BBC Bias or EU Propaganda
An interesting post on The Road to Euro Serfdom Blog. It picks up the Vote No Submision to the BBC's review of European coverage
However, the question that people must ask themselves is; 'Am I susceptible to propaganda?' The only way you can honestly answer this question is to study both sides of the argument with an open and informed mind.
The EU's de Clercq Report 1993 devised initiatives to ensure that:
"...European identity must be 'ingrained in people's minds' as a 'good product' using marketing techniques and that certain social categories, particularly 'women and youth', should become 'priority target groups'. More controversially, it suggested that newscasters and reporters must themselves be targeted, they must themselves be persuaded about European Union...so that they subsequently become enthusiastic supporters of the cause."
A comment on this report and its implications is available from this link to the Bruges Group Here
The above ties in with a parallel report by the Commission's Media and Culture Directorate, which showed that money has been made available for the media to promote "a more positive line towards Europe".
It may seem strange to suggest that the study of propaganda has relevance to contemporary politics. After all, when most people think about propaganda, they think of the enormous campaigns that were waged by Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin in the 1930s. Since nothing comparable is being disseminated in our society today, many believe that propaganda is no longer an issue.
But propaganda can be as blatant as an EU Flag or as subtle as a joke. Its persuasive techniques are regularly applied by politicians, advertisers, journalists, radio personalities, and others who are interested in influencing human behaviour. Propagandistic messages can be used to accomplish positive social ends, as in campaigns to reduce drink driving, but they are also used to win elections, referendums and to sell push up bra's.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we wish our state broadcaster to be pumping out EU Propaganda.
According to the BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2002/2003 which may be read from this link
BBC Annual Report
there are two outstanding loans from the European Investment Bank to the BBC totalling £91 million.
"The European Investment Bank has made two loan facilities available to BBC Commercial Holdings. The first, for an amount of £66million, is available for drawing until March 2005 and must either be repaid in full as a single repayment by March 2013 or on an amortising basis by March 2015.The second, for £25million, is available for drawing until November 2003 and is repayable in one single instalment by November 2007.The interest rate applicable on both facilities is determined with reference to the European Investment Bank's own funding cost and carries no margin above this funding rate. At 31 March 2003 nothing was drawn down under either of these facilities".
Now cast your mind back to the totally pro-EU bias of nearly every BBC anchor and correspondent over recent years - not noticed by yourself perhaps, well maybe now you have read this it will become more noticeable.
Still not convinced then ask yourself why any organisation would make funds available at their own cost of borrowing, it is an impossible feat that defies all known laws of economics - were it truly achievable. But it is not, rather this is a blatant propaganda subsidy and YOU are the target - more BBC anybody?
Also see EU protocol-public-broadcasting
.
However, the question that people must ask themselves is; 'Am I susceptible to propaganda?' The only way you can honestly answer this question is to study both sides of the argument with an open and informed mind.
The EU's de Clercq Report 1993 devised initiatives to ensure that:
"...European identity must be 'ingrained in people's minds' as a 'good product' using marketing techniques and that certain social categories, particularly 'women and youth', should become 'priority target groups'. More controversially, it suggested that newscasters and reporters must themselves be targeted, they must themselves be persuaded about European Union...so that they subsequently become enthusiastic supporters of the cause."
A comment on this report and its implications is available from this link to the Bruges Group Here
The above ties in with a parallel report by the Commission's Media and Culture Directorate, which showed that money has been made available for the media to promote "a more positive line towards Europe".
It may seem strange to suggest that the study of propaganda has relevance to contemporary politics. After all, when most people think about propaganda, they think of the enormous campaigns that were waged by Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin in the 1930s. Since nothing comparable is being disseminated in our society today, many believe that propaganda is no longer an issue.
But propaganda can be as blatant as an EU Flag or as subtle as a joke. Its persuasive techniques are regularly applied by politicians, advertisers, journalists, radio personalities, and others who are interested in influencing human behaviour. Propagandistic messages can be used to accomplish positive social ends, as in campaigns to reduce drink driving, but they are also used to win elections, referendums and to sell push up bra's.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we wish our state broadcaster to be pumping out EU Propaganda.
According to the BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2002/2003 which may be read from this link
BBC Annual Report
there are two outstanding loans from the European Investment Bank to the BBC totalling £91 million.
"The European Investment Bank has made two loan facilities available to BBC Commercial Holdings. The first, for an amount of £66million, is available for drawing until March 2005 and must either be repaid in full as a single repayment by March 2013 or on an amortising basis by March 2015.The second, for £25million, is available for drawing until November 2003 and is repayable in one single instalment by November 2007.The interest rate applicable on both facilities is determined with reference to the European Investment Bank's own funding cost and carries no margin above this funding rate. At 31 March 2003 nothing was drawn down under either of these facilities".
Now cast your mind back to the totally pro-EU bias of nearly every BBC anchor and correspondent over recent years - not noticed by yourself perhaps, well maybe now you have read this it will become more noticeable.
Still not convinced then ask yourself why any organisation would make funds available at their own cost of borrowing, it is an impossible feat that defies all known laws of economics - were it truly achievable. But it is not, rather this is a blatant propaganda subsidy and YOU are the target - more BBC anybody?
Also see EU protocol-public-broadcasting
.
posted by Anoneumouse at 2:14 pm
2 Comments:
Great post! This really demands some follow-up. I am intrigued as to the reasons for the loan. If the loan is to encourage EU integration (as is required by the published aims of the EIB)then how exactly was to this aim to be acheived? And isn't the BBC's independence on the European issue completely compromised?
When traced back to the bank these loans are only given to those who will assist the EU in its aims, those intuitions in receipt of an EU loan will be regularly monitored by the bank to ensure that they are fulfilling that part of the conditions of the loan.
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