Stephen Cushion
@stephencushion.bsky.social
📤 248
📥 100
📝 235
Professor of journalism & political communication at Cardiff University & night time 🚖 for my kids
reposted by
Stephen Cushion
The Conversation UK
9 days ago
Greens have not received more airtime in recognition of their growing popularity.
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Why isn’t the Greens’ growing success reflected in media coverage?
Greens have not received more airtime in recognition of their growing popularity.
https://tcnv.link/kDDp4D8
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
NationCymru
9 days ago
The victory of the Greens in the Gorton and Denton byelection is a landmark for the party. But Cardiff University research reveals the party has received limited airtime over the last year despite almost doubling support in the polls
wp.me/p8Mk4U-1g85
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Paul Ganderton
7 days ago
There needs to be real media scrutiny here: "While Reform UK has seen a spike in media coverage since it took a commanding lead in the polls, our research shows the Greens have not received more airtime in recognition of their growing popularity."-
theconversation.com/why-isnt-the...
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Why isn’t the Greens’ growing success reflected in media coverage?
Greens have not received more airtime in recognition of their growing popularity.
https://theconversation.com/why-isnt-the-greens-growing-success-reflected-in-media-coverage-277137
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
The Guardian
5 days ago
60% of Welsh voters unaware of how new system will work in May elections
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60% of Welsh voters unaware of how new system will work in May elections
Voters remain unsure about which policy decisions sit with Cardiff Bay and which with Westminster * UK politics live – latest updates Almost 60% of Welsh voters are unaware of how the new system will work in May’s Senedd elections and there is confusion over devolution powers, a report has found. Polling research released on Wednesday by Cardiff University and YouGov suggested that 26 years since devolution began, many voters remain unsure about which policy decisions sit with Cardiff Bay, and which with Westminster. Continue reading...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/04/60-of-welsh-voters-unaware-of-how-new-system-will-work-in-may-elections?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Maxwell Modell
5 days ago
With the Senedd election just months away public understanding, or lack thereof, of devolution and Welsh politics more broadly has never been more important. Stephen's new research with YouGov provides a powerful insight into the depth of the problem.
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
John Williams
5 days ago
“Almost 60% of Welsh voters are unaware of how the new system will work in May’s Senedd elections and there is confusion over devolution powers” Concerning
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
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60% of Welsh voters unaware of how new system will work in May elections
Voters remain unsure about which policy decisions sit with Cardiff Bay and which with Westminster
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/04/60-of-welsh-voters-unaware-of-how-new-system-will-work-in-may-elections
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Our
@cujournmedcul.bsky.social
research featured today
@theguardian.com
- raising debate about how UK-wide media can enhance public understanding of Welsh politics ahead of May's Senedd elections ⬇️
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5 days ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
5 days ago
With just over two months until the 2026 Senedd election, new research, based on a representative YouGov survey of people in Wales, highlights significant gaps in public understanding of Welsh politics. 🔗
tinyurl.com/2tb3v4xx
👇🧵
#Senedd
#Seneddelection
#devolvedissues
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Understanding the needs of media users in Wales: New survey uncovers striking gaps in public knowledge of devolved powers and party leaders ahead of May’s Senedd election — Researching the impartialit...
With just over two months until the Senedd election, a new Cardiff University/YouGov survey has revealed widespread public confusion about the responsibilities of the Welsh Government, with many peopl...
https://www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/knowledge-devolved-powers
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Andy Davies
5 days ago
A survey of 1544 people in Wales found only 7% could correctly identify the new Senedd electoral system in Wales 🗳️ Other striking (even if familiar) findings re knowledge of devolved affairs Via Cardiff Uni/You Gov
@stephencushion.bsky.social
www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/knowled...
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Understanding the needs of media users in Wales: New survey uncovers striking gaps in public knowledge of devolved powers and party leaders ahead of May’s Senedd election — Researching the impartialit...
With just over two months until the Senedd election, a new Cardiff University/YouGov survey has revealed widespread public confusion about the responsibilities of the Welsh Government, with many peopl...
https://www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/knowledge-devolved-powers
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New Cardiff University/YouGov research reveals major gaps in public understanding of devolved powers, Welsh political leaders and the new Senedd voting system - just months before the May 2026 election. What we found 👇
www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/knowled...
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Understanding the needs of media users in Wales: New survey uncovers striking gaps in public knowledge of devolved powers and party leaders ahead of May’s Senedd election — Researching the impartialit...
With just over two months until the Senedd election, a new Cardiff University/YouGov survey has revealed widespread public confusion about the responsibilities of the Welsh Government, with many peopl...
https://www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/knowledge-devolved-powers
5 days ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
7 days ago
New research by the Impartiality project team (
@stephencushion.bsky.social
,
@mattwalshjourno.bsky.social
,
@maxwellmodell.bsky.social
& myself) tracked coverage of the Greens on BBC & ITV News at 10. 🔗
tinyurl.com/yzmeujxm
🧵👇
#impartiality
#GreenParty
#GortonandDenton
#byelection
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Why isn’t the Greens’ growing success reflected in media coverage?
Greens have not received more airtime in recognition of their growing popularity.
https://tinyurl.com/yzmeujxm
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Matt Walsh
10 days ago
Write up of our latest research on impartiality, and why the Greens are still struggling for a broadcast breakthrough
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Why isn’t the Greens’ growing success reflected in media coverage?
Greens have not received more airtime in recognition of their growing popularity.
https://theconversation.com/why-isnt-the-greens-growing-success-reflected-in-media-coverage-277137?utm_medium=article_native_share
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Maxwell Modell
10 days ago
New blog! The
@greenparty.org.uk
striking victory brings into focus how the broadcasters treat the party. Despite sustained improvements in opinion ratings, our new research suggests broadcasters still treat them as a minor party of little electoral significance.
tinyurl.com/35yzcsas
(1/6)
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After winning the by-election, should the Greens be given more airtime? — Researching the impartiality of political news
News programmes are leading their coverage this morning with the Greens’ historic victory in the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election – the first the party has ever achieved. But our new resear...
https://tinyurl.com/35yzcsas
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Our new research about the Green Party well summarised below 👇
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10 days ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Steph Brawn
about 2 months ago
EXCL: SNP appearances plummet and right-wing journos appear twice as often as left-wing...🤔 Some intriguing findings by media experts at
@cardiffuni.bsky.social
about Question Time in 2025👀 Thanks to
@maxwellmodell.bsky.social
for sharing insights!
www.thenational.scot/news/2577777...
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SNP appearances on BBC Question Time plummet, new research shows
SNP appearances on Question Time have dramatically dropped in the last year compared to the previous decade, fresh research by experts has revealed.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25777778.snp-appearances-bbc-question-time-plummet-experts-find/
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
about 2 months ago
A new blog from the Enhancing the Impartiality of News project takes a look at who appeared on Question Time throughout 2025 & what those guest choices reveal about how the programme interprets political balance. 🔗
bit.ly/4jLeYY2
🧵👇
#BBC
#QuestionTime
#impartiality
#impartialityproject
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The impartiality of Question Time: An analysis of panellists in 2025 — Researching the impartiality of political news
The BBC’s weekly debate political programme, Question Time , has long been a magnet for controversy. And 2025 has been no different, with critics regularly questioning its impartiality, most often be...
http://bit.ly/4jLeYY2
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Maxwell Modell
about 2 months ago
With Question Time returning to our screens for 2026, we decided to look back at who appeared on the programme in 2025 to assess how producers interpreted impartiality when selecting panellists, updating
@mattwalshjourno.bsky.social
's study of panellists from 2014-2024.
tinyurl.com/yc77s5mp
loading . . .
The impartiality of Question Time: An analysis of panellists in 2025 — Researching the impartiality of political news
The BBC’s weekly debate political programme, Question Time , has long been a magnet for controversy. And 2025 has been no different, with critics regularly questioning its impartiality, most often be...
https://tinyurl.com/yc77s5mp
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
about 2 months ago
🧵 7/7 The Impartiality Project consists of
@stephencushion.bsky.social
,
@mattwalshjourno.bsky.social
,
@maxwellmodell.bsky.social
& myself.
#impartiality
#impartialityproject
#politicalcommunication
#polsky
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Rise of Reform's coverage in TV coverage through 2025 well illustrated in our new
@cujournmedcul.bsky.social
study 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
David Leask
3 months ago
I must admit I have absolutely no understanding of TV news but I can see why devolution and the end of two-party politics pose big challenges for flagship network bulletins. Are BBC/ITN editors getting the balance right?
www.thetimes.com/article/0e0f...
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Little airtime for Scottish politics on UK news TV, study finds
Reform got the most coverage in BBC and ITV’s evening bulletins, while the SNP featured in only 38 items across nine months, researchers said
https://www.thetimes.com/article/0e0f264b-617e-40b2-af9b-f087b4beac25?shareToken=28429c5494a3afa116040fcff959fa02
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Our new Cardiff University study picked up in the
@thelondoneconomic.bsky.social
👇
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
The London Economic
3 months ago
In September, Reform overtook the Tories as the most referenced oppositional party on the BBC and ITV News at Ten programmes
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Our new Cardiff University study featured today in
@scotnational.bsky.social
👇
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
3 months ago
In our latest blog, we (
@stephencushion.bsky.social
,
@mattwalshjourno.bsky.social
,
@maxwellmodell.bsky.social
& myself) analyse how BBC News at Ten & ITV News at Ten cover opposition parties & their leaders. 🔗
tinyurl.com/5ypk7wv4
#impartialityproject
#politicaljournalism
#mediastandards
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Exclusive: Reform overtakes the Conservatives in media mentions
New research from Cardiff University finds Reform is now treated as the opposition party on mainstream news shows
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/12/exclusive-reform-overtakes-the-conservatives-in-media-mentions
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Rachel Cunliffe
3 months ago
Exclusive: Reform overtook the Tories as the most referenced opposition party on both the BBC and ITV. “Reform UK was the dominant party in more than twice as many stories as the Conservatives and just under four times more stories than the Liberal Democrats."
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
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Exclusive: Reform overtakes the Conservatives in media mentions
New research from Cardiff University finds Reform is now treated as the opposition party on mainstream news shows
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/12/exclusive-reform-overtakes-the-conservatives-in-media-mentions
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Our new study 🚨'Are broadcasters reflecting multi-party politics in the UK? An analysis of BBC News at Ten and ITV News at Ten in 2025' written up brilliantly by
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social
in The
@newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Thread with headlines:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
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Exclusive: Reform overtakes the Conservatives in media mentions
New research from Cardiff University finds Reform is now treated as the opposition party on mainstream news shows
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/12/exclusive-reform-overtakes-the-conservatives-in-media-mentions
3 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Laura Phillips
3 months ago
“While our study found no breaches of the UK's rules on due impartiality, we concluded that broadcasters may want to execute some caution when reporting parties on the basis of setting the political weather – otherwise it could encourage parties to adopt extreme positions/policies”
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BBC use wide range of criteria to allocate airtime to parties - our new research suggests they’re relying more on opinion polls and which party sets the political weather which is why Reform now covered more than Cons in evening bulletins:
bsky.app/profile/step...
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Samira Ahmed
3 months ago
BBC coverage of Nigel Farage and Reform UK under scrutiny on latest Newswatch. From midnight Fri on link/Sat 745am on BBC1 Breakfast
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
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BBC News - Newswatch, 13/12/2025
Your views on the coverage of events by BBC News.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002nqk0
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You can see how far flagship tv bulletins covered the greens in this new study:
bsky.app/profile/step...
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Sunder Katwala (sundersays)
3 months ago
Research illuminates what different people do think and don't think about when hearing about "illegal immigration" or "illegal immigrants" in media, political and policy discourse
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Maxwell Modell
3 months ago
Detailed summary of our latest report on opposition party coverage in broadcast news 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
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Our new study 🚨'Are broadcasters reflecting multi-party politics in the UK? An analysis of BBC News at Ten and ITV News at Ten in 2025' written up brilliantly by
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social
in The
@newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Thread with headlines:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
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Exclusive: Reform overtakes the Conservatives in media mentions
New research from Cardiff University finds Reform is now treated as the opposition party on mainstream news shows
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/12/exclusive-reform-overtakes-the-conservatives-in-media-mentions
3 months ago
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Great summary of our Caerphilly by election media study 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
4 months ago
A new article by
@stephencushion.bsky.social
for
@theconversation.com
highlights while the BBC is no stranger to accusations of bias, the Prescott memo is far from the rigorous assessment many assumed it to be. 🔗
tinyurl.com/3cx8edjp
🧵👇
#journalism
#journalismstudies
#BBC
#mediareporting
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BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://tinyurl.com/3cx8edjp
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
@bobhudson.bsky.social
4 months ago
The roof is falling in at the BBC on the back of the Prescott investigation, but the report itself is badly flawed. Good piece here by
@stephencushion.bsky.social
.
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
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BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the-prescott-memo-falls-well-short-of-the-standards-of-impartiality-it-demands-269576?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20November%2017%202025%20-%203583336575&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20November%2017%202025%20-%203583336575+CID_6119c596205f54d161660842007e7f9b&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=BBC%20bias%20The%20Prescott%20memo%20falls%20well%20short%20of%20the%20standards%20of%20impartiality%20it%20demands
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Ian Fraser
4 months ago
The Prescott memo which sparked chaos at the BBC was in no sense a rigorous, systematic or scientific document. All it did was cherrypick a few examples of alleged bias, as well as a couple of mistakes. So why isn’t the memo being put under greater scrutiny, asks
@stephencushion.bsky.social
?
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BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the-prescott-memo-falls-well-short-of-the-standards-of-impartiality-it-demands-269576
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Raymond Deane
4 months ago
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
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BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the-prescott-memo-falls-well-short-of-the-standards-of-impartiality-it-demands-269576?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=bylineblueskybutton
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Robert Reiner
4 months ago
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Claims of bias against the BBC in the recent furore rest on the ‘Prescott Report’. Apart from the wrongful editing of Trump on Panorama for which the BBC has apologised the claims do not meet normal research standards, as this expert refutation shows.
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BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the-prescott-memo-falls-well-short-of-the-standards-of-impartiality-it-demands-269576?utm_medium=article_native_share&utm_source=theconversation.com
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Laura Phillips
4 months ago
And as
@stephencushion.bsky.social
has written ‘The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’
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BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the-prescott-memo-falls-well-short-of-the-standards-of-impartiality-it-demands-269576
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Michael Savage
4 months ago
NEW: What on earth happened at the BBC this week? And why would anyone want to replace Tim Davie? The behind the scenes concerns about this week’s impact on the BBC’s future:
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
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‘Not for the faint-hearted’: is running the BBC an impossible job?
After Tim Davie’s resignation, the next director general will face internal strife, external noise and looming talks over the corporation’s existence and purpose
https://www.theguardian.com/media/ng-interactive/2025/nov/15/is-running-the-bbc-an-impossible-job?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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Our new
@cujournmedcul.bsky.social
analysis of the Prescott Memo - the research informing was not impartial. We need more rigorous and robust research 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Laura Phillips
4 months ago
“Broadly speaking, we have not found evidence of any systemic [
#BBC
]
#bias
as alleged in the
#Prescott
memo. Nor have we alleged flagrant breaches of broadcast
#impartiality
. We have, however, identified blind spots where more context, background and explanation would help audiences…”
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Maxwell Modell
4 months ago
Excellent article from
@stephencushion.bsky.social
interrogating the quality of evidence in the Prescott memo and whether it proves its claims of systematic bias in the BBC. Ultimately, it is a rallying cry for robust, transparent and clearly evidenced research into the impartiality.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Samira Ahmed
4 months ago
Talking about the BBC News crisis to
@markurban.bsky.social
& former dep chief exec of BBC News Richard Ayre for latest BBC Newswatch. From midnight Fri on link or BBC1 Sat 745am
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
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BBC News - Newswatch, 15/11/2025
Your views on the coverage of events by BBC News.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mj70
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I’ve just published a new article in the
@uk.theconversation.com
entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8:
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
loading . . .
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
https://theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the-prescott-memo-falls-well-short-of-the-standards-of-impartiality-it-demands-269576
4 months ago
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Is there political bias at BBC Wales News - favouring
@plaidcymru.bsky.social
? Our new systematic study of the Caerphilly by-election coverage on BBC TV, online and social media found NO evidence supporting this allegation - BBC Wales broadly balanced coverage of the major parties 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Dr Keighley Perkins
4 months ago
Since joining the impartiality project, I’ve been been diving into debates on impartiality (trying to catch up with
@stephencushion.bsky.social
,
@mattwalshjourno.bsky.social
&
@maxwellmodell.bsky.social
!). Nick Bradshaw’s new IDA piece is a must-read. 🔗
tinyurl.com/ycxkbu8s
🧵👇
#impartiality
#BBC
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The Explainer: What Is British Impartiality (And Can It Survive)?
How the BBC elevated impartiality to its “very essence” amid documentary cancellations and regulatory pressures, and whether this embattled value can survive partisan challenges
https://tinyurl.com/ycxkbu8s
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Important thread about how the BBC mitigates political polarisation in the 🇬🇧 because it’s so widely consumed compared to the 🇺🇸 where people rely on a wide range of information sources 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Cushion
Josiah Mortimer
4 months ago
"The main UK BBC analysis of the Caerphilly result read: 'Extraordinary by-election humbles Westminster’s big beasts' with a narrative centred on the decline of Labour & the Tories. "Plaid Cymru, who won by 11%, was the fourth party mentioned." Its leader was not. Farage had a photo AND quotes.
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The worst person to be in Wales
A crisis we are just accepting
https://open.substack.com/pub/willhaywardwales/p/the-worst-person-to-be-in-wales?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1iqf2
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