To want the BBC to explain wreathgate properly

[Hingeandbracket]

The BBC has apologised for cutting a section of 2016 coverage of Boris laying a wreath into the coverage of Sunday.

But they haven’t provided a proper account of how or why they did it.

I would like to know.

This was not a simple or easy mistake.

The BBC is quite liberal in its general programming and on social issues (gay rights, diversity, social problems etc). People often mistake this for being liberal (ie left wing) in its political programming. It is far from it . - its political output has always been small c conservative and pro-establishment (usually backing the British government of the day in most instances). During the last few years this has taken a worrying lurch toward outright regurgitation of government propaganda and insitutional bias.

It is not possible to accidentally include archive footage in a piece of editing without actively looking for the footage.
Not a mistake at all. A deliberate act.

I remember DH had a business colleague who often made 'mistakes' except as DH pointed out the 'mistakes' always resulted in the colleague claiming more in expenses. If someone genuinely makes mistakes, statistically some of them should disadvantage them.

When the BBC's mistakes consistently benefit the party in power, you have to wonder if they're mistakes at all.

While we shouldn't care about the minor details of how a politician lays a wreath, we should care about whether the BBC is purposefully doctoring their news footage to create a more flattering image of a specific political figure or party

^This.

The BBC still carries the veneer of respectability and reliability compared to most other media in this country. Selecting a more flattering but inaccurate image of a candidate in a current election is a partisan act.

If you’re going to object to the head bowing skills, why is only Corbyn on the receiving end of your criticism?

Because he is the only one that I saw being disrespectful, all the others seemed to at least do a decent nod of their head at the appropriate time.

"YABU to assume the BBC is unbiased. It’s the most biased broadcaster out"

This.

Because he is the only one that I saw being disrespectful, all the others seemed to at least do a decent nod of their head at the appropriate time

Another chap, possibly Lord Fowler didn’t bow his head at all.

Kahherine, you noticed the dip that wasn't quite low enough for your requirements, but you failed to notice the unkempt man who couldn't even stand still next to him?

Almost like you were looking for something to pick fault with, and happy to ignore anything else.

While we shouldn't care about the minor details of how a politician lays a wreath, we should care about whether the BBC is purposefully doctoring their news footage to create a more flattering image of a specific political figure or party

Exactly. And whilst it's concerning at any time, it's particularly concerning during the election period when public sector organisations need to follow strict rules about favouring any candidate or party.

Just to introduce some flippancy, as I haven't even seen or noted the issue:

I suspect Will the intern probably did it. W1A - it's closer to the truth than you could possibly imagine.

Unfortunately the BBC has got a lot of form recently in its political programming of bias against Labour since Corbyn was elected leader of the Party

Maybe those high up in the organisation are getting nervous about their tax bill should Corbyn win the election.

One of the reasons I pay is because I hope and expect unbiased reporting

I don't pretend to know what happened with the broadcast, but if you're BU at all it's probably in this

I'd have thought it obvious that a government who could influence the licence fee is one they'll avoid offending

OP So, you don't care deeply enough to actually do a quick internet search to find out the answer (which of course you are free to accept or disbelieve) but care deeply enough to start a thread about it?

I did search Twitter but not to your fantastic standards. Next time I want to start a thread I’ll message you the details and check it’s acceptable.

I keep thinking about that episode of The Thick of It where the leader of the opposition spends hours practicing laying a wreath in her office because her walk last year was "too slow" and her glove got caught up in the wreath. Her advisor's advice was to "just copy the Queen".

I'd have thought it obvious that a government who could influence the licence fee is one they'll avoid offending
But I thought the whole point of the “unique way in which the BBC is funded” to quote their own advertising means they are free from such stuff. Otherwise we might as well scrap the TV licence.

I agree with you OP. I'm actually quite surprised at how many aren't curious about this. A mistake? Where three year old footage somehow got spliced into 2019 footage? I don't buy it. I find it quite sinister. If they're doing this, what are they doing that we don't notice?

Because he is the only one that I saw being disrespectful,

And you think shambling up and not bothering to lay the wreathe the right way round is a mark of respect? I beg to differ.

If it had been Corbyn doing this, there would be no archive footage mistakenly substituted - the clip would be shown again and again.

I am very uneasy about it.

the BBC in the pocket of the Tories
are you all watching a differant BBC from the one I view which is controlled and manipulated by leftie lovies. they (and sky) cut off interviews with anyone of the non-left persuasion, have biased panels on all their political discussion programmes.

While not as biased as channel 4 (with the execrable Jon Snow who should have been pensioned off years ago) the BBC along with Sky have ditched any attempt to be impartial or fair

@Actionhasmagic You'll be telling us all Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Magic Money Tree, and Pudsey aren't real next.

YANBU. I'm appalled by this.

Because he is the only one that I saw being disrespectful, all the others seemed to at least do a decent nod of their head at the appropriate time.

either
a) you didn't see the state Johnson was in because you didn't see the correct footage
or
b) you're being very picky for some other reason that escapes me

Oh get a life OP

Is it really that much of an issue?

As for trusting the TV jesus, you must be hot on documentary footage and the likes. Heaven forbid people reuse stuff.

Go and find a real issue to be concerned about

He looked very smartly dressed to me.
His hair can be seen blowing in the wind.

I’m with you OP. It’s really odd.

It’s interesting that it doesn’t fit in with the usual narrative about BBC bias. The Conservatives have been accusing the BBC of ‘leftie bias’ for generations (I see @17million has already made the traditional accusations!)

Perhaps it’s an honest mistake - I suppose that’s the most likely explanation. Or perhaps @Dapplegrey has it right - that some of the more senior executives are nervous about their pay and tax in the event Corbyn is elected.