Question re: Cable News?

[Olaf]

Do you guys get the same CNN news broadcasts that we receive? I know you've also mentioned Fox News. We've currently got 24-hour round-the-clock coverage of the war and I was just wondering if you guys are staring at the same things?

 

[squitty]

Hi Steph,

I dont know ifwe get the same broadcast as you but we do receive CNN 24/7.
I prefer Fox News myself.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

CNN has 7 regions across the world (we get CNN Europe) but depending on events more than 1 region, potentially all 7, will take the same feed.

We have our own News 24 from the BBC and Sky News 24, in addition to US-based broadcasters such as Fox and CNN. Sky tends to break news more quickly than the BBC, but for my tastes it reports news in far too 'sensational' a manner. I prefer the BBC, which seems to be 'dull but worthy' newscasting. At the moment all the 24 hour news channels are focusing entirely on the Gulf, with occasional breaks for the weather. I wonder what else is going on in the world...

Regards

Rob

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Strange how the weather always figures...we also get NBC Europe in addition to the above.

 

[UKDEB]

We're Sky News addicts in this house (I'd watch it 24/7 even without a major world event). I know what you mean about sensationalism, Rob - I would say Sky is somewhere between the BBC and Fox. We love Fox, though and often tune in for a bit of Studio B with Shep Smith!

Sky is affiliated with Fox in some way - they often have feeds from them when they are reporting US news and there is a link to Fox on Sky News Interactive.

 

[BevS97]

we can get CNN, but I perfer BBC News 24, it just seems a little more down-to-earth.
of course we can watch neither when CBeebies is broadcasting.

 

[Olaf]

You guys get Sheppard Smith? I love Sheppard Smith, "News with a plus, News not Boring." He got in trouble during the Florida election mess, got in a fight with a woman over a parking place. Silly woman was trying to save the place for her friends and she stood in it and wouldn't let him park. He gave her what for.

So do you get Steve, E.D., and Brian's morning Fox Show. I would have thought you'd have a Fox News that was totally separate like CNN Europe.

I like to watch the BBC too. We get it on BBC America.

 

[UKDEB]

David Chater of Sky News is one of the few journalists still in Baghdad and Fox are broadcasting his feeds. Last night he was told to move from the ministry building he was in (although they're not sure by whom) and since then, two cruise missiles have struck nearby. I might have got that a bit wrong, but that is the gist.

 

[Loftus]

Sitting working all night in the basement of the building I have to respectfully point out there is also the ITV News Channel (and we have 2 reporters still in Baghdad - John Irvine and Neil Connery).

Plug over.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Is ITV News a 24 hour channel these days?

Regards

Rob

 

[floridalol]

Sky News fan here. The left-wing bias of the BBC is appalling - all news stations should be politically unbiased - broadcasting news not opinions.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I know that the BBC is criticised for being too left-wing (although lots of this criticism seems to come from Conservative Central Office!), but I just can't see it. I've tried really hard to detect a left-wing flavour to the stuff the BBC does, but just not been able to find it. Perhaps it's just me.

I suppose if the BBC do have leftie leanings it balances up some of the rightwing leanings of the press

Regards

Rob

 

[floridalol]

Hi Rob

Newspapers are more than just reporting news, they are also full of articles on fashion etc. so you choose the paper that reflects your lifestyle most. Television news IMO should just report the news as it happens without prejudice. Left wing bias does exist within the BBC, almost every major position is held by a Labour supporting person and the news reflects this. For example during the "Cheriegate" affair it was hardly mentioned on both BBC TV or Radio until it was major news everywhere and even then it was downplayed to almost insignificance (can you imagine if it was a Conservative MP?).

Lol

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I agree that broadcast news should be politically neutral, and it would be nice if newspapers could exercise a similar approach.

I not sure that just because senior BBC staff are known to be Labour Party supporters doesn't mean that the organisation's newscasting will have a leftwing flavour. Using your Cheriegate example, I thought it was a complete non-story which was blown out of proportion by the more sensationalist media outlets. Not covering it (Channel 4 News also took their time to get into the story) doesn't say to me "leftwing bias". It says "good news judgement" in my view!

Regards

Rob

 

[UKDEB]

Rob,

We get ITV News (24 hour channel), plus Fox New, Euro News, CNN, CNBC, BBC News 24, Bloomburg and Sky News.

Not sure that I concur with your opinion that Cheriegate was a complete non-story, but I go along with the point you're trying to make.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

OK Deb, fair point. Not a complete non-story, but almost!

Regards

Rob

 

[floridalol]

Agree Rob - almost a non-story but my view that if it had been a Conservative MP the BBC would have leapt on it with gusto, is my real point about left-wing bias.

 

[Olaf]

Fox News was broadcasting David Charter several times last night. Personally, I think the guy is nuts to have hung around there; I hope he remains safe. The Washington Post was reporting that the Iraqis are asking $60,000 for the two NBC reporters to leave Baghdad safely.

I'm having trouble turning away from the TV; the coverage is riveting. Especially those reports from the reporters who are "bedded down" with the various units. Watching them race towards Baghdad has been amazing. That bombing run yesterday was very humbling. I couldn't believe that they were able to bomb Saddam's palace to rubble, while leaving that building next to it intact, with the lights still on.

I hope this is over soon.

 

[Kilted_Yank]

It seems that you lot have the same thoughts on the perceived biases of your news outlets as we have here in America.

There will always be a bias of some sort or another when it comes to reporting the news whenever opinions get thrown into the mix. I suppose it is all a matter of perspective. The thing to remember is that it is important to get your news from multiple sources... somewhere, therein, lies the thruth.

 

[LFC Nut]

I'm finding myself jumping from news channel to news channel. Normal telly viewing has gone right out of the window.

Having served in the Army for 24 years I find the transmissions from the embedded journalsts really fascinating and must say they really earn their money as they must be there through choice!