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Post by bluetornados on Mar 8, 2023 14:48:18 GMT
BBC 'speaking frankly' with Gary Lineker over tweet comparing UK asylum policy to 1930s Germany..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/11AA6/production/_128885327_lineker-index-afp.jpgThe BBC says it is having a "frank conversation" with Gary Lineker after the Match of the Day host tweeted critically about the government's asylum policy. Lineker said the language in which the plan was set out was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 1930s". The BBC has impartiality guidelines and the corporation said Lineker was being "spoken to" about his responsibilities. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she was "disappointed" by the comments. On Tuesday, the government outlined its plans to effectively ban anyone arriving via an illegal route from claiming asylum in the UK. Anyone found to have entered the country illegally will also be blocked from returning or claiming British citizenship in future. The measure is part of attempts to address an increase in the number of people arriving in the UK via Channel crossings each year, which rose from around 300 in 2018 to more than 45,000 in 2022. Responding to a video message setting out the policy by Ms Braverman, Lineker tweeted: "Good heavens, this is beyond awful." Told by another user he was "out of order", he added: "We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. "This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I'm out of order?" It is not clear which language in particular Lineker was referring to, but Ms Braverman's video and accompanying tweet included the words "enough is enough" and "we must stop the boats". Following the comments, the home secretary told BBC One's Breakfast: "I'm disappointed, obviously. I think it's unhelpful to compare our measures, which are lawful, proportionate and - indeed - compassionate, to 1930s Germany. I also think that we are on the side of the British people here." The decade saw the rise to power of the Nazi party in Germany and persecution of Jewish people, leading to the Second World War.
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 8, 2023 14:51:21 GMT
Gary Lineker says he will 'keep speaking for those with no voice' after asylum row..
Gary Lineker has said he will try to keep speaking up for people with "no voice", after criticism over his tweets on the government's asylum policy.
The Match of the Day host had said the language setting out the plan was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
The remarks drew criticism, including from Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
The BBC, which has impartiality guidelines, said it was having a "frank conversation" with Lineker.
On Tuesday, the government outlined its plans to ban people arriving via an illegal route from claiming asylum in the UK.
The measure is part of attempts to address a rise in the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The presenter described it on Twitter as an "immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
Ms Braverman said on Wednesday morning his comments were disappointing.
She told BBC One's Breakfast: "I'm disappointed, obviously. I think it's unhelpful to compare our measures, which are lawful, proportionate and - indeed - compassionate, to 1930s Germany. I also think that we are on the side of the British people here."
Later on Wednesday, Lineker tweeted: "Great to see the freedom of speech champions out in force this morning demanding silence from those with whom they disagree."
He followed up shortly after with: "I have never known such love and support in my life than I'm getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot.
"I'll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice."
Downing Street later said Lineker's criticism of the new asylum policy was "not acceptable".
Labour said comparisons with Germany in the 1930s "aren't always the best way to make" an argument.
Lineker, who has presented Match of the Day since 1999, is the BBC's highest paid star, having earned about £1.35m in 2020-21.
He has in the past been vocal about migrants' rights and has taken refugees into his home. He has also been critical of successive Conservative governments over issues including Brexit.
In October, the BBC's complaints unit found Lineker had broken impartiality rules in a tweet asking whether the Conservative Party planned to "hand back their donations from Russian donors".
The comment came after the then Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged Premier League teams to boycott the Champions League final in Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.
The furore surrounding Lineker's latest remarks put pressure on the BBC, with director general Tim Davie having made impartiality a cornerstone of his leadership.
The broadcaster's editorial guidelines state that the organisation is "committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output" and that "public comments, for example on social media, of staff [or] presenters... can affect perceptions of the BBC's impartiality".
A spokesperson for the corporation said: "The BBC has social media guidance, which is published. Individuals who work for us are aware of their responsibilities relating to social media. We have appropriate internal processes in place if required.
"We would expect Gary to be spoken to and reminded of his responsibilities."
The corporation has also responded to previous criticism of Lineker by highlighting that he is not involved in its news or political output and is a freelance broadcaster, not a member of staff.
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 9, 2023 8:45:35 GMT
Gary Lineker: Why his comments present a problem for the BBC..
As the UK's most scrutinised media organisation in increasingly polarised times, to say Gary Lineker's recent tweets cause difficulty for the BBC is an understatement.
The director general, Tim Davie, has made impartiality a key platform of his leadership.
Trust in the corporation is at the heart of this. It matters if the public believes its public service broadcaster doesn't represent their views, or that the BBC is shaped by a particular perspective.
Davie has previously said: "If you want to be an opinionated columnist or a partisan campaigner on social media then that is a valid choice, but you should not be working at the BBC."
All staff and on-air talent are bound by "due" impartiality which the BBC is committed to achieving across its output.
Ofcom defines due impartiality, an important distinction from simply impartiality, as "means adequate or appropriate to the subject and nature of the programme".
To use the classic example: If someone says the earth is round, the BBC does not have to give equal weight to someone else who claims the earth is flat.
Lineker is a sports presenter. He tweets on his personal Twitter account.
If a news presenter commented, as he has done, about the government's asylum policies, or about Brexit for example, they would at the very least receive a very serious warning.
Lineker, as somebody associated with sport for the BBC, and who argues he is a freelancer, is in a different position.
"I try to be sensible," he told Radio 4's Media Show in 2021, saying that as a freelancer he's "considerate" to his employers when it comes to what he tweets.
He added that the BBC rules "only apply to people in news and current affairs".
From the outside, it can appear more complicated.
The BBC's editorial guidelines state: "Where individuals identify themselves as being linked with the BBC, or are programme makers, editorial staff, reporters or presenters primarily associated with the BBC, their activities on social media have the potential to compromise the BBC's impartiality and to damage its reputation."
He is also a much loved and well respected sports broadcaster. Match of the Day is a very popular programme.
He may be the BBC's highest paid star, but he could probably earn even more if he switched to another broadcaster.
Lineker clearly cares deeply about the issue of migrant crossings, and he has taken refugees into his own home in the past.
He has not removed his original Twitter comments criticising the government's asylum announcements, which he posted on Tuesday.
After those tweets caused controversy, he tweeted on Wednesday: "Great to see the freedom of speech champions out in force this morning demanding silence from those with whom they disagree."
I have never known such love and support in my life than I’m getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot. I’ll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all. 👊🏻
Lineker appears bullish. And he isn't the only sports presenter straying into politics this morning, with BT Sport anchor Jake Humphrey describing the government's "stop the boats" pledge as being "a cruel slogan".
What a cruel slogan. Immigrants are people. With dreams, ambitions, loved ones…and most likely traumas we can never understand.
We must stop dehumanising and vilifying the most vulnerable in the world.
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) March 8th, 2023
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2 by Jake Humphrey
The News Agents presenter and former BBC journalist Emily Maitlis said it was "curious that Gary Lineker [was] free to raise questions about Qatar's human rights record - with the blessing of the BBC - over the World Cup, but cannot raise questions of human rights in this country if it involves criticism of government policy".
However, this is arguably a false equivalence. Voicing an opinion on a government policy about migrant crossings, a divisive subject, is not the same thing as highlighting well-documented human rights breaches in Qatar, something which is a matter of fact.
The BBC is in a difficult position. They say a "frank" conversation is being had with Lineker. But in the end, what are the options?
With some Conservative MPs calling for him to be sacked, not for the first time, the pressure is mounting.
Perceptions on impartiality matter, but it's also clear that impartiality can be politicised by people who have an agenda against the BBC.
As it navigates the demands of its editorial standards, its talent and its audiences, the BBC is walking a tightrope.
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 9, 2023 12:04:30 GMT
Gary Lineker says he does not fear BBC suspension over asylum policy tweet..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/15BE7/production/_128936098_9c23e1426fe2b7b838842b43b900c0e099056bf0.jpgGary Lineker has said he does not fear BBC suspension in an impartiality row over a tweet criticising the government's asylum policy. Asked by reporters outside his home whether he stood by his tweet, the Match of the Day host said: "Course". Lineker had compared the language the government used to set out asylum plans to "that used by Germany in the 30s". The culture secretary said the presenter's tweets were "disappointing and inappropriate". Lucy Frazer said it was "important for the BBC to retain impartiality if it is to retain the trust of the public who pay the licence fee". The BBC said on Wednesday it was having a "frank conversation" with Lineker about the BBC's guidelines on remaining impartial. Lineker was asked by a group of reporters outside his London home on Thursday whether he feared "getting suspended" and he answered: "No." The corporation's former editorial policy controller Richard Ayre said the presenter had a choice to make over his role at the BBC. He said Lineker must consider whether to stay or to leave and "become a social media influencer". On Tuesday, the government outlined its plans to ban people arriving in the UK illegally from ever claiming asylum, in a bid to address a rise in the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats. Opposition MPs and charities have strongly objected to the proposals, but the PM and home secretary have defended the plan, saying stopping the crossings is a priority for the British people. Responding to some of the criticism on Wednesday, Lineker tweeted: "I'll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no choice." Lineker, 62, who has presented Match of the Day since 1999 also works for LaLiga TV.
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 9, 2023 12:36:37 GMT
Fiona Bruce faces calls to be sacked over 'bias' after Gary Lineker's migrant tweets..
Tory MPs have called for the BBC to sack Gary Lineker after he compared the Government's new migration policy to the tactics of Nazi Germany.
"I'll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all." Lineker tweeted
Despite Gary's comment sparking a backlash online, many fans were quick to point out that the BBC also need to be reminded of Fiona Bruce's "impartiality" on Question Time.
Twitter user @ksafricahack fumed: "@bbcquestiontime someone should remind the unbelievably biased Fiona Bruce that she is on Question Time to chair it not whip up support for the odious Tories."
@isaacdavid1958 tweeted: "It's horrible news. Hearing that the BBC had reminded Gary Lineker of his responsibilities after his remarks when Fiona Bruce appears to be getting away with blatant bias in her presentation of Question Time, makes me glad I gave up on current affairs programmes."
While Bryan added: "BBC...Out of order...well out of order...what about Fiona Bruce's impartiality...bias...hatred of Socialism...what do you propose to do about her?"
Some fans also stepped in to defend Gary, and when asked whether the football pundit should be sacked by the BBC, user @kittyw888 said: "Nope! He spoke the truth!! Although Fiona Bruce, Laura K should go too!"
@mygineration went on to say: "So the Tories think Lineker should be sacked for expressing political opinions. But happy for Fiona Bruce to continue chairing QT despite being appallingly biased...."
"If the BBC are going to speak to Gary Lineker don't they also need to speak to Fiona Bruce and Kuntesberg as well about their tory bias?" @hayward650 asked.
In response a Gary Lineker's tweet, @patters34224516 replied: "@garylineker Your bang on the money Gary!!! Somebody should remind Fiona Bruce about impartiality rules when she's doing @bbcquestiontime."
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 10, 2023 17:44:35 GMT
Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/9658/production/_128888483_linekergettyimages-1240021558.jpgGary Lineker is to step back from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement is reached on his social media use, the BBC has said. It follows an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the government's new asylum policy. The BBC said it considered Lineker's "recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines". It added he should "keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies". The BBC said it had been in "extensive discussions with Gary and team in recent days" and "has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media". It continued: "When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. "We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can't have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies." Fellow pundit Ian Wright said he will not appear in "solidarity", tweeting: "Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I've told the BBC I won't be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity." On Tuesday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman outlined the government's plans to ban people arriving in the UK illegally from ever claiming asylum, in a bid to address a rise in the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats. Lineker reacted to it on Twitter calling it an "immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s". Ms Braverman hit out at Lineker's tweet, saying it "diminishes the unspeakable tragedy" of the Holocaust. Speaking on the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, the home secretary said the Nazi comparison was "lazy and unhelpful" and said her family "feel very keenly the impact of the Holocaust" as her husband is Jewish. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the proposals saying stopping the arrival of small boats is a "priority" for the British people. Lineker has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and is the BBC's highest paid star, having earned about £1.35m in 2020-21. He is employed by the BBC on a freelance basis. The ex-footballer has previously housed asylum seekers and publicly called for better rights and protections for refugees. He has also been critical of successive Conservative governments over issues including Brexit. His comments have attracted widespread support on social media, with one tweet getting 235,000 likes.
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Post by baselswh on Mar 10, 2023 19:08:53 GMT
Lineker is to step back from presenting MOTD ,until he and the BBC come to an understanding about his social media output.
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 10, 2023 19:36:35 GMT
Lineker is to step back from presenting MOTD ,until he and the BBC come to an understanding about his social media output. Alan Shearer joins Ian Wright in Match of the Day boycott.. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/497F/production/_128951881_gettyimages-1392800995.jpgAlan Shearer has joined Ian Wright in boycotting Match of the Day out of “solidarity” with Gary Lineker. The BBC said Lineker had been told to “step back” from presenting the show due to his use of social media. Wright and Shearer were scheduled to appear alongside Lineker on the highlights programme but have both pulled out following the BBC’s announcement. “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night,” Shearer said. Wright had earlier tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.” Lineker has been involved in a row over impartiality after criticising the government’s asylum policy on small boats. The former England striker compared the government’s language in launching the policy with 1930s Germany. |
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 10, 2023 19:43:20 GMT
Piers Morgan demands BBC suspend David Attenborough and Lord Sugar after pal Gary Lineker taken off air..
Piers Morgan has blasted the BBC's decision to pull Gary Lineker off Match of The Day. The corporation said the presenter's criticism of the government's Migration Bill was a "breach of our guidelines".
Taking to Twitter today, Piers blasted the BBC's decision to suspend his pal as he urged the broadcaster to "suspend" every presenter who has commented publicly on issues, including David Attenborough and Lord Alan Sugar.
The Uncensored presenter retweeted an article which read: "Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day until agreement reached on social media use."
Piers, 57, fumed: "WTF? How pathetically spineless... I now demand the BBC suspend every presenter who has made public comment about news or current affairs - starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar."
The row ignited after Gary responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the government's plan for small boats.
He shared the video, commenting: "Good heavens, this is beyond awful."
Responding to another user who described him as "out of order", he added: "We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
"This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I'm out of order?"
Gary doubled down on his comments and had decided to not delete his social media posts despite being slammed by the Home Secretary.
The BBC is set to hold further discussions with Lineker over his future, however, it's understood he will not be apologising for his comments due to freedom of speech.
Their statement read: "The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days.
"We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
"The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
"When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
"We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can't have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies."
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 10, 2023 20:55:54 GMT
'What was BBC thinking when it asked men of principle Lineker and Wright to shut up'..by Darren Lewisichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/9E37/production/_128930504_31d39906af4b1d99f4b77a2416cce350780da70d0_350_3780_21261000x563.jpgWhat did the BBC think would happen when they tried to tell men of principle to shut up and stick to football? Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright are men prepared to risk their space. Men prepared to use their platforms to say what needs to be said. To be clear, Lineker didn’t tweet about sex, crack a crass joke and he didn’t put out any of the other things that have seen other celebrities justifiably cancelled. He tweeted about the need to be careful and considerate towards our fellow man. He remarked on what so many of us are concerned about in relation to the government’s reprehensible policy demonising human beings seeking asylum. He is warning us about the slippery slope it has put us on. Those who can’t see that don’t want to see it. And yet there are more people talking about Gary’s tweet than the actual policy. Gary is not even a member of staff at the BBC. He is a freelancer. His views are his own. They aren’t for sale. Real leadership is sticking by those views when a push comes to shove. Likewise Wrighty who has never been a shrinking violet on the issues that matter. The language being adopted now is similar to the kind of thing used towards Black people arriving here in the sixties and seventies. It will be interesting now to learn who will present their flagship football show on Saturday night with so many of the people who could do it normally very strong - and very public - in regard to their social conscience. This period now is about which side you are on.
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 10, 2023 22:28:00 GMT
Saturday's Match of the Day will now "focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry", a BBC spokesperson says. ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/133BE/production/_128928787_gettyimages-1308517191.jpgThe news comes after Gary Lineker was told to "step back" from presenting duties by the BBC over his criticism of language used in the government’s new asylum policy. In a tweet earlier in the week, the Match of the Day host compared the language used to launch the government's migrant policy with 1930s Germany. The BBC says it considers his recent social media activity to be a breach of its guidelines. Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Ian Wright responded to the news to say they won't be appearing on MOTD in a show of solidarity with Lineker. Micah Richards and Alex Scott also took to social media to confirm they won't be involved in the broadcast on Saturday. |
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 8:59:42 GMT
Former BBC Director General Greg Dyke is speaking on the Today programme on Radio 4..ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/11/7b37894a-cc12-4030-bd47-dbd2db0d3ca1.jpg"I think what the BBC did yesterday was mistaken", he says. "Over the years I've never gone public criticising the leadership of the BBC, because I know what a difficult job it is." But Dyke says he thinks the precedent in the BBC is that news and current affairs employees are expected to be impartial, and not the rest. Gary Lineker is a "much-loved football reporter and presenter, but if you start applying those rules to everybody who works for the BBC, where does it end?" he asks - mentioning Alan Sugar and David Attenborough. Presenter Amol Rajan now asks Greg Dyke about Gary Lineker's responsibility to impartiality as a sports reporter. "Basically Gary Lineker was a footballer, and a brilliant footballer," he says. "And he has built his reputation on being a footballer. And then went into broadcasting and has done it very successfully. "If you thought on Match of the Day tonight he had been talking about immigration policy, then I can understand the BBC’s position. "But if he’s on talking about football that’s what he knows about, that’s what he is qualified to talk about and it doesn’t impeach, I don’t think, on the BBC’s impartiality." Greg Dyke is now asked about whether the BBC not being able to control its highest paid presenter is an issue. The former director general says "the money to some extent is irrelevant" as Lineker could make “far more” if he went elsewhere. "There is a long established precedent in the BBC that if you are an entertainment presenter or a sports presenter then you are not bound by those same rules," he says. "The real problem today is that the BBC has undermined its own credibility by doing this." He says it could create the impression that the "BBC has bowed to government pressure". Asked whether the BBC is being cowardly under pressure from the government, Dyke says the danger is the perception that it is. The BBC has been under enormous pressure for about five years from this government, Dyke says, and the perception is going to be that Gary Lineker was taken off air after government pressure on a particular issue. Dyke is asked about the controversy over BBC Chairman Richard Sharp and allegations that he helped facilitate a loan to former PM Boris Johnson. Dyke says he knows and likes Sharp, and "he's probably a good chairman of the BBC" but says he thinks that that issue being around at the same time has helped fuel these perceptions. He says that since last night's decision to ask Lineker to step back from presenting, a lot of people have rung him to say "isn't this ridiculous?". Asked what BBC Director General Tim Davie should do, Dyke says: "I don' t know how he gets out of this. "It's quite clear Gary Lineker is not going to give him the assurances that he says he wants, therefore I suspect this is the end of Gary Lineker as a BBC presenter as we've known him, and I suspect it will have a long-term effect on Match of the Day."
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 9:05:42 GMT
What has the BBC actually said?..ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/11/7aeda406-e14b-4a6b-adbc-7788f33bd156.jpgLet's have a quick recap on what the BBC has said so far... Yesterday, the broadcaster said it had asked Lineker to step back from presenting after "extensive discussions" with him. The BBC said it considered his "recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines", adding it had been "decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media". In a later statement, a spokesperson said: "Some of our pundits have said that they don't wish to appear on the programme while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary. "We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry." Also yesterday, BBC correspondent Nomia Iqbal approached Director General Tim Davie about the row. Asked if he just kicked the issue further down the line, he said: “I think we’ve had very constructive discussions."
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 9:09:05 GMT
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Post by lostinspace on Mar 11, 2023 9:48:59 GMT
So..Match of the Day......for those who watch it..there might be some football on it tonight ⚽
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 14:22:15 GMT
What's the latest?
If you're just joining us, fall-out from the Gary Lineker row is coming thick and fast, so here's a quick recap:
Football presenters have been pulling out of key BBC programmes in support of Lineker after he was told to "step back" from Match Of The Day.
Football Focus has been replaced by Bargain Hunt on the BBC One schedule, shortly after presenter Alex Scott said it "doesn't feel right" to go ahead with the show.
Final Score also disappeared from the BBC One list, with The Repair Shop now listed for 4:30pm after presenter Jason Mohammad also said he would not appear today.
Presenter Colin Murray said BBC 5 Live's Fighting Talk was not airing today "for obvious reasons", which he said was "a decision taken by the entire FT team and myself".
Match Of The Day pundit Ian Wright has said he'll quit if the BBC "gets rid" of Lineker.
Greg Dyke, a former director general of the BBC, said the corporation was "mistaken" to take Lineker off air.
The BBC has not commented this morning, but yesterday it said it considered Lineker's tweets a breach of its guidelines and that he will remain off air until it gets "an agreed and clear position on his use of social media".
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 14:23:48 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 14:25:49 GMT
'They got this one badly wrong and now they’re very, very exposed' - Keir Starmer on BBC
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has weighed in on the Lineker row.“It is not impartial for BBC to cave in to Tory MPs complaining about Gary Lineker, it’s the opposite of impartial,” he said, while at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandundo. “They got this one badly wrong and now they’re very, very exposed.” Starmer said the crux of the issue was that the government had failed with their asylum system and was looking to blame others. "What they should be doing is standing up, accepting they've broken the asylum system, and telling us what they're going to do to actually fix it, not whingeing on about Gary Lineker." In a statement on Friday, responding to the decision to take Lineker off air, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "Individual cases are a matter for the BBC." ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/3/11/5651ffa6-64bd-4029-b863-e53dc87764df.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 15:06:08 GMT
Gary Lineker: Viewers cancel licence fee after BBC’s day of controversy marks ‘final straw’..
Viewers are cancelling their TV licence fees after a day of controversy rocked the BBC have said they feel the corporation has “sold its soul”. A number of contentious issues have plagued the broadcaster in recent days.
Friday alone saw Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker asked to step back from presenting the show, Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce accused of trivialising domestic abuse and claims the BBC pulled an episode of a new Sir David Attenborough series out of fears of a political backlash.
Among several Twitter users posting pictures proving they had cancelled their monthly direct debits for their TV licence fee was learning and disabilities support worker Simone Gordon. “I have felt for a while that there has been bias towards the Government shown by the BBC in its news coverage,” the 42-year-old from Lincoln told the PA news agency.
“The treatment of Gary Lineker this week confirmed what I feared. Fiona Bruce describing Stanley Johnson in last night’s Question Time hitting his wife ‘just the once’ seemed further proof of this.
“The BBC’s decision not to broadcast (Sir) David Attenborough’s episode in case it offended right-wing viewers was the final straw. I had to cancel my TV licence otherwise I would feel that I would be supporting their agenda.”
The BBC has defended Bruce, stating she was voicing the context of domestic abuse allegations made towards Stanley Johnson, former prime minister Boris Johnson ’s father, and also claimed there “was no sixth episode” of Sir David’s Wild Isles.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Mar 11, 2023 15:09:22 GMT
Gary Lineker ‘wept’ and was ‘in shock’ after walk-out – BBC ‘in meltdown’ with the ‘industry appalled’..
Gary Lineker was reportedly “in shock” after hearing that many of his colleagues have walked out after the presenter was ‘taken off air’ by the BBC.
On Friday afternoon, it was revealed that Lineker has been ‘taken off air’ by the BBC after he tweeted a response to the government’s new policy on asylum.
This angered some Conservatives, who were of the opinion that Lineker was breaching the BBC’s impartiality guidelines, despite his comments coming via his own platform and not the broadcaster.
The BBC’s decision to remove Lineker from Match of the Day has angered many of their own workers. Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards and Alex Scott have all since announced that they will not take part in the programme, which will go ahead without a presenter, pundits or commentators on Saturday night.
The Sun are now reporting that Lineker ‘wept when he found out his pals had publicly backed him after the BBC took him off air’.
A source has told the newspaper that Lineker “wanted to go on air but this was not his decision”. They add that “everyone at the BBC is in meltdown”.
“This has been a tumultuous 24 hours. Gary is in shock and had no idea this was coming. He wanted to go on air, make no bones about it, this was not his decision,” a source told The Sun.
“Privately, everyone at the Beeb is in meltdown too. They genuinely don’t know how they will get a show out because no one wants to touch it.
“Everyone in the industry is appalled at how Gary has been hung out to dry, and the general BBC inconsistency.
“The support has been overwhelming which, essentially, is a massive pie in the face for the BBC.
“Gary wasn’t willing to pretend to support something he vehemently doesn’t agree with.
“He doesn’t need the cash and, frankly, it seems hard to imagine a way back for either party from here.”
Wright has since warned the BBC that he will be “gone” for good if they decide to permanently “get rid” of Lineker.
“That is the distraction and let me tell you something, if the BBC do get rid of Gary Lineker I am out. I am gone, I am not staying there. On his own platform, he should be able to say what he wants to say,” he said on his Wrighty’s House podcast.
“Gary Lineker, he says stuff on everything and it’s almost like this one has missed everybody simply because he says so much but this is so right what he is saying. I have spoken to Gary, I am behind him.
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