The Right-Wing Alternative to the BBC

Have you ever wondered what the media would be like without the BBC?? Many on the right argue that the BBC should be destroyed and replaced with something more to their liking (see previous posts). The alternative seems to be a UK version of Fox news. Apparently, this bastion of fairness and balance is exactly what the right believes should replace the BBC. Time and again, you see the same people putting Fox on a pedestal. So what is Fox actually like??? Forget the right-wing propaganda, what is the actual standard of journalism at Fox?? Well, not good.

One of the most celebrated commentators on Fox is Bill O'Reilly. He argues consistently that there is a 'liberal' bias in the media. He continually suggests that there are left-wingers out there who are guilty of smear campaigns agaist everyone from George Bush to his own good self. The problem is, he is continually favourable towards the Republican Party. Barely any criticism of Bush or the war in Iraq passes through his lips. Of course, this gives the impression that he is some kind of patriot. The reality is, as with so many from the right, they are in no way patriots that most people would recognise.

The latest example of Bill getting the facts wrong was during a discussion on the Malmedy massacre. The Malmedy massacre was committed by German troops against prisoners of war, towards the end of the Second World War. Overall some 80 American soldiers were murdered by the SS, under the command of Joachim Peiper. Strangely (particularly given O'Reilly support for US troops) he blamed this massacre on American troops. How wrong is it possible to be?? Not only does he get the basic facts wrong, he also smears dead American serviceman. And yet this man is a 'patriot'. Luckily, Keith Olbermann caught him out and attacked him for his distortion of the facts (see the clip below-it really is well worth watching).

And this is the example that is held up by the right as being the future of UK news. A news channel that smears the names of serviceman who were killed in the most disgraceful circumstances. A news channel that claims to 'support the troops' and then sticks the knife into serviceman who are unable to defend themselves. A news channel that cannot even get the basic historical facts right. A news channel that is a mouthpiece for the US government and is unquestioning in its support for the established order. A news channel that does not deserve the label 'fair and balanced' and is certainly no match for the BBC. Sure, the BBC gets things wrong, but it is the most effective news organisation in the world.