The BBC and Rupert Murdoch

I watched a programme about the Murdoch empire a while ago. Regardless of whether a party is to the political right or the left, it appears that to get anywhere in this country (and not just this country) political leaders must actively seek the support of the Murdoch clan.

I'm concerned at this much power being in the hands of one family whose only agenda seems to be what's going to make the most money for their coffers. It's shocking and concerning that they control most of this country's press and broadcast media.

To my mind, this is not democracy.

The govt is not even handed however because P Patel has ordered that a report into possible police corruption should be vetted by her department before publication.

I have seen that the Enquiry people are refusing to hand the report over. On the grounds, I believe, that the Home Secretary was only to publish it and present it to parliament; there was no requirement for the HS to vet it before publication.

Not sure what happens next...

I'm concerned at this much power being in the hands of one family

It was widely shared at the time of the 2016 referendum that Murdoch wanted the UK out of the EU because the EU didn't do what he told them, whereas the UK government did. Why do you think all his newspapers supported Leave...

To my mind, this is not democracy.

Sorry for the third in a row, but..

I absolutely agree, Blinko, this is not democracy, but, TBH, I think most people with influence are perfectly happy that a great many voters think that the only part they have to play in 'democracy' is voting once in a while and being indifferent as to how the country is governed between votes...

The Brexit Broadcasting Corporation have always been incredibly and arrogantly defensive.

Have you ever listened to Feedback on Radio 4? Whatever the listener who wrote in criticised is met with a smarmy "we did nothing wrong, we know best", - never a hint of an admission that they might just have got it a bit wrong, let alone an apology.

As for Rupert Murdoch, he has effectively ruled our country by proxy since 1979. Margaret Thatcher allowed him to break the rules on newspaper ownership so he could own the Times, and Sunday Times as well as the Sun and the News of the World, in exchange for his support of her party.

This Australian billionaire has decided who will become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in every general election of the last forty years.

We live in a sham democracy, where the undemocratic First Past The Post electoral system combined with the ownership of the media, ensure that the Tory Party can do whatever suits their millionaire and billionaire donors at the expense of the rest of us whose votes are almost irrelevant.

He does have one son that refuses to toe the family line. I do fear for him but find him incredibly brave.

It is wrong the Patel can censor the report but she seems to get what she wants.

I can't help thinking that publication of the report on Daniel Morgan's murder, which, it seems not only covers police corruption, but the press, has been delayed in a fortuitous fashion for Murdoch and the government...

Did the government know that the Dyson report on The Interview was being published this week, I wonder...?

theworriedwell

It is wrong the Patel can censor the report but she seems to get what she wants.

I don't think that Patel has managed to get her sticky mitts on it yet. Daniel Morgan's brother tweeted today that the panel were 'in discussion' with the Home Office about it...

MaizieD

theworriedwell

It is wrong the Patel can censor the report but she seems to get what she wants.

I don't think that Patel has managed to get her sticky mitts on it yet. Daniel Morgan's brother tweeted today that the panel were 'in discussion' with the Home Office about it...

Good. I hope they resolve it.

Patel is on Andrew Marr tomorrow morning so that should be an interesting conversation.

varian

The Brexit Broadcasting Corporation have always been incredibly and arrogantly defensive.

Have you ever listened to Feedback on Radio 4? Whatever the listener who wrote in criticised is met with a smarmy "we did nothing wrong, we know best", - never a hint of an admission that they might just have got it a bit wrong, let alone an apology.

It's the same with Feedback on TV on Saturdays, hosted by Samira Ahmed. The beeb is never actually in the wrong, no matter how many express views to the contrary, or how valid the points that people are making.

Oh, not sure if it's called Feedback...but it sounds as if it's the tv version of the radio programme to which you refer, varian.