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BBC Reporter in Weapons Probe Resigns

Jan 30, 2004 5:30AM PST

'LONDON - BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan resigned Friday after a judicial inquiry repudiated his reporting that the government "sexed up" intelligence on Iraq'

'Besides Gilligan, the BBC's two top officials ? BBC chairman Gavyn Davies and director general Greg **** ? also have resigned; the BBC apologized to the government after the inquiry.'

They didn't exactly admit their guilt however, they continued to say they were mostly right. Also, they advanced this rather novel idea:

'"Lord Hutton does seem to suggest that is not enough for a broadcaster or a newspaper ... to simply report what a whistleblower or someone like Dr. Kelly says because they are an authoritative source. You have to demonstrate that it's true," **** told BBC radio Friday. "That would change the law in this country."'

What a 'shocking' concept! The story must be true?

Could it be that Bush acted properly also?

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&ncid=716&e=7&u=/ap/20040130/ap_on_re_eu/britain_weapons_adviser

Discussion is locked

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Dear Dale, For the record....
Feb 1, 2004 12:28AM PST

The Daily and Sunday Sport should be taken out of the equation for Yellow Journalism as it never pretended to be anything other than a comic (as you say, fake "news" stories). They said from Day 1 that they had impeccable sources (wink, wink) for their inter-gallactic stories and a few photos of (somewhat exaggerated) bikini-clads also. And you know this as well as I, that it, is only a comic, so perhaps you posted the link so that others could sample its humourous delights.

For the record also, the well respected "The Times" in the London area is now being produced in tabloid form (for ease of reading on the train whilst going into work - and about time too) so this whole distinction between tabloids and broadsheets has pretty much disappeared now.

Size doesn't matter! (Oh wait, that was at least a million adverts and spin-offs ago wasn't it?) meaning that the editorial content / quality is unlikely to change whether in tabloid or broadsheet form.

Regards,
Mo

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Re:Dear Dale, For the record....
Feb 1, 2004 5:32AM PST

LOL I only mentioned the Daily Sport because it is "registered at the Post Office as a newspaper", though it is really no more than a softcore porn mag without the shiny paper.

Interesting to hear about The Times in Lodnon, wasn;t aware of that. Out in the provinces we still only get the broadsheet version, though with the high number of commuters here too, I expect the tabloid version will reach us one day. Shrug, as you say, the content determines quality not the size, and I am sure "The Thunderer" will continue to stand tall and be as potent as ever.