# "BBC viewers vent their anger at 'anti-US' bias of Iraq coverage" **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 23, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963 "2003-02-23T13:27:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/41 "2003-02-24T14:05:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*You see this report as illustrating balance. I see it as giving equal treatment to mass-murdering terrorists and innocent victims. \*\* The family of the bomber, despite their unpalatable views, aren’t mass-murdering terrorists. The bomber is, but he’s dead. The article gives four human stories, 3 of which are from Israelis. IMO, _not_ showing a Palestinian opinion would be to indicate bias, or at the very least a dereliction of duty in educating the reader in the circumstances behind the outrage. Furthermore, from a pro-Palestinian POV, it could be argued that every time an act of terrorism occurs in Israel, the BBC is being biased because it doesn’t explain the whole background and the reasons for the existence of terror groups (this complaint was in fact leveled at the remarkable documentary [7 Days in September](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0348816)), or every time Arial Sharon is interviewed, the BBC is giving a platform to a “mass-murderer”. These attitudes, too, I would disagree with. Which is why it’s good to show as many opinions as possible. > [@](#): > > **It shows the huge gulf between us.** We can agree on this! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/42 "2003-02-24T14:06:01Z")
Basically, **december** , you are clearly uncomortable with any report that does not share your extremely biased opinion. There is nothing wrong with having such a biased opinion - you have every right to hold it. But it isn’t right to wrongly accuse others of bias because they attempt to tread a more middle ground. I don’t know why you continue to quote from the BBC, it clearly upsets you. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/43 "2003-02-24T14:07:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > \*\*December, one man’s freedon fighter is another’s terrorist. \*\* No doubt that’s why the BBC is always so kind to Ariel Sharon.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/44 "2003-02-24T18:39:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beagle \* > CNN and the BBC both blithly use street interviews and alleged measurements of Iraqi public opinion as though Iraqis are free to speak their minds. The BBC has already been addressed, but I watch CNN every day and they **do** point out that Iraqis can not speak freely publicly. In fact, the Iraq correspondents are often asked what the Iraqi public thinks. Without exception that I can recall the correspondent will report on that and immediately follow up by saying “but in private” Iraqis say so-and-so. I swear, some people just won’t be happy until CNN is as “Fair and Balanced” as FOX. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![I\_Brian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@I\_Brian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Brian)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/45 "2003-02-24T18:43:38Z")
And why CNN et al are so forgiving of the various non-terrorist freedom fighting organisations that the USA has funded worldwide in the past…not least the Taleban. By crikey, what a lovely set of lads they were… Btw - for some reason I read BBC teletext (fast text, whatever) on TV in the morning, and there’s been more than one report there I’ve not found on their website. Just thought I’d mention that for MC MoC. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Brian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@I\_Brian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Brian)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/46 "2003-02-24T18:45:06Z")
Sorry - that was for December, but rsa was first into posting. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/47 "2003-02-25T14:12:00Z")
Here’s a article about the War, censorship and CNN if anyone’s interested. [A new CNN system of ‘script approval’ suggests the Pentagon will have nothing to worry about](http://argument.independent.co.uk/commentators/story.jsp?story=381438) By **decembers** favourite Britsh journo 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963/48 "2003-02-25T14:37:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*No doubt that’s why the BBC is always so kind to Ariel Sharon.:rolleyes: \*\* Yes, but they are not _unfair_ to him either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-viewers-vent-their-anger-at-anti-us-bias-of-iraq-coverage/156963.md?page=2)