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https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/john-humphrys-says-bbc-simply-could-not-grasp-why-anyone-would-vote-for-brexit-in-new-memoir/ar-AAHBpeL?
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John Humphrys has lifted the lid on the BBC's "institutional liberal bias" and accused the corporation of being out of touch with the nation in his memoir.
The veteran broadcaster, who retired from Radio 4's Today show two days ago, says bosses "badly failed" to read the public's mood on Brexit and "simply could not grasp" why anybody voted Leave.
In an extract published in The Daily Mail on Saturday, he recalled the morning after the referendum, writing: "Leave had won – and this was not what the BBC had expected. Nor what it wanted.
"No nods and smiles when the big bosses appeared. No attempt to pretend that this was anything other than a disaster."
In the book, called A Day Like Today, he adds: "Bosses, almost to a man and woman, could simply not grasp how anyone could have put a cross in the Leave box on the referendum ballot paper.
"I’m not sure the BBC as a whole ever quite had a real grasp of what was going on in Europe, or of what people in this country thought about it."
Humphrys describes the BBC as being terrified of offending "‘fashionable pressure groups – usually from the liberal left, the spiritual home of most bosses and staff".
However, despite his misgivings, the 76-year-old says he has "no doubt" that the BBC remains a "tremendous and irreplaceable force for good.
Humphrys also reveals that he voted for Remain, after facing complaints that he was guilty of pro-Brexit bias during his BBC career.
In another extract, he candidly addresses the broadcaster's handling of its gender pay gap row, saying it made the Today show a "laughing stock".
The son of French polisher father and a Welsh hairdresser mother, Humphrys earned a reputation as the broadcaster's "rottweiler-in-chief" after joining in 1967.
He became a presenter on Today in 1987 after a career as a foreign correspondent and presenter of the Nine O'Clock News.
His last years in the job have been accompanied by scrutiny of his salary. He took several pay cuts to bring his wages closer to those of his female colleagues.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph as Humphrys bowed out from the Today show on Thursday, the BBC director-general Lord Hall of Birkenhead said: "There is perhaps no greater tribute than the collective sigh of relief that will be issued by leaders and public figures all around the country."
.
John Humphrys has lifted the lid on the BBC's "institutional liberal bias" and accused the corporation of being out of touch with the nation in his memoir.
The veteran broadcaster, who retired from Radio 4's Today show two days ago, says bosses "badly failed" to read the public's mood on Brexit and "simply could not grasp" why anybody voted Leave.
In an extract published in The Daily Mail on Saturday, he recalled the morning after the referendum, writing: "Leave had won – and this was not what the BBC had expected. Nor what it wanted.
"No nods and smiles when the big bosses appeared. No attempt to pretend that this was anything other than a disaster."
In the book, called A Day Like Today, he adds: "Bosses, almost to a man and woman, could simply not grasp how anyone could have put a cross in the Leave box on the referendum ballot paper.
"I’m not sure the BBC as a whole ever quite had a real grasp of what was going on in Europe, or of what people in this country thought about it."
Humphrys describes the BBC as being terrified of offending "‘fashionable pressure groups – usually from the liberal left, the spiritual home of most bosses and staff".
However, despite his misgivings, the 76-year-old says he has "no doubt" that the BBC remains a "tremendous and irreplaceable force for good.
Humphrys also reveals that he voted for Remain, after facing complaints that he was guilty of pro-Brexit bias during his BBC career.
In another extract, he candidly addresses the broadcaster's handling of its gender pay gap row, saying it made the Today show a "laughing stock".
The son of French polisher father and a Welsh hairdresser mother, Humphrys earned a reputation as the broadcaster's "rottweiler-in-chief" after joining in 1967.
He became a presenter on Today in 1987 after a career as a foreign correspondent and presenter of the Nine O'Clock News.
His last years in the job have been accompanied by scrutiny of his salary. He took several pay cuts to bring his wages closer to those of his female colleagues.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph as Humphrys bowed out from the Today show on Thursday, the BBC director-general Lord Hall of Birkenhead said: "There is perhaps no greater tribute than the collective sigh of relief that will be issued by leaders and public figures all around the country."
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"Bosses, almost to a man and woman, could simply not grasp how anyone could have put a cross in the Leave box on the referendum ballot paper.
"I’m not sure the BBC as a whole ever quite had a real grasp of what was going on in Europe, or of what people in this country thought about it."
And still they push their liberal tripe at people who are sick of hearing it, and are forced to pay for the privilege. The sooner it's gone the better.
"I’m not sure the BBC as a whole ever quite had a real grasp of what was going on in Europe, or of what people in this country thought about it."
And still they push their liberal tripe at people who are sick of hearing it, and are forced to pay for the privilege. The sooner it's gone the better.
Yeah that true then all you are left with is the Murdoch garbage
I don't need any media to see how things are round here, the BBC do not represent me or anyone I know.
So he waits till the end before telling us what we already know? How weak is that. He was a major part of the problem for decades but took the money.
600 grand a year i think origially , so he did not do to bad
The bbc dont represent anybody , yes they are politically correct but they have no sympathy for Socialism
As an example take Andrew Marr.
When he he interviews a Labour MP, the interview resembles a Labour party political broadcast or a friendly fireside chat.
Yet when he interviews a Tory MP, it's interruption after interruption with yet nother accusing question on top of the previous one he's just fired off, giving no time for the MP to answer his extremely hostile accusations.
And he usually reserve his most damning accusation or something he's dug up from the MP's past, for right at the very end when the MP hasn't got time to answer.
This must be Marr's way of thanking the BBC for having him back after his stroke.
When he he interviews a Labour MP, the interview resembles a Labour party political broadcast or a friendly fireside chat.
Yet when he interviews a Tory MP, it's interruption after interruption with yet nother accusing question on top of the previous one he's just fired off, giving no time for the MP to answer his extremely hostile accusations.
And he usually reserve his most damning accusation or something he's dug up from the MP's past, for right at the very end when the MP hasn't got time to answer.
This must be Marr's way of thanking the BBC for having him back after his stroke.
I think you will find all bbc hosts are the same, plenty more interrupters on the sidelines.
where do you think all those unsold Guardian papers end up?
Why be so biased people , you hate Socialism but never speak about the spiv supporting media , how strange is that
The Murdoch filth condemn them , no i dont think so
talking of interrupting - just watch Fiona the Bruce on QT
"‘fashionable pressure groups – usually from the liberal left, the spiritual home of most bosses and staff". In one & all that i've been saying for years
"‘fashionable pressure groups – usually from the liberal left, the spiritual home of most bosses and staff". In one & all that i've been saying for years
I first came across these liberal political correct attitudes in the 1980s in London. The public sector. My social circle who worked for the most part in the private sector, did not start to see similar until post millenium, more than 20 years later. Now, about 15 years after that, this liberalism is well entrenched. Humphries is correct in that analysis. It really is some people in senior positions living in their own bubble.
It really has become the overriding conciousness now. Identity politics is its baby.
Anxious is dead right though. The Tories really are spivs. I've seen enough of them over the years to see that.
It really has become the overriding conciousness now. Identity politics is its baby.
Anxious is dead right though. The Tories really are spivs. I've seen enough of them over the years to see that.
The bbc dont represent anybody , yes they are politically correct but they have no sympathy for Socialism
How do you manage to square that particular circle?
How do you manage to square that particular circle?
I must say, it's a brilliant read. Scathing.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7487661/Broadcaster-John-Humphrys-lifts-lid-institutional-liberal-bias-BBC.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7487661/Broadcaster-John-Humphrys-lifts-lid-institutional-liberal-bias-BBC.html
Yes - this is all very interesting but not important.
But re Fiona - WOULD YOU?
But re Fiona - WOULD YOU?
but then add in most of the presenters it is probably nearer 90 percent
The right wing bar room bores in force tonight again
The spiv filth with their billionaire backers and people complain about the bbc 
The BBC was respected worldwide once back in the 70's I remember
Not now, well look it it's staff for a start hardly representative of the outside world.
To be fair BBC4 is not bad, some good documentaries
Not now, well look it it's staff for a start hardly representative of the outside world.
To be fair BBC4 is not bad, some good documentaries
Anybody heterosexual at the BBC has to keep apologising for it
There are not allowed to use heterosexual language, it is seen as discriminatory, straight up.
did he mention the tories the bbc employ? they are an easy target but take sh1t from
both sides so must be doing something right. last two bbc tv lead political editors have been
conservatives.
both sides so must be doing something right. last two bbc tv lead political editors have been
conservatives.
Deluded.
Name them.
I think you are confused when presenters do research on mainly a left wing guest.
Name them.
I think you are confused when presenters do research on mainly a left wing guest.
really what evidence do you have of this so called left wing bias ?
A guy on 600 grand a year probably a tory even though he said he voted to remain , why should anyway believe getting a good few quid with his story to the murdoch filth and the daily fail
Have they ever put forward a programme or news item that suggests mass immigration may be a bad thing ?
The BBC is “a publicly-funded urban organisation with an abnormally large proportion of younger people, of people in ethnic minorities and almost certainly of gay people, compared with the population at large”.
All this, he said, “creates an innate liberal bias inside the BBC”.
–Andrew Marr
All this, he said, “creates an innate liberal bias inside the BBC”.
–Andrew Marr
“It’s a bit like walking into a Sunday meeting of the Flat Earth Society. As they discuss great issues of the day, they discuss them from the point of view that the earth is flat.
“If someone says, ‘No, no, no, the earth is round!’, they think this person is an extremist. That’s what it’s like for someone with my right-of-centre views working inside the BBC.”
– Jeff Randall, former BBC business editor
“If someone says, ‘No, no, no, the earth is round!’, they think this person is an extremist. That’s what it’s like for someone with my right-of-centre views working inside the BBC.”
– Jeff Randall, former BBC business editor
By far the most popular and widely read newspapers at the BBC are The Guardian and The Independent. Producers refer to them routinely for the line to take on running stories, and for inspiration on which items to cover. In the later stages of my career, I lost count of the number of times I asked a producer for a brief on a story, only to be handed a copy of The Guardian and told ‘it’s all in there’.
– Peter Sissons, Former BBC News and Current Affairs presenter
– Peter Sissons, Former BBC News and Current Affairs presenter
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/what-is-the-loneliest-job-in-britain-being-a...
What is the penalty if they fail to adhere to the terms of their charter?
really what evidence do you have of this so called left wing bias ? anxious
There news reports on the Red Button
Totally biased report of US election I remember.. presenting Trump's win as a disaster...of course it was not
Their programs...all this gender neutral rubbish
There news reports on the Red Button
Totally biased report of US election I remember.. presenting Trump's win as a disaster...of course it was not
Their programs...all this gender neutral rubbish
Telling us what we already know look at the Canadian pm more black faces what hypocrisy the liberals not said a word the silence tells you all you need to know if pictures came forward of Donald trump they would be outrage the liberal left make me sick how many more pictures will come forward 4 already the next is one of Justin doing al Johnson singing mama then a encore of old man river 
but as the liberal left will tell us ...he was young we all make mistakes (27)
but as the liberal left will tell us ...he was young we all make mistakes (27)
The real tragedy is a once great county and people will vote the clown back into power again that’s the real tragedy 
Would love to know Micheal Moore’s views on this matter maybe he could make a film about it
do the spiv fans never accept the tory bias in the wider media
financed by the elite and the bankers who control nearly everything the trickle down merchants sell their agenda every time
Hi Anxious.
Are you glad they pulled the plug on ditching Watson?
Are you glad they pulled the plug on ditching Watson?
EK good evening hope you are ok , i think it would be the wrong time to have a major battle , this week ,a brighton will be a media drama most of the real issues will be fought outside Westminster and Brighton , Jeremy is a good campaigner outside the bubble
Watson has a voice in the labour movement let him speak
the real enemy is the tories surely even the blairites know this
The Labour movement and the Unions must unite to defeat the Bullingdon
That seems right. Do you think Corbyn will employ salami tactics to dilute the power of the deputy leadership, effectively reducing it to the few people within it (if there are any)who support his ideas?
EK when the campaign starts all bets are off if Labour are to have any chance i would say stay neutral , if necessary i think they will say 2nd referendum but i think to leave is the correct decision if 17.4 million voted for this , Corbyn has always been a euro sceptic so its difficult for him
I think that move by Corbyn effectively confirms what you just wrote. They need to prioritise sorting out their strategy for next month and also a winter GE.
Btw, have you heard any news about John Prescott since his stroke?
Btw, have you heard any news about John Prescott since his stroke?
Tony benn , barbara castle , denis skinner , peter shore , eric heffer , bob crowe , all great comrades of the labour movement were all euro sceptics , i salute these people they were great Socialists
i think he is ok , all the best to John a great union guy and a real fighter for the labour movement 
you see this talk about patriots i think on the left there are great patriots i love my country just as much as farage and bullingdon
The bbc preach to the converted as do every other broadcaster and news paper in the Uk today, thats the situation we are in p1ss poor
He was very useful to Corbyn during the election campaign in 2017.
I liked the joke he cracked during one Labour conference in the 1990s: "The only tory who wins anything these days is Frankie Dettori!"
He may have said it after Dettori won the seven races at Ascot.
I liked the joke he cracked during one Labour conference in the 1990s: "The only tory who wins anything these days is Frankie Dettori!"
He may have said it after Dettori won the seven races at Ascot.
hey i think you wil find the bankers and the biased foreign media who control this country are scared to the death of Jeremy because he challenges their money power and privilege every time
I think you will find the younger generation will support him and reject trickle down and austerity
takes the bbc shilling fronting the flagship bbc 4 today prog then dumps on them for bias?
anyone see a conflict of bullsh1t?
anyone see a conflict of bullsh1t?
Michael Foot and Spike Milligan were good friends.
nick robinson tory & former chief BBC political editor & tory
Laura Kuenssberg tory & chief BBC editor
doesn't make them bad people i suppose.
i'm not saying there isn't left wing bias in the bbc but if there was right wing bias
no chance anyone even close to the centre gets a say in anything. the right claims
freedom of speech as it breaks your jaw.
Laura Kuenssberg tory & chief BBC editor
doesn't make them bad people i suppose.
i'm not saying there isn't left wing bias in the bbc but if there was right wing bias
no chance anyone even close to the centre gets a say in anything. the right claims
freedom of speech as it breaks your jaw.
The problem people like Humphrys have is one of credibility.
For all those years in the BBC he kept quiet and racked up the millions, perfectly happy to go along with the bias which he now condemns.
Then as he leaves he puts the knife in simply to attract attention and kickstart his story, in order to make even more money from exposing his former employer.
I'm not really interested in what a person like that has got to say, because he'll simply say what's required in order to swell his own bank account.
For all those years in the BBC he kept quiet and racked up the millions, perfectly happy to go along with the bias which he now condemns.
Then as he leaves he puts the knife in simply to attract attention and kickstart his story, in order to make even more money from exposing his former employer.
I'm not really interested in what a person like that has got to say, because he'll simply say what's required in order to swell his own bank account.
Yer another 'former' who suddenly gets a strong opinion ......pathetic.
Understandable that Humphreys had to play the game to further his career. Anyone in public life that speaks out gets quietly eased out and denied advancement. Happens throughout the NHS,Education and elsewhere. I do wish I had been able to walk around the BBC the day after the referendum.
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