Pleased people are asking aloud about the weird editorial choices BBC News makes. When trying to reconcile the BBC in your heart with that before your eyes, perhaps ask whether the weird choices involve punching up or down; do they embed or do they challenge establishment power?
I doubt the BBC's place as a wellhead of establishment power has changed. I think, instead, the world around the BBC has. Social media, Brexit, internationalism, etc, all challenge establishment power in lots of new ways such that the BBC's wellhead status now gets exposed.
I will never forget @BBCr4today (having persuaded me to come on under false pretences) then attacking me for being too rude about Government figures. A perfect illustration of how it sees its role: speaking 'truth' not to power but to those trying to keep power accountable.
Spare a thought for @GoodLawProject's brilliant director of comms who I can imagine grimacing now: 'It's why they never have you on, Jolyon. Why be so rude about them?' Well, some problems you can't change from the inside.
Absolutely right to say the BBC is not a monolith. Lots of great journalists there (although lots of great ones leave) most of whom are also frustrated at how they see the BBC failing at its journalistic mission.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
