One man’s bias can be another man’s impartiality – and vice versa, writes Moreen Simpson, who learned the hard way.
If only radio DJs had the courage of football pundits.
No sooner had Gary Lineker been suspended for his controversial tweet than his mates stood up to be counted, as in: “I’m Linekerus!” Yet, recently, when superb and much-loved DJs Steve Wright and Ken Bruce were given the dunt from BBC Radio 2 for the horrific crime of being pensioners, not a word was said by any of their long-time colleagues of the airwaves.
Had they circled their pals’ beleaguered wagons, we might still be listening to them today, instead of their pedestrian, “young” replacements. And doesn’t it make you wonder: what if you were in that situation? Would your workmates risk their jobs to support you? Little wonder Gary’s now a bit of a cocky wee sparra’.
Impartiality has become a hot potato at the Beeb. Dragons’ Den doyenne Deborah Meaden stepped up to the plate to declare that she’s outspoken on many issues on Twitter, but has never been cautioned by corporation bosses. The Apprentice’s Alan Sugar gets away with some affa guff – but then it’s always pro-Tory.
However, before the row, not many of us knew the ins and oots of former banker and Tory donor Richard Sharp being investigated because, after he middle-manned an £800,000 loan from another person to Boris, Prime Minister Johnson appointed him BBC chairman. Hums to high heaven.
Director general Tim Davie, who declared war on BBC bias when appointed in 2020, has made a Horlicks of the stand-off. Virtually admitting defeat to the Linekeruses, he’s calling for a new code of impartiality at the Beeb.
However, one man’s bias can be another man’s impartiality – and vice versa. I know my experience is pretty backwoods-wifie, but it fairly had a powerful impact on me.
Animosity at the Aberdeen Corporation
When Grampian Region was set up in 1975, I covered daily meetings at Woodhill House. Had twins May 1977, then back to work September.
There was huge animosity between the jubilant ruling Tories and Labour, who’d long been in the majority in the old Aberdeen Corporation. Their two leaders loathed each other, constantly on the alert for examples of bias.
I’d dive into the press room, phone through stories straight from my shorthand notes, minutes from deadline. Just as if I’d time to politically slant them!
One evening came a nightmare. As I bathed my babes, hubby told me the Tory convener wanted to speak to me on the phone. Came a rant about the story in that night’s EE being hugely Labour-biased; he’d ensure the editor had me replaced. Near to tears and furious he’d called me at home, I back to my babies.
Next day in Woodhill House, my expecting another blast from the top man, the Labour leader sought me out, to declare: “You should be ashamed of writing such Tory propaganda last night. I’ve complained to your editor.”
Eeehaa! I was ower the moon. They both thought I was biased, so I must have been impartial. But it’s a bummer of a tightrope to walk.
100 cheers to Jimmy
To a very special celebration lunch on Sunday: the 100th birthday of my old EE news editor, Jimmy Lees. Some of you may have read about him in the EE and The P&J this week.
Apart from deafness, he’s still amazing for his age; sharp as a tack (still remembers my birthday and middle name), with crystal clear memories of all the stories he covered and people he met.
In spite of the daily stress of a newsroom, Jimmy never lost his temper and was a superb mentor to his bank of 20-plus reporters. We all still love him dearly, even though most are now many miles away.
But a testament to the man and how much he meant to so many is that he received around 70 birthday cards from his old boys and girls. A hundred cheers to you, Jimmy!
Moreen Simpson is a former assistant editor of the Evening Express and The Press and Journal, and started her journalism career in 1970.
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