To block GBNews from my parent’s TV?

[goslowly]

My parents retired 4 years ago. They’re both in their 60s, healthy, happy, comfortable financially.

Since they’ve retired they have been sucked in by every single thing they say on there. They can spend an entire day sat in front of the TV getting angrier and angrier. It’s to the point that if Starmer comes on the TV, they shout about how he should be killed.

it’s genuinely starting to concern me. You can’t have a rational conversation with them about anything. I miss my parents, how they used to be before all the conspiracy and anger took over.

I’m genuinely tempted to block it from their tv using parental controls and just pretending it’s some weird fault in their telly. They’d not be able to fix it.

Who has explicitly defended that? As an aside, have you tried stopping your Dad from watching England in the world cup?

No. But she wants me to. We do things for each other. It's called family values.

It is like a cartoon about Bad Immigrant Invaders versus English Knights, some of the people who present it absolutely do my head in, but they are no worse than the channels pumping out the anti-Farage, anti-Trump dross everyday, and sometimes they have an interesting guest or panel discussion, my advice for all of them is - Best taken in small doses and with a pinch of salt.

Another one who is hell bent on derailing the thread

And have already started to lose councils. The local elections, and the by elections, were a monumental failure for mr “prime minister in waiting”

There really isn't a consistent direction tbf.

Sounds like they need to get out more rather than sitting around shouting at the TV. Very easy to get into bad habits. But to want to control them like this and ban any TV programme is nuts IMHO. I wouldn't mind banning Love Island but some seem to like it. Live and let live.

The thread is just OP ranting about their political beliefs using the parents as an excuse. Like many threads on here people just use things as an excuse to go on a political rant.

Who the hell died and made you God? Why on earth do you think you have the right to police what your parents watch?
Maybe you need to sit down and have a conversation with them, saying you are worried about their health now that they are so inactive. Encourage them away from the tv.

Always be aware of possible bias (including one's own), read widely, ask questions, check sources. Critical thinking hasn't ever changed.

The idea that people can be somehow contaminated by 'bad' views is probably about as dangerous as most views that are labelled 'bad', imho.

It's a real shame that OP's having a bad time with her parents - blaming a relationship breakdown on a news channel may seem an appealingly simple answer, but its unlikely to be the whole story.

How come they've had this personality transplant?

Do you honestly and genuinely think your parents are wishing harm on you and threatening you with violence? Because if so, call the police.

I watched GB News today. It's a 'know thy enemy' with me. If it was up to Rupert Lowe, as a child of immigrants, I'd be deported (just to give context). However they actually was thorough, having, a moderate, legal expert, explain why they couldn't have deported Shabir Ahmed, before sentencing and what they'd have to do, to be able to change the law. He explained the hesitation and excuse was because of Windrush (my half sister's father was the Windrush generation, so I've got skin in that, so to speak). But then explained why it was easy to make sure certain migrants, wasn't unfairly targeted. The coverage was much better than on other channels. Like it or not, people want a change in the law. It was a balanced view on how we can change the law. There was no sensationalist reporting. What's disgusting is carrying on as we have done so, for the last twenty five years.
Removal of a chance at British citizenship is a massive deterrent to not commit sex crimes. Deportation is more of a punishment than prison. At a time when everyone on here agrees with further austerity or removal of pensions etc, we can't carry on funding prison stays for prisoners who could be deported. Or, in this and many mens cases, fund benefits for the rest of their life, at the end of their sentence. People might shop lift out of desperation, but it's really easy to not rape children.

Respect.

You can't know that unless you work for Mumsnet. Lots of people change their names very regularly.

Very strange to search up a poster. I changed my name precisely so known aggravators like yourself couldn’t hound my other posts.

You don't think they might have already read it?

I genuinely believe it’s the fact they’ve retired and spend so much time in front of the tv watching this drivel

Posters normally declare their name change at the start of their thread.

Sorry you're going through this. It's hard to be mourning a relationship with people who are still there - and life really is so short and precious. It's such a shame that they have become so consumed by what they are watching and hearing that they have lost touch with the world around them. I can totally see myself wanting to do what you're contemplating, trust me! It's probably not a good idea though, as although you are understandably maddened by it all., it's their home, their TV and their right to watch it. I do really empathise with you though.

I've skimmed through your responses and can't see if you have actually tried to seriously talk to them about how this is making you feel? And have you got any siblings or is it just you and them?

Is there any way that you could lay some firm boundaries with them - in the way I've had to learn to do with a close family member who has narcissistic tendencies? Grey rocking, basically. Eg. Yes mum and dad, I'll come over to see you but I am not willing to discuss x y z and if this happens, I will be leaving. It's not because I don't love you - it's because I want to enjoy time with you.

Could you maybe meet up and take some photos/old video footage and spend time reminiscing with them - to try and drag the "old" them back into the present? or maybe a games or quiz night, so you have something else to focus on?

Sorry if none of this is helpful. Just hoping you can find a way forward ❤

You don’t have to. I didn’t.

Actually all racists should watch sport, some of our greatest footballers and boxers are black. There isn't a European team that is all white and the likes of Cape Verde only lacked a bit of technical skill. I do sympathise, I have to avoid our local pubs, at times, because I know I'll end up arguing. Nice, normal people are ranting a lot more.

Aye course you did.

why are you determined to have an argument with the OP?