Laura Kuenssberg part of the government?

[Sean2001]

Just listening to Radio 4. She’s talking about Brexit and rows with France.

Why does it sound like she’s part of the government? She speaks as if she’s one of them.

So unbelievably one sided.

Shouldn’t she be unbiased?

@Darker

And Robert Peston these days. He’s worse.

That man is truly unbearable.

What? The minister for propaganda is biased? Who knew.

I always had the view she was left wing and biased against the government. I’ve never seen what others in this thread have seen!

She’s always sounded more like a spokesperson for the government than the political editor of the BBC.

Never any analysis - just “my bestie at number 10 said…”

Like a gossip queen.

I think a lot of journo's are tories; it seems to be fit in line with their background. They went to all the same schools, same universities and mix in the same circles.

You're wrong actually. Most individual journalists are broadly centre left and broadly liberal in their views.

Most media in this country is centre right, or even right-wing, so the editorial stance it takes follows that line and the editorial process will slant stories accordingly. It follows that a lot of owners of the media and a lot of the most senior editorial figures in the industry are also of that bent. But individual jobbing journalists? Nope.

Laura Kuenssberg sounds knowledgeable and is confident at getting information across

Left think she is right wing right think she is left wing nothing new

Andrew Neil is often criticised especially when Corbyn was Labour leader. We know he greatly admired Thatcher (not the only political journalist to do so many did) but regardless of who he is interviewing he never lets them get away with what they are saying with out backing up their statements. He is brilliant especially in this day and age of media focused headlines statements. Why do you think Boris Johnson backed out of being interviewed by him or claimed to be busy. AN openly mocked him for this. I hope he returns to the BBC

I went off Robert Preston a few years ago when he interviewed Phillip Green, Phillip Green was given 15 minutes (headline piece) of the 10 o’clock ITV news to defend himself it was shameful. I was disappointed RP stopped so low

I agree women journalists will be attacked more but all political journalists will be accused of being biased at some point

From listening to her on Newscast I always got the impression that she sees Johnson in particular for exactly who he is. I agree with lljkk that she gets a disproportionate amount of flak and her sex is probably a lot to do with that.

Yes they leak to her and she reports what she's been told in quotation marks - I don't see a problem with that, and she's open about the mechanics of why "sources" say what they say. The Newscast team always struck me as being much more chummy with the right wing of Labour and the left wing of the Tories. But if you spend a lot of time in Westminster you're probably more sympathetic to politicians trying to do their job in impossible circumstances than the average person on the street.

As I understand it, Tory Laura isn't leaving the BBC ..she's going to present the Today programme. I assumed that was a BBC show

But yeah, you're right, she's just a Tory mouthpiece

@PassingByAndThoughtIdDropIn

From listening to her on Newscast I always got the impression that she sees Johnson in particular for exactly who he is. I agree with lljkk that she gets a disproportionate amount of flak and her sex is probably a lot to do with that.

Yes they leak to her and she reports what she's been told in quotation marks - I don't see a problem with that, and she's open about the mechanics of why "sources" say what they say. The Newscast team always struck me as being much more chummy with the right wing of Labour and the left wing of the Tories. But if you spend a lot of time in Westminster you're probably more sympathetic to politicians trying to do their job in impossible circumstances than the average person on the street.

Oh, I actually rather like her as an individual I followed her Breixtcast with Katya Adler also and think she's an appealing, competent, knowledgeable TV presence, but I think her political bias could be seen from outer space.

Those who think she's leftwing -- what possible evidence is there for that???

Last night she apologised for accidentally retweeting an anti EU tweet from an annonymous account that she follows.

I thought I'd read somewhere she was likely moving to a role as one of the hosts on the R4 Today programme. If she does, I don't think I'll be able to use it as my wake up alarm in the mornings any longer - after 30 years :( Her voice isn't the most gentle to wake up to.

I think she is an excellent journalist. I see right wing commentators saying she is basically a rabid socialist, and left wing commentators saying she is basically another cabinet member. Actually she is neither. She gives good unbiased journalism and I enjoy listening to her and the equally good Katya Adler. For those who did not listen to it, their Brexit podcast was very good.

I really like her. I don't think she displays any bias. She is just aggressive in her interview style. Nick Robinson is very confrontational and yet he is a Tory. She is polite to all and very clear thinking. Definitely gets more criticism as a woman. I would view her as one of the best they have had.

Not aggressive I meant.

@HarrietsChariot

I always feel she's biased against the government, same with most of the BBC. Sky are more neutral, at least in that for every pro-Tory there's a rabbid anti-Tory (the appalling Beth Rigby springs to mind).

Oh come on! Beth Rigby is excellent. I’ve not noticed any bias from her, and I vote neither red or blue.

Kuenssberg and Peston just regurgitate the Tory line without giving little or any scrutiny. Stenographers.

Although I fully believe she comes in for a horrific amount of misogynistic abuse.

She always has been an obedient (Tory) government mouthpiece although she's by no means the only one. I used to refer to BBC news as Pravda in jest until a few years ago. No wonder they want to get rid of Channel 4, it's about the last bastion of (relatively) unbiased TV news...

If you think Robert Peston truly is Tory (and I used to think the same) try reading his book “wtf!” It’s an eye opener.

I always thought Peston was left-leaning but his commentary often fails to challenge enough these days.

Might try his book, though.

I won't watch Peston - so have no idea whether he's left or right leaning. I just think he's odious.

She is awful, terrible "journalist".

She’s as non biased as anyone could be in her job as it requires some level of relationship with government ministers. Remember when Boris refused to do any debates or interviews before the last election? If you listen to extended interviews on Newscast she is critical of them and is clear in saying ‘the government/minister would say’ and that leaves the viewer to make up their own mind. She is a journalist not a social commentator with deliberately controversial views.

Those who think she's leftwing -- what possible evidence is there for that???

LK's dad is well known Labour donor & political influencer in ... Edinburgh? Scotland, anyway.

Looks like her mother's PhD is online.

Fairly accomplished prestigious family if you dig around to look at it. War heros, educators, public servants, judge, diplomat, etc.

("Baron") Peston is the son of a Labour life peer.
His old buddy Roland Rudd is public Labour supporter.

But hey ho, Peston is a Tory lackey too. I read it on MN so must be true.