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The cry of ‘anti-EU bias’ essentially means: agree with me or shut up The cry of ‘anti-EU bias’ essentially means: agree with me or shut up
(6 months later)
The search for “bias” is an obsession on the political fringes in Britain. It is an article of faith in certain quarters that the only reason Ukip leader Nigel Farage is not yet the prime minister is because of sinister and prodigious “BBC bias”. Similarly, should the Labour party do as poorly as is forecast by pollsters in May’s local elections, at least some of Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters will blame media partiality for the party misfiring.The search for “bias” is an obsession on the political fringes in Britain. It is an article of faith in certain quarters that the only reason Ukip leader Nigel Farage is not yet the prime minister is because of sinister and prodigious “BBC bias”. Similarly, should the Labour party do as poorly as is forecast by pollsters in May’s local elections, at least some of Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters will blame media partiality for the party misfiring.
Accusations like this often betray a deficient argument. Like a paranoid dictator ensconced in his bunker, when the enemy is closing in the plotters and traitors are suddenly everywhere. As Andrew Rawnsley wrote for the Observer last week: “if you’re whingeing – you’re losing”.Accusations like this often betray a deficient argument. Like a paranoid dictator ensconced in his bunker, when the enemy is closing in the plotters and traitors are suddenly everywhere. As Andrew Rawnsley wrote for the Observer last week: “if you’re whingeing – you’re losing”.
And so it is hardly necessary to look at polling on the forthcoming European Union referendum to figure out which side is currently lagging behind. Instead, listen out for who is emitting the loudest shrieks of “bias”. The Leave camp is currently behind in the polls and it is the Leave camp which sees conspiracies everywhere.And so it is hardly necessary to look at polling on the forthcoming European Union referendum to figure out which side is currently lagging behind. Instead, listen out for who is emitting the loudest shrieks of “bias”. The Leave camp is currently behind in the polls and it is the Leave camp which sees conspiracies everywhere.
The paper-thin accusations of partiality levelled at Mark Carney are of course ridiculousThe paper-thin accusations of partiality levelled at Mark Carney are of course ridiculous
The latest figure to be accused of speaking out inappropriately by anti-EU campaigners is the Bank of England governor Mark Carney. Giving evidence to a Treasury select committee on Tuesday, Carney reiterated, in extremely careful language, what we already know: that Brexit, like any other seismic geopolitical change, comes with risks. Leaving the EU might, the Bank of England chief said, result in weaker investment, lower consumer spending, and banks leaving London to relocate overseas.The latest figure to be accused of speaking out inappropriately by anti-EU campaigners is the Bank of England governor Mark Carney. Giving evidence to a Treasury select committee on Tuesday, Carney reiterated, in extremely careful language, what we already know: that Brexit, like any other seismic geopolitical change, comes with risks. Leaving the EU might, the Bank of England chief said, result in weaker investment, lower consumer spending, and banks leaving London to relocate overseas.
For the Brexit camp, however, Carney might as well have slaughtered a kitten. Pro-Brexit Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg jumped on the comments to accuse Carney of making “speculative pro-EU comments”, adding that the governor’s performance was beneath the Bank’s dignity.For the Brexit camp, however, Carney might as well have slaughtered a kitten. Pro-Brexit Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg jumped on the comments to accuse Carney of making “speculative pro-EU comments”, adding that the governor’s performance was beneath the Bank’s dignity.
Carney was exhibiting bias, in other words. The “agents of project fear” had got to him, just as a few days earlier they had, according to mayor of London Boris Johnson, got to British Chambers of Commerce director general John Longworth. Longworth was suspended by the BCC for saying that Britain’s prospects could be “brighter” outside of the European Union. For Johnson, this was clear evidence that sinister pro-EU operatives had fastened a muzzle on Longworth.Carney was exhibiting bias, in other words. The “agents of project fear” had got to him, just as a few days earlier they had, according to mayor of London Boris Johnson, got to British Chambers of Commerce director general John Longworth. Longworth was suspended by the BCC for saying that Britain’s prospects could be “brighter” outside of the European Union. For Johnson, this was clear evidence that sinister pro-EU operatives had fastened a muzzle on Longworth.
One might conceivably pick a fight with the BCC for its decision to suspend Longworth, but there was no evidence of government interference in the decision. None. And besides, had Longworth made an anti-Brexit argument one could just imagine the Boris Johnsons of the world crowing about the need for his immediate resignation (Johnson’s own City Hall staff were initially prevented from contradicting the Mayor’s Eurosceptic views). One could similarly envisage Rees-Mogg leaping like a gazelle to the Bank of England chief’s defence had the latter aired views closer to those of the Tory MP.One might conceivably pick a fight with the BCC for its decision to suspend Longworth, but there was no evidence of government interference in the decision. None. And besides, had Longworth made an anti-Brexit argument one could just imagine the Boris Johnsons of the world crowing about the need for his immediate resignation (Johnson’s own City Hall staff were initially prevented from contradicting the Mayor’s Eurosceptic views). One could similarly envisage Rees-Mogg leaping like a gazelle to the Bank of England chief’s defence had the latter aired views closer to those of the Tory MP.
The paper-thin accusations of partiality levelled at Mark Carney are of course ridiculous. Yet they are a timely reminder that accusations of bias often serve a political purpose.The paper-thin accusations of partiality levelled at Mark Carney are of course ridiculous. Yet they are a timely reminder that accusations of bias often serve a political purpose.
Related: Bank of England in row as governor denies pro-EU bias
The masters of this dark art – of levelling an accusation of bias to silence opposing views – are undoubtedly America’s rightwing shock jocks. Despite the American media being owned overwhelmingly by very rich men, the accusation of “liberal bias” has long been thrown at any reporter who has failed to obsequiously tow the conservative line. Not because conservatives – paranoid elements aside – genuinely believe in this bias; but rather because they want to pummel the corporation into obedience. The result is a media which is genuinely biased against liberals and the left.The masters of this dark art – of levelling an accusation of bias to silence opposing views – are undoubtedly America’s rightwing shock jocks. Despite the American media being owned overwhelmingly by very rich men, the accusation of “liberal bias” has long been thrown at any reporter who has failed to obsequiously tow the conservative line. Not because conservatives – paranoid elements aside – genuinely believe in this bias; but rather because they want to pummel the corporation into obedience. The result is a media which is genuinely biased against liberals and the left.
This tactic isn’t the preserve of anti-EU campaigners, nor of the right. Back in May, the former leader of the Scottish National party Alex Salmond accused the BBC of “anti-SNP bias”. Salmond was unable to muster a shred of evidence to support his extraordinary claim, thus it seems fair to assume that the accusation was a calculated political ruse. Perhaps in future, fearful of further accusations of bias, the BBC would think twice before reporting something unfavourable to the SNP.This tactic isn’t the preserve of anti-EU campaigners, nor of the right. Back in May, the former leader of the Scottish National party Alex Salmond accused the BBC of “anti-SNP bias”. Salmond was unable to muster a shred of evidence to support his extraordinary claim, thus it seems fair to assume that the accusation was a calculated political ruse. Perhaps in future, fearful of further accusations of bias, the BBC would think twice before reporting something unfavourable to the SNP.
The Brexit camp appears to be borrowing from this playbook. If the brouhaha over Mark Carney is anything to go by, expect accusations of bias to be pinned on any public figure who dares to stick their head above the parapet to say something – anything – positive about the European Union.The Brexit camp appears to be borrowing from this playbook. If the brouhaha over Mark Carney is anything to go by, expect accusations of bias to be pinned on any public figure who dares to stick their head above the parapet to say something – anything – positive about the European Union.
In rare instances they may have a point. For the most part, however, it won’t be an expression of genuine concern about impartiality that is being voiced; it will be the political equivalent of crocodile tears: a way of cowing individuals in authority by donning the mask of victimhood. The shrill cry of “bias!” will be code for “agree with me or else shut up”.In rare instances they may have a point. For the most part, however, it won’t be an expression of genuine concern about impartiality that is being voiced; it will be the political equivalent of crocodile tears: a way of cowing individuals in authority by donning the mask of victimhood. The shrill cry of “bias!” will be code for “agree with me or else shut up”.