James Kirkup on BBC reporting on trans prisoners

Hammer, nail, head, again James.

I have always been a great supporter of the BBC and, as a former journalist myself, I know how difficult it is to ensure that you are utterly impartial. In general, an organisation that gets criticised from left and right is probably as near impartial as you can get.

However, it is becoming clear that there appears to be an over representation of what I would call "left liberal luvvy elites" among those in the BBC on the creative side, whose toffee nosed approach to those they look down on as the great regressive unwashed of middle England results in disproportionate kowtowing to vocal and aggressive minorities: and yes, probably over representation by these "elites" among their ranks.

Gender self ID is an accident waiting to happen and the BBC could find itself caught up in the backlash. Jimmy Savile anyone?

Me too, BoreOfWhabylon. The bit you've highlighted in brackets really stood out for me too. I can't believe the government have no idea brickbats are heading their way and they will surely have to kick these ludicrous proposed amendments into the long grass very soon, build some prisons or units within existing prisons for transwomen prisoners and then we can all get back to a normal life.

Lovely James K, if you are reading this, I have taken out a digital and paper subscription today because of your coverage of this issue.

Absolutely excellent reporting. Thank you, James! I loved the coverage of the trans prison issue, and really appreciated how many times the article managed to incorporate the fact that Cllr Murray called women "absolute c*s". I look forward to reading more!

Yay James! He even got a mention of DARVO in there.

And by the way, BBC, did you know that Jane Fae is a campaigner against the criminalisation of extreme porn? Do you think a person that campaigns against some types of sex offending being regarded as crimes should be asked to comment on sex offending transgender prisoners without mentioning this background?

Thank you so much James. I'm agog to hear more about this bit

For the avoidance of doubt, I’m not pretending to be neutral here: I think that concern is a valid one and I’m not convinced current prison policy has sufficient regard for the wellbeing of female prisoners in this context. (There’s more to come on this issue, incidentally, but much of it is subject to court action and can’t yet be reported. But I think there are some awkward questions coming for prison chiefs and politicians alike, in due course.)

is the court action not the "seven inch surprise" person who's name I can't remember? I'm sure there was something going on there?

James - heartfelt thanks for your unstinting efforts to open up the debate on this issue & holding other news outlets to account. It’s really important work that you are doing.

I just read it - it's absolutely fantastic. The BBC should be very ashamed. I am curious now as to what the court action is that he's referring to.

Yet another good piece of writing from James.
Sadly the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain falls sadly short in terms of transgender issues where it is more a case of misinform, misrepresent and ignore facts. Even the bloody Guardian has had to start telling everyone real facts about this and it's high time that the BBC remembered that it's meant to be an ethical source of information, not the trans propaganda machine.

I read that the BBC is over represented by Transwomen. I would like to know what positions they hold in light of this report and the way the BBC behaved over JS.

Thank you from me too James

Thank you again James.

stillathing: "so so disappointed in the bbc. i used to love them and stick up for them and view them as a bastion of goodness. a lot of my heroes have fallen this last year."

Same here. I really admire the BBC and am always defending the organisation against attacks from right and left. But by god, they make it hard sometimes. You really would think after Savile that they would have the sense not to be giving fuel to those people who say they don't care about the victims of sexual abuse.

Fabulous piece. Thank you, James!

My only quibble is I wish he'd mentioned Jane Fae's background as a campaigner for hardcore woman-hating pornography, which would have put their remarks in some context. But I appreciate there isn't always space.

Thanks again James.

God, I love James Kirkup, and an excellent article as always, but I’m afraid I don’t believe it is a case of the BBC not being brave enough. I think they’re deliberately trying to obfuscate the issue.

I've been worrying for a while about what fact-checking organisations such as BBC Reality, the C4 version, or even Full Fact will do when they're faced with the need to cover some of the stories.

What language will they use? How will they report the statistics?

Thanks James, for again writing honestly about this issue.

Every article you write makes me want to cry with relief and gratitude that there are still journalists who have the courage and integrity to speak the truth even in the face of intimidation.

Thank you.

Bestsy i didnt read it as that but it makes sense, thanks.

Sounds like he is suggesting a female prisoner is pursuing legal action.

Excellent. He hints at more to come too.
James
bet he learned darvo here, i did

I might print out a few copies of his articles and paste them on the inside of doors in public loos.

thank you James Kirkup! it feels so good to read this piece of clear headed common sense. so so disappointed in the bbc. i used to love them and stick up for them and view them as a bastion of goodness. a lot of my heroes have fallen this last year.

Well done James. I am astounded that the BBC keep coming out with
this rubbish.

Aah. I saw he'd tweeted about this.

Good on you James

I don't know what to say about the BBC at the moment. The wokeness is painful