The recent Welsh Assembly election campaign in Caerphilly brought home to me just how biased are most of the newspapers in Wales.
The Western Mail (at one time known as the Coalowners’ paper) and the South Wales Echo both display pro-Nationalist and anti-Labour bias. Fortunately, the same cannot be said of the BBC.
From time to time I dislike the BBC’s coverage of this, that and the other, but in most cases a real effort is made to be objective and professional.
This is true of the BBC in Britain, but it is especially true about the BBC World Service. The World Service is a well-respected British institution that promotes British values of democracy and fairness across the globe, and it has a reputation exceed by none. It is truly a British “jewel in the crown”.
It is therefore extremely disappointing that the Government are making 60% cuts in the service.
The service to India is being stopped, as is the Service for most of China, the Balkans and the Caribbean. The service to the Middle East and North Africa is also being cut back, even though this part of the world needs objective and fair journalism more than ever before.
Last week I was responding on behalf of the opposition to a special debate on the future of the World Service. After pressure from Labour, the Government has agreed to review some of its cuts.
But although we might win a few concessions, I am under no illusions that the Government will continue with its cuts programme even though undermining the World Service is a “false economy”.
Early last week I travelled to Serbia with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. The purpose of my visit was to assess how democracy was developing in that country and to make recommendations about modest practical assistance. Serbia has, until now, been covered by the World Service and, as one journalist said to me, a whole generation of Serbians have relied on the BBC for truthful and unbiased reporting. Sadly, Serbia is one of the countries to be cut, even though democracy is far from fully developed.
Wayne David
Labour MP for Caerphilly
quite right Wayne, the BBC is biased in favour of Labour. We can all choose not to buy the Western Mail and buy the Daily Mail instead, but I have no choice but to pay for the left wing propaganda that comes out of the wasteful BBC. By the way thanks for standing up for Wales and losing us 150 passport worker jobs in Newport
I agree with Wayne David's comment about the BBC World Service. This broadcasting service has been respected throughout the world for decades and has served as a beacon of hope to many oppressed peoples. I am sorry to see it emasculated to save a pathetic amount of money compared to that spent on foreign aid.
Cuts need to be made in government spending, this includes the BBC, but the wrong areas are being targeted. With regard to newspapers, as I have said before, I am surprised that anyone takes any notice of their editorials which are biased toward the view of their proprietors. An example of this propoganda is the council's 'Newsline' which does not contain news but glorifies whoever is in control of the council at the time.
I agree with Richard Williams. The council's 'newsline' is just a propaganda magazine for the Plaid countolled council. Whoever controls the council after next years local elections will have to change the magazine content by doing away with the blatant self – promotion and adopt a non – partisan approach to reporting of events and providing key council information for the people.
James-
Why would you think the next adminisration would act in a different way to the current encumbants,? Labour had control and used the Rag (newsline) in exactly the same sycophantic back slappinmg way, and self promotion is why the thing was established in the first place. It is a disgrace that the Newsline continues to be published in a time of financial constraint, it is not wanted by the citizens of the Borough and I have yet to find anyone who welcomes it dropping on the doormat. James and Richard are absolutely correct.
Can ANYONE stand up for the Caerphilly Council in spending ratepayers money on this RAG.?