MOTD

[DrGonzo]

Karren Brady isn’t a BBC presenter though, she’s merely part of an entertainment programme that the BBC pay for, made by an independent production company, so the same rules don’t apply.

The same was true of Michel Roux Jr which is why I mentioned his suspension and sacking over advertising Albert Bartlett potatoes.  And Baroness Brady also uses the BBC brand to promote herself through The Apprentice and as such is responsible to the same rules and regs as other presenters.  She is a co-presenter on The Apprentice.

[Nev]

Yep, Lineker is the bad guy here, not the fuckers treating human beings like absolute shit.

You do know that people can disagree with the government and also disagree with Lineker twattering about it though don’t you? Or they could agree with what he did in this instance but generally think he’s a twat and not be arsed if he’s on match of the day any more. There is more than one way to interpret.

Of course, but the discussion here isn't about his the man and his ability as a presenter or indeed whether he is a "complete wanker" or not. I'm not keen on his presenting style and his pleading on behalf of Nick Pope the other week was unprofessional and pathetic but that has no real relevance here.

[Risso]

Karren Brady isn’t a BBC presenter though, she’s merely part of an entertainment programme that the BBC pay for, made by an independent production company, so the same rules don’t apply.

The same was true of Michel Roux Jr which is why I mentioned his suspension and sacking over advertising Albert Bartlett potatoes.  And Baroness Brady also uses the BBC brand to promote herself through The Apprentice and as such is responsible to the same rules and regs as other presenters.  She is a co-presenter on The Apprentice.

The Apprentice isn’t made by the BBC, it’s made by a third party company called MGM television. The BBC’s contract is with them, and not Alan Sugar or Karren Brady. They’re not presenters, they’re just paid stars on an entertainment programme. It’s a different situation entirely.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Karren Brady isn’t a BBC presenter though, she’s merely part of an entertainment programme that the BBC pay for, made by an independent production company, so the same rules don’t apply.

The same was true of Michel Roux Jr which is why I mentioned his suspension and sacking over advertising Albert Bartlett potatoes.  And Baroness Brady also uses the BBC brand to promote herself through The Apprentice and as such is responsible to the same rules and regs as other presenters.  She is a co-presenter on The Apprentice.

The Apprentice isn’t made by the BBC, it’s made by a third party company called MGM television. The BBC’s contract is with them, and not Alan Sugar or Karren Brady. They’re not presenters, they’re just paid stars on an entertainment programme. It’s a different situation entirely.

Lineker is freelance isn't he?

[hilts_coolerking]

Karren Brady isn’t a BBC presenter though, she’s merely part of an entertainment programme that the BBC pay for, made by an independent production company, so the same rules don’t apply.

A distinction which may be lost on many viewers.  You have two people, who both appear on flagship BBC shows, one of whom is allowed to express her opinions freely and one of whom is not, the reason for that being to do with how the two shows are produced.  The BBC can't really say it has a commitment to 'impartiality' when the specifics of a contract between the BBC and independent production companies allow an imbalance.  Seems to me they should both be allowed to do it, or neither. 

[algy]

The Beeb seem to be constantly accused by the left and right if being biased toward the other, which leaves them pretty much where they should be doesn't it.

That’s my view generally, that the BBC is fairly representative of the population and if left mostly to its own devices would be as impartial as it ought to be.

It’s a daft culture war thing for them to get in to, Lineker hasn’t really done anything wrong. I take Ads’ point about invoking Nazism too often - but ultimately right or wrong on that front, it small beer. There isn’t a single person who’s going to associate Gary Lineker’s views with those of an impartial political commentator any more than they’re going to associate Alan Sugar’s views with them. It’s absolute bollocks, the only people who really need to be mindful of what political comment they make are those that are directly involved in reporting politics impartially, and nobody in Match of the Day, the Apprentice, or bloody Great British Bake Off is going to be mistaken for a political commentator reporting the news.

[RamboandBruno]

Karren Brady isn’t a BBC presenter though, she’s merely part of an entertainment programme that the BBC pay for, made by an independent production company, so the same rules don’t apply.

A distinction which may be lost on many viewers.  You have two people, who both appear on flagship BBC shows, one of whom is allowed to express her opinions freely and one of whom is not, the reason for that being to do with how the two shows are produced.  The BBC can't really say it has a commitment to 'impartiality' when the specifics of a contract between the BBC and independent production companies allow an imbalance.  Seems to me they should both be allowed to do it, or neither.

Exactly, by doing what they have done the bbc have opened themselves up to all sorts of scrutiny about how they apply their impartiality agenda for want of a better word.

[garyellis]

The bit about risk been lower would seem important
The clause 15.3.13 has to be there for a reason and can’t simply be trumped by 15.3.15

Wonder if they’d have done anything if he had tweeted agreement with the government ?

[Ian.]

If the Government can not take any criticism, especially in a country where we all have a vote, then ask said person to take the criticism back and apologise, there is something fundamentally wrong with them.

His job within the BBC should not have anything to do with it. If working for the BBC means you give up your right to criticise, then maybe the BBC should not air shows like HIGNFY or Question Time.

[hipkiss92]

The Beeb seem to be constantly accused by the left and right if being biased toward the other, which leaves them pretty much where they should be doesn't it.

That’s my view generally, that the BBC is fairly representative of the population and if left mostly to its own devices would be as impartial as it ought to be.

It’s a daft culture war thing for them to get in to, Lineker hasn’t really done anything wrong. I take Ads’ point about invoking Nazism too often - but ultimately right or wrong on that front, it small beer. There isn’t a single person who’s going to associate Gary Lineker’s views with those of an impartial political commentator any more than they’re going to associate Alan Sugar’s views with them. It’s absolute bollocks, the only people who really need to be mindful of what political comment they make are those that are directly involved in reporting politics impartially, and nobody in Match of the Day, the Apprentice, or bloody Great British Bake Off is going to be mistaken for a political commentator reporting the news.

And of course Alex Neil carried on editing The Spectator for years as a BBC politics presenter without any repercussions, so the BBC are picking and choosing.

[Clampy]

If the Government can not take any criticism, especially in a country where we all have a vote, then ask said person to take the criticism back and apologise, there is something fundamentally wrong with them.

His job within the BBC should not have anything to do with it. If working for the BBC means you give up your right to criticise, then maybe the BBC should not air shows like HIGNFY or Question Time.

HiGNFY is made by a different/outside production company I think.

[AlexAlexCropley]

The Beeb seem to be constantly accused by the left and right if being biased toward the other, which leaves them pretty much where they should be doesn't it.

That’s my view generally, that the BBC is fairly representative of the population and if left mostly to its own devices would be as impartial as it ought to be.

It’s a daft culture war thing for them to get in to, Lineker hasn’t really done anything wrong. I take Ads’ point about invoking Nazism too often - but ultimately right or wrong on that front, it small beer. There isn’t a single person who’s going to associate Gary Lineker’s views with those of an impartial political commentator any more than they’re going to associate Alan Sugar’s views with them. It’s absolute bollocks, the only people who really need to be mindful of what political comment they make are those that are directly involved in reporting politics impartially, and nobody in Match of the Day, the Apprentice, or bloody Great British Bake Off is going to be mistaken for a political commentator reporting the news.

And of course Alex Neil carried on editing The Spectator for years as a BBC politics presenter without any repercussions, so the BBC are picking and choosing.

The Stoke manager?

[Ian.]

I know that but it’s aired on the BBC. Surely though, not been able to take any form of criticism is the problem here? A Government is never going to please everyone, so making such a song and dance over Lineker is just ridiculous and helping hide the fact that they are in a right mess and we’re all having to live through it until they are removed.

[Hampshire Villa]

Such a shame we didn’t see this level of solidarity when the BBC axed a great many news people and local radio workers.
MOTD will be better without the garbage spoken by the normal suspects. Seems that some of these so called presenters have fantastic agents to push their talentless clients to the BBC who then employ them in increasing levels. I for one will not miss Gollum Murphy , the Buffoon Richards.  The waste of space Jenas and the rest of the parasites. Show us more football and not endless dribble from pundits.

[Risso]

I know that but it’s aired on the BBC. Surely though, not been able to take any form of criticism is the problem here? A Government is never going to please everyone, so making such a song and dance over Lineker is just ridiculous and helping hide the fact that they are in a right mess and we’re all having to live through it until they are removed.

If they let Lineker have his say though, then they have to let everybody else do the same, and then you risk having what makes the BBC unique disappear.  I can get plenty of partisan opinions from the rest of the mainstream media.