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Heaven On Earth
Interview with BBC Radio on Joe the Plumber’s Visit to Israel
Well, if PJMedia wanted to get publicity by bringing in “Joe the Plumber,” they’re getting it. Already I was interviewed by the BBC’s Dan Damon on the matter. Calls for interviews are coming in from both Israeli and foreign media.
Here’s my interview with the BBC. He cut some of my better remarks, but I guess that’s life.
I’m critical of some of the people who speak to the press sometimes. It’s not as easy as it looks from the armchair.
“He cut some of my better remarks, but I guess that’s life.”
Yes, but he left in your unflinching charges that BBC is baised, though he interrupted you a couple of times. Still, it’s something. Kudos to you, BTW, for making those charges politely but firmly. His defensiveness, I thought, sounded emotional, while your attack sounded reasoned.
I had to laugh when you started talking about how the BBC defends itself against claims of bias by saying that they get these claims from both side and he interrupted you to say “you should look at our mailbox” and then swiftly changed the subject. Hit a raw nerve there I think Richard. Pity you didn’t get to finish the point because I’ve heard that excuse from the BBC for years.
Joe the Plumber Off to the Middle East…
Brilliant move on the part of Pajamas Media. They’ve hired Joe to go to Israel and report for them. Richard Landes is going to hook up with him there (I’m jealous!) and hopefully shepherd him along (I wouldn’t push too……
Richard,
Well done. I’ve never thought it looked easy; in fact, I’ve always imagined myself stumbling and bumbling in the place of well-spoken individuals like yourself.
It came to mind that getting criticism from “both sides” in no way indicates fairness or accuracy, even if it could indicate an artificial form of “balance”. In my view, it is the reporter’s job to approach the unstudied situation from a balanced stance, but do nothing to maintain that balance if it is not objectively warranted as the evidence rolls in. This is not about making judgements; it is about displaying the facts as they are. Portraying two sides as morally equal when they are not, for instance, is an unwitting form of imbalance as it amounts to “cooking the books” for a predetermined conclusion.
Stu
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Nice job! Honor-Shame applies to BBC reporters
as well!
-Ari
Well done. It was amusing to listen to a member of al-Beeb’s defense team bob, weave and engage in evasive protestations. If I were to attempt a book on the “MSM” I’d be tempted to title it very simply and with enormous understatement: Amusing.
Congratulations on having the courage to speak to the hostile BBC. I doubt your interviewer would have ever considered even listening to the evidence surrounding the Al Durah blood libel.
That is how far away from reality the BBC have strayed.
The only line which may bring some pressure on the BBC is to point out with factual evidence the horrendous suffering Hammas is inflicting on the palestinians and ask them for these very reasons why they endorse them.
oh btw will you be calling in on Charles Enderlin at F2 offices? if so be prepared fot extreme arrogance and hostility. Makes Dan Rather seem positively humble, i’m told by friends who were thrown out.
Just caught this interview. Thank you Richard. Thank you for spelling it out to those stuffy BBC elistists who cannot seem to accept that they ARE biased in their coverage.
Well played. You stayed cool and would not be bullied.
Good comment from Stu: I would go further and say that the opposite of the biased, partisan views we get from the BBC is not a robotic attempt at balance (5 minutes for the fire brigade then 5 minutes for the fire). Maybe they should just stick to the facts ?
those stuffy BBC elistists
as they condescendingly talk down to the “natives”.
Anybody remember Mondo Cane 2 Africa/Addio when they showed scenes of the British elitist behaviour in Kenya?
[...] I was interviewed on the BBC last week, I commented on the pervasive intimidation of the MSM in Gaza, which is one of the [...]