Sophie Petzal
@sonicscrewup.bsky.social
TV writer, ‘BLOOD’, ‘HOLLINGTON DRIVE’, THE LAST KINGDOM’, ‘MEDICI’, other things you’ve not seen. They gave me a Writers Guild Award once. Mostly post about Arsenal.
Pinned
Sophie Petzal
@sonicscrewup.bsky.social
· Sep 23
"Gripping" Adrian Dunbar thriller that "wastes no time in ratcheting up the tension" gets new UK home
Something to tide you over until Line of Duty s7 gets announced...
www.digitalspy.com
News to me (I didn’t even go looking, google algorithmed me the story, incredible) but Blood is coming to Netflix if you never watched it and want to. www.digitalspy.com/tv/a67998771...
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
It's possible that Florida libel law is very different to ours, but my limited knowledge of US libel is that it's harder to win there, not easier.
November 11, 2025 at 8:18 AM
It's possible that Florida libel law is very different to ours, but my limited knowledge of US libel is that it's harder to win there, not easier.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Second there are years of media commentary about Trump encouraging an attack before the broadcast. So how would a Panorama programme, in Florida, have influenced an average member of the public?
November 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Second there are years of media commentary about Trump encouraging an attack before the broadcast. So how would a Panorama programme, in Florida, have influenced an average member of the public?
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
I'm not about to go up against Joshua Rozenberg on legal analysis, but his assessment on Radio 4 right now seems a bit odd. First, BBC player *isn't* available in Florida, is it? That's why you need a vpn to watch the Beeb there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
I'm not about to go up against Joshua Rozenberg on legal analysis, but his assessment on Radio 4 right now seems a bit odd. First, BBC player *isn't* available in Florida, is it? That's why you need a vpn to watch the Beeb there.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
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 Sophie Petzal
The utter preposterousness of this interview. A media figure talking about BBC bias while describing the president as his "friend". A child could see trough it.
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 8:39 AM
The utter preposterousness of this interview. A media figure talking about BBC bias while describing the president as his "friend". A child could see trough it.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
The Telegraph's "attacks on the BBC are not remotely done in good faith & are the result of the publisher’s ideological & commercial interests. There is no world in which The Telegraph’s output would survive the level of scrutiny applied to the BBC’s journalism.”
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
The Telegraph’s BBC hypocrisy
A paper that knows a thing or two about editorial f*ck-ups...
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The Telegraph's "attacks on the BBC are not remotely done in good faith & are the result of the publisher’s ideological & commercial interests. There is no world in which The Telegraph’s output would survive the level of scrutiny applied to the BBC’s journalism.”
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
open.substack.com/pub/writesbr...
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Exactly. Get to fuck, Pudsey.
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The BBC belongs to all of us, and it is under attack as never before. The government must defend it from its enemies, within and without, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Exactly. Get to fuck, Pudsey.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
@michaelsavage
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
@michaelsavage
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 7:16 PM
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
@michaelsavage
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
@michaelsavage
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
I mean, what kind of legal action would this be exactly? Defamation? I would truly love to see it. 'They made it look like I instigated a coup during my very well recorded coup attempt.'
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
Donald Trump Preparing To Sue BBC Over Panorama Speech Row
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I mean, what kind of legal action would this be exactly? Defamation? I would truly love to see it. 'They made it look like I instigated a coup during my very well recorded coup attempt.'
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
This x100000!
Eeveryone in the news media lurches towards takes like "trust in news can revive the BBC!!!" and ignores the fact that trust is completely useless and abstract if no one is watching/listening/reading in the first place.
Eeveryone in the news media lurches towards takes like "trust in news can revive the BBC!!!" and ignores the fact that trust is completely useless and abstract if no one is watching/listening/reading in the first place.
I reckon a shared national popular culture is just as important (if not more important) than a fact based, impartial news service for liberal democracy to work.
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This x100000!
Eeveryone in the news media lurches towards takes like "trust in news can revive the BBC!!!" and ignores the fact that trust is completely useless and abstract if no one is watching/listening/reading in the first place.
Eeveryone in the news media lurches towards takes like "trust in news can revive the BBC!!!" and ignores the fact that trust is completely useless and abstract if no one is watching/listening/reading in the first place.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Huh? How do you do a "balancing" program when one candidate did an insurgency trying to overturn the election and the other...didn't?
Would Prescott have been satisfied with an hour of people telling BBC journalists why they didn't try and stoke a riot to overturn Trump's second win?
Would Prescott have been satisfied with an hour of people telling BBC journalists why they didn't try and stoke a riot to overturn Trump's second win?
Michael Prescott was ‘“shocked” that after an hour-long Panorama documentary dealing with Trump and the January 6 insurgency, there was no “similar, balancing” programme about Kamala Harris.’
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
More read about the machinations between the BBC resignations, the more worrying it becomes
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Huh? How do you do a "balancing" program when one candidate did an insurgency trying to overturn the election and the other...didn't?
Would Prescott have been satisfied with an hour of people telling BBC journalists why they didn't try and stoke a riot to overturn Trump's second win?
Would Prescott have been satisfied with an hour of people telling BBC journalists why they didn't try and stoke a riot to overturn Trump's second win?
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
At an event where a speaker said: "The moment you are transparent with your trust and safety rules, you give a guidebook to your enemies on how to game them."
Which feels pretty much where the BBC has ended up! All this focus on being open and transparent just gives levers for opponents to pull.
Which feels pretty much where the BBC has ended up! All this focus on being open and transparent just gives levers for opponents to pull.
November 10, 2025 at 12:32 PM
At an event where a speaker said: "The moment you are transparent with your trust and safety rules, you give a guidebook to your enemies on how to game them."
Which feels pretty much where the BBC has ended up! All this focus on being open and transparent just gives levers for opponents to pull.
Which feels pretty much where the BBC has ended up! All this focus on being open and transparent just gives levers for opponents to pull.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Re the BBC, 'only nineties kids will remember' the DG post, pre Tony-Hall, was a hiding to nothing. John Birt was constantly criticised, Greg Dyke resigned over Hutton, poor George Entwistle only lasted 54 days! Mark Thompson was the great survivor but look at his Wiki (Brand, Savile, Nick Griffin).
November 10, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Re the BBC, 'only nineties kids will remember' the DG post, pre Tony-Hall, was a hiding to nothing. John Birt was constantly criticised, Greg Dyke resigned over Hutton, poor George Entwistle only lasted 54 days! Mark Thompson was the great survivor but look at his Wiki (Brand, Savile, Nick Griffin).
Once again reminiscing of the truly insane encounter the BBC production trainee intake group 2011 had with pre DG Tim Davey.
Yes Very Sad Anyway Loki Sad GIF
ALT: Yes Very Sad Anyway Loki Sad GIF
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Once again reminiscing of the truly insane encounter the BBC production trainee intake group 2011 had with pre DG Tim Davey.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
One exciting thing about the BBC Board is it is one of the few places where each constituent kingdom of the UK gets an equal vote - power-sharing in action! Oh, and residents of England? Your representative is Sir Robbie Gibb <ducks for cover>
Seeing so many posts about who “Starmer and Nandy” will appoint as director general. Easy mistake but the government does not appoint the director general! The BBC board, whose members are appointed for rolling terms by the culture secretary, appoints the director general.
November 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
One exciting thing about the BBC Board is it is one of the few places where each constituent kingdom of the UK gets an equal vote - power-sharing in action! Oh, and residents of England? Your representative is Sir Robbie Gibb <ducks for cover>
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
🚨 The BBC’s Road to Appeasement
As the BBC comes under growing criticism for its coverage of Reform, we republish @adambienkov.bsky.social and @baghdaddi.bsky.social’s 2024 investigation into how the corporation's leadership became cowed by the right
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-bbcs-r...
As the BBC comes under growing criticism for its coverage of Reform, we republish @adambienkov.bsky.social and @baghdaddi.bsky.social’s 2024 investigation into how the corporation's leadership became cowed by the right
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-bbcs-r...
The BBC’s Road to Appeasement
As the BBC comes under growing criticism for its coverage of Reform, we republish Adam Bienkov and Patrick Howse's 2024 investigation into how the corporation's leadership became cowed by the right
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:28 PM
🚨 The BBC’s Road to Appeasement
As the BBC comes under growing criticism for its coverage of Reform, we republish @adambienkov.bsky.social and @baghdaddi.bsky.social’s 2024 investigation into how the corporation's leadership became cowed by the right
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-bbcs-r...
As the BBC comes under growing criticism for its coverage of Reform, we republish @adambienkov.bsky.social and @baghdaddi.bsky.social’s 2024 investigation into how the corporation's leadership became cowed by the right
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/the-bbcs-r...
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
My snap analysis from last night: why the “mangled” Trump edit was a crisis too far for Tim Davie.
Also, how Michael Prescott’s savage memo sowed division on the BBC board and was a factor in the corporation basically sitting on its hands for a week. deadline.com/2025/11/bbc-...
Also, how Michael Prescott’s savage memo sowed division on the BBC board and was a factor in the corporation basically sitting on its hands for a week. deadline.com/2025/11/bbc-...
BBC Resignations Bombshell: Sources Say “Mangled” Trump Edit Was A Crisis Too Far For Boss Tim Davie
Donald Trump claimed victory on Sunday following the news about Tim Davie quitting as BBC director general, but the truth is more nuanced.
deadline.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:39 AM
My snap analysis from last night: why the “mangled” Trump edit was a crisis too far for Tim Davie.
Also, how Michael Prescott’s savage memo sowed division on the BBC board and was a factor in the corporation basically sitting on its hands for a week. deadline.com/2025/11/bbc-...
Also, how Michael Prescott’s savage memo sowed division on the BBC board and was a factor in the corporation basically sitting on its hands for a week. deadline.com/2025/11/bbc-...
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
The spotlight needs to fall on this Prescott bloke and his relationship with Robbie Gibb.
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The spotlight needs to fall on this Prescott bloke and his relationship with Robbie Gibb.
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Why aren’t more questions being asked about Prescott andHanover Comms, who their clients are, why they operate out of Abu Dhabi, where the leaks to the Redbird owned Telegraph fit in ?? As for Nandy we’re ’not afraid the regulate big tech’… lol
November 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Why aren’t more questions being asked about Prescott andHanover Comms, who their clients are, why they operate out of Abu Dhabi, where the leaks to the Redbird owned Telegraph fit in ?? As for Nandy we’re ’not afraid the regulate big tech’… lol
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Almost most worrying is that if this recent @prospectmagazine.co.uk podcast is anything to do back, culture secretary Lisa Nandy doesn’t understand broadcasting impartiality rules either
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
Lisa Nandy: We’re not afraid to regulate US big tech, no matter what Donald Trump says
The secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport talks free speech and the future of the BBC
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Almost most worrying is that if this recent @prospectmagazine.co.uk podcast is anything to do back, culture secretary Lisa Nandy doesn’t understand broadcasting impartiality rules either
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
Reposted by Sophie Petzal
Like why would the bbc need to ‘balance’ its cover of the US in this way?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
November 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Like why would the bbc need to ‘balance’ its cover of the US in this way?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?