BBC & Gary Lineker

by BoogerMan 22 Replies latest social current

• 

  BoogerMan

  Whether you like or loathe the guy, agree or disagree, surely he has a right to express his opinions freely on Twitter?

  Every BBC employee who appears on TV or speaks on the radio, should now be paranoid about any opinions they've put on their social media accounts, because if the BBC are prepared to censor/silence Lineker, they'll go for anyone.

  OOPS: Looks like the BBC can dictate what their staff can & can't say in their social media accounts.

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/individual-use-of-social-media

  Pity they weren't as strict with their high profile paedophile, Mr. Savile.
• 

  cofty

  He is the highest paid presenter on the BBC

  Political neutrality is central to the BBC charter.

  He compared the government policy on illegal immigration to the Nazis

  Millions of people have no choice but to pay his wages through the licence fee

  He was previously warned. He thinks he is too important to follow the same rules as everyone else

  He is free to say anything he wants - personally I am a free speech fundamentalist - but his partisan proclamations are not compatible with his high profile job
• 

  BoogerMan

  Cofty, I don't follow anyone's social media ramblings, so as a licence fee payer, what any BBC employee says in the "privacy" of such forums, is irrelevant to me. On the other hand, if Mr. Lineker was spouting off on BBC TV/radio, I'd have something to say about that.

  Having said all that, the BBC's censorship rules appear to be pretty clear, so Gazza should've known.

  Maybe a court challenge will change things.
• 

  cofty

  There are also others who are not journalists or involved in factual programming who nevertheless have an additional responsibility to the BBC because of their profile on the BBC. We expect these individuals to avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies and to take care when addressing public policy matters.

  If your work requires you to maintain your impartiality, don’t express a personal opinion on matters of public policy, politics, or ‘controversial subjects’

  Do not reveal how you vote or express support for any political party.

  Do not express a view on any policy which is a matter of current political debate or on a matter of public policy, political or industrial controversy, or any other ‘controversial subject’.

  Avoid ‘virtue signalling’ – retweets, likes or joining online campaigns to indicate a personal view, no matter how apparently worthy the cause

  Breach of this Guidance may lead to disciplinary action for employees in line with standard disciplinary procedures; this could include possible termination of employment in serious circumstances. For contractors who are found to have breached the Guidance there may be consequences including non-renewal or termination of contract.
  
• 

  slimboyfat

  He didn’t compare government policy to Nazi policy. He compared the “language” the government was using to the language the Nazis used in the 1930s. In particular the Secretary of State said that illegal immigrants are “invading” our country. This is indeed the kind of hyperbolic and dehumanising language the Nazis used of so-called enemies of the state. Some have complained that the comparison is not fair because our government is not as bad as the Nazis, but that is a low bar, to put it mildly. The whole point about identifying and calling out dehumanising language such as that used by the current government is to nip it in the bud before it develops into something worse. What would we prefer - no criticism of any dehumanising language or any comparison with history until something as bad as the Nazis is fully developed. Then it would be too late to do anything about it. I for one applaud Lineker for his stance and all his colleagues who stand in solidarity with him. The government and its approach to migrants is extremely unpopular in the UK.

  https://youtu.be/L_n-vs-3gxs
  
• 

  cofty

  Breaking Godwin's Law is the hallmark of shallow thinkers.
• 

  cofty

  Illegal immigrants are invading the UK. They are fleeing France apparently?
• 

  Phizzy

  " Breaking Godwin's Law is the hallmark of shallow thinkers."

  I agree that is often the case, but it is difficult to think of an analogy that is more striking than the one Lineker used, about the language of this U.K Government. If you can think of a more striking one, I would be obliged ! I often get tempted to use the rise of Fascism in the 20's and 30's as an example on other Sites when commenting on matters political, but old Godwin speaks in my ear, and I struggle for another.

  Certainly one thing Lineker has done is broken the Media silence against the language of Mind Controlling propaganda.
• 

  jhine

  It's not often that Cofty and l agree completely on something, but this is one of them .

  Lineker broke the terms of his contract. That's it , he broke the terms of his contract. If anyone else does that, they are sacked and no one makes a fuss .

  It doesn't matter if you agree with what he said or not , if you like the bloke or not. He broke the terms of his contract.

  Immediately after this story was on the the radio news yesterday there was a piece about a paramedic who was stabbed while doing her important job , something that benefits society.

  Now if that lady at any time broke the rules of her contract she would be in trouble. Would there be this public furore about it , no there wouldn't.

  Everyone would say " she knew the rules , she chose to break them "

  However Mr Lineker became famous for kicking a ball around a field , so it appears that many people see him as more important.

  Jan
• 

  LoveUniHateExams

  Basically what Cofty said, in his first post.

  The BBC must be politically neutral because it is in its charter.

  Lineker is paid by the BBC, hence he is associated with it.

  Other BBC employees keep their political opinions to themselves - what makes Lineker think he can get away with it?

  Plus, comparing the government's language with that of the Nazis is ridiculous - Rishi hasn't started talking about a final solution. We haven't even started building the gas chambers yet, lol.

  Everyone is allowed an opinion, even smug twats like Lineker.

  But at some point a decision must be made. Either Lineker can carry on working for the Beeb, or he can go to Sky or wherever and continue posting politics on social media.