Author Topic: What's happened to the media?  (Read 1804 times)

Offline Beamer

Having just watched the "Coronavirus Press Conference"  I am amazed at the attitude and ability of some allegedly top journalists.
The twat aka Robert Preston and some of the others (e.g. the woman from Sky) are making themselves look absolute idiots.  Especially when they ask a question that has just been answered or expect intimate knowledge and details about Boris!
Naturally, and correctly, Rabb and co. declined to give details of any treatment Mr Johnson had received or when he might be discharged.
We have enough mis-information being bandied about without our apparent "top journalists" adding to it. What's happened to the media? IMO they really have lost the plot !

Offline WARSZAWA16

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Yes, it all seems far too chummy every day now. Seems that the journalists don't want to rock the boat.   

Offline freeze44

Agree it's not great although think there are some reasons such as working at home, which makes it more difficult for the reporters and also the need to 'share' some of the government message in the current situation.

There has been some pressure applied, such as about PPE and testing which was good and then followed up in news reports/papers etc.

Some have lost the plot indeed and asked weak questions...imagine facing Trump! Some need to man up!

As for Boris, then think it is legitimate to know his condition and if fit to run the country. Not sure I trust the government fully on that point and think they are trying to manage the situation, which is fair enough but a fine balance between that and misleading us.

Offline threechilliman

Having just watched the "Coronavirus Press Conference"  I am amazed at the attitude and ability of some allegedly top journalists.
The twat aka Robert Preston and some of the others (e.g. the woman from Sky) are making themselves look absolute idiots.  Especially when they ask a question that has just been answered or expect intimate knowledge and details about Boris!
Naturally, and correctly, Rabb and co. declined to give details of any treatment Mr Johnson had received or when he might be discharged.
We have enough mis-information being bandied about without our apparent "top journalists" adding to it. What's happened to the media? IMO they really have lost the plot !

I were watching Peston from his home on the news the other day with his 'Peston' banner behind him. The next day it had gone from his report. Somebody must have told him he looked a fucking clown. One or two think they're better journalists than they actually are.

Offline Xtro

Maybe the journalists are still the chosen few.

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Offline winkywanky

Having just watched the "Coronavirus Press Conference"  I am amazed at the attitude and ability of some allegedly top journalists.
The twat aka Robert Preston and some of the others (e.g. the woman from Sky) are making themselves look absolute idiots.  Especially when they ask a question that has just been answered or expect intimate knowledge and details about Boris!
Naturally, and correctly, Rabb and co. declined to give details of any treatment Mr Johnson had received or when he might be discharged.
We have enough mis-information being bandied about without our apparent "top journalists" adding to it. What's happened to the media? IMO they really have lost the plot !


To be fair, they are wanting to ask the questions Joe Public would want answered.

And because all the journos are now asking their questions from home via laptop or something, they don't get to ask each other what their questions will be, in the 30mins or so before the panel appear. Although you might expect some kind of coordination in this, to prevent duplication?

Offline David1970

Peston and Kuenssberg are far to close to No.10, they just repeat what they are told.


Offline paper7

Personally, I want a journo to do his/her f****** job, ask the questions that need answer and stop trying to show the Government in a good light which Kuenssberg did all the way through the election. Gone are the days when a journo would put an MP on the spot and make them squirm until they gave an answer.

Offline HERTSBLUE

It's boring same question every day when will lock down end no one knows you fucking clowns.

Offline tynetunnel

I used to like and admire Peston in his BBC days. He was a little ‘odd’ or ‘unusual’ or ‘quirky’ but I liked that aspect of him. I don’t watch ITV news or current affairs programmes so have seen little of him in recent times.

But to watch him on the press conference briefings is cringeworthy. It’s like he isn’t expecting to be asked for a question at some point, as though his inclusion and turn to ask a question has come as a surprise! He’s seems all off guard, his favourite word is “errr” and he can barely string a sentence together. He starts his question with something akin to “oh, yeah, hi” instead of “good afternoon minister” or something else appropriate

I know ITV is often accused of ‘dumbing down’ but Peston seems to have taken this literally  :unknown:

Offline winkywanky

Personally, I want a journo to do his/her f****** job, ask the questions that need answer and stop trying to show the Government in a good light which Kuenssberg did all the way through the election. Gone are the days when a journo would put an MP on the spot and make them squirm until they gave an answer.


How can you say that when the other 50% of the UK population thinks the BBC were skewed against Brexit?  :unknown:

Offline winkywanky

I used to like and admire Peston in his BBC days. He was a little ‘odd’ or ‘unusual’ or ‘quirky’ but I liked that aspect of him. I don’t watch ITV news or current affairs programmes so have seen little of him in recent times.

But to watch him on the press conference briefings is cringeworthy. It’s like he isn’t expecting to be asked for a question at some point, as though his inclusion and turn to ask a question has come as a surprise! He’s seems all off guard, his favourite word is “errr” and he can barely string a sentence together. He starts his question with something akin to “oh, yeah, hi” instead of “good afternoon minister” or something else appropriate

I know ITV is often accused of ‘dumbing down’ but Peston seems to have taken this literally  :unknown:

Peston is a clever guy, I believe he suppresses a stammer which means he comes across as a bit weird sometimes.

I used to stammer myself, the signs are there.

Offline Xtro

Peston is a clever guy, I believe he suppresses a stammer which means he comes across as a bit weird sometimes.

I used to stammer myself, the signs are there.

That's why you've never mentioned CoVID-n,n,n,n,n,n,nineteen!   :D

Offline winkywanky


Offline tynetunnel

Peston is a clever guy, I believe he suppresses a stammer which means he comes across as a bit weird sometimes.

I used to stammer myself, the signs are there.
Just to prove me wrong, Peston was much better than usual today!  :cool:

Offline hullad

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Simple fact is our media are not much good, they report only what they are told too by there owners and or Downing st. They are not fit for purpose and anyone asks a question at a briefing that puts the Government on a spot is quietly dropped from further briefings. Thus hacks like Kuensberg and Peston are there front and centre at every briefing, they are safe.

When this is over and we have a deep look at the  handling of this from day one and a lot of this can be laid at the press not asking searching questions. The whole point of there existence is to question and scrutinse everything , they could well have failed all of us. We do not blindly follow what we are told, it's not a Soviet satellite state or Banana republic. 

Herd immunity .. .ffs
« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 12:02:06 am by hullad »

Offline paper7

Simple fact is our media are not much good, they report only what they are told too by there owners and or Downing st. They are not fit for purpose and anyone asks a question at a briefing that puts the Government on a spot is quietly dropped from further briefings. Thus hacks like Kuensberg and Peston are there front and centre at every briefing, they are safe.

When this is over and we have a deep look at the  handling of this from day one and a lot of this can be laid at the press not asking searching questions. The whole point of there existence is to question and scrutinse everything , they could well have failed all of us. We do not blindly follow what we are told, it's not a Soviet satellite state or Banana republic. 

Herd immunity .. .ffs
It think this covers it, WW, over the years I've come to trust the BBC less and less. They say what the Government wants you to hear.

Offline freeze44

Simple fact is our media are not much good, they report only what they are told too by there owners and or Downing st. They are not fit for purpose and anyone asks a question at a briefing that puts the Government on a spot is quietly dropped from further briefings. Thus hacks like Kuensberg and Peston are there front and centre at every briefing, they are safe.

When this is over and we have a deep look at the  handling of this from day one and a lot of this can be laid at the press not asking searching questions. The whole point of there existence is to question and scrutinse everything , they could well have failed all of us. We do not blindly follow what we are told, it's not a Soviet satellite state or Banana republic. 

Herd immunity .. .ffs

Agree that a lot of the msm has been poor although I do think there is a level of responsibility in times like this.

The questions about Boris and his health clearly made the stand in's uncomfortable and it's clear now we we were not given the truth.

Since Boris has gone into ITU there have been a succession of MP's trying to shore up the line of collective responsibility but have been pushed by a number of reporters and it all looks and feels wrong from the governments side so some good reporting.


Offline winkywanky

It think this covers it, WW, over the years I've come to trust the BBC less and less. They say what the Government wants you to hear.


Yes of course, they were of course doing exactly that all through Brexit with Boris, weren't they?  :unknown:

Offline freeze44

Think this link demonstrates some of the pressure the media applied to the government and also highlights the tensions within government on how they are managing the virus.

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