The right wing bias at the BBC is not imagined, not a vague possibility that needs extensive research to corroborate one's suspicions. We just know, we have seen it, it has been reinforced time and time again. The 45000+ people that signed Portia's 38 degree petition know, high profile members of the BBC team know. Researchers at Cardiff University who released research earlier this year know.
This is a game with high stakes, it could have very significant influence on the political architecture of the UK for generations. If you have a bias and you have power, the motivation is plain enough. Or perhaps the right wing 'coup' is less overtly about political leaning but more about the BBC’s dependence upon the 'establishment' regard licence renewal.
Internally it must be a divisive issue. Some have a problem with it, some must be supportive, some must be considering speaking up or even finding employment elsewhere. Are we going to have a flurry of BBC employees speaking up? Stating their case before that thing bears do in the woods hits the fan?
I don't think there will be anything too dramatic, and there will be 'reasonable doubt' on many issues as cherry picked examples are presented as evidence to the contrary. Could there have been any bribes even? Or is it just that the BBC is dominated by figures that are culturally conditioned by the 'establishment'.
But surely there will be somebody, on the inside speaking out ?
Alas! Robert Peston the go to commentator during the unravelling financial crisis has got the ball rolling. On Thursday after giving the Charles Wheeler lecture on journalism in London he quite openly shared his views.
"Look, I love Jeff. He's a great mate of mine. But it's bollocks really"
"If I'm honest, the BBC's routinely so anxious about being accused of being left-wing, it quite often veers in what you might call a very pro-establishment, [a] rather right-wing direction, so that it's not accused of that."
"There's a slightly 'safety first' thing at the BBC - that if we think the Mail or the Telegraph is gonna lead with it, then we should lead with it,"
"I happen to think that's mad."
Although the BBC's leaning to either side has formed part of the backdrop of political commentary, over the decades, I haven't seen A UKIP petition complaining about a 'cloak of invisibilty' that the Greens can rightfully lay claim to.
The BBC is currently a right leaning broadcaster that has played a significant role in delivering us UKIP and Farageism, and shifting the debate to the right with a narrow focus. From the time Caroline Lucas became an MP it could just have easily done this for the Green party if it was so inclined.
But Greens don't want a leg up. Just parity. By definition this is what the BBC is obliged to deliver.
#fail.