Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
A BBC insider defies orders to release a bombshell about Theresa May
A BBC insider has defied orders to release a bombshell about Theresa May.
I've been sent this, I don't know it's true. Can @CCHQPress please confirm? Because if so there are now searching questions to be asked. pic.twitter.com/T0D90jYEcG
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 1, 2017
Journalist Owen Jones was contacted by someone claiming to be a BBC insider on 1 June. That person said that the Prime Minister has refused to take any interviews with BBC local radio networks prior to the general election. In contrast, the source claimed, all other parties have agreed to interview requests.
Jones has now confirmed that this claim is true:
I have now corroborated this. This is a BBC journalist. Theresa May has withdrawn from interviews for BBC's Local Radio network.
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 1, 2017
As the message shows, the BBC journalist said they had been told “not to tweet about this”; and that they are not allowed to “speak about it in public”. This raises very important questions about both the media and May’s propensity to hold office.
Full disclosure
May is asking the country to trust her to lead the country after 8 June. Refusing interviews with the press, which form the basis of much of the public’s understanding of politicians, is not a sign of good leadership. And the media should be informing the public about this inadequacy. That’s part of their job. Especially for the BBC. Because it’s a public service broadcaster. So it has a duty to put the interests of the public first rather than any political ties it may have.
There are journalists who are closely linked to the Tory operation, and they now have a responsibility to speak out.
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 1, 2017
As one Twitter commentator pointed out, if it was Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn doing this, the media response would be very different:
If it was the other way round, you wouldn't be able to move for front pages questioning Jeremys health and if he had the stamina for the job
— mr_ceebs (@mr_ceebs) June 1, 2017
Now, Jones himself is asking “searching questions” about the discovery:
Theresa May launched her campaign, as we know, on the basis of being strong and stable. I'm afraid what I'm being told is rather serious.
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 1, 2017
Theresa May, in the last week of an election campaign, is withdrawing from media interviews after an unprecedented fall in polling.
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 1, 2017
Unless she appears in public and agrees to proper scrutiny, her ability to function as Prime Minister is now under serious question.
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 1, 2017
The British public deserve to know why May is refusing to participate in interviews and make her case for leading the country. People should not be expected to head out to vote not knowing what’s behind this choice. Whoever wins on 8 June holds the fate of the country in their hands. And the public should know before voting exactly what that person is capable of.
Get Involved!
– Get out and vote on 8 June. And encourage others to do the same.
– Discuss the key policy issues with family members, colleagues and neighbours. And organise! Join (and participate in the activities of) a union, an activist group, and/or a political party.
– See more Canary articles on the 2017 general election.
– Support The Canary if you value the work we do.
Featured image via YouTube
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