The Control of information.
How the rich and powerful shape news and control your mind. By Dr. Judith Brown.
The BBC and Ofcom – leading the censorship regime.
“…somewhere or other, quite anonymous, there were the directing brains who coordinated the whole effort and laid down the lines of policy which made it necessary that this fragment of the past should be preserved, that one falsified, and the other rubbed out of existence.” George Orwell, 1984.
Spontaneous consent, and media coercion.
The roles of the BBC and Ofcom are examined here in the context of media hegemony. Antionio Gramsci, whose theories of hegemonic power were adapted as a theory of media hegemony, regarded journalists and others as specialist intellectuals[i]…Elites from these groups have the capacity to organise society...Their function is to ‘fix’ the rules. They operate at the lower levels of hegemony on behalf of ruling elites, and their role is to ensure that the masses give ‘spontaneous consent’ to the direction imposed by the dominant group, as well as to use coercive power to ‘legally’ discipline people who do not willingly consent[ii]
Can we trust the BBC?
The BBC has over generations been seen as a trusted brand. However trust has been falling in recent years. In 2022 the Press Gazette reported that BBC had a trust fall of 20% since 2018, falling from 75% to 55%[iii]. This coincided with a drop in confidence in the mainstream media worldwide.
In UK, media users are obliged to hold a broadcasting licence, which funds BBC operations. This system is controlled by the UK government; the BBC insists it is ‘public funded’ although the public have no control over BBC operations, for example, HM The King appoints the chair and all non-executive board members on the recommendation of the government. Both government and BBC claim BBC independence, but past Director Generals of the BBC who challenged government authority, such Alasdair Milne[iv] and Greg Dyke[v], were forced to resign.
In response to falling trust ratings, the BBC has taken a number of steps to try to regain the confidence of its audience. Two confidence boosting initiatives involved the creation of two international organisations that are closely associated, Project Origin and the Trusted News Initiative.
Project Origin.
Project Origin (PO) aims are to develop a system for a demonstrable source of origin for information, giving confidence to the media by offering proof that information has not been tampered with enroute. PO has links with other international media organisations, including Canada’s CBC, Microsoft, Media City Bergen, the International Press Communications Council, and The Telegraph. Associated members are the American Content Authenticity Initiative; the American fact check platform, First Draft (now moved to Information Futures Lab at Brown University), Coalition for Content Provenance Authority (CP2A); and the Trusted News Initiative[vi].
Within the context of content moderation, this has significance as if content is back sourced to dissenters from the mainstream perspective, that person or organisation has probably already been smeared. For example, the World Council for Health (WCH) is a grassroots organisation whose members include health professionals, academics and scientists, dedicated to empowering people and societies to take charge of many aspects of their own health. Yet on Wikipedia it is described as “…a pseudo-medical organisation dedicated to spreading misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines and promoting fake Covid-19 treatments”. Wikipedia’s source for WCH information is the Australian fact check platform, AAP Fact Check[vii]. AAP’s content moderators are not qualified to evaluate WCH activities. In a democratic society WCH professionals’ opinions, right or wrong, should be available to the public without prejudicial statements, so that the public can evaluate information and make up their own minds. Despite Wikipedia’s claim that it is open sourced, WCH supporters are not able to correct inaccurate information found on Wikipedia’s website.
Trusted News Initiative.
The Trusted News Initiative (TNI) has a common thread with Project Origin, both being media trust initiatives where the BBC was active in the launch. TNI was launched in 2019 with the aim of examining challenges to media freedom and to provide a safe environment for journalists. BY 2023 it included 27 global media companies, large social media corporates, newswires, and national broadcasting stations.[viii], However, its reach is larger than this with the affiliation of other media associations, such as the Association of International Broadcasting, operating in Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East[ix]. Two years after its launch Elizabeth Woodworth described the TNI as ‘A shadowy global censorship network’[x].
An example of this was the Covid response. In March 2020 the Canadian CBC stated that TNI members would alert each to Covid-19 misinformation, including ‘imposter content’ that appeared to be from trusted sources. Many experts in the areas of medicine and science that were critical of the Covid response found they were denied a voice in the mainstream media. They were treated as if they were indeed ‘imposters’; examples include an ex-Pfizer executive whose research speciality was pulmonary disease[xi], doctors that recommended safe treatment for Covid-19 patients[xii], and three eminent professors of epidemiology from prestigious universities who suggested alternatives to lockdown policies[xiii]. These scientists and doctors rarely appeared in mainstream media despite their expertise.
BBC fact checking initiatives.
The BBC developed two fact check initiatives to tackle what it calls ‘misinformation’ or ‘disinformation’. The first, ‘Reality Check’ was superseded by the second, ‘Verify’. Although the BBC claims this is a new way of doing journalism, using fact check tools and revealing the BBC methodology[xiv], the content on the Verify webpage appears to be similar to content on other fact checking platforms.
Verify also produces fact checking and media literacy videos; one by Jack Goodman was called “Coronavirus – false vaccine claims debunked”. This explains vaccines are produced by experts, manufactured to the highest standards, and rigorously tested. These claims are contested. For example, a whistleblower from Pfizer described poor standards in vaccine trials, as reported in the British Medical Journal[xv], and AstraZeneca, whose vaccine was widely used in UK, later admitted that its Covid vaccine had lethal side effects[xvi] and withdrew the vaccine from use. The vaccine – which some claim is a gene therapy[xvii] – is still not fully licensed but only authorised for emergency use. Also the manufacturing process of vaccines after roll out was found to be less safe than the process used in the trials[xviii].
The ‘conspiracy theories’ Goodman tackles in this video are (1) identification chips inserted into vaccines (2) pork or beef content (3) embryo cell content (4) DNA changes and (5) infertility. In this video, Goodman simply denies that identification chips, beef and pork content are found in vaccines, but without providing evidence. He states that embryo cells are used in the manufacturing of some vaccines but removed in the manufacturing process. These points are generally not contested by scientists. The last two claims verified by Goodman are more concerning. Research has found DNA contamination in vaccines, which could result in DNA integration, causing a risk of cancer, chromosome instability, and integration into unintended parts of the body, including vital organs[xix] [xx] [xxi] [xxii] . Pfizer documents that the American government was forced to release, plus other research, reveal concerns with reproductive health, including issues relating to fertility and good pregnancy outcomes [xxiii][xxiv].
Jack Goodman describes the NHS and WHO as reliable sources for information; however, many believe that these organisations are captured by funding from wealthy philanthropists and pharmaceutical companies[xxv] [xxvi]. In his fact check/media literacy video Goodman does not tackle well reported issues where verifiable evidence is available, such as the early identified risks of blood clotting and myocarditis, and a temporal association with higher than expected deaths. These items are more difficult to refute.
In its broadcasts, there is also evidence of BBC bias towards official bodies. In a debate on excess deaths on Friday 10 October 2023, the speech of Andrew Bridgen MP was televised by the BBC. Bridgen put forward the Covid vaccination as a possible cause for excess deaths, claiming that this is backed by scientific evidence. The BBC added discrediting captions to the bottom of the screen as Bridgen spoke that were neither proportionate nor relevant. After complaints the BBC, the BBC was forced to apologise[xxvii]. However, the damage to Andrew Bridgen’s case and reputation had already occurred.
The regulatory authorities.
The UK media regulators are not members nor signatories of TNI; UK media regulators are Ofcom that regulates broadcasters and telecommunications services, Independent Press Standards Organisations (IPSO) that regulates most print media, and the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) that regulates advertisements in all mediums.
Only one, Ofcom, has responsibility to address bias and partiality. Ofcom is headed by Dame Melanie Dawes, who is listed on the WEF website as an associate[xxviii]. The broadcast media is expected to offer alternative perspectives on controversial news items as part of their licensing conditions. Ofcom claims independence: however, it is funded by fees paid by those it regulates[xxix] and is accountable to parliament, whose members are appointed by the Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport[xxx]. Ofcom Content Board sets and enforces quality and standards for television and radio. Historically, this board has been dominated by retired BBC staff although currently the members are from a broader range of broadcasters. In the first meeting during the Covid pandemic, in March 2020, it was recorded that ‘…flexibility did not apply to broadcasting standards in relation to due accuracy in reporting Covid-19’.[xxxi]
Ofcom has detailed guidance notes for those that it regulates. Section five in its guidance notes is entitled “Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions”[xxxii]. This clarifies that impartiality means not favouring one side or another. In terms of accuracy, Ofcom states that this means ‘getting the facts right’[xxxiii].
Section five has to be adopted in the context of Section Two, entitled Harms and Violence. This includes not glamorising violence; not depicting methods of suicide and self-harm; and to be aware of risks in portraying the paranormal and occult; but also significant is the section describing hypnotic and other techniques[xxxiv]. Clearly broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure that audiences are not influenced in a covert manner.
However in spite of Ofcom’s commitment to impartiality, on 23 March 2020 they told broadcasters that there was potential for significant harm from materials that they broadcast relating to the coronavirus, relating to health claims and medical advice, and ‘misleadingness’ in programmes relating to the virus[xxxv]. On 27 March 2020 Ofcom sent a letter to all broadcasters which demonstrated that they expected adherence to the government narrative. They advised care when broadcasting:
· unverified information about the Coronavirus. This may include for instance discussion of unverified theories for the cause of the Coronavirus and discussion on potential treatments and cures…that do not align with the advice of the NHS or other public health bodies.
· statements that seek to question or undermine the advice of public health bodies on the Coronavirus, or otherwise undermine people’s trust in the advice of mainstream sources of information about the disease[xxxvi].
This advice was taken seriously by broadcasters who feared sanctions if they demurred. For example, ex-BBC journalist Tony Gosling hosted a regular Politics Show on Bcfm radio. In February 2020, the findings of Indian scientists who examined sequences of the SARS-cov-2 virus were discussed. The scientists claimed this was not likely to be a natural mutation and was more likely to have been developed in a laboratory. The show was immediately suspended. Managing editor Patrick Hart informed Gosling that the Politics Show had been withdrawn, stating this action was necessary to prevent any Ofcom action against Bcfm[xxxvii]. By 2021, leaked documents revealed that the US government had been funding the company Eco Health Alliance to undertake research into coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China[xxxviii] close to where it is claimed that the SARS-cov-2 virus outbreak originated.
Ofcom has the lead role in implementing the requirements of the Online Safety Act, extending its regulatory role to social media[xxxix]. This includes encouraging tech companies to self-censor. The regulatory framework in the process of being implemented by Ofcom and is not fully operational. However, Ofcom’s willingness to reduce criticism of government policy and to impose censorship of speech has already been demonstrated in its approach to Covid-19 and this does not bode well for future freedoms of expression.
Ofcom’s responsibilities include media literacy training. In a report to the European Media and Information Literacy (EMIL) taskforce dated July 2023, Fay Lant of Ofcom reported that 13 organisations have been commissioned by Ofcom to deliver local media literacy projects, tailored to different groups. A wide range of approaches had been adopted: libraries, online Apps, community networks, and schools. Ofcom reported to EMIL that it was launching a tender for 1000 professionals working with children and young people to train in as media literacy trainers by February 2024[xl]. It could be argued that the covert measures used in media literacy training does not coincide with Ofcom’s requirement that broadcasters should ensure that audiences are not influenced in a covert manner.
Conclusion.
BBC and the broadcasting regulator Ofcom are closely aligned to the UK government, which can be clearly identified by examining freely available material on their websites. Their roles include implementing government policies on censorship of dissident voices or alternative opinions, and in the case of Ofcom, this is now enshrined in legislation. BBC also has a significant role in influencing world media censorship through two international organisations that it launched, Project Origin and TNI. As described in Gramsci’s hegemonic theory, Ofcom and BBC’s role is to ensure that the masses give ‘spontaneous consent’ to the direction imposed by the dominant group, as well as to use coercive power to ‘legally’ discipline people who do not willingly consent.
Just as with any other media organisation, audiences are advised to verify facts produced by the BBC and other parts of the media, including examining the accuracy of fact check claims. This means going back to original sources, ignoring fact check disclaimers, and independently deciding what is best for themselves.
The next article will deal with large government funded NGOs with an international presence that are part of the disinformation industry.
[i] A, Gramsci, Selections from Cultural Writings,, ed D. Forgas and G. Nowell-Smith, Lawrence and Wishart, pp417-418.
[ii] A. Gramsci, Selections from Prison Notebooks, ed. By G. Nowell-Smith and Q. Hoare, Lawrence and Wishart, pp.5-13.
[iii] Trust in media: Times, Telegraph and BBC see record drops in trust (pressgazette.co.uk)
[iv] How BBC director general Alasdair Milne was hustled out by Hussey | Maggie Brown | The Guardian
[v] Dyke: I was fired by BBC governors | Television industry | The Guardian
[vi] Project Origin (originproject.info)
[vii] World Council for Health - Wikipedia
[viii] Trusted News Initiative - Beyond Fake News (bbc.co.uk).
[x] Global-Research_COVID-19-and-the-Shadowy-Trusted-News-Initiative.pdf (covidcalltohumanity.org)
[xii] War on Ivermectin: The Medicine That Saved Millions and Could Have Ended the Pandemic: Amazon.co.uk: Kory, Pierre, McCarthy, Jenna, Bigtree, del: 9781510773868: Books
[xiii] Great Barrington Declaration (gbdeclaration.org)
[xiv] Turnbull, D. Explaining the ‘how’ – the launch of BBC verify. 22 May 2023. Explaining the 'how' - the launch of BBC Verify - BBC News [Accessed 24 October 2023]
[xv] Covid-19: Researcher blows the whistle on data integrity issues in Pfizer’s vaccine trial | The BMJ
[xvi] AstraZeneca withdraws Covid vaccine worldwide after admitting it can cause rare blood clots | The Independent
[xvii] Court Case Alleges Unapproved GMOs in Covid Vaccines | Mirage News
[xviii] Pfizer/BioNTech's "Bait-and-Switch" (substack.com)
[xix] OSF Preprints | Sequencing of bivalent Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines reveals nanogram to microgram quantities of expression vector dsDNA per dose
[xx] (34) Thou Shalt Not Adulterate: Part 1 (substack.com)
[xxi] (34) Thou Shalt Not Adulterate: Part 2 (substack.com)
[xxii] WCH Expert Panel Finds DNA Contamination in C-19 Vaccines (worldcouncilforhealth.org)
[xxiii] Deaths of Scottish babies – HART (hartgroup.org)
[xxiv] UK Health Security Agency's dangerous promotion of mRNA shots for pregnant women (substack.com)
[xxv] Freedom of Information request on when the current COVID-19 vaccines will be fully authorised and approved (FOI 22/153) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[xxvi] How is the World Health Organization funded, and why does it rely so much on Bill Gates? | Euronews
[xxvii] Maddox, D. BBC admits 'bias' against Reclaim MP in humiliating apology | Politics | News | Express.co.uk n6 November 2023.
[xxviii] Melanie Dawes | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
[xxix] Ofcom financial Review(2020) Financial review - Ofcom
[xxx] Board Procedures (ofcom.org.uk)
[xxxi] Ofcom Content Board Minutes 163 (20). Minutes of the 163rd meeting of the Ofcom Content Board held virtually via Teams, on 31 March 2020 Accessed 19 September 2021.
[xxxii] Ofcom (2017) Guidance Notes Section Five.22 March 2017. Guidance Notes, Section 5: Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions (ofcom.org.uk)
[xxxiii] P2, ibid.
[xxxiv] Ofcom (2021) Harms and Offence. 3 March 2021. Section-2-Guidance-Notes.pdf (ofcom.org.uk)
[xxxv] In Free Speech Union application for Judicial Review, dated 23 June, 2020: copy in Appendix.
[xxxvi] Ofcom Standards Team (2020) 27 March 2020 annex-a-important-guidance-broadcast-content-on-coronavirus,-27-march-2020.pdf (ofcom.org.uk)
[xxxvii] Interview with Tony Gosling, 10 September 2021.
[xxxviii] Details Emerge About Coronavirus Research at Chinese Lab (theintercept.com)
[xxxix] BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room - How will the Online Safety Bill work? Eight questions answered.