The conversation over bias in the BBC rumbles on. Bruce Anderson yesterday let the cat out of the bag that the Tories' quick-fire policy on the BBC was because of general bias, not specifically a response to the Brand/Ross saga. Today Cameron writes in the Sun:
"But, I can hear the cry, what about the left-wing bias?
My answer is: yes, the BBC does have what even Andrew Marr called an “innate liberal bias”, principally because it does not have to behave like a commercial organisation and make its money from scratch every year.
That tends to make the BBC instinctively pro-Big State, distinctly iffy about the free market and sometimes dismissive of a conservative viewpoint.
I’ll never forget, some years ago, sitting next to a BBC presenter at a function and being told it was just about all right to have Conservative politicians on the radio, but “there weren’t really any you would want to see socially”.
And ironically that leads me to another reason not to lay into the BBC. I need it and our democracy needs it.
With ITV doing less and less politics, and with newspaper readership in decline, the importance of the BBC in general — and the big audience evening news programmes in particular — for political parties trying to get their message across cannot be overstated.
But even I, a fan of the BBC, think that it’s time for change. The telltale signs are there for all to see."
Are there really that many people out there who complain about pro-Tory bias? Who have the time to discuss this? OK, there's us at Conservative Home, but seriously, I'm glad Cameron is actually reading Tory Home these days, but perhaps he is reading it too much if he thinks Sun readers are seriously interested in the Conservatives getting the push from TV. If there are any telltale signs it is that he can't make his mind up what his own party should be putting out:
"Tory leader David Cameron today distanced himself from his party's previously stated policy of top-slicing the BBC's licence fee to help fund the corporation's public service broadcasting rivals.
Cameron said he was "sceptical" of the proposal to use some of the corporation's licence fee to help fund Channel 4's £150m funding gap.
The Conservatives have previously endorsed the proposal, under which other broadcasters would be entitled to apply for BBC licence fee funds."
Further to this I will be asking two questions today - one, whether the Conservatives are not deluding themselves about bias, and two, what Cameron is up to trying to weasel out of previously stated policy and what it can augur in the short, medium and long term.
1. Conservatives' perception. THE LOVERS - "A time of choice, the outcome of which is of crucial importance. Reliance on intuition rather than intellect is advised, on inspiration rather than reason. This card can indicate a flash of insight that resolves an apparently insoluble problem. Also a moral choice which depends on maturity and integrity."
Cameron is relying on his own feelings in this debate about what is important to him rather than making a dispassionate and professional assessment of the actual facts. He is relying on an emotional response and to stoke the fears that people may have of Labour control over the BBC, rather than make a more rational or even radical intervention. He is going on the hunch that what matters to his supporters on Conservative Home matters to the general public.
2. BBC perception. ACE OF PENTACLES - "Security, firm foundations, wealth, possessions, appreciation of the good things of life, the approach to the Spirit through the things of Earth. Stoicism, the ability to endure adversity with steadfastness."
The BBC is not so much biased in any one direction as controlled directly by the government and unwilling to be undermined by any one party. The financial control the government has partly accounts for accusations, and the Ace suggests there is some substance in the accusations (particularly as it was one deliberately obvious comment about no Sunday newspapers supporting the Conservative Party the weekend before the last election - when I could count three in front of me at least - that stopped me watching BBC News output in the first place). This is outweighed, however, by the more rational approach from the BBC and the unwillingness here to be manipulated - stoic in the face of provocation. It also may refer to there being some substance in the coverage of Yachtgate, rendering most of the Tory complaints at least as biased as the corporation they are accusing.
3. Conservatives' orientations. III SWORDS - "Necessary strife and conflict. Destruction of that which is obsolete in order to clear the groun for what will come after. Disruption, upheaval, separation and discord, but all with a positive end in view - the establishment of something better."
The Tories here want to destroy and rebuild the current status quo, which raises fears that if they did, would they themselves not be accused of bias? Commercial newspapers all have a bias and if the Conservatives want to release the BBC into the same arena they might find it coming back to haunt them if their popularity takes a nose-dive - as it has recently. If they have a problem with coverage of late, should they not be avoiding the yachts of billionaire Russians who make Sir Royston Merchant of Drop The Dead Donkey look genial and benign? As much as I've heard biased commentary on the BBC, and no longer particularly trust them (or any other news outlet), neither do I trust any one party to rectify the situation by approaching it in a destructive manner. This card may therefore be the consequences of any attempt to interfere.
4. BBC orientations. X SWORDS - "Desolation, disruption and ruin - generally referring to a group or community rather than an individual. But cause for hope is suggested here. This card represents the nadir - the lowest point in this cycle of fortune. From now on things can only get better. The worst has already been experienced."
The BBC is matching the Tories - it is dangerous for one paty to threaten them because the bias could get worse and rebound on the Tories by more thorough - and legitimate - scrutiny of the party. The BBC cannot be expected to stop investigating one party just because its supporters and leaders find it uncomfortable not to be on the front foot any more. It can be stopped, but only if the Tories don't look as if they are rattled by scrutiny of their personnel. The Ten of Swords represents a more destructive force than the Three, because the BBC has more executive power than the Conservatives currently do and can make more decisive moves.
5. Meeting point/junction. DEATH - "An unexpected major change in circumstances which is nevertheless the natural outcome of a prevailing situation. Destruction which is a blessing in disguise as it clears the way for something better. The removal from one's life of that which is outdated or superfluous in order that one might more forward into the future unhindered."
The Conservatives and the BBC are on a deadly collision course and it is believeable to say that since the party has no executive authority to implement their proposals or vent their spleen, the Party may come off worse in this encounter. The BBC would not be directly influenced but the Tories' naked hostility because of perceived bias suggests their political immaturity will end up casting them quite a considerable amount of credibility and authority with more neutral commentators, and it might introduce unconscious bias into the BBC's news studios. The Tories have been foolish to call the corporation into account at such a vulnerable time when the real source of the Yachtgate story was the Murdoch-owned Times. The Tories will live to regret this.
6. Outcome for the BBC. VI SWORDS - "The solving of immediate problems, a moving away from imminent danger. Does not suggest complete success which absolves the need for further struggle, but indicates that some major obstacle has been overcome and progress can be resumed. May indicate travel away from trouble to more harmonious circumstances and surroundings."
The BBC has taken steps to sack the latest offenders and put its staff salaries under review. There is little more it can - or indeed should - do to assuage Conservative fears, given they are probably not representative of majority opinion; even from people who resent the large sums of money paid to presenters such as Ross and who oppose the license fee (particularly as it is now classified as a tax), it would be foolish to try and claim special treatment for Tory spokespeople who cannot otherwise get exposure. The BBC has made changes and has moved on.
7. Outcome for the Conservatives. II CUPS - "Dissent, separation, divorce, deceit or unfaithfulness in a personal relationship. The throwing away of a valuable gift, the betrayal of trust. Also jealousy, vindictiveness, irresponsible revealing of the affairs of another."
Because of the proximity of Death and several Swords cards the Two of Cups becomes ill-digified by its surroundings and thus dangerous for the Tories. This pulls the outcome down for the Tories and begins a period of naked vindictiveness which will ultimately backfire. If the Tories do not stand back from sectional interests and try to present themselves as reasonable, rational and responsible rather than hasty and aggressive.
EDIT - I will post the next spread tomorrow as I am tireder than I thought I might be after cooking dinner.
