverage, especially of his "make life he'll for MPs speech given Jo Cox and Rosie.

Announce the news yes. Anything beyond that = bias.

Just like the massive number of sessions on bbcqt compared to other parties.

[stillpinching]

No one is saying they should boycott him. Just that reporting should be responsible and in proportion to his importance, relevance and achievements to date. Other MEPs, including those who support remain, should also be given airtime for balance.

Why are members of the ERG given so much airtime? Why are their reactions to the PM's latest moves given prominence and reported as 'the news'?

Anyone who doesn't think there is a problem at the BBC clearly doesn't watch/listen to much of the news output and would do well to Google Nick Boles' comments on Robbie Gibb and Sarah Sands editorship of the today programme.

[Alsohuman]

No it isn't. He launched his new party today, of course it was top of the news. Any day now it will be the Change Party.