³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ in the news, Tuesday
The Independent: "What are we to make of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s coverage of the latest scandal to engulf John Prescott?" ()
Financial Times: A media commentator describes how new technology will change the relationship between the public and the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ (and other broadcasters) ()
Comments
It is a shame this experiment was even carried out after all there are all kinds of discrimination all over the country. I am Scottish and was utterly ashamed to see Scots behaving in such a manner. I do wonder however if the same experiment was carried out with a Saltire flag over a similarly priced car and was driven through England, would the result be that different especially if it's final resting place was a poor estate in Leeds?
In regard to the Newsnight programme's 'experiment' of leaving a car bedecked in English livery parked in Glasgow.
This (and the subsequent 'discussion' the following night) disturbs me for the following reasons.
1 - the London centric ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ has once again made the astoundingly patronising and frankly offensive mistake of talking about 'them' - for a London audience (I will not insult the other parts of England who are likewise unrepresented).
In this context the "we' who are watching a national current affairs programme must be the audience it is intended for. There are many regional programmes but Newsnight is the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s flagship NATIONAL news programme.
I must therefore be watching a broadcast from a foreign television station - which would be all well and good if I did not pay Tax and for the right to watch TV in the UK.
2 - did no one in the production team who produced this piece of tabloid journalism realise that it was the Orange Lodge maching season?
That the place they parked their car was a largely Republican area? (Celtic park a stones throw away). That the cross of St George is also the flag of Ulster (with the small addition of a red hand in the middle).
Hmm perhaps this was too much local knowlede for people out to make a point if the facts fitted or not.
The attitude of the programme makers was every bit as moronic and repulsive as the small percentage of morons they encountered.
3 - If it comes as a surprise that Scots football fans don't support the England team it is time for the Newsnight journalists to retrain as Macdonald's burger flippers. In case anyone is unaware they have never supported the England team and take great delight in their defeat. Go back 50 ot 100 years of proffessional football and that has been the case.
I am not sure it indicates anything of great significance. If you think it does then you are a fool.
When did you last see a Man City fan chearing for Man U?
4 - there was an assumption in the programme that a series of attacks on persons wearing England colours in Scotlnd was something unusual. It wasn't.
This is the sort of behaviour morons partake in.
During Euro 96 there were hundreds of such attacks by England fans on anyone within spitting distance.
Does that indicate something?
I am sure with some sober analysis (which I thought was Newsnight's business) you might find we have a United Kingdom full of a sizable proportion of drunken louts whos go out of their way to pick a fight.
You think not? Then go out on a Friday or Satuarday night in your nearest city centre as the pubs are chucking out and draw attention to yourself.