The great UK newspapers

[Frank Manning]

Unfortunately the Daily Mail, is far from alone in committing many of the 'transgressions' mentioned in this thread. "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story" is a maxim that much of the tabloid press seems to live by.

I am sure the broadsheets are as guilty. - especially the Grauniad.... Personally, I'd prefer to take the Telegraph but I find it awkward to read sitting on the sofa

I agree about the Broadsheets, they are just a bit more subtle about it. I prefer the Telegraph, but like you I find it too big to read comfortably so I tend to get the Times, even though I am not keen on Murdoch because of his attitude to the BBC, and the way they go on about the license fee. It is 25% the cost of a Sky subscription, and much better value, but thats another argument.

[Dark Knight]

so given that all newspapers have an agenda and are biased one way or an other
where do people go, to get good news coverage without bias?
TV?
internet?
where?

[Quizzical Bob]

so given that all newspapers have an agenda and are biased one way or an other
where do people go, to get good news coverage without bias?
TV?
internet?
where?

The local pub is probably most unbiased

[Dark Knight]

In one of the most famous comedy sketches in the UK, from the TV Series Yes Minister the fictional Primeminster of the UK, Jim Hacker exclaims to his staff about the sort of people who read the main UK newspapers

PM Jim Hacker: "Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers: The Daily Mirror is read by people who think they run the country, the Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country, the Times is read by people who actually do run the country, the Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country, the Financial Times is read by people who own the country, the Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country and the Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is." Sir Humphrey: "Prime Minister, what about the people who read the Sun?" Bernard Wooley: "Sun readers don't care who runs the country, as long as she's got big tits."

stolen from Wiki by me

[Frank Manning]

so given that all newspapers have an agenda and are biased one way or an other
where do people go, to get good news coverage without bias?
TV?
internet?
where?

Al Jazeera! or Sky News

Actually Euronews is quite good but not for UK sports.

[Jacknian]

The only newspaper I pay for is my local "Cambridge news " I read lots of different publications at work where we have a good selection available in our staff canteen. All papers put their own spin on the news and as long as you don't believe every thing they say and make your own mind up about things there's no problem. Quite like the mails women's pages on a Thursday and their weekend magazine but wouldn't pay for it. I watch the BBC news channel for a reasonably un biased view.

[david63]

Must be a different BBC News channel than the one that I watch as, in my opinion, the BBC is one of the most biased media outlets in the country.

[Jacknian]

Do you really think so ? I must be very naive then as I thought the BBC had always been regarded as quite reliable for their news coverage.

[Not so ancient mariner]

Their content is normally reliable, factual and with minimal 'spin'. However, they can be selective in the events that they cover.

[Frank Manning]

Must be a different BBC News channel than the one that I watch as, in my opinion, the BBC is one of the most biased media outlets in the country.

I am convinced that BBC News is significantly biassed to the left, in fact they have as good as admitted it. I would hate it just as much if they were biassed the other way, as are some of the newspapers. I do watch it but sometimes I have to turn to Sky News or ITV to get balance.

My local Bournemouth Evening Echo is not a bad newspaper, and 20 years ago when we were having trouble with the media, they were the ones who treated us with respect.

Just bought the Times in Sainsburys, because the excellent Michael Atherton wrote a good resume of Steve Harmison's career.

[Silver_Shiney]

Must be a different BBC News channel than the one that I watch as, in my opinion, the BBC is one of the most biased media outlets in the country.

I am convinced that BBC News is significantly biassed to the left, in fact they have as good as admitted it. I would hate it just as much if they were biassed the other way, as are some of the newspapers. I do watch it but sometimes I have to turn to Sky News or ITV to get balance.

My local Bournemouth Evening Echo is not a bad newspaper, and 20 years ago when we were having trouble with the media, they were the ones who treated us with respect.

Just bought the Times in Sainsburys, because the excellent Michael Atherton wrote a good resume of Steve Harmison's career.

I agree, and they haven't improved after the infuriating Polly Toynbee left.

Haven't seen the Bournemouth Evening Echo for yonks. Are they still halfway up Richmond Hill (not that that makes any difference to their content!)

[Kendhni]

I would say the big problem is not the reporting .. which we all know is full of spin, half truths and deliberate misinformation ... the problem is that some people do not read a wide enough variety of sources or are incapable of reading around the 'spin' to see the real story.

Often it is what is not said that is most important and provides the real story.

[Frank Manning]

I understand where you are coming from SS, but I had the pleasure of meeting Polly Toynbee on Arcadia about 18 months ago, and she was really lovely to talk to, and very empathetic. She went up considerably in my estimation after that.

[sumdumbloke]

Do you really think so ? I must be very naive then as I thought the BBC had always been regarded as quite reliable for their news coverage.

The BBC is so huge that you can make just about any accusation against it and then find some department or programme that seems guilty as charged.

I think BBC News generally does the job well; certainly better than its UK competitors. My own preference is the BBC world service which, if it has a bias, it's nothing to do with traditional left and right.

[Frank Manning]

Must be a different BBC News channel than the one that I watch as, in my opinion, the BBC is one of the most biased media outlets in the country.

I am convinced that BBC News is significantly biassed to the left, in fact they have as good as admitted it. I would hate it just as much if they were biassed the other way, as are some of the newspapers. I do watch it but sometimes I have to turn to Sky News or ITV to get balance.

My local Bournemouth Evening Echo is not a bad newspaper, and 20 years ago when we were having trouble with the media, they were the ones who treated us with respect.

Just bought the Times in Sainsburys, because the excellent Michael Atherton wrote a good resume of Steve Harmison's career.

I agree, and they haven't improved after the infuriating Polly Toynbee left.

Haven't seen the Bournemouth Evening Echo for yonks. Are they still halfway up Richmond Hill (not that that makes any difference to their content!)

No those offices on Richmond Hill are now a resaturant/cafe/bar, but I think there is a distribution centre for them on Post Office Road.

[gfwgfw]

The bulk of the Echo Building is a very nice eating venue, strangely called "The Print Room"

The main reception and editorial offices are still being used

All Southern Newspapers are originated and Printed in a purpose built building sited off the M271, this office also print the Meridian regions Daily Mail

All the Echo series are available on the 'Net

[Silver_Shiney]

Thank you, Frank and Graham