James Ball
@jamesrball.com
Tech, policy, politics.
Political editor @ The New World
Fellow @ Demos
PhD researcher @ UCL Laws
newsletter @ techtris
Latest book: The Other Pandemic – How QAnon Contaminated The World. 🏳️🌈
https://www.jamesrball.com/
Political editor @ The New World
Fellow @ Demos
PhD researcher @ UCL Laws
newsletter @ techtris
Latest book: The Other Pandemic – How QAnon Contaminated The World. 🏳️🌈
https://www.jamesrball.com/
Pinned
James Ball
@jamesrball.com
· Aug 11
Techtris | James Ball | Substack
A weekly(ish) newsletter on technology, policy and society, from James Ball. Click to read Techtris, by James Ball, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
www.jamesrball.com
Enjoying my posts? (If not: sorry..?)
I have a newsletter here, plz do subscribe: www.jamesrball.com
Details of books I’ve written here: www.jamesrball.com/p/books
And all my writing for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social is here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/contributor/...
I often pop up elsewhere, too.
I have a newsletter here, plz do subscribe: www.jamesrball.com
Details of books I’ve written here: www.jamesrball.com/p/books
And all my writing for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social is here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/contributor/...
I often pop up elsewhere, too.
I will restate my modest proposal to save the BBC: ban the BBC from covering itself.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
November 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I will restate my modest proposal to save the BBC: ban the BBC from covering itself.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
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.
“Trump has managed to cow huge swathes of America’s institutional media, despite the supposed protections the First Amendment offers. Thanks to his friendly relationship with tech CEOs, he has huge sway over online media, too. The bully pulpit has never been more powerful than under Trump.”
Win or lose, Trump's $1bn lawsuit would be a disaster for the BBC
Trump does not want fair and independent media. He wants cheerleaders
inews.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:51 AM
“Trump has managed to cow huge swathes of America’s institutional media, despite the supposed protections the First Amendment offers. Thanks to his friendly relationship with tech CEOs, he has huge sway over online media, too. The bully pulpit has never been more powerful than under Trump.”
“There is no such thing as too much flattery for Trump, no level of praise that he thinks is a bit much. In short, he wants the news to be like The Apprentice: flashy, brash, and with a heroic vision of himself always at its centre.” inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
Win or lose, Trump's $1bn lawsuit would be a disaster for the BBC
Trump does not want fair and independent media. He wants cheerleaders
inews.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:51 AM
“There is no such thing as too much flattery for Trump, no level of praise that he thinks is a bit much. In short, he wants the news to be like The Apprentice: flashy, brash, and with a heroic vision of himself always at its centre.” inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
Reposted by James Ball
“I’ve come to this anti-vax conference with a message: that we need to be more boldly anti-vax,” said Mark Gorton, the head of the MAHA Institute…(he) called for the elimination of the childhood vaccination schedule & removal of vaccines from the market.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
‘God is an anti-vaxxer’: Inside the conference celebrating RFK Jr.’s rise
An anti-vaccine conference in Austin celebrated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rise to political power, highlighting his influence in Trump’s Washington.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“I’ve come to this anti-vax conference with a message: that we need to be more boldly anti-vax,” said Mark Gorton, the head of the MAHA Institute…(he) called for the elimination of the childhood vaccination schedule & removal of vaccines from the market.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by James Ball
The head of MI5 asked Kash Patel to protect the job of a London FBI agent, who dealt with surveillance tech that British security would need to monitor a new embassy China wants to build in London, U.S. officials said. After Patel agreed to fund the agent's role, the job is now slated to disappear.
F.B.I. Director Is Said to Have Made a Pledge to Head of MI5, Then Broken It
The episode has contributed to concerns among intelligence allies that Kash Patel, brash and partisan, is also unpredictable and even unreliable.
nyti.ms
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The head of MI5 asked Kash Patel to protect the job of a London FBI agent, who dealt with surveillance tech that British security would need to monitor a new embassy China wants to build in London, U.S. officials said. After Patel agreed to fund the agent's role, the job is now slated to disappear.
Good news, for now (as Chris predicted, iirc)
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Good news, for now (as Chris predicted, iirc)
Reposted by James Ball
Panorama made mistakes but this ‘scandal’ is the work of populists trying to control the airwaves. They won’t rest
✏️ @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social
✏️ @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social
The malign right can't be allowed to destroy the BBC
Panorama made mistakes but this ‘scandal’ is the work of populists trying to control the airwaves. They won’t rest
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Panorama made mistakes but this ‘scandal’ is the work of populists trying to control the airwaves. They won’t rest
✏️ @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social
✏️ @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social
Reposted by James Ball
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by James Ball
Happy There Is A Circulatory System Walking Through The Kitchen Day to all who celebrate.
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Happy There Is A Circulatory System Walking Through The Kitchen Day to all who celebrate.
I think banning it would be bad, because:
1. It would backfire domestically
2. It would backfire HUGELY internationally
3. Democratic governments shouldn’t ban social platforms.
BUT: they really, *really* should stop using it.
1. It would backfire domestically
2. It would backfire HUGELY internationally
3. Democratic governments shouldn’t ban social platforms.
BUT: they really, *really* should stop using it.
genuinely hard to think of another single move the UK govt could do that would do as much good as banning twitter. it's the poison at the root of so much ill
November 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I think banning it would be bad, because:
1. It would backfire domestically
2. It would backfire HUGELY internationally
3. Democratic governments shouldn’t ban social platforms.
BUT: they really, *really* should stop using it.
1. It would backfire domestically
2. It would backfire HUGELY internationally
3. Democratic governments shouldn’t ban social platforms.
BUT: they really, *really* should stop using it.
Also that lots of people talk about these three things but don’t actually want them, they want news they agree with.
We all insist that’s something *other people* do, not ourselves, but there’s a lotttt of it about.
We all insist that’s something *other people* do, not ourselves, but there’s a lotttt of it about.
Objectivity, impartiality and balance are all *different things*, and the lazy tendency to treat them as synonyms, and to use partisan balance alone as a proxy for the others, is the root cause of a vast amount of nonsense.
Robbie Gibb once suggested that reporters should reflect if they were getting more retweets from one side than the other - a braindead analysis that ignores that fair and impartial reporting of education might get more Tory retweets than say, criminal justice.
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Also that lots of people talk about these three things but don’t actually want them, they want news they agree with.
We all insist that’s something *other people* do, not ourselves, but there’s a lotttt of it about.
We all insist that’s something *other people* do, not ourselves, but there’s a lotttt of it about.
Reposted by James Ball
it is very strange that BBC chair Samir Shah is hiding this morning. He should by rights be on the Today programme presenting himself as in charge and hands on the tiller. I wonder if he is frightened for his position
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
it is very strange that BBC chair Samir Shah is hiding this morning. He should by rights be on the Today programme presenting himself as in charge and hands on the tiller. I wonder if he is frightened for his position
Reposted by James Ball
If Dems accept this deal, it will help the GOP cement the following ideas into the public conscience over the coming 4 weeks:
-Shutdown was Dems fault/responsibility
-They did it for nothing
-They caved to Trump
Having accepted responsibility, it will also cripple them in the follow up debate.
-Shutdown was Dems fault/responsibility
-They did it for nothing
-They caved to Trump
Having accepted responsibility, it will also cripple them in the follow up debate.
First, I will say this: never believe an Axios backed story with only a Thune test vote schedule.
That being said, for obvious reasons to anyone who sees my posts regularly, I don't think a deal is a good idea for Dems, but the rumored deal seems pretty poor even factoring in my priors against.
That being said, for obvious reasons to anyone who sees my posts regularly, I don't think a deal is a good idea for Dems, but the rumored deal seems pretty poor even factoring in my priors against.
IMO there are two legitimate goals to non-cooperation (which would likely lead to shutdown):
-Demonstrate Dem opposition & non-complicity
-End filibuster
-Demonstrate Dem opposition & non-complicity
-End filibuster
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
If Dems accept this deal, it will help the GOP cement the following ideas into the public conscience over the coming 4 weeks:
-Shutdown was Dems fault/responsibility
-They did it for nothing
-They caved to Trump
Having accepted responsibility, it will also cripple them in the follow up debate.
-Shutdown was Dems fault/responsibility
-They did it for nothing
-They caved to Trump
Having accepted responsibility, it will also cripple them in the follow up debate.
Don’t think I saw a single post from Trump himself about the BBC over the whole week btw, let alone an actual comment. It was all from the White House press team, in response to queries from UK media. Not sure the President even knows what Panorama *is*.
November 9, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Don’t think I saw a single post from Trump himself about the BBC over the whole week btw, let alone an actual comment. It was all from the White House press team, in response to queries from UK media. Not sure the President even knows what Panorama *is*.
Reposted by James Ball
The niche moment I'm waiting for is Kemi Badenoch denouncing whichever government was in charge when Davie was appointed.
November 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The niche moment I'm waiting for is Kemi Badenoch denouncing whichever government was in charge when Davie was appointed.
Neither Tim Davie nor Deborah Turness incited an insurrection against the US Capitol. Congressman didn’t have to flee for their lives because of a BBC Panorama edit.
That all happened because of President Donald Trump. If he didn’t resign, it’s truly *insane* that anyone else does.
That all happened because of President Donald Trump. If he didn’t resign, it’s truly *insane* that anyone else does.
November 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Neither Tim Davie nor Deborah Turness incited an insurrection against the US Capitol. Congressman didn’t have to flee for their lives because of a BBC Panorama edit.
That all happened because of President Donald Trump. If he didn’t resign, it’s truly *insane* that anyone else does.
That all happened because of President Donald Trump. If he didn’t resign, it’s truly *insane* that anyone else does.
I’ll add: the “dossier” here was clearly part of a concerted effort to oust the BBC’s top management. Neither the BBC nor the government response acknowledged that. It was slow, ineffective, and outdated.
“Old” media orgs need to learn the new game, or they’ll die out.
“Old” media orgs need to learn the new game, or they’ll die out.
Maybe there was an era when apologies helped. Now it’ll just pivot the story to “so you admit you got this wrong, who’s to blame and why haven’t they resigned yet?”
If someone resigns, it’ll be “why didn’t their boss resign too?”, and so on.
The game has changed. Institutions need to catch up.
If someone resigns, it’ll be “why didn’t their boss resign too?”, and so on.
The game has changed. Institutions need to catch up.
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I’ll add: the “dossier” here was clearly part of a concerted effort to oust the BBC’s top management. Neither the BBC nor the government response acknowledged that. It was slow, ineffective, and outdated.
“Old” media orgs need to learn the new game, or they’ll die out.
“Old” media orgs need to learn the new game, or they’ll die out.
Losing both the director-general and the very obvious heir apparent as the result of such an orchestrated attack is truly existential stuff for the BBC.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
November 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Losing both the director-general and the very obvious heir apparent as the result of such an orchestrated attack is truly existential stuff for the BBC.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
Reposted by James Ball
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
The BBC was right about the Capitol riots. In a sane world, Trump would be in jail
The US President faced impeachment over the violence, and in a world where Republicans had more courage, he would have been found guilty
inews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Reposted by James Ball
My favourite Oxford Comma story:
At Mandela's funeral, Obama & Raoul Castro met for the first time, shook hands. Meanwhile in UK Queen gave legal assent to same-sex marriage bill.
News agency tweeted:"In today's news, Obama-Castro handshake and gay marriage". Cue "That escalated quickly" memes.
At Mandela's funeral, Obama & Raoul Castro met for the first time, shook hands. Meanwhile in UK Queen gave legal assent to same-sex marriage bill.
News agency tweeted:"In today's news, Obama-Castro handshake and gay marriage". Cue "That escalated quickly" memes.
November 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
My favourite Oxford Comma story:
At Mandela's funeral, Obama & Raoul Castro met for the first time, shook hands. Meanwhile in UK Queen gave legal assent to same-sex marriage bill.
News agency tweeted:"In today's news, Obama-Castro handshake and gay marriage". Cue "That escalated quickly" memes.
At Mandela's funeral, Obama & Raoul Castro met for the first time, shook hands. Meanwhile in UK Queen gave legal assent to same-sex marriage bill.
News agency tweeted:"In today's news, Obama-Castro handshake and gay marriage". Cue "That escalated quickly" memes.
“What it is it we’re remembering when we engage in what seem like ever more frenetic and extravagant displays of poppy fervour each year? Is this really, sincerely, something that’s about honouring the UK’s veterans of more recent wars, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere? Is the focus on them?”
First the flag. Now the poppy
A sombre display of remembrance is being weaponised and policed by nationalists
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“What it is it we’re remembering when we engage in what seem like ever more frenetic and extravagant displays of poppy fervour each year? Is this really, sincerely, something that’s about honouring the UK’s veterans of more recent wars, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere? Is the focus on them?”
“One longtime Westminster veteran suggested that given the number of scandals around sexual harassment, assault and bullying around government and parliament, it would be better “if everyone brought less of their whole selves” to work, stressing the importance of boundaries instead.”
'Bring your whole self to work' and other pointless HR gimmicks
British workplaces are embracing American-style diversity initiatives, like encouraging people to be vulnerable in the workplace. But does it actually work?
inews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“One longtime Westminster veteran suggested that given the number of scandals around sexual harassment, assault and bullying around government and parliament, it would be better “if everyone brought less of their whole selves” to work, stressing the importance of boundaries instead.”
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
The BBC was right about the Capitol riots. In a sane world, Trump would be in jail
The US President faced impeachment over the violence, and in a world where Republicans had more courage, he would have been found guilty
inews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...