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Original poster

to think the Government should not be boycotting Good Morning Britain or the Today programme during the current health situation

37 replies

chomalungma · 27/02/2020 22:43

They shouldn't be boycotting them at all.

But when we are in the middle of a health crisis, with panic buying and some worst case predictions, why isn't Matt Hancock appearing on the popular breakfast show on ITV?

Government figures should be heard and available during a crisis. We need to know what plans they have.

Yet the Government is boycotting these 2 programmes. Not a good look

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RoseAndRose · 27/02/2020 22:47

They're not boycotting them FFS

Given that they're a little busy right now, they can't always fit every media request. Even the most cursory googling shows that he is talking to the media nearly every day.

tobee · 27/02/2020 22:49

Hi Carrie! Grin

noblegiraffe · 27/02/2020 22:49

They actually are boycotting the Today show. Have been for a couple of months, did you miss the news?

Original poster
chomalungma · 27/02/2020 22:54

They're not boycotting them FFS

They have been boycotting them since the election.

HTH

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noblegiraffe · 27/02/2020 22:56

On the Today show this morning they said that they’d requested a minister to come on as it wasn’t to talk politics but a matter of public concern over healthcare and the government said no.

Petty shitheads, not leaders.

Original poster
chomalungma · 27/02/2020 22:57

Remember Amber Rudd

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/amber-rudd-brands-boris-johnsons-21379299

And she strongly criticised the government for banning ministers from giving interviews to both ITV’s morning news programme Good Morning Britain and the BBC’s flagship news radio programme Today.

Number 10 has refused to put any ministers up for interview on the Today programme since the election.

And Mr Johnson was the only major party leader who failed to agree to be interviewed by the BBC's Andrew Neil during the election campaign.

During the campaign, a Number 10 source branded the Today programme “irrelevant”, adding: “It is not a serious programme any more so we are not going to engage with it.”

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DameFanny · 27/02/2020 23:01

As with so much else, they're following the Trump playbook on this one. And all their official responses are N Korean style "everything is fine nothing to see here".

We're all fucked.

tobee · 27/02/2020 23:01

Also I don't feel that "they" are "a little busy right now" With the honourable (?) exception of Dominic Cummings.

Figmentofmyimagination · 27/02/2020 23:04

These creepy twats are indeed boycotting these programmes. They hate the fact that the questioning produces headlines they can’t control. They prefer Facebook - ‘The Peoples’ PMQs’. Skin-crawling stuff - this is what taking back control looks like -

m.facebook.com/watch/?v=1646830105458839&_rdr

DioneTheDiabolist · 27/02/2020 23:10

This government is a fucking embarrassment. They behave more like the Cool Kids in the Student's Union than proper grown up politicians responsible for running the whole country.Angry

AuntieStella · 27/02/2020 23:18

Maybe they just don't like Piers Morgan?

Original poster
chomalungma · 28/02/2020 08:06

They should be being interviewed by journalists who are prepared to challenge them and to ask insightful questions.

It does look like they are avoiding scrutiny.

OP posts:
Original poster
chomalungma · 28/02/2020 08:34

Martha Karney quite clear on Radio 4 Today. Said that we asked the Government to come on but they refuse to talk to our listeners. I don't watch GMB so don't know if they are still boycotting that.

I wonder what Boris listens to in the morning.

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Notonthestairs · 28/02/2020 08:38

Agree that they should be using all main news networks. I'm not a fan of the Today programme but restricting access is not appropriate - they should be able to argue/support their policies with all journalists.

senua · 28/02/2020 08:44

They should be being interviewed by journalists who are prepared to challenge them and to ask insightful questions.
The Today programme gave up being about 'insightful questions' a long time ago. It's all about 'how can I trip them up - make them look bad and me look good'. John Humphreys was far too fond of the sound of his own voice.
I don't listen to Today any more. Can't be doing with all that willy waving. (I know JH has gone but I haven't been lured back).

Figmentofmyimagination · 28/02/2020 09:17

It’s perhaps unsurprising that this particular government decided that the Today programme was ‘not a serious news programme’ just as they began fronting more female presenters....

senua · 28/02/2020 09:35

It's not a serious news programme. You only have to wait until they get to your Specialist Subject to realise how clueless the presenters are. Then you start to think that if they bluster and BS about that then they are probably doing the same about other subjects too.
They are only really knowledgeable about one subject - the Westminster bubble - and that doesn't interest me.

Seeline · 28/02/2020 09:41

BBC Breakfast are still getting Ministers on. I think Matt Hancock was on yesterday, but it might have been earlier in the week - memory is a bit hazy first thing!

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2020 13:35

Yeah not sure they can claim they’re avoiding it because it’s not a serious news programme when Boris is happy to be interviewed by Holly a Willoughby.

Lightweight government.

KayakingOnDown · 28/02/2020 13:45

Today programme's Brexit coverage was shocking - woefully one-sided, pro-Remain, sneering towards Leavers and not reflective of the population at all. Plus that's all they really covered for 3 years when mostly there was nothing actually to report and it was all speculation, Westminster bubble writ large.

That's when I tuned out.

And that's why they're being punished (yes by Dominic Cummings I reckon, which is worrying). I hope that they admit their bias and try to actually represent the nation's views more fairly - that's their legal remit after all.

But the arrogance will probably mean that will never happen. So they will continue to lose listeners at an alarming rate.

Theduchessstill · 28/02/2020 13:48

They're disgusting to do this at all, especially now. It doesn't matter what we think of these programmes or their presenters - millions of people watch/listen so the government of the day should be prepared to be held to account on them.

michaelbaubles · 28/02/2020 13:51

I thought the Jeremy Hunt interview was measured, fair and non-alarmist (and I'm no Jeremy Hunt fangirl), so there's no reason to assume Matt Hancock would get any worse treatment - but obviously I assume JH was treating them like professionals too and got treated accordingly.

Hingeandbracket · 28/02/2020 13:52

They shouldn't be boycotting them at all.
^This.
I didn't vote for this shower of shit though.

tobee · 28/02/2020 14:14

I wonder what Boris listens to in the morning

The Greatest Speeches of Boris Johnson?

Just to double underline, before someone jumps on, Jeremy Hunt is not a member of the government.

Original poster
chomalungma · 28/02/2020 14:46

It's curious how some people think it is biased towards Remain when many Remainers thought it was biased towards Leave. Maybe they are asking uncomfortable questions about Brexit that people don't want to hear

The Government of the day should be accountablle and should appear on the flagship news programme

They should also appear on Good Morning Britain. That is hardly a Remain bubble of elitist people.

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