Simon James
@jim1132.bsky.social
Happily re-learning the value of expertise, courtesy, and humour after the barking years.
Reposted by Simon James
To be clear, lest anyone is in any doubt: this purported $1 billion lawsuit against Auntie does not stand a snowball's chance of success. And should be treated as entirely frivolous action, in the unlikely case it's ever laid down in court...in Florida!
November 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
To be clear, lest anyone is in any doubt: this purported $1 billion lawsuit against Auntie does not stand a snowball's chance of success. And should be treated as entirely frivolous action, in the unlikely case it's ever laid down in court...in Florida!
Reposted by Simon James
"Never has the dark side of the phrase “history is the propaganda of the victors” been so starkly apparent."
Trump’s Sinister Attempt to Whitewash History
His spate of pardons is an offense against all of us.
harrylitman.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:13 PM
"Never has the dark side of the phrase “history is the propaganda of the victors” been so starkly apparent."
Reposted by Simon James
David Allen Green - extracts:
“The inconvenient truth: the programme was not actually broadcast in the United States.
There is no evidence in the letter that anyone in the United States, let alone Florida, either saw the programme or even know of its existence”
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
“The inconvenient truth: the programme was not actually broadcast in the United States.
There is no evidence in the letter that anyone in the United States, let alone Florida, either saw the programme or even know of its existence”
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
November 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
David Allen Green - extracts:
“The inconvenient truth: the programme was not actually broadcast in the United States.
There is no evidence in the letter that anyone in the United States, let alone Florida, either saw the programme or even know of its existence”
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
“The inconvenient truth: the programme was not actually broadcast in the United States.
There is no evidence in the letter that anyone in the United States, let alone Florida, either saw the programme or even know of its existence”
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
Reposted by Simon James
"You can see the damage this has done within the BBC, where journalists who want to uphold impartiality feel they've been betrayed by the board."
@jonsopel1.bsky.social on the "mutinous atmosphere" inside the BBC following the Trump Panorama edit and subsequent resignations.
@maitlis.bsky.social
@jonsopel1.bsky.social on the "mutinous atmosphere" inside the BBC following the Trump Panorama edit and subsequent resignations.
@maitlis.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
"You can see the damage this has done within the BBC, where journalists who want to uphold impartiality feel they've been betrayed by the board."
@jonsopel1.bsky.social on the "mutinous atmosphere" inside the BBC following the Trump Panorama edit and subsequent resignations.
@maitlis.bsky.social
@jonsopel1.bsky.social on the "mutinous atmosphere" inside the BBC following the Trump Panorama edit and subsequent resignations.
@maitlis.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon James
Reposted by Simon James
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
Reposted by Simon James
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Reposted by Simon James
Really worrying piece with General Nick Parker
- he fears there will be "soldiers who are vulnerable to the law"
- in an incoherent sequence he says "we have to be absolutely above the law" then interprets that as "we've go to behave better than everybody"
#WATO
- he fears there will be "soldiers who are vulnerable to the law"
- in an incoherent sequence he says "we have to be absolutely above the law" then interprets that as "we've go to behave better than everybody"
#WATO
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Really worrying piece with General Nick Parker
- he fears there will be "soldiers who are vulnerable to the law"
- in an incoherent sequence he says "we have to be absolutely above the law" then interprets that as "we've go to behave better than everybody"
#WATO
- he fears there will be "soldiers who are vulnerable to the law"
- in an incoherent sequence he says "we have to be absolutely above the law" then interprets that as "we've go to behave better than everybody"
#WATO
Reposted by Simon James
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
Reposted by Simon James
The right's bad faith attack on our media infrastructure and our democracy is bleeding across borders and oceans:
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The right's bad faith attack on our media infrastructure and our democracy is bleeding across borders and oceans:
Gibbist BBC journalist, Sarah Montague, leads with a senior Tory commenting on asylum, a serving military officer who believes human rights are going too far, and is featuring the ludicrous Arthur Laffer and his discredited theory. #wato
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Gibbist BBC journalist, Sarah Montague, leads with a senior Tory commenting on asylum, a serving military officer who believes human rights are going too far, and is featuring the ludicrous Arthur Laffer and his discredited theory. #wato
Reposted by Simon James
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Simon James
Donald Trump’s demand for a billion dollars from the BBC comes from a local Florida law firm. It was sent to the wrong address, and the writer didn’t know what ‘salacious’ really means: ‘Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC…’
November 11, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Donald Trump’s demand for a billion dollars from the BBC comes from a local Florida law firm. It was sent to the wrong address, and the writer didn’t know what ‘salacious’ really means: ‘Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC…’
Reposted by Simon James
From a fascist point of view everybody has an agenda and the "truth" is just what people want it to be, so of course there is "propaganda" everywhere. There is no coincidence that fascists hate journalists so much, good journalists seek truth and an objective truth is fascism's biggest opponent.
The Russian Embassy in London has called the BBC, Britain’s public service broadcaster, a “propaganda and disinformation tool” that was full of “ideological dogma.”
Russia joins Trump’s BBC pile-on
Moscow’s Embassy in London said “ideological dogma has replaced journalistic ethics” at the corporation.
www.politico.eu
November 11, 2025 at 11:24 AM
From a fascist point of view everybody has an agenda and the "truth" is just what people want it to be, so of course there is "propaganda" everywhere. There is no coincidence that fascists hate journalists so much, good journalists seek truth and an objective truth is fascism's biggest opponent.
Reposted by Simon James
1/ Michael Prescott of Hanover Communications, whose leaked memo alleging left-wing bias led to the BBC meltdown.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
November 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
1/ Michael Prescott of Hanover Communications, whose leaked memo alleging left-wing bias led to the BBC meltdown.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
Reposted by Simon James
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Reposted by Simon James
Spreading a little joy from Joyce Carol Oates.😈
This Acclaimed Author's Roast Of 'Uncultured' Elon Musk Is An Absolute 'Beauty'
Joyce Carol Oates used the billionaire's platform to expose what he "never posts" about.
www.huffpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Spreading a little joy from Joyce Carol Oates.😈
Reposted by Simon James
Gibb was appointed for a three year term from May 2021 - May 2024. He was then reappointed for a four year extension by the Sunak government in March 2024, shortly before the General Election
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Gibb was appointed for a three year term from May 2021 - May 2024. He was then reappointed for a four year extension by the Sunak government in March 2024, shortly before the General Election
Reposted by Simon James
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...
Reposted by Simon James
The direct analogy would be appointing a figure like Peter Mandelson or Alastair Campbell to the BBC board - and having Mandelson intervene in staff appointments on the grounds of affecting the Labour government's "fragile trust" in the BBC. (Gibb's attempts to block this appointment failed)
November 10, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The direct analogy would be appointing a figure like Peter Mandelson or Alastair Campbell to the BBC board - and having Mandelson intervene in staff appointments on the grounds of affecting the Labour government's "fragile trust" in the BBC. (Gibb's attempts to block this appointment failed)
Kick him in the bollocks, Gillian. You know it makes sense. #newsnight
November 10, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Kick him in the bollocks, Gillian. You know it makes sense. #newsnight