The BBC lack of judgment in treating IS fairly weakens their case to keep or even increase the licence fee. And how very aberrant of the broadcaster to choose this time and this topic to return to anachronistic notions of fair play, after over a generation of allegedly espousing a modernizing crusade in broadcasting –…
Journalism, Uncategorized
Jeremy Clarkson and BBC performances are word-perfect
by Dominic O'Byrne •
How high does this Jeremy Clarkson thing stink, and why has nobody pointed out the glaring anomaly in news reporting? Jeremy Clarkson and BBC performances are word-perfect, as they play out the roles which the Ancients of Portland Place foretold. It was the mid-1970s. Boys of a certain age were wearing baggies, duck-feet shoes, denim…
Journalism, Political, press freedom
Charlie Hebdo murderers stupid as well as vile
by Dominic O'Byrne •
French Muslim leaders stated yesterday, “They have hit us all. We are all victims. These people [the murderers] are a minority”. And this statement is much more important than any of the soundbite platitudes and handwringing-rhetoric of eager politicians. In his column in today’s Times David Aaronovitch upbraids all members of the apologist liberal left…
general election 2015, Hobby Horse, Journalism, Political
UK General Election 2015 – Cake or Death?
by Dominic O'Byrne •
The Eddie Izzard Cake or Death sketch from 1998 rides again, as it shines new light on the UK General Election 2015. Indeed, I much prefer his refreshing new approach to comedy than tired old comedic genres like… oh… party politics, for example. The dislocation of the choice between Cake or Death is much more…
Business, Political
Social Justice Puts Catholics at Heart of Europe
by Dominic O'Byrne •
It’s hardly charitable to enjoy the idea of Jean-Claude Juncker and European parliament president Martin Schulz squirming, but I must confess that I do. I’m no more anti-federalist today than I was yesterday but when the head of the catholic church chides an organization as bloated and unimpregnable as the EU, something must appeal at…
Business, Journalism, Political, press freedom, Social Media, Writing
Why press freedom and the RIPA matter
by Dominic O'Byrne •
It may be galling to many people hacked off at news of journalists playing fast-and-loose with personal mobile phone data, but the recent news of the police playing fast-and-loose with the freedom of the press in Britain should be no comfort either. If it will help provide a sense of perspective, try for a moment…
Hobby Horse, Political, Writing
Britain’s most notorious race crime comes of age, but it’s no cause for celebration
by Dominic O'Byrne •
Doreen Lawrence states in today’s Times that in her opinion Britain is no less a racist society than it was 21 years ago when her son Stephen was murdered in southeast London. And she’s probably right. A ranking officer in the Metropolitan Police told me less than a few years ago how police officers always…
Business, Hobby Horse, Political, Writing
Gordon Brown hits his stride as an interesting politician
by Dominic O'Byrne •
God loves a tryer. Gordon “Grodon” Brown – unstable former PM, dad, hubby and MP (in the English parliament) for Kircaldy & Cowdenbeath – was recently described in The Grauniad as being the UK’s best hope for a No vote in the upcoming referendum on independence. But Mr Brown lacks the sensitivity to keep his…
Business, Family, Hobby Horse, Sharks, Social Media, Writing
Shark conservationists all shook up over Shark Week
by Dominic O'Byrne •
Business, Family, Hobby Horse, Political, Social Media, Writing
It is not pedantry to be practical
by Dominic O'Byrne •
Regular readers of my blog (Facebook page, Twitter feeds, LinkedIn posts) know how I make a living. The contemporary writer faces a number of obstacles that are greater and fewer in number than many professionals in these interesting times, but chief among these for me (today, at least) is the dilemma of meeting demand with…