Any thoughts on Gary Lineker’s tweets?

[nw1]

To be fair most 'left wing' people I know want the boat situation stopped.

Lineker's issue is not necessarily his right to an opinion, but the fact he's used the ridiculous 'nazi' theme.

It was an emotional outburst. Also he didn't compare it to the Nazis directly. He just said that there were some similarities to 1930s Germany before real Nazism kicked in. Different thing entirely.

It doesn't actually mean he thinks that this lot will mutate into deranged psychopaths. But as I said above, at the end of the day it was an emotional outburst. We all say such things. Plenty on the right have said the same and worse.

The irony of a white bloke being triggered by the actions of three Asians regarding toughening up on illegal migration though!

Race is completely irrelevant here, and the ethnicity of Lineker versus that of Sunak, Braverman and a third person (I don't know who the third is) is neither here nor there.

This argument sounds rather like a typical right-wing device (employed in the past by supporters of Priti Patel) to make the left feel guilty about criticising right-wing politicians from ethnic minorities.

 

[WatcherZero]

5 Live being affected now, two of their presenters have joined the boycott and the quiz show has been cancelled.

 

[DarloRich]

5 Live being affected now, two of their presenters have joined the boycott and the quiz show has been cancelled.

Tory inspired wildcat bbc strike spreading.

Next we go live to the picket line in Droitwhich where Martin and Dion from homes under the hammer will explain why they have walllked off set and are striking in support of thier collegues

 

[SuspectUsual]

And massive Tory donor John Caudwell weighing in saying “as British taxpayers pay his salary, he should be promoting Britain not comparing the country to Nazi Germany. That’s unpatriotic and damaging to Britain's image!"

So, telling the truth shouldn’t be allowed unless it presents Britain in a favourable light. Utterly ridiculous

 

[nw1]

And massive Tory donor John Caudwell weighing in saying “as British taxpayers pay his salary, he should be promoting Britain not comparing the country to Nazi Germany. That’s unpatriotic and damaging to Britain's image!"

So, telling the truth shouldn’t be allowed unless it presents Britain in a favourable light. Utterly ridiculous

Indeed. Unpatriotic? Who cares?

 

[Philip]

Is Lineker bigger than the programne, or even the BBC? There have been many instances of presenters and commentators being suspended after making controversial comments, but it didn't lead to their colleagues and half of the sports department walking off air. Taking Alan Shearer for example, he has a contract with the BBC, if he isn't on strike then he is in breach of contract by refusing to appear on the programme tonight.
Solidarity for a colleague over one weekend is one thing, but if they do the same again next week then they're at risk of having their contracts terminated.

 

[dosxuk]

And massive Tory donor John Caudwell weighing in saying “as British taxpayers pay his salary, he should be promoting Britain not comparing the country to Nazi Germany. That’s unpatriotic and damaging to Britain's image!"

So, telling the truth shouldn’t be allowed unless it presents Britain in a favourable light. Utterly ridiculous

I think he should be up for an award for his misinterpretational skills. I think many people would be aghast at Gary comparing the whole of Britain to Nazi Germany - but he didn't. Arguably more damage is being done to Britain's image by the obvious overreach of Government into the operations of the media.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I think he should be up for an award for his misinterpretational skills. I think many people would be aghast at Gary comparing the whole of Britain to Nazi Germany - but he didn't. Arguably more damage is being done to Britain's image by the obvious overreach of Government into the operations of the media.

Absolutely. And taking Caudwell’s comments at face value - that people in prominent positions shouldn’t say anything that presents the country in a negative light - sounds quite like, er, 1930s Germany

 

[Fleetmaster]

Of course, counter to the conspiracy/cabal/fascist/cancel rhetoric, the Murdoch owned Talksport switched up their usually light hearted Saturday morning football show today, featuring a very lengthy and very well balanced full on political debate squarely about government migrant policy.

The star of the show being a very persuasive and intelligent advocate of all the things the left finds agreeable in this topic, the only guest invited. She was treated very well, and politely challenged in the interests of fairness and the rather obvious fact the vast majority of the audience did not share her views.

The host is popular (not Lineker famous but famous enough to keep his job despite emigrating to Oz). He is ex BBC and a proud liberal, but as he explained, he evidently doesn't have any problem with working for a station with presenters even in the Sport channel, whose right wing leanings are well known and oft broadcast.

I found it funny that it was almost as if TalkSport had seized the opportunity handed to it by Lineker, to show that it is possible to educate, inform and entertain, on a wholly commercial station entirely unencumbered by impartiality obligations, but still regulated by a very British sense of fairness and decorum.

 

[DustyBin]

Indeed. It's ironic that "cancel culture" is something generally used against the left by the right, but now, it appears that some on the right are seemingly wishing to "cancel" Gary Lineker.

They seem to think that he is trivialising the horrors of Nazi Germany but he is not. It was just an emotional outburst. Gary Lineker is absolutely not someone who doesn't care about the horrors of Nazi Germany, by any stretch of the imagination. Anyone with half a brain would of course realise that.

For example, this article from the Express (yes, I know):

Tory MPs demand BBC undertakes independent Lineker investigation

EXCLUSIVE - Three dozen Conservative Parliamentarians have told BBC boss Tim Davie he must start a full and independent investigation into Gary Lineker's comments.

www.express.co.uk

I see the names include well-known foaming-at-the-mouth right-winger Jonathan Gullis, together with (IMO) faux-libertarian Desmond Swayne, who was critical of Government Covid policy in late 2021 but now appears to be amongst a group of right-wingers who want a full investigation.

This lot are only libertarians when it suits them. When their beloved Conservative Party is under scrutiny, they're quite happy to turn into full-on authoritarians.

The right are every bit as willing to employ authoritarian "cancel culture" as some on the left. It's not a left-right issue, it's a libertarian-authoritarian issue. And IMO, the likes of Swayne have shown their true colours over this.

I intensely dislike Roger Daltrey's views on Brexit and immigration. But I am not "cancelling" him; I still enjoy listening to the Who's music. Same with Trump voter John Lydon; he spouts utter rubbish but I continue to like much of his music.

I’m pleased to see that whilst we have nothing in common politically(!), we can agree that “cancel culture” is utterly toxic. Two wrongs absolutely don’t make a right.

 

[dosxuk]

Taking Alan Shearer for example, he has a contract with the BBC, if he isn't on strike then he is in breach of contract by refusing to appear on the programme tonight.
Solidarity for a colleague over one weekend is one thing, but if they do the same again next week then they're at risk of having their contracts terminated.

That would entirely depend on what their contracts state about their attendance. I would be very surprised if the pundits are on contracts that require their attendance every week, much more likely to be a "be available to appear on at least 26 broadcasts per year". I would also be very surprised if next week's bookings have been confirmed yet, as normally it's in the producers interest to be able to pick-and-choose which people will appear based on the week's wider stories. There is also a good argument to be had that appearing on such programmes could affect the reputation and image of the pundits themselves, bringing other parties into disrepute works both ways and there will be clauses which allow the pundits to decline to appear on programmes and segments that they believe will damage them professionally - just as there is for the BBC.

Next week also has the complication of two live FA cup matches, due to be presented by a certain Gary Lineker. MOTD next week is scheduled to be presented by Mark Chapman (so expect to see stories in the coming days about how Lineker has been replaced on MOTD). Normally you'd see around 8-10 pundits being used across those programmes, might be a challenge if the BBC doesn't get a grip - although it's hard to see what their options are, neither u-turning or buckling down are going to be accepted by wide portions of the public.

 

[nw1]

I’m pleased to see that whilst we have nothing in common politically(!), we can agree that “cancel culture” is utterly toxic. Two wrongs absolutely don’t make a right.

Indeed. I suspect if you were to do a psychological test, most proponents of "cancel culture", whether left or right, would score very highly on measures of authoritarianism.

 

[DustyBin]

Indeed. I suspect if you were to do a psychological test, most proponents of "cancel culture", whether left or right, would score very highly on measures of authoritarianism.

Agreed. As you pointed out, it isn’t actually a left-right issue.

 

[WatcherZero]

Jermain Defoe has pulled out of MOTD2 tomorrow.

 

[nw1]

Agreed. As you pointed out, it isn’t actually a left-right issue.

Quite. It reminds me of an argument I once got into on Facebook with a group of people (on the left) who gave me all sorts of grief for daring to suggest that men can be victims of sexual harrassment. Not quite "cancel culture" but the same sort of political philosophy - and actually rather sexist, if I am honest, a label which I am sure they would hate.

 

[Busaholic]

So you have zero problem with a political pundit posting his personal political thoughts on social media, even though he fronted the BBC's political coverage, because old people watch him and know his feelings, and that he will leave them at the door when he's presenting a programme?

But you have a major issue with a footballer posting his personal political thoughts on social media, even though he doesn't go anywhere near the BBC's political programming, because young people might be corrupted by his opinions, even though he will leave them at the door when he's presenting a programme (unless you're also suggesting he was likely to have gone on a rant about immigration policy while discussing West Ham vs Burnley tonight??)?

You might want to check out the schedules for BBC One on a Sunday morning. You might be surprised who's presenting a keystone of the BBC's political coverage.

Nick Robinson is one of the presenters of the BBC Radio Four 'Today' programme, and was President of Oxford University's Conservative Association before starting his career in broadcasting, which led to his appointment as BBC's Chief Political Correspondent when Andrew Marr stood down. I have no issue with Robinson's impartiality when he is questioning politicians on 'Today' as I think he does a fine job generally speaking, superior to that of any of the other presenters in my view.

A few days ago he interviewed Jon Snow on the programme, with the latter reflecting on his time presenting Channel Four News and how 'pressures' from various sources have begun to impact the purveying of news. The two had a civilised conversation, exchanging notes as it were on developments, towards the end of which Snow made a remark that he was Labour and Robinson was Conservative, but that didn't impinge on their scrupulousness attending to their respective jobs. Robinson had plenty of opportunity to demur or add a rider, but appeared to acknowledge that truth. I can just imagine if a 'Today' presenter had agreed that he was a Labour supporter, or of any other party other than the Tories, the howls of confected outrage from the Mail, Rees-Smug and probably even Lord Tebbit, with demands for their sacking.

As for Laura Kuennsberg's continued BBC appearances, that fact rather demolishes the arguments used by the contributor you were replying to.

 

[Darandio]

and the BBC taking steps to try to maintain an impartial image.

Gary Lineker takes aim at Tory policy. The BBC caves in to a load of MP's complaining about Gary Lineker. Impartial indeed.

It really is that simple to me.

 

[Man_with_beard]

The woke generation will always be against freedom of speech

or are they only against speech that contradicts opinions they hold? Would you look at that, another comparison to Germany in the 30's

 

[birchesgreen]

The woke generation will always be against freedom of speech

or are they only against speech that contradicts opinions they hold? Would you look at that, another comparison to Germany in the 30's

Sorry who are the "woke generation"?

 

[GusB]

The woke generation will always be against freedom of speech

or are they only against speech that contradicts opinions they hold? Would you look at that, another comparison to Germany in the 30's

What is this "woke generation" of which you speak? Those complaining about Lineker's tweets surely wouldn't wish to be labelled as "woke"?

 

[birchesgreen]

I must complement the BBC on trying to put out a small flame (the original tweet) using a hosepipe spraying kerosene.

 

[Vinnym]

He stuck two fingers up to the BBC, he has tweeted controversial things in the past. His recent post comparing the Government to what happened in Germany in the 1930s was a bit OTT. Didn’t hear him say much about Qatar when he went there during World Cup, earning mega bucks.

 

[WatcherZero]

Now spread to Scottish Football programs only shown north of the border.

He stuck two fingers up to the BBC, he has tweeted controversial things in the past. His recent post comparing the Government to what happened in Germany in the 1930s was a bit OTT. Didn’t hear him say much about Qatar when he went there during World Cup, earning mega bucks.

Didnt you? He fought to have this opening statement.

 

[brad465]

MOTD will only be just over 20 minutes tonight, so not even providing the scenario of all action with no analysis some were looking forward to:

https://twitter.com/Lawton_Times/status/1634589594950807553

BREAKING: Match of the Day will be limited to a fraction over 20 minutes tonight. Extraordinary.

 

[dosxuk]

MOTD will only be just over 20 minutes tonight, so not even providing the scenario of all action with no analysis some were looking forward to:

https://twitter.com/Lawton_Times/status/1634589594950807553

It was never going to turn into an extended highlights edition as some were hoping - the BBC are very limited in both the number of minutes of each match they are allowed to show, and the total number of minutes per match day. Furthermore, they've now admitted they don't have the rights to access the world feed commentary, so with zero commentary on the footage, zero interviews and zero analysis, it's not going to be able to spin those limited minutes of footage into a programme that actually interests the average viewer.

 

[RichJF]

The BBC trying to be 'impartial'? Oh yes I forgot...
The chairman is a Tory loan broker.
The director-general is a former deputy chairman for Hammersmith & Fulham Conservatives.

 

[Philip]

Gary Lineker takes aim at Tory policy. The BBC caves in to a load of MP's complaining about Gary Lineker. Impartial indeed.

It really is that simple to me.

He shouldn't have made the tweet in the first place. People are going on about 'free speech', but responsibility comes with it. Lineker's tweet was irresponsible and in bad taste with the comparison; he used a terrible situation in the uprising of Nazi Germany to strengthen a political statement. The hands of the BBC are clearly tied in this as they must have had an idea about the backlash they'd face. No doubt the government pressured the BBC to take action against Lineker, but this in itself is not surprising, nothing new and not really a case for strengthening 'the nasty Tory' agenda; Labour pressured the BBC over the Hutton Inquiry for example. The buck stops with Lineker for making the tweet in the first place and then refusing to backtrack or at least clarify his comments when he could see the difficult situation it was going to put the BBC in; he could have followed his tweet up with something like "my earlier comment is my own opinion and in no way reflects the stance of the BBC, I apologize for any confusion this may have caused", but he hasn't done this.

 

[WizCastro197]

He shouldn't have made the tweet in the first place.

Should Alan Sugar have made comments about Mick Lynch in the first place?

 

[Philip]

Should Alan Sugar have made comments about Mick Lynch in the first place?

No, but this is a separate issue and shouldn't influence the situation with Lineker.

 

[WatcherZero]

Developments still coming thick and fast
BECTU the broadcast union has called for the BBC to issue an immediate statement to explain why rules are being applied to Lineker which arent being applied to Richard Sharp.
Welsh football programs also cancelled, will be replaced with a rerun of BBC Wales centennial anniversary classical concert.
Sports Journalist Association says it supports freedom of speech for its members and industry colleagues and expresses its solidarity on the matter.