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1/ Some thoughts about Humphrys' coverage of Brexit.
Here he is asserting that one particular interpretation of the referendum result is an objective fact.
It's one thing to question an interviewee as a devil's advocate ("Some people say X..."), but he goes beyond that.
Here he is asserting that one particular interpretation of the referendum result is an objective fact.
It's one thing to question an interviewee as a devil's advocate ("Some people say X..."), but he goes beyond that.
2/ Here he gets basic facts hugely wrong about Irish trade with the UK. One thing for Delingpole to mess up as an interviewee, but this is the *interviewer* failing at a basic level.
3/ The same clip put forward Humphrys' suggestion of Ireland leaving the EU, which has marginal public support in Ireland.
Compare that to his airbrushing of the prospect of the UK staying in the single market, which at least some MPs in the Commons support.
Compare that to his airbrushing of the prospect of the UK staying in the single market, which at least some MPs in the Commons support.
4/ I'm not suggesting that interviewees shouldn't be challenged. A "Some people say..." devil's advocate question would have been fine.
But, more fundamentally, there are other points that the interview should have focused on.
But, more fundamentally, there are other points that the interview should have focused on.
5/ Are the Commission and Irish government positions on Brexit consistent? What would they actually do regarding the border in a no deal scenario?
Here's a proper piece of journalism by @tconnellyRTE which analyses these issues:
Here's a proper piece of journalism by @tconnellyRTE which analyses these issues:
6/ Any time spent on false trade statistics, or on a nonsense question about leaving the EU, is time not spent exploring relevant and difficult questions like these.
Sadly, Humphrys' approach is too partisan, ignorant and irrelevant to cover Brexit effectively.
Sadly, Humphrys' approach is too partisan, ignorant and irrelevant to cover Brexit effectively.
