The BBC Are A Fucked Up Organisation

After the recent "Houla massacre" in Syria, the BBC used an 2003 image of dead bodies in Iraq and labeled it as victims of government military strikes in Syria [presstv.ir]. This is unusual. Not because the BBC did it, but because it's so rare that they are ever called out on it. If you were to give the BBC credit, you would have to say that they did it deliberately because otherwise it is just another example of lazy and sensationalist journalism, where they grab the first thing at hand and deliver it as "fact". I thought the BBC would at least Google Image search or TinEye every image first.



The BBC's reporting on Syria was once again called into doubt recently when a news report aired with a logo from the "Halo" video game was shown instead of the official UN logo [cinemablend.com]. The UN logo is perhaps one of the most famous logos in the world, so it is truly bizarre how this could have happened. With this level of inept journalism, how can you believe anything the BBC says. In fact, when it comes to Syria, how can you believe what anyone is saying.

Syria has been one big mine of misinformation and disinformation from the beginning. It's no different than any other time when the "West" wants to topple a government. You will be familiar with all the tactics used. Reports using "unverified" shakey footage, of the ground or other incidental scenery, with the sounds of explosions and gun fire. It could be anywhere, and from anytime. "Unverified" is just legal-speak for bullshit. The other favourite phrase: "could not be independently verified". Here's a suggestion: if you're not sure it's true, don't present it as true.



Another piece of footage, put forward as Syrian government shelling, has been acknowledged as footage of a NATO bombing run over Lybia [storyful.com]. There is an unending stream of misidentified and false propaganda springing up about Syria. It is clear that it will only end when Assad is removed from office. Right or wrong, it's clear that this will be how it plays out.

I think it's time for Russia and China give up on finding a peaceful solution to the problem (as well as whatever other reasons they might have had). NATO said they have no plans to get involved with Syria, but I think they should. I think NATO should carpet bomb the whole country, and I do mean carpet bomb. Leave nothing behind. A complete fucking holocaust from the sky. Then we can watch BBC reporters digging in the dirt for "unverified" footage of worms bickering over layers of sediment.

Finally, the title of this post are not my own words, but the words of self-described "media assassin" John C. Dvorak, speaking on No Agenda Show episode 403. Full disclosure, the audio has been edited down to keep it's context from a longer speech about the BBC. The sentiment is unchanged. The unedited quote is: "They [BBC] are a fucked up organisation". The video footage is from an unrelated appearance on TWiT.