Oh please don’t ‘Nix Nish!’ His satirical political mish-mash brings a glimmer of frivolity as we combat the wall to wall propaganda spewed out day after ay by the Tory mouthpiece that used to be our unbiased BBC public broadcaster. The Covid crisis has been grossly manipulated to provide the Tories with a daily PR spin Party Political broadcast, where there is no opposition right of reply, and awkward press questions are ignored or rebutted with more Government lies. The relief that Nish’s mish-mash provides is vital to our mental health. I’m not a big fan of bland English food, but I do love ‘bangers and mash:’ food of the proletariat! The Beeb now firmly under Tory control, they want to remove our progressive Socialist mish-mash to force-feed us more Tory type from old ‘bangers and bigots.’ As the Tory Sovereign Dictatorship course us into more austerity belt-tightening, we can do without this worthless fascist fodder. The Mash Report has a following, so don’t despair Nish, we must make space for you on ‘Socialist Telly!’
Mike Sivier coments in his Vox Political Article entitled “‘Left-wing’ Mash Report axed by BBC to make way for ‘new comedy’. It won’t be funny!” He calls out the BBC as “Blatantly Backing Conservatives”: I know this image refers specifically to BBC News. It seems with the arrival of ‘Tory Tim’ Davie, the Corporation’s right-wing bias is spreading to its comedy output. Look out, drama and documentaries! The BBC has axed Nish Kumar satire show The Mash Report on the grounds that it was biased toward the political left. Director General ‘Tory Tim’ Davie at first said he would not make big changes to the corporation’s comedy output, saying that comedy had always ‘poked at authority’. He seems to have changed his mind.”
Sivier says “Of course, ‘ory Tim’ is at a bit of a disadvantage when referring to political bias, since it is widely understood that he owes his position to Tory intervention. James O’Brien Tweeted: “The Mash Report, a comedy program critical of the government has been axed by the state broadcaster, reportedly for political reasons, and at the behest of a director general appointed by the government. Finally, a stone-cold example of what ‘cancel culture’ looks like.”
According to Sivier “Mash had been a target for right-wing commentators since 2018, when Andrew Neil singled it out while complaining that the corporation’s comedy output was too left-wing. Neil is, of course, chair of that ultra-right-wing publication The Spectator, so he’s a fine one to complain about bias! Asked for a comment on Twitter, Nish Kumar responded with this: A lot of people are asking me for a comment and here it is: ‘Boris Johnson is a Liar and a Racist’.” I am Listening Tweeted the reply: “Woke is good. There really is no culture war, just the Tory distract don’t act agenda. They hope to distract us from their world-beating worst death toll. The Tory regime like their freedom to speak but don’t think anyone else should have that right unless you agree with them.” They picture Boris Johnson as “The worst possible Prime Minister of the worst possible Government at the worst possible time” – adjacent to the book ‘George Orwell 1984!’ Was this something he wasn’t allowed to do on the televised show, and he was taking the opportunity now?”
Meanwhile, let’s have a look at the kind of bias supported by a show with similar ratings to The Mash Report. I refer to Question Time. This is an actual question from the March 11 edition: “Do the panel believe that NHS staff deserve more than a 1% pay rise when they have had secure jobs and incomes throughout the pandemic unlike so many others.” This was an “Audience Question” as posed by a Surgeon who was content to see NHS staff shafted again. I feel compelled to share a little Operating Theatre secret: When a Surgeon is rude, abusive or screams at OR staff, his Scrub Nurse or Surgical Tech can easily signal disapproval by adopting the ‘painful pass.’ Instead of placing the required instrument firmly into the Surgeon’s hand with a gently positive tap, it’s delivered with a painful whack that really smarts. No this isn’t done where it can put anyone at risk, but Surgeons soon learn to become team players and treat other staff with respect; I think this selfish, ‘I’m all right Jack’ Surgeon might regret his very public arrogance!
Returning to Sivier, he says “Do I need to spell out the wrongness of the question and the thinking behind it?” Few Question Time guests were in agreement and most revealed the very long hours staff have worked, overwhelmed by the abysmal support they got from the Government during this highly demanding situation. I think they should receive a decent pay rise of between 3.5 – 5% plus a one-off £1200 bonus towards a well-deserved family holiday. But, the Tory Minister was true to form, trying to reinforce the ‘can’t afford more – huge £300Bn debt to pay back’ lie at a time when this rabid Government wants to spring for an £80Bn Military spend! But where did the BBC manage to dredge up this freak Tory enabling Surgeon to diminish the sacrifice made by so many of his colleagues? He must hold a highly-paid and privileged position in a private healthcare facility, probably perfecting boob jobs for the rich and famous, where he might be spared the ‘painful pass’ treatment. Shame as it might have done him some good.
Sivier comments “This Writer certainly wishes Kumar, and co-presenter Rachel Parris, a brighter future beyond the Beeb. As for the corporation’s new comedy output: I look forward to seeing the new wave of diversity heralded by ‘Tory Tim’. Looking at comedy history, I think we’re about to be deluged with right-wing material that simply isn’t funny.” Sivier isn’t the only one to voice dismay as Joe Lo voices disgust in the Left Foot Forward Article entitled “Tory BBC boss axes satire show over criticism of the government.” Lo reminds us “The BBC Director-General is a former Tory council candidate,” saying that the “BBC Director-General and former Conservative Party activist Tim Davie has scrapped ‘The Mash Report’, reportedly because he thinks it criticised the government too much. The Sun reports that ‘sources close’ to Tim Davie told them the BBC’s satire needed a radical overhaul as it was too biased against the Tories and Brexit.”
Lo reports that “Davie was deputy chairman of the Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative Party in the 1990’s. Since then, he has remained friends with Stephen Greenhalgh, who was then a councillor and is now a government minister and ally of Boris Johnson from his Mayoral days. He was appointed BBC Director-General in June 2020 and there were soon reports that he would take on BBC comedy’s perceived left-wing bias. Publicly, he has dismissed these allegations as ‘nonsense’ and ‘ridiculous’. The Mash Report is fronted by comedian Nish Kumar, whose jokes are usually aimed at the government.” However. Lo points out that “It also features conservative commentator Geoff Norcott, whose segments took aim at targets like left-wing protestors, students, virtue-signalling brands and the Labour Party.”
Lo says that “While several comedians said this decision was an example of cancel culture, right-wingers celebrated the decision to axe the show. The decision raises fears that Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Have I Got News for You could also be scrapped. A spokesperson for the BBC told The Sun: ‘We are very proud of The Mash Report but in order to make room for new comedy shows we sometimes have to make difficult decisions and it won’t be returning. We would like to thank all those involved in four brilliant series and hope to work with Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris and the team in the future’.” But can we still rescue ‘Antie’? The Canary Article entitled “BBC attempts to ‘modernise’ leads to all-white news board” delivers more bad news.
“As part of our #FactOfTheMatter series, The Canary can show that the BBC has appointed an all-white News Board. Director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth appointed the new board as part of the BBCs plan to ‘modernise’ the organisation. Not only does this break the BBC‘s own policy on representing ethnic minorities, but the BBC won’t admit to any wrongdoing. In fact, it claims it’s not broken any policy because two are only ‘acting’ members. A source at BBC News sent The Canary the image below of the new board as they were concerned with its lack of diversity. We understand why” from the picture “Introducing the ‘modern’ BBC,” the new cast of characters is totally devoid of ethnic diversity.
The Canary report that “Unsworth has cut the number of board positions from 11 to eight, and in the process removed one of two BAME representatives at the time. Former editorial director Kamal Ahmed was made redundant in the restructure and as a result the board is not represented by anyone from communities of colour. Staff questioned whether ethnicity stopped their progression
The BBC‘s own report into its diversity found that not only was there a lack of representation of BAME employees, but that staff questioned whether their ethnicity was the reason they hadn’t progressed.”
The Canary say “The report found: The absence of a robust and targeted programme to track and progress high potential BAME talent across the business. A comprehensive and detailed leadership Development and training programme that fully supports the progression of BAME talent. An inconsistent approach across the BBC’s policy and procedures, which permits non-compliance, without compliance, action cannot be taken. Action needs to be taken to ensure greater accountability and to tackle perceptions of favouritism. Inconsistent approach to recruitment protocols which result in restricted pockets of excellence. In the absence of a consistent constructive and meaningful feedback system BAME employees are left questioning if their ethnicity is the real barrier to their progression.”
The Canary point out that “The BBC broke its own policy. When the report was published, nine recommendations were made, which the BBC said that it had accepted ‘unconditionally’. The report recommended that: By the end of 2020 the executive committee and divisional senior leadership teams should each have at least two BAME members. The BBC would introduce a policy that ensures shortlists for all jobs at band E and above to include at least one BAME person. Dramatically increase BAME representation across our interview panels backed by performance monitoring. All development and leadership programmes to have significant BAME representation as part of their overall cohort. Inclusive leadership should be added to part of all leadership programmes. Accountability for Diversity and Inclusion targets and BAME career progression should be incorporated into senior leadership team objectives and progression reviews. Progress should be outlined as part of future annual reports.”
According to the Canary other recommendations were to “Build a solid and sustainable BAME mid and senior leadership pipeline. As part of this, there should be developing programmes for candidates, backed by robust succession planning across the BBC. This should be in place by the end of the financial year. The Executive Committee should undertake a review of staff rotation to broaden the experience and knowledge base and explore what else can be done to make the BBC workforce more agile. Develop specific action plans based on further analysis of all divisions with less than 10% BAME representation or below par employee survey results including, Radio, Newsrooms, Newsgathering, English Regions and the World Service. Cultural awareness training should be compulsory for all team managers. This should be in addition to the current mandated Unconscious Bias training programme. The BBC should introduce a ‘Statement of Intent’ on Diversity and Inclusion. All staff would be required to abide by it. The statement should be published alongside the BBC’s Annual Report.”
The Canary say that “By appointing the new board, the BBC has broken its own policy, as it doesn’t have a minimum of two BAME members, or any for that matter. The Canary contacted the BBC for comment and received the following response: The final membership of the BBC News Board has not been announced. Two out of the eight posts, a quarter, are currently vacant. The ‘vacant’ positions the BBC is referring to are acting HR director Kirsty Lee and acting senior controller, news international services Mary Hockaday. The BBC has confirmed that they’re ‘acting’ members of the board but has not confirmed if it’s actively recruiting for these roles. Because of this, it’s not clear when the BBC will be able to finalise the News Board. Regardless of whether the board has ‘acting’ members is not the point. The point is that the BBC has not only failed to implement the recommendations from its own investigation but that in the process it’s cultivating an environment that its staff are concerned about.”
In the Canary Article entitled “Piers Morgan flounces off live broadcast after co-host calls out his Meghan Markle vendetta” the feature his childish conduct, but who is he trying to impress. They say “Piers Morgan stormed off the Good Morning Britain set this morning after presenter Alex Beresford criticised his comments about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Beresford was expressing his sympathy for the couple and the negative press they’ve endured. He said: ‘I think that we need to all take a step back and I understand that you don’t like Meghan Markle. You’ve made it so clear a number of times on this programme, a number of times. I understand that you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one, and she cut you off. She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has, but yet you continue to trash her.”
The Canary say “At this point, Piers got up and walked out of the studio, declaring himself ‘done with this’. Beresford, in disbelief, said: Do you know what, that’s pathetic… This is absolutely diabolical behaviour. I’m sorry, but Piers spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit there and listen. Six-thirty to seven o’clock yesterday was incredibly hard to watch. Morgan’s display provoked an immediate online reaction criticising his behaviour.” Chris Ship Tweeted: “So @alexberesfordTV defends Meghan on @gmb and criticises @piersmorgan for what he’d said about Meghan’s mental health. Piers walks off the set. Surely Piers knows if you give it, you gotta be able to take it? He never called you diabolical until you walked off like a petulant child and that’s when he called your behaviour and absolutely rightfully ‘diabolical’ because it was!” Ash Tweeted: “You are happy to sit there and spout off but when someone gives it you back… you run off in the corner!”
The Canary rightly point out that “Morgan has frequently criticised Markle since her engagement to Harry, to the point of some calling it an ‘obsession’. After the couple’s revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey aired, he continued the onslaught, saying: I expect all this vile destructive self-serving nonsense from Meghan Markle, but for Harry to let her take down his family and the Monarchy like this is shameful. Markle admitted in the interview that her treatment by the royal family had at points led to suicidal thoughts. She also said a member of the family asked how ‘dark’ her son Archie’s skin would be. Morgan later suggested on GMB that the question wasn’t racist, and was told by Trisha Goddard: ‘I’m sorry Piers, you don’t get to call out what is and isn’t racism against Black people. Call out all the other stuff you want, but leave the racism stuff to us’.”
Chris Rose Tweeted: “Regardless of your stance on Harry & Meghan, Piers Morgan who invites guests to sit there whilst he shouts over them, storming off the set after receiving a bit of criticism is pathetic.” Shaun Tweeted: “Piers Morgan walked off, just because he had to listen to the slightest scrutiny of his actions, but he also screams his head off because Harry & Meghan left the royal family after relentless abuse from the press & mistreatment from the family. Pathetic old Piers is at it again.” The Canary say that “Markle has also experienced constant criticism from the British press. The Daily Mail has already run several critical pieces about the interview. She recently won a privacy case against the Mail on Sunday and MailOnline after they published a letter she sent to her father. The constant targeted attacks on Markle by the UK media have been deemed racist by many, and Mogan’s obsession with her has only furthered this media climate.”
Laurie Beth Tweeted “I suppose that Piers Morgan doesn’t see the irony in him getting up and leaving a situation that he feels isn’t good for him” Dr Ebun Joseph Tweeted: “Privilege on display! @piersmorgan spends hours trashing Megan a young lady, whose only crime was to fall in love with Harry & he can’t take 30 secs of gentle rebuke! We don’t have the privilege of only hearing about race, deciding it’s ‘too much and ‘be done with this’. Shameful!!” This, in response to Chris Rickett who Tweeted: “Piers Morgan just walked off the Good Morning Britain set (!!!) after co-presenter Alex Beresford defended Harry and Meghan and condemned Piers’ treatment of them in yesterday’s programming.”
In a Canary Cartoon entitled “GMB leaks Piers Morgan replacement shortlist! The Image description says: This cartoon begins with the text title…” Then “Bellow that are the following list of names: Katie Hopkins; Jim Davidson; Nigel Farage; Tommy Robinson; The reanimated corpse of Enoch Powell. Each of the names has a caricature of that person beside it.” What conclusion should we draw from Morgan’s histrionics? To me it screamed major publicity stunt in the run-up to switching channels! It really isn’t hard to imagine where Morgan is heading next and his demonstrative exit was both a trailer and a very public audition for a more lucrative role on one of the two new far-right, Fox News style TV Channels. Morgan will want both new stations to vie for a slot featuring his controversial performances; he will go for the highest bidder, the BBC and ITV are not even close to satisfying is desire to spout abuse. Morgan needed to display his most hateful and cowardly credentials to beat out the competition lining up for unbridled far-right vitriol.
The reality is that we will have not just one, but two, hugely toxic TV News channels coming online very soon to pump out hateful rhetoric. They will stir-up more racial anti-migrant, anti-Roma, anti-ethnic diversity hate, plus increase the rampant disability and benefit discrimination, all to serve the far-right Tory ‘divide and conquer agenda that keeps the 99% subserviently impoverished, starving, homeless, destitute and in debt, desperately kept ‘in their place’ with the Tory boot of exploitation firmly stomping down on their necks! The Tory propaganda and Cunnungs’s weapons grade PsyOps were powerful enough to persuade the public that the progressive Socialist agenda of Labour was rejected in the Covert 2019 Rigged Election; we have yet to challenge and demand a full Investigation of that fake result. We need bold progressive Socialist Journalism and ‘Socialist Telly’ alternatives to debunk the Fake News of a £300Bn debt that only miraculously serves the interests of the wealthy elite. We must Get The Tories Out now! DO NOT MOVE ON!