This is not democracy.
The BBC allowed Paul Mason to declare, as the final word on a recent radio programme, that critical academics “undermine our ability and willingness to defend our democracy”.
Why does BBC endorse this view? Has it abandoned its own statutory purposes?
propagandainfocus.com
Why does BBC endorse this view? Has it abandoned its own statutory purposes?
propagandainfocus.com
The programme undermines those purposes: promoting the idea that educators should not examine more than one side of a controversial story is antithetical to learning; discouraging citizens from questioning their government is antithetical to values of citizenship & civil society.
With Paul Mason discredited by the revelations of his intelligence-liked plotting against independent journalists and “rogue academics”, the smear baton was hurriedly picked up by The Guardian. @aaronjmate discusses this with @jimmy_dore.
youtu.be
youtu.be
Their discussion includes the point that the “research” the Guardian’s article is based on has no independent academic backing. But this didn’t stop George Monbiot promoting and amplifying the baseless smear…
While no academic endorses the “research”, and no mainstream journalist engages with critics of Mason et al, the conspiratorial delusions of “counter disinformation” plotters meanwhile circulate behind the scenes, evidently informing the output of the BBC and other outlets.
If outlets like the BBC actually supported and encouraged open debate, instead of trying to stamp down on it, they could then perform the public service they’re supposed to and stop embarrassing themselves and Britain in international eyes.
It’s ultimately up to us - the people - to organise in defence of press and academic freedom.
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