The BBC have used a controversial exemption in the Freedom of Information Act to block the publication of the costs incurred during their wall-to-wall coverage of the Royal Wedding. Legislation provides that the broadcaster can refuse to release information held “for the purposes of journalism, art or literature”. Records of appeals to the Information Commissioner show the [...]
Tag Archives: BBC
One Show ask David Cameron: “How do you sleep at night?”
Were reports that David Cameron’s appearance on the One Show gave him a “comfy end to a bumpy week” submitted before the programme ended? As credits were cued to roll, Matt Baker smiles icily before asking the Prime Minister: “Just very quickly, how do you sleep at night?” Baker clearly meant it as a barb [...]
Editorial balance! BBC article uses “savings” and “cuts” in the same headline
Last week Liberal Conspiracy revealed that BBC bosses had instructed reporters to give prominence to the word “savings” in news coverage rather than “cuts” in order to provide greater, erm, balance to government announcements. With the edict leading to arguments in editorial meetings it seems the bright sparks at BBC Wales have hit upon a workable [...]
When will they learn? Defence Review speech is latest victim of telephoto lenses
David Cameron has become at least the fifth senior public figure to have private documents revealed by news photographers since May 2008. The prime minister was photographed holding a copy of his defence review speech which appeared to suggest that the budget has been cut by 6% less than expected. The repetitive nature of the error [...]
Disgusted of Salisbury
When asked as to his “reading material of choice” the new Tory MP for Salisbury John Glen tells ConservativeHome: “I read most of the main political blogs each day and all papers – especially the Daily Mail headlines in order to anticipate some of my email correspondence for the week ahead!” This reminds Scrapbook of an [...]
Weather presenter gives BBC News colleagues the middle finger
Tomasz Schafernaker doesn’t appreciate sarcasm when it comes to his meteorological abilities: Embarrassing, but not as funny as James Dagwell’s “wet cat” joke. Hat-tip: Tim Jonze UPDATE: To our amusement it would appear TS has form for this kind of thing. Watch him throw a strop after producers leave him hanging:
BBC relaunch news and politics pages
If you haven’t been on the BBC News website today you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Auntie have redesigned their online news offering for the first time since 2003. Writing on the Editors blog, news chief Steve Hermann outlined the changes: “a fresh, updated design, with more space for the main stories of the day [...]
BBC newsreader kidnapped and forced to bear children
Scrapbook has obtained exclusive footage of Jonathan Charles, the BBC newsreader imprisoned in a broom cupboard in Broadcasting House nearly two decades ago under the orders of then director general Michael Checkland. It is alleged Charles was forced to provide services “of a personal nature” to a succession of BBC bosses: Apologies to anyone who saw [...]
