BBC political bias again

The Politics front page currently has the top story "Nationalising Rock not ruled out : Gordon Brown says it would be wrong to dismiss any options over Northern Rock - including nationalisation."

The number two story as "Crises will be forgotten - Brown : Gordon Brown says scandals such as the loss of data and proxy Labour donations will be forgotten in the New Year.".

The number three story as "Straw to change self-defence laws : Justice Secretary Jack Straw announces changes to the laws on self-defence to increase public confidence."


That's three stories, two positive about the Labour government and one neutral.



The "OTHER TOP STORIES" side bar contains:

'Fair' deal at fisheries summit - a Pro Labour and EU story

Clegg 'does not believe in God' - a humorous Nick Clegg story

Brown backs peerage change - a pro Gordon Brown story

Key EU healthcare report delayed - a balancing act between anti-Europe and pro Labour

Parties 'should not pick peers' - anti-political corruption

Brown pledge appals MPs - Clarke - anti Brown's racist pledge, but with balancing comments

Salmond to be at Trump probe - Scottish political story


That's two pro Labour, one pro Lib Dem, one pro SNP, two neutral and one that might be seen as anti-Brown.



Then comes the "ALSO IN THE NEWS" section

The Spanish lawyer married to new Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg - Warm, cuddly pro Lib Dem Leader story

Nick Clegg is new Lib Dem leader - Lib Dem positive story

Huhne hails 'great leader' Clegg - Lib Dem positive story

Cameron attacked over donations - anti-David Cameron and Conservatives story

Labour MP's fury at Blears' plans - Anti-Hazel Blears story (as covered by me earlier today


That's three pro-Lib Dem, one anti-Conservative and one carefully anti-Hazel Blears.



Do you see a pattern? Mention the Conservatives only when it can be negative. Positively mention the Lib Dems and Labour as much as possible. Anyone would think the BBC were biased against the Conservative party, surely not ...

"The BBC is not impartial or neutral. It's a publicly funded, urban organisation with an abnormally large number of young people, ethnic minorities and gay people. It has a liberal bias not so much a party-political bias. It is better expressed as a cultural liberal bias", Andrew Marr, the Daily Mail, Oct 21st, 2006.