New Alternative News Channel "GB News" chaired by Andrew Neil launching - read OP before posting

pixelburp · 02-02-2021 4:15pm

briany wrote: »

The problem these days is that the news is all opinion, or rather that the emphasis has shifted toward editorial comment and punditry. Ultimately, I think we were better off when the news was a man or woman at a desk reporting the events of the day for a half an hour, and then you got on with your evening.

There's the larger question of how IMO 24 hour news channels created this culture of more editorialised reporting, but I'd equally question if the objective "just tell the news" format ever really existed. To take a simple if admittedly extreme example from that era, look at how British channels couldn't play Gerry Adam's voice (albeit because of a ludicrous interpretation of anti-terrorism laws IIRC). I'd be curious to go back and see how events like the coal miner's strike, the Falklands War, or various social upheavals like the Brixton riots were reported on the historic BBC. I would stick my neck out and say they were often editorialised, if more subtly. What was reported was also more easily curated, given it was, as you say, just a half-hour bulletin each evening so clearly things were going to lose out to simplification if even reported in the first place.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but that the old format had its flaws too. Heck, go to further: do people even WATCH 24 hours news anymore? How much of the recent Washington DC riots / insurrection was watched via social media, and how much through (say) the BBC or Guardian?

Tony EH · 02-02-2021 4:27pm

briany wrote: »

The problem these days is that the news is all opinion, or rather that the emphasis has shifted toward editorial comment and punditry.

That depends.

A strict news program, like RTE Six One News, is limited to news reporting where they are restricted to reporting "who", "what", "where" and "when" and leaving out the "why". Something like Fox News or Sky News are more likely to host opinion pieces, because they're a 24 hour news channel, and there just isn't the number of stories to fill the air time. It's a problem all 24hr news channels face since they first went on the air. So you're more likely to get shows discussing a particular topic with a "why" than you are with just a straightforward News program on an ordinary TV station.

Frankly, I think that these 24hr news channels are a blight on reporting most of the time.

I don't believe GB News will be any different.

briany · 02-02-2021 4:33pm

pixelburp wrote: »

There's the larger question of how IMO 24 hour news channels created this culture of more editorialised reporting, but I'd equally question if the objective "just tell the news" format ever really existed. To take a simple if admittedly extreme example from that era, look at how British channels couldn't play Gerry Adam's voice (albeit because of a ludicrous interpretation of anti-terrorism laws IIRC). I'd be curious to go back and see how events like the coal miner's strike, the Falklands War, or various social upheavals like the Brixton riots were reported on the historic BBC. I would stick my neck out and say they were often editorialised, if more subtly. What was reported was also more easily curated, given it was, as you say, just a half-hour bulletin each evening so clearly things were going to lose out to simplification if even reported in the first place.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but that the old format had its flaws too. Heck, go to further: do people even WATCH 24 hours news anymore? How much of the recent Washington DC riots / insurrection was watched via social media, and how much through (say) the BBC or Guardian?

It's not really a question of whether the news has ever been truly objective. The question is whether the move from bulletin news to openly-biased news outlets giving a constant 24-hour stream of punditry and opinion to their viewers is a positive development for society, and I cannot say that it is.

Joe_ Public · 02-02-2021 4:39pm

pixelburp wrote: »

There's the larger question of how IMO 24 hour news channels created this culture of more editorialised reporting, but I'd equally question if the objective "just tell the news" format ever really existed. To take a simple if admittedly extreme example from that era, look at how British channels couldn't play Gerry Adam's voice (albeit because of a ludicrous interpretation of anti-terrorism laws IIRC). I'd be curious to go back and see how events like the coal miner's strike, the Falklands War, or various social upheavals like the Brixton riots were reported on the historic BBC. I would stick my neck out and say they were often editorialised, if more subtly. What was reported was also more easily curated, given it was, as you say, just a half-hour bulletin each evening so clearly things were going to lose out to simplification if even reported in the first place.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but that the old format had its flaws too. Heck, go to further: do people even WATCH 24 hours news anymore? How much of the recent Washington DC riots / insurrection was watched via social media, and how much through (say) the BBC or Guardian?

If you go back to the falklands, the bbc at the time was basically blamed by the thatcher government for the death of a soldier owing to a story it broadcast. Forget the exact details but bbc was just doing its job. There had always been tensions with both labour and tory governments, but that was the start of the bbc being regarded as the "enemy". Northern Ireland was the same, the government expected the bbc to be on its side rather than doing incisive, critical reporting. That constant tension made its job a lot tougher to do.

Tony EH · 02-02-2021 4:43pm

briany wrote: »

It's not really a question of whether the news has ever been truly objective. The question is whether the move from bulletin news to openly-biased news outlets giving a constant 24-hour stream of punditry and opinion to their viewers is a positive development for society, and I cannot say that it is.

Frankly, I would say no. Because the tendency is for such a thing to create an audience and then cater for that audience, which leads to them shaping their reporting to please. The extremity, of course, is the likes of Fox News which is simply a propaganda organ for the Republicans and was set up to be so. It's obvious slant is there to massage the opinions of the people watching.

The only advantage to a 24hr News channel that I can think of would be their ability to be on the spot at major events as they unfold. Something like 9/11 was reported on channels like BBC News 24 or Sky as it happened. Whereas, for most major events in the past, you waited for the news slot at 6 or 9 O'Clock on ordinary television.

Other than that, I cannot think of any other reason to be absorbing what they say.

Tony EH · 02-02-2021 4:46pm

pixelburp wrote: »

I'd equally question if the objective "just tell the news" format ever really existed. To take a simple if admittedly extreme example from that era, look at how British channels couldn't play Gerry Adam's voice (albeit because of a ludicrous interpretation of anti-terrorism laws IIRC).

In fairness, that was a result of the Tories trying to silence rather than the BBC or ITV trying to do so.

Dyr · 02-02-2021 9:06pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

If you go back to the falklands, the bbc at the time was basically blamed by the thatcher government for the death of a soldier owing to a story it broadcast. Forget the exact details but bbc was just doing its job. There had always been tensions with both labour and tory governments, but that was the start of the bbc being regarded as the "enemy". Northern Ireland was the same, the government expected the bbc to be on its side rather than doing incisive, critical reporting. That constant tension made its job a lot tougher to do.

The BBC did **** all incisive reporting on Northern Ireland

James Brown · 02-02-2021 9:11pm

Melanchthon wrote: »

What far right representation is there in UK media? And no the Sun isn't far right unless your far left

The Sun is a right wing rag masquerading as a blue collar working man's paper.

Joe_ Public · 02-02-2021 9:24pm

Bambi wrote: »

The BBC did **** all incisive reporting on Northern Ireland

Never said it did.

ExMachina1000 · 02-02-2021 9:46pm

Sounds like a great alternative. Much needed and I'm sure it will do well

AllForIt · 06-02-2021 8:45pm

I see the Left wing fundamentalist's are going ape over this. I'd hardly call Nick Ferrari, Rachael Johnson or Julia Hartley Brewer rabid right wingers.

https://twitter.com/StopFundingHate/status/1357970051798863872

MisterAnarchy · 07-02-2021 2:21am

AllForIt wrote: »

I see the Left wing fundamentalist's are going ape over this.

And rightly so

UK news debate is woke & out of touch - prepare for huge TV shake-up, says ANDREW NEIL

https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/1394315/Andrew-Neil-GB-News-latest-comment

livia21 · 07-02-2021 10:23am

I wouldn't surprised if Katie Hopkins is a regular contributor or maybe even a host...She is a godess to many on the right.

pjohnson · 07-02-2021 10:26am

When did Nick Ferrari have a breakdown to lead him to this train wreck.

Harry Palmr · 07-02-2021 3:51pm

I'm sure the early hosts will as much as anything will be testing the water for the (non dom) owners and management. How do they play, how often do they invite possible future hosts on as guests - your Farages, O'Neills, etc though I suspect they'll be wise enough not to actively invite trouble with Katie Hopkins and Tommy Robinson!

ExMachina1000 · 07-02-2021 4:00pm

livia21 wrote: »

I wouldn't surprised if Katie Hopkins is a regular contributor or maybe even a host...She is a godess to many on the right.

I believe she will be yes. From what I heard last she will be hosting a programme similar to the late late show.
But seriously there is also a second right wing news channel starting this year. "News uk tv" this will be owned by Rupert murdoch owner of fox news among others.

A new dawn in tv and news. Excellent

dublinman1990 · 13-02-2021 11:58pm

Colin Brazier from Sky News is joining GB News with a new morning news programme in his schedule.

There is an update on the GB News twitter feed.

Real Donald Trump · 13-02-2021 11:59pm

This news channel is badly needed, looking forward to it.

irishproduce · 14-02-2021 12:11am

Genuinely looking forward to the channel launching. Will be able to skip between BBC and this new channel to get a mixed view on things. Can only be a good thing that an antidote to left leaning TV is being launched. Viewers will have choice now

Dyr · 14-02-2021 12:15am

Tony EH wrote: »

That depends.

A strict news program, like RTE Six One News, is limited to news reporting where they are restricted to reporting "who", "what", "where" and "when" and leaving out the "why".

:D:D

RTE as a bastion of impartiality, jaysus. Is that why you have an endless procession of Ministers and health officials on the Late Late being given softball interviews in whats meant to be a topical entertainment show?

dd973 · 14-02-2021 12:46am

https://truepublica.org.uk/united-kingdom/weekly-news-review-public-health-versus-public-relations/

There’s an irony here isn’t there. It’s about Brexit and taking back control from foreigners. This is a “US” based “Australian” employing a “French” based “Scot” to present what is more or less government propaganda to the “English.” It’s divisive stuff, isn’t it?

On top of all that 'the English' haven't even got a state.

An Claidheamh · 14-02-2021 1:20am

irishproduce wrote: »

Genuinely looking forward to the channel launching. Will be able to skip between BBC and this new channel to get a mixed view on things. Can only be a good thing that an antidote to left leaning TV is being launched. Viewers will have choice now

BBC news has never been left wing (or balanced)

It is pro-British interests and very self serving, just like Russian news

It’s reporting of Ireland and NI has never been accurate and can be pure ignorant and propaganda at worst (therefore one can hardly flatly believe their reporting of territories they don’t actually own is true)

It’s world service is a remnant of imperialism

It’s correspondents think they are the story

As someone said earlier, Scottish referendum showed their true colours, while the Brexit issue showed how behind they are - relying too much on dramatics and smugness rather than trained journalists

Really Sky News, for all it’s faults, is better

tdf7187 · 14-02-2021 1:37am

British media is already overwhelmingly right-wing and populist. The type of people backing this channel represent corporate interests who want to drag the public debate ever further to the right.

There was a thing put up on Twitter recently of Boris Johnson's diary, the representatives from media organisations he had met in the last few months.

All of them, without exception, were from conservative right wing media - The Murdoch group, the Daily Mail, the Times, the Telegraph, etc. The only difference between them is how far right they lean.

The situation is very different in Ireland. Ireland could possibly benefit from a channel of that type.

tdf7187 · 14-02-2021 1:39am

An Claidheamh wrote: »

BBC news has never been left wing (or balanced)

It is pro-British interests and very self serving, just like Russian news

It’s reporting of Ireland and NI has never been accurate and can be pure ignorant and propaganda at worst (therefore one can hardly flatly believe their reporting of territories they don’t actually own is true)

It’s world service is a remnant of imperialism

It’s correspondents think they are the story

As someone said earlier, Scottish referendum showed their true colours, while the Brexit issue showed how behind they are - relying too much on dramatics and smugness rather than trained journalists

Really Sky News, for all it’s faults, is better

Indeed. BBC is right wing, and has gotten more so in the last decade. Laura Kuennsberg's interviews with Teresa May were ridiculously sycophantic. Nick Robinson is a more-or-less open Tory. The Today show's presenters are a bit more even-handed.

The people who claim the BBC is left wing are right wing extremists. The fact that it is not right wing enough for them does not mean it is left wing.

Tony EH · 14-02-2021 2:01am

Bambi wrote: »

:D:D

RTE as a bastion of impartiality, jaysus. Is that why you have an endless procession of Ministers and health officials on the Late Late being given softball interviews in whats meant to be a topical entertainment show?

What this is is a complete failure to understand the post. Here, I'll repost it, you might get it this time. The important bit has even been bolded for you.

Tony EH wrote: »

That depends.

A strict news program, like RTE Six One News, is limited to news reporting where they are restricted to reporting "who", "what", "where" and "when" and leaving out the "why". Something like Fox News or Sky News are more likely to host opinion pieces, because they're a 24 hour news channel, and there just isn't the number of stories to fill the air time. It's a problem all 24hr news channels face since they first went on the air. So you're more likely to get shows discussing a particular topic with a "why" than you are with just a straightforward News program on an ordinary TV station.

Frankly, I think that these 24hr news channels are a blight on reporting most of the time.

I don't believe GB News will be any different.

Dyr · 14-02-2021 12:14pm

Tony EH wrote: »

What this is is a complete failure to understand the post. Here, I'll repost it, you might get it this time. The important bit has even been bolded for you.

Bold away buddy, if your point is that by limiting itself to an hour (RTE News Now exists but anyway) that RTEs 6 and 9 oclock news is in some way impartial then you're still barking up the wrong tree, RTE news is Pravda for the people who run this country, RTE have a huge wage bill to pay and they aint paying them through anything other than sycophancy.

_Kaiser_ · 14-02-2021 12:33pm

Tony EH wrote: »

That depends.

A strict news program, like RTE Six One News, is limited to news reporting where they are restricted to reporting "who", "what", "where" and "when" and leaving out the "why". Something like Fox News or Sky News are more likely to host opinion pieces, because they're a 24 hour news channel, and there just isn't the number of stories to fill the air time. It's a problem all 24hr news channels face since they first went on the air. So you're more likely to get shows discussing a particular topic with a "why" than you are with just a straightforward News program on an ordinary TV station.

Frankly, I think that these 24hr news channels are a blight on reporting most of the time.

I don't believe GB News will be any different.

Point of order...

RTE are very much guilty of 'agenda reporting' and pushing specific opinions and personalities.

'Just the facts' they are not! Far from it.

suicide_circus · 14-02-2021 12:36pm

Depending on their personal political leanings, people seem to view the BBC as being rabidly the other way. I think we can be fairly certain that 99% of BBC staff voted remain in the brexit referendum but we can also be fairly certain that 99% of them are toffs.

The political centre ground continues to lose ground to the fringe mentalist left and right as we allow ourselves to be further polarised all while living the safest and most comfortable lives in history.

Harry Palmr · 14-02-2021 12:39pm

dd973 wrote: »

https://truepublica.org.uk/united-kingdom/weekly-news-review-public-health-versus-public-relations/

There’s an irony here isn’t there. It’s about Brexit and taking back control from foreigners. This is a “US” based “Australian” employing a “French” based “Scot” to present what is more or less government propaganda to the “English.” It’s divisive stuff, isn’t it?

On top of all that 'the English' haven't even got a state.

So much of the right wing media in Britain/England is a non dom plaything. The laws of media ownership really need to change so that the owners and the executive board are entirely home grown.

FTA69 · 14-02-2021 1:41pm

Probably has been said already but the idea that the British media is some paragon of socialism is a joke. For starters, the vast majority of media outlets are owned by oligarchs such as Rupert Murdoch, Lord Rothermere (Daily Mail Group) and people like Evgeny Lebedev. A good metric of their attitude to political and economic change was provided when Corbyn was leader of the Labour Party whereby the media outdid itself with one outlandish propaganda story after another. The BBC, a supposedly ‘impartial’ broadcaster was even worse than some of the private sector news outlets; featuring images of Corbyn superimposed in front of the Kremlin and actually editing out the audio of an audience laughing at Boris Johnson during the televised debates between the two. Something like 80% of coverage about Corbyn on the BBC was wholly negative. The guy heading the BBC now is a close Tory ally as it happens.

What we have seen however on some media outlets is a proliferation of American-style identity political correctness as well as the old ‘smug centrist’ types. People who are perfectly happy with the economic status quo and who don’t want any serious change but will lose their minds over perceived cultural sleights such as Brexit or Trump being mean on Twitter. They’re a genuinely insufferable bunch and a major engine the culture war b*llocks that is all pervasive nowadays.

GB News isn’t going to be any radical or new addition to the political debate, it’s just going to carbon copy Fox News and take a more boorish and direct line on pushing an economic system that’s increasingly failing us but with added shouting about immigrants, goading the ‘media elite’ (which they’re also part of) and whatever nonsense issues that get people foaming at the mouth.

New Alternative News Channel "GB News" chaired by Andrew Neil launching - read OP before posting

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