BBC watch: compare and contrasting manifesto headlines

Cameron given the friendly treatment -- again

By James Macintyre Published 13 April 2010 13:29

The BBC news website continues what some (including Peter Hitchens) regard as its Pravda-esque coverage of David Cameron's Conservatives today, with the main headline being, simply:

Cameron 'to make Britain better'.

Click on the story, and the sub headline is:

Cameron: Tory manifesto will change Britain for better

The equivalent yesterday for Labour's launch?

Labour manifesto: Brown unveils election programme

Who, wondering what an ordinary non-Westminster punter might make of an authoritative headline saying 'Cameron 'to make Britain better', can still claim the BBC has a pro-Labour bias?

More from James Macintyre

15 comments

Wed, 2010-04-14 13:57 — Darren Taylor (not verified)

For the love of God James, you are a clear embarrassment to journalism. You just dont get it do you? By the way, I dont see a mention of your apology to Daniel Hanna MEP. You are a Labour Luvvie and a disgrace.

Grow up and perhaps your other ball will drop.

Wed, 2010-04-14 14:05 — bing (not verified)

Is this the comedy section of the NS?

Wed, 2010-04-14 14:42 — GH (not verified)

"Photographs of Brown are often taken at unflattering angles.."

Is it possible to take any other type of photo of Brown?

Purewater - Without taking apart all your points, on the Question Time accusation, look up "BBC New Labour" on you tube and watch the clip of Harman getting Dimbleby to stop IDS mid flow... A total disgrace!

James - picking up headlines from 2 days is hardly conclusive. Playing the bias the other way, cast your mind back to the Ashcroft affair - stayed in the top ten for days and days... The Unite funding of Labour slipped off the top ten within the day! Sounds like real anti Labour bias to me.

Wed, 2010-04-14 17:57 — Lark (not verified)

We know you are Labour, as are most of the people at the excellent New Statesman. Therefore there is no need to pander to the official line.

Reading your blog is often like reading something Damien "Thorn" McBride would have thought up.

Thu, 2010-04-15 00:40 — KT (not verified)

I felt compelled to look for any evidence of pro-tory BBC when I have noticed, for quite-some time, exactly what 'Purewater' has just outlined. I found the evidence in these posts - blatant and wilful BBC bias in-favour of the Tory party. As Purewater highlights; doom and gloom headlines for Labour, 'honky-dory' stories for the tories. Shocking.

Thu, 2010-04-15 12:28 — Sam (not verified)

What a shock: Left-wing magazine Editor finds right-wing bias within BBC news coverage.

Where does the BBC spend the majority of its money advertising its news related jobs again? Ah yes, that great bastion of all things from the right, The Guardian.

Was Dimbleby a member of the Labour Party?

How about Newsnight's Kirsty Wark?

The list goes on

Thu, 2010-04-15 12:56 — ACMJ

The BBC is as biased against the Conservative party as Rupert Murdoch and Sky/Fox News. Which in lay man's terms means , "Auntie BEEB is in Cameron's back pocket ! "
All one needs to do is to take a look at Nick Robinson's (BBC political correspondent) views . Nick Robinson's reports are as unbiased as an article in the SUN!
He sounds more like David Cameron's campaign manager than an unbiased reporter

Tue, 2010-04-13 14:54 — Dai Marden (not verified)

Indeed.

Tue, 2010-04-13 15:42 — Yeti (not verified)

Funny, as i was wondering why the live feed from Battersea would go down during the launch. It was replaced by another show.

Typical pro-Labour bias from the BBC.

Tue, 2010-04-13 18:18 — beak

As if! Only last week we had the BBC Correspondant saying failure to put up NIC's would "take money out of the economy" That is Labours own line for goodness sake.

Now come James try some objectivity yourself.

Wed, 2010-04-14 13:12 — That's News (not verified)

"Who, wondering what an ordinary non-Westminster punter might make of an authoritative headline saying 'Cameron 'to make Britain better', can still claim the BBC has a pro-Labour bias?"

Anyone can make a mistake.

Wed, 2010-04-14 13:16 — johnj (not verified)

hahahahahahahahaha. You think the BBC is pro-Conservative. haahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Wed, 2010-04-14 13:23 — johnj (not verified)

So 'Purewater' if you take Hitchens reasoned judgement on Cameron and Media bias, do you accept his judgemen on other issues?. Immigration, religion, capital punishment etc. Or do you just agree with him when he chimes with your prejudices. I suppose you could argue even a clock is right twice a day but Hitchens is unlikely to satisfied with anybody the Tories throw up to lead them unless they are to the right of Maggie.