I’ll be honest and say that I’m deeply sceptical that this or any other submission will make much difference, but I admire their tenacity.
Andrew Montford ( Bishop Hill ) and Tony Newbery (Harmless Sky) have put in a submission to the BBC’s Review of Impartiality and Accuracy in their coverage of [Climate] Science. It’s a good read and summarizes very well some of the major areas of complaint about the BBC’s slanted reporting on environmentalism, scepticism and global warming.
In order to get to send the submission, they had to go through the usual Byzantine intrigue of working out just where to send it and to whom to address it.
Over the last several years, Tony N (Harmless Sky) and I have taken a great deal of interest in the BBC’s coverage of the climate debate, and this has involved a good deal of behind-the-scenes research. So we were obviously interested when the BBC Trust announced in early January this year that they were to conduct a review of the impartiality of their science coverage.
Our first reaction was to write to Professor Richard Tait, the trustee who was fronting this project, requesting that we should make a submission to the review and pointing out that the main critics of the BBC coverage of AGW were in the blogosphere. Not only were we unable to get a reply form Professor Tait, but we were unable even to get confirmation from the secretary of the Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee that he had been given the letter. This will be the subject of another post.
Fortunately, in April, I happened to spot a request for comments from the general public on an obscure BBC web page. He contacted Professor Steve Jones, the person commissioned by the BBC Trust to conduct the review, who proved to be rather more approachable than Professor Tait. It was quickly arranged that we should make a submission before the end of October. His report is due to be published in the Spring of 2011.
Anybody holding their breath? Me neither.
Enneagram says: November 16, 2010 at 11:57 am
Last winter we enjoyed, here in WUWT, a complete painted white UK, how will it look this time, a new Greenland perhaps? 🙂
Not exactly, but ubiquitous Hudson Bay is getting ‘hot’ again. Regular readers may recall my interest Hudson Bay.
http://weather.unisys.com/surface/sst_anom.gif
Prof Steve Jones, an eminent geneticist at UCL, seems to be a pretty sensible bloke. (Well he is Welsh from Aberystwyth).
Hopefully,his professional integrity will override any personal views he may hold and a proper review of the BBCs remarkably biased take on AGW will take place.
Everyone knows the extreme weakness of computer models based on chaotic systems: when you are unsure about the data and the assumptions the models are fed, the results of that weak data are especially unconvincing.
In direct contrast, empirical science does NOT point to any increase in catastrophes such as rising sea levels or more and stronger hurricanes, etc.
Yet the BBC headlines scream out, “CATASTROPHE! DEATH! DESTRUCTION!”
Anyone can see the disconnect.
I still get “Page not found”.
[Reply: Which particular link? I get them all now. ~dbs]
With regard to the mindset at the BBC, I’m surprised that no-one mentioned that the BBC does most of its recruiting through the employment pages of the Guardian. Saves a lot of interviewing, a sort of first stage of selection to ensure all the candidates are onside?
The UN consists of various people who are un-elected, as does the EU.
Further to my previous comment, there is this snippet to communicate:-
“The Club of Rome is a conspiratorial umbrella organization, a marriage between Anglo-American financiers and the old Black Nobility families of Europe, particularly the so-called “nobility” of London, Venice and Genoa. The key to the successful control of the world is their ability to create and manage savage economic recessions and eventual depressions. The Committee of 300 looks to social convulsions on a global scale, followed by depressions, as a softening-up technique for bigger things to come, as its principal method of creating masses of people all over the world who will become its “welfare” recipients of the future.”
The club of rome has this to say:-
“The common enemy of humanity is man.
In searching for a new enemy to unite us, we came up
with the idea that pollution, the threat of global warming,
water shortages, famine and the like would fit the bill. All these
dangers are caused by human intervention, and it is only through
changed attitudes and behavior that they can be overcome.
The real enemy then, is humanity itself.”
– Club of Rome,
premier environmental think-tank,
consultants to the United Nations”
The above is quoted from ‘green agenda’ (Googled).
This is just one face of the sinister, esoteric and evil power that is possibly behind the strangulation of the media, in particular television, and especially the BBC, with its reputation beginning to come apart at its very roots.
To Auntie Beeb I say this: stand up for your principles; if a statement appears along the lines of ‘the science is settled’, then that should be your cue to question that assertion vigourously, for the simple reason that no science is ever settled.
I grew up in Central Africa in the ’50s and early ’60s, at 1900hrs (local time) the chimes of Big Ben rang out from the valve-driven radio, tuned into short wave (25m if memory serves correctly) to be followed by a sonorous voice intoning “This … is London” (the pause was very dramatic). It was the BBC World Service News which was listened to avidly by all, not a word was spoken whilst the News was being delivered. No child dared make a sound.
Then the News was strictly factual, any editorial comment came later from correspondents and was announced as such.
I have now returned to England, much against my desire, and for the last eight years I’ve not listened to a word that the BBC has broadcast, either on radio or on TV. Upon my return to this blighted country I rapidly learned that the BBC is nothing but a propaganda machine for Socialist views which verge on the extreme.
I have a TV in my house which the Government demands that I purchase from them a licence for £145 (US$230) annually. The licence is not per household, it is per TV set! You have TWO sets? That’ll be $460 please! Vendors of TVs are obliged to notify the Government of the name and address of the purchasers of TV sets in order to maximise the return from the licence fees.
The licence fee is given to the BBC.
What is the penalty for not having a TV Licence?
People found guilty of using TV without a valid licence risk prosecution, legal costs and a fine of up to £1,000. Plus, they will still have to buy a TV Licence.
Anyone who watches or records television programmes as they are being
shown on TV needs to be covered by a TV Licence, no matter what
device they use. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games
consoles, digital boxes and DVD/VHS recorders.
Currently, TV Licence costs are £145.50 per annum.
I steadfastly refuse to pay.
Welcome to the EUSSR, Socialist Sector UK.
The BBC is a classic example of an out of control, unaccountable, bureaucracy. The salaries paid to its numerous top executives are outrageous for what they do and achieve, especially as most of them would be unemployable in the private sector.
To expect such an organisation to police itself in its supposed efforts to limit bias on something as trendy/lefty as the subject of ‘climate change’, is similar to expressing belief in the tooth fairy.
Anyhow, I wish Montford and Newbery good luck in their efforts, but sadly hell will freeze over first before the BBC becomes objective on the subject of climate.
[Reply: Which particular link? I get them all now. ~dbs]
The very last one. Sorry, it was the only one I (and perhaps others) tried. The link titled BBC Science Review Submission.
[Fixed now… I think. ~dbs, mod.]
It was enough for me to see the pathetic experiment on BBC’s newsnight when they introduced CO2 to a plastic bottle and the temperature increased by 4 deg C. This they used to emphasize what a dangerous pollutant CO2 is. So I got out my envelope and did a small calculation. In such an environment doubling CO2 would increase temperature by about 1 deg C. Arrhenius and his chums would agree this. So to increase temperature by 4 deg C would require increasing CO2 16 fold. So far CO2 has increased by about 1/3 since the start of the inductrial revolution ie 280 ppm to 380ppm. ie 1/48th of the amount put in the bottle. Be afraid be very afraid!
It seems as though the BBC is coming up with a new show, calling it ‘Hell on Earth’. I found out about their new venture because they were soliciting for a host for the show, looking for a certain demographic: Special Forces. I used to be in the Seal Teams, and I got the announcement through some other former Team guys. Here is a snippet of it [emphasis mine]:
I don’t see anything on having a degree in environmental science on this casting call. I guess they aren’t interested in the science.
The link to the submission at the bottom of the article does not work. The link in the body of the article does, however.
[I think it’s fixed now. Thanks. ~dbs, mod.]
If it were not for Timothy Berners-Lee we would not be able to express our posts, comments and other (sometimes) trivia amongst ourselves.
To him we have to thank for not only the chattering community, which can mostly be ignored, but also to the many stalwarts of our new-found freedom, such as WUWT, along with many other blogs of similar ilk.
Without this almost magical technology we would have no voice and little, or no persuasion with our opponents, especially with the likes of the BBC.
I have also found this…
“NUEVO ORDEN MUNDIAL
Muchos de los estados actuales se autodenominan “democracias”: gobierno en el que el pueblo es soberano.
Sin embargo, la soberanía del pueblo se limita a marcar, cada pocos años, una cruz en una papeleta, señalando unos nombres de entre otros, que le son propuestos. Nos han hecho creer que la democracia es ese simple gesto.
Nuestro sistema, NO ES UNA DEMOCRACIA. Es un sistema social de jerarquía global, sostenido por una minoría para dominar a una mayoría.
En
esta
jerarquía, unos
pocos, situados en
la cima de la Pirámide
del Poder, imponen sus leyes.
Se arrogan unos derechos que nos han
usurpado a todos los demás. Son los grandes
capos de la banca y la industria. Han acaparado más dinero
que nadie, y a través de él ejercen el control sobre seres humanos y recursos
Se valen de los gobiernos (“democráticos” o “dictatoriales”, de “derechas” o de “izquierdas”), que les sirven, y con quiénes comparten porciones del poder. Los gobiernos son los asalariados directos de la gran banca y la industria multinacional.
Las autoridades son un artificio pensado para responder a necesidades creadas artificialmente: seguridad y protección. Son una herramienta de usurpación del poder por parte de las multinacionales. Son el biombo tras el cual la industria mueve los hilos.
Por debajo de los gobiernos, las instituciones se disputan las porciones de poder que les son concedidas.
Políticas Nos comprometen en guerras que nosotros no deseamos. Establecen alianzas o apoyan embargos a otras naciones, sin tenernos en cuenta.
Legislativas
Nos imponen leyes para controlarnos y pagan a jueces para condenarnos.
Sanitarias
Nos niegan el poder de decidir los tratamientos que queremos para mantener nuestra salud. Nos intoxican con las vacunaciones a las que nos obligan a someternos; nos mutilan con supuestas cirugías preventivas y nos envenenan y exterminan con pseudo-medicamentos.
Educacionales
Nos educan para que seamos sumisos, para que tengamos miedo. Nos inculcan la creencia de la desigualdad, que es la base sobre la que han conseguido sus privilegios. Controlan la investigación científica a partir del dinero que aportan en subvenciones, y no tienen empacho en censurar o falsificar los resultados según su conveniencia.
Policiales
Instalan sistemas electrónicos para vigilarnos (inculcándonos la creencia de que es para nuestra seguridad y protección). Pagan a policías para detenernos.
Mediáticas
Controlan los medios de comunicación más importantes, y a través de los mismos crean una falsa realidad que actúa como cortina de humo para que no podamos ser conscientes de sus manipulaciones.
Para llevar a cabo su agenda de control, la Cima del Poder lleva adelante su Plan Secreto. A eso se le llama CONSPIRACIÓN o COMPLOT. Ya que el plan es secreto, no podemos conocerlo. Pero vemos sus resultados.
Y la mejor manera de desmontar un complot es exponer esos resultados a la luz del día.
A fuerza de repetírnoslo, hemos acabado creyendo que no tenemos ningún poder para cambiar nada. Pero somos nosotros quiénes pagamos el salario de nuestras autoridades. Nosotros, quiénes hemos depositado nuestra autoridad individual en manos ajenas, y hemos permitido el desarrollo y mantenimiento de los gobiernos que tenemos. Tienen la autoridad que nosotros queremos darles.
Nosotros podemos vivir sin ellos. Ellos no pueden vivir sin nosotros…”
It would appear that where so ever you look, more information hits you between the eyes. It certainly does to me. Google a couple of key words, and extraordinary posts are there for you to read, or perhaps, even gasp at.
Many people are naive when trying to put their views forward, and, indeed I may be one of those, but when you read some of the weblogs, and comments thereof, one cannot help but feel overwhelmed.
The language of the above comment cannot be translated by me, but the vitriol of the piece, headed by ‘new world order’ is no less than acid to my stomach.
To ‘son of mulder’, I would say this…
Temperature rise always precedes an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration.
In other words, I would hazard a guess that the Sun has quite a bit to do with climate!
“`…You hadn’t exactly gone out of your way to call attention to them had you? I mean like actually telling anyone or anything.’
`But the plans were on display…’
`On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.’
`That’s the display department.’
`With a torch.’
`Ah, well the lights had probably gone.’
`So had the stairs.’
`But look you found the notice didn’t you?’
`Yes,’ said Arthur, `yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying “Beware of The Leopard”.'”
It may finally be their undoing (we can only hope), but the CBC in Canada has given up pretending to be unbiased and has gone full bore left. They do not represent me or anyone I know in any way, yet I have to pay for it through my taxes. Please tell me again how they are allowed to do this. Seems funny paying for something that does goes against what I believe. I would love to see Harper step in and remove those at the helm. Didn’t journalists used to be proud of presenting the news without imposing their opinions? Where the hell has that gone?
I hope Montford and Newbery can get somewhere with this – but I don’t think they will. I have complained to the BBC over several years about its (non-climate) partiality, but not so frequently that I can be dismissed as a “serial whinger”. However, I’ve always had (in essence) the same reply: This is the BBC and we always get things just right.
I’m afraid that only a huge top-down shake-up or complete demolition will do the job that’s required.
As Kate says:
November 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm , there must be a large number of BBC employees who are very frightened at the futures of their pensions as invested by Peter Dunscombe, he will obviously have a protected pension (in oil,coal and gas).
James.
Hey, I have been complaining to the BBC for years about their one sided discussions and always get the same reply. It boils down to- ‘we hear what you say but reserve the right to ignore it despite you paying our wages’.
They have recently been told to encompass skeptical views about climate and discuss. So far to no avail so I have complained again and had no reply as yet because they can take up to 3 weeks for that.
I have tried to view the Bishop Hill posting several times both from WUWT and directly and in all cases the page isn’t found. I suspect it’s a Bishop Hill blogprob since evrything else I have linked with today has been fine.
On a point of information, the BBC TV licence is per household, irrespective of number of sets in the household. Only equipment with a tuneable receiver is subject to licensing.
The BBC are more likely to respond to a significantly large number of individual comments about aspects of their service than to heavyweight, hard hitting, “high profile” submissions such as that of Andrew and Tony. Is all UK readers of WUWT were to write and express their concerns, copying any correspondence to the ITV, we might see some form of shift.
But then again, maybe I’m seriously naive and the AGW-pooh has actually baked on to the fan too tight to come off any time now.
Errrr! That should read “If all UK readers of WUWT where to write and express their concerns…”
Sorry.
All this BBC-bashing is just so much green ink. Go to any left-wing site in the UK (there are one or two, but nowhere as near as many as those on the right, the far right, the distant right and the so-wayyyy-awayyy-they’ve- disintegrated-under-the-velocity-of-their-own-spleen right) and you will see comments on just how right-wing BBC editorial and bias is. So it must be doing something correctly, to p*ss off both foaming fringes.
As to a license per TV. Wrong. Per household it is, and it represents spectacular value for money, compared with anything offered by anyone else anywhere.
And no, I am not a BBC employee. Matter of fact I do not own a television. I am just tired of Beeb-bashing ignorance.
When I was on the BBC website recently up jumped a survey on “Equality and Diversity”. Some of the questions related to “Balance” and “Fairness”. In my comments I referred, among other things, to the BBC’s coverage of Climate Science. I doubt that they will make any difference. I wish that I had seen this before I filled inthe survey.
But I really liked the comment from David Waring about Beeb-basing ignorance despite the fact that he does not own a TV.
@David Waring: You are a silly man. You don’t have a TV and (therefore) do not – cannot – watch BBC news programmes and documentaries. So wtf qualifies you to comment on the bias or otherwise of the BBC. I would have more respect for your argument had you bothered to engage (buzz-phrase, I know, but it means you should get acquainted with both sides of the argument).
I really don’t know why you even bother to take the trouble to comment here. You have nothing to add to the debate and have just wasted your time, and, on reflection mine.
I suggest you go and get some kind of education, one way or the other, on what is happening in the world as a result of the con that is CAGW and the way the BBC is bent (very apt0 on reporting it.