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Protect your Kids from the BBC

Somewhat laughably, the BBC is planning to launch a project to educate your kids about 'spotting fake news.'  You can learn more about it here.

Under the new scheme starting in March 2018 a thousand schools will see BBC staff 'educate' your children as to what it is and what it is not 'fake' news.

This is particularly interesting as the BBC’s own news has been found wanting by independent studies over the last few years.  The BBC seems to have a pro-establishment stance and this was particularly evident in its reporting of key issues.  From the situation in Syria, to its pro EU stance, to its neo-smear campaign against Jeremy Corbyn, our state-backed BBC is short of a fact or two.  In my view, it is not a stretch to say that the BBC has sought to mislead and influence public opinion rather than inform the public of the facts.

You can read an interesting report by Dr Justin Schlosberg Media Reform Coalition in association with Birkbeck, University of London here highlighting BBC and mainstream media bias.
The real kicker about the BBC is that it is paid for by us, the Great British Public.  Year on year you give your hard earned cash to be effectively misled.  Although other facets of the BBC are very good, its news reporting is wanting, often lacking the context viewers/readers need to bring much needed perspective to the story they are reporting.  In other instances, it blatantly misrepresents. 

Additional Pressure on Parents

With the BBC trying to teach your kids what is and what is not fake news, there will be additional pressure placed upon you to try and teach your kids about the following:
  •          There are two sides to every story
  •          Motives of both the subject of the story and the reason to report it
  •          Not to believe everything you read and hear
  •          Understand the context as well as the facts
  •          Institutions that were once seen as pillars of integrity can and do become corrupted

No easy task, but common sense is on your side.

Take Heart

Director of the BBC News said, "I think that people are getting the news all over the place - there's more information than ever before.

"But, as we know, some of it is old news, some of it is half truths. Some of it is just downright lies. And it's harder than ever when you look at those information feeds to discern what's true and what's not.

"But there are 'tells', there are ways that you can look at your news feed and identify a story that's true and a story that's not.

"And we think that's a skill that enables people to make good choices about the information they get and good choices in their lives."


If the BBC are successful in teaching your kids to spot ‘fake news’, its own readership/viewership will plummet. 
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