Monday, August 27, 2007

Damned if you do. Or don't.... Or if I know.

The Beeb gets a rare old bashing these days, not least on these pages and such as this 'does what it says on the tin' blog - biased-bbc - that has often questioned its dedication to quite overt climate change propaganda, and especially some rather dubious proponents with odd agendas). So it was interesting to note this: BBC news chiefs attack plans for climate change campaign

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand I have concerns about a retreat from rational discussion (caused, to be sure, by the backlash against massive, and pretty uncritical espousal of anything 'green' no matter what it is , or the enviROI), but then I can only be thankful we might be spared yet more 'awareness' or "consciousness raising" from such as Jonathan Ross. Like his part in Live Earth worked out so well.

This is pretty definite stuff: Asked [by whom, I wonder] whether the BBC should campaign on issues such as climate change, Mr Horrocks said: "I absolutely don't think we should do that because it's not impartial. It's not our job to lead people and proselytise about it." Mr Barron said: "It is absolutely not the BBC's job to save the planet. I think there are a lot of people who think that, but it must be stopped." I'm not sure what the 'it' is, but I presume that this means the notion of those who think it's the BBC's job to save the planet. There's a lot to read into those words. Pendulums swinging too far the other way, for one.

If Planet Relief appears [wondering how this is that tricky to decided definitively ] to contradict BBC guidelines on impartiality, then that's pretty clear cut. Rules are rules.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. But somehow, I don't see the planet, or those upon it, doing too well out this. Ratings maybe. Chattering class forums maybe. Ho hum.

Daily Mail - Why saving Earth is not the BBC's job, by Newsnight boss