Dave Madden
@davemadden.bsky.social
Writer, editor, journalist, lecturer....all pretty much ex. Oh, and dad. Walking around Edinburgh most days. Opinions about books, politics, pubs, and, for my sins, MUFC, Hibs, and Scottish rugby. Typos my own.
Reposted by Dave Madden
You may have missed this gem yesterday. From which we learn that:
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 AM
You may have missed this gem yesterday. From which we learn that:
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Also, although Donald Trump did in fact attempt to incite an insurrection, that misdeed is tiny compared to the magnitude of what he's got up to since being re-elected, so none of what the BBC is accused of even matters anyway.
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Also, although Donald Trump did in fact attempt to incite an insurrection, that misdeed is tiny compared to the magnitude of what he's got up to since being re-elected, so none of what the BBC is accused of even matters anyway.
Reposted by Dave Madden
The BBC is bloody brilliant. It's central to the fact that British democracy isn't circling the drain like it is in America, it preserves a common culture, and propagates respect for facts. We should defend it as firmly as we fight corruption, because it's a crucial part of integrity in public life.
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The BBC is bloody brilliant. It's central to the fact that British democracy isn't circling the drain like it is in America, it preserves a common culture, and propagates respect for facts. We should defend it as firmly as we fight corruption, because it's a crucial part of integrity in public life.
Reposted by Dave Madden
It’s already started - the BBC allows Newsmax boss to opine about bias, suggest some of the Jan 6 mob were merely innocent tourists visiting Congress, without pushback
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It’s already started - the BBC allows Newsmax boss to opine about bias, suggest some of the Jan 6 mob were merely innocent tourists visiting Congress, without pushback
Reposted by Dave Madden
Trump's White House & fawning hacks here don't really care about the 0.001% that the BBC gets wrong. They care about all the stuff it gets right.
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Trump's White House & fawning hacks here don't really care about the 0.001% that the BBC gets wrong. They care about all the stuff it gets right.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Reposted by Dave Madden
British "patriots" assaulting the BBC to gain approval from American fascists is just fucking weird on a deep level.
November 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
British "patriots" assaulting the BBC to gain approval from American fascists is just fucking weird on a deep level.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Reposted by Dave Madden
The BBC should just say sorry again, and promise to play his Jan 6th speech in full. It feels like some are trying to argue that the BBC have somehow distorted the speech. Then play it in full. It’s all there in its full inciteful glory.
November 11, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The BBC should just say sorry again, and promise to play his Jan 6th speech in full. It feels like some are trying to argue that the BBC have somehow distorted the speech. Then play it in full. It’s all there in its full inciteful glory.
Reposted by Dave Madden
I think the Prescott memo correcting the record also got the quote wrong?
November 11, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I think the Prescott memo correcting the record also got the quote wrong?
Reposted by Dave Madden
Good to see so many people who’ve never so much have edited a TikTok have clear views on the edit here. We’re literally talking about a 12 frame flash instead of the cut to crowd and it would be totally unimpeachably legit! I doubt it was even flagged in any edit passes.
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Good to see so many people who’ve never so much have edited a TikTok have clear views on the edit here. We’re literally talking about a 12 frame flash instead of the cut to crowd and it would be totally unimpeachably legit! I doubt it was even flagged in any edit passes.
Reposted by Dave Madden
Trump then pardoned thousands of those involved, including violent offenders who have already gone on to commit more crimes. That doesn’t erase his own record, or the facts of the event.
Why is the shadow culture secretary demanding the BBC “grovel” to a foreign leader for telling the truth?
Why is the shadow culture secretary demanding the BBC “grovel” to a foreign leader for telling the truth?
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Trump then pardoned thousands of those involved, including violent offenders who have already gone on to commit more crimes. That doesn’t erase his own record, or the facts of the event.
Why is the shadow culture secretary demanding the BBC “grovel” to a foreign leader for telling the truth?
Why is the shadow culture secretary demanding the BBC “grovel” to a foreign leader for telling the truth?
Reposted by Dave Madden
The worst you can accuse Panorama of doing is making a misleading edit – and I’d dispute that! – to make *a point that was true*.
The programme aired without anyone seeing any issues with the edit. It was on iPlayer for a year without complaints. Donald Trump *did* incite Jan 6th.
The programme aired without anyone seeing any issues with the edit. It was on iPlayer for a year without complaints. Donald Trump *did* incite Jan 6th.
Tory culture spox demanding the BBC "grovel" to Trump is baffling. Who is this supposed to chime with?
Just a bizarre line that no one who doesn't use X would ever think.
Just a bizarre line that no one who doesn't use X would ever think.
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The worst you can accuse Panorama of doing is making a misleading edit – and I’d dispute that! – to make *a point that was true*.
The programme aired without anyone seeing any issues with the edit. It was on iPlayer for a year without complaints. Donald Trump *did* incite Jan 6th.
The programme aired without anyone seeing any issues with the edit. It was on iPlayer for a year without complaints. Donald Trump *did* incite Jan 6th.
If Starmer does not support the BBC against Trump and the Telegraph mob - publicly and without equivocation - then I am done with him.
November 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
If Starmer does not support the BBC against Trump and the Telegraph mob - publicly and without equivocation - then I am done with him.
Reposted by Dave Madden
The BBC is the latest part of ‘the public realm’ to feel the wrath of the right.
The playbook is wearyingly similar.
Underfund them. Hold them (piously) to the highest standards. Pillory them for all errors. And then co-opt, or neuter, them. 1/2
The playbook is wearyingly similar.
Underfund them. Hold them (piously) to the highest standards. Pillory them for all errors. And then co-opt, or neuter, them. 1/2
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The BBC is the latest part of ‘the public realm’ to feel the wrath of the right.
The playbook is wearyingly similar.
Underfund them. Hold them (piously) to the highest standards. Pillory them for all errors. And then co-opt, or neuter, them. 1/2
The playbook is wearyingly similar.
Underfund them. Hold them (piously) to the highest standards. Pillory them for all errors. And then co-opt, or neuter, them. 1/2
Reposted by Dave Madden
This is an outstanding post on the criminal justice system. Do read.
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM
This is an outstanding post on the criminal justice system. Do read.
Reposted by Dave Madden
A former BBC journalist has accused the broadcaster of ‘caving to the right-wing press’ following the resignation of two high-profile figures
Ex-BBC reporter slams broadcaster for ‘caving to right-wing media’ with resignations
www.thenational.scot
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
A former BBC journalist has accused the broadcaster of ‘caving to the right-wing press’ following the resignation of two high-profile figures
Reposted by Dave Madden
This kind of influence by a political appointee of the Johnson government, with a strong partisan record and reputation, appeared a Faustian pact imposed on the BBC by the government of the day. Its striking that this attempt continued after a change of government
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
The whirlwind that started when Deborah Turness came under attack at a board meeting is part of a wider political story, some say
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
This kind of influence by a political appointee of the Johnson government, with a strong partisan record and reputation, appeared a Faustian pact imposed on the BBC by the government of the day. Its striking that this attempt continued after a change of government
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
Hmmm. Every academic study that’s ever been published on this - back to Glasgow Uni media centre in 70s - shows bias in BBC news - always same one: in favour of capital, conservative power and establishment vs progressive interests -by definition right of centre. Time for Beeb stand up for itself
New YouGov poll: Is BBC News politically biased? 50% of Britons say yes.
Biased in favour of left-wing views: 31%
Biased in favour of right-wing views: 19%
Not biased: 19%
Belief in bias by party
Reform: 73% biased to left / 4% biased to right
Con: 52% / 5%
Lib Dem: 19% / 22%
Labour: 16% / 31%
Biased in favour of left-wing views: 31%
Biased in favour of right-wing views: 19%
Not biased: 19%
Belief in bias by party
Reform: 73% biased to left / 4% biased to right
Con: 52% / 5%
Lib Dem: 19% / 22%
Labour: 16% / 31%
November 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Hmmm. Every academic study that’s ever been published on this - back to Glasgow Uni media centre in 70s - shows bias in BBC news - always same one: in favour of capital, conservative power and establishment vs progressive interests -by definition right of centre. Time for Beeb stand up for itself
Reposted by Dave Madden
George Cinema is being left to decay “in plain sight”
A building in Portobello which has been empty for nine years is being left to decay "in plain sight", according to the group of people who want to refurbish the former Art Deco cinema. Officers have recommended that the Planning Committee does…
A building in Portobello which has been empty for nine years is being left to decay "in plain sight", according to the group of people who want to refurbish the former Art Deco cinema. Officers have recommended that the Planning Committee does…
George Cinema is being left to decay “in plain sight”
A building in Portobello which has been empty for nine years is being left to decay "in plain sight", according to the group of people who want to refurbish the former Art Deco cinema. Officers have recommended that the Planning Committee does not impose a defective building notice on the premises at Bath Street to ensure it becomes wind and watertight.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:53 AM
George Cinema is being left to decay “in plain sight”
A building in Portobello which has been empty for nine years is being left to decay "in plain sight", according to the group of people who want to refurbish the former Art Deco cinema. Officers have recommended that the Planning Committee does…
A building in Portobello which has been empty for nine years is being left to decay "in plain sight", according to the group of people who want to refurbish the former Art Deco cinema. Officers have recommended that the Planning Committee does…
Reposted by Dave Madden
Just occurred that the BBC is the most literal example of Conquest's third law in that it is actually run by a cabal of its enemies.
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Just occurred that the BBC is the most literal example of Conquest's third law in that it is actually run by a cabal of its enemies.
Reposted by Dave Madden
If, as several people are suggesting this morning, the DG and News CEO were prevented from issuing an apology re Panorama last week by the board, it seems extremely urgent that the chair of the board clarify what happened
November 10, 2025 at 7:44 AM
If, as several people are suggesting this morning, the DG and News CEO were prevented from issuing an apology re Panorama last week by the board, it seems extremely urgent that the chair of the board clarify what happened
Reposted by Dave Madden
This Robbie Gibb?
Robbie Gibb who cancelled a BBC investigation into Farage's Leave dot EU campaign shortly before the EU Ref
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Revealed: Brexit group covered up its targeting of right-wing extremists
Brexit-backer Arron Banks repeatedly denied that Leave.EU appealed to National Front supporters - in a bid to get the BBC to drop an investigation
www.channel4.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:46 AM
This Robbie Gibb?