To think the BBC has become a mouthpiece for Reform and will help win them the next election

[Hazlenuts2016]

Previously posted in politics but now posting in AIBU for more traffic.
Watching Laura K this morning shamelessly talking over everything Yvette Cooper was saying and then interview Robert Jenrick as if he were a key member of the (proper) shadow cabinet and barely challenge him at all. Why was he even given airtime this morning? I think she and Chris Mason, particularly, are on the wrong side of history and will regret it when Farage gets in, abolishes the BBC and they have to beg for jobs at GB News. The excessive amount of time the BBC gives to Reform and their endless criticism of Labour is so blatant.

I’ve worked in broadcasting and people being disorganised and not agreeing to invites or not showing up is more common than you think.

I think you’re trying to see something that maybe just isn’t there?

@TeenagersAngstagain no evidence of this lack of organisation of other parties, just speculation. But even if it is true, the lack of scrutiny applied to Jenrick and Farage and the total disrespect shown towards MPs like Cooper is plain for all to see. If you're right about the scheduling issue I hope the other parties get their acts together, but I really don't think it's the issue.

I've now listened to the interview and can't see how LK was rude to Yvette Cooper. Cooper wasn't answering her questions directly (go figure) especially on the delays around the deployment of HMS Dragon. It's clear they dropped the ball on that. Laura was trying to get an answer out of her and journalists often speak over their interviewees. I wouldn't call that rude.

Jenrick had only a few minutes on air and she asked him very specific questions about Reform's perspective on the war which he answered. It's easier for opposition politicians to be honest with journalists so I'm not surprised that Cooper was prevaricating around answering questions that she didn't want to.

I think your obvious dislike of Reform is colouring your view of LK.

YABU. Yvette Cooper is in government, she is making decisions every single day that impact us, the voting public. It is completely reasonable for LK to question her on what she is doing, her views and motivations. Robert Jenrick is not in government, so he's only being asked what he thinks about what the government is doing. His views count for nothing currently and have no impact on any of us.

Yabu but I think people know the BBC is better to have if you want to keep a Labour gov. Scrapping it would not be favourable to them.

@zurigo not the first time she's been accused of treating Cooper unfairly apparently. This example was from before Cooper was even in govt, so she has always treated her with more intense scrutiny than Jenrick's easy ride. So many similar claims about LK over the years, so i really dont think its just about my dislike of Reform. https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/05/laura-kuenssbergs-bias-finally-addressed-bbc-huge-backlash-20227929/

Thing is OP, I think whatever your personal political views, you're going to want those politicians given an easier ride than the opposition. I've certainly seen LK give politicians of all stripes a hard time. She didn't go easy on the Conservatives when they were in power and she is robust in her questioning of the Labour party now - as well she should be. The unreadiness of HMS Dragon and the ridiculous amount of time it's taken to get it ready to leave is a national embarrassment. The French have brought out a video mocking us FGS!

I've seen interviews with Lib Dems, Tories, Greens, Reform, even the guy from restore or whatever it is called.

Seems pretty even-handed to me