Why does the BBC ask really dumb questions and then refuse to answer them or allow them to be discussed properly?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nmcm

Does impartiality impede good journalism?

Across the Red Line Series 5

Anne McElvoy presents the debate programme which invites two public figures who disagree on an issue of principle to listen closely to each other's arguments - and then to find out what drives them.

In this edition, Anne is joined by James O'Brien, LBC presenter and author of 'How Not to Be Wrong', and Roger Mosey, former Head of BBC Television News, to debate whether impartiality impedes good journalism.

And Anne works with conflict resolution specialist Louisa Weinstein to foster a more exploratory conversation, to encourage both speakers to probe the values and experiences that underpin each other's beliefs.

Producer: Phil Tinline

MY EXCHANGE WITH LOUISA WEINSTEIN

OCT 21 2020

Claire Khaw  11:54 AM

I just heard you on Radio 4 with Anne McElvoy in Across the Red Line and hope to discuss this further with you.

Lousia Weinstein  11:54 AM

Happy to discuss Claire

Claire Khaw  11:54 AM

I am so glad to hear it!

Thanks for engaging, Louisa.

I have already posted on the subject so feel free to get your associates to post there too, especially if they disagree!

Claire Khaw  11:58 AM

I think it was Evelyn Waugh who said we never really know what we think and why we think it until and unless we are forced to defend our beliefs.

Louisa Weinstein 11:59 AM

And I agree but if we are defending them to closed ears then what?

Claire Khaw  11:59 AM

Unfortunately, these days people get trapped into a word game without even realising it. Quite often it is game over for them if they say a forbidden word which they thought nothing of. These would be the working classes, of course, who did not have the benefit of a university education giving them the ability to dance around with words and concepts backed by the full apparatus of the BBC.

Claire Khaw  12:02 PM

I know a man who used to drive a white man listening to James O'Brien on LBC. He would never listen to the BBC now and point blank refused to listen to it because it was James O'Brien.

Claire Khaw  12:03 PM

I am persona non grata at the BBC. The fact is that no one is prepared to engage with me. There is probably a news blackout on me. I did once appear on the Victoria Derbyshire Show which is still up, to my surprise.

Claire Khaw  12:05 PM

I mean to say that no one even listens to the BBC now. They have longed abandoned it. I only make myself listen to it because I have to keep myself informed of the current state of what they want what remains of the middle classes to believe in. It is practically unlistenable now.

Claire Khaw  12:07 PM

Perhaps I can face Anne McElvoy across the red line - that would be fun!

Louisa Weinstein  12:17 PM

Yes maybe and I wonder what you propose as a way forward

Claire Khaw  12:19 PM

The Culture War raging across the West is what must be discussed, in my view.

Of course this is tied up with the US elections and who wins will decide the new political environment.

As I see it, the participants of the Culture War are those who wish to identify as liberals and those who wish to identify with Trump ie nationalist.

Louisa Weinstein 12:22 PM

And I would suggest that it helps to open up the way we have the conversation

Claire Khaw  12:22 PM

The liberal assumption is that nationalism is fascism, Nazism, racism etc. I define it as government in the national interest.

It is about the meaning of words, really and how we use them as weapons.

If I call you racist before you call me racist, I win. It is childish.

But that is how this game is usually played.

Louisa Weinstein  12:23 PM

So thats why we changed it!

Claire Khaw  12:24 PM

But no one else outside the middle classes is listening!

I can't even make them listen.

Louisa Weinstein  12:25 PM

But thats a different issue and work to be done

Claire Khaw  12:26 PM

Well, you could put it to Anne McElvoy if you want, but she will say no.

Or, there is a recording, but it is never broadcast.

Louisa Weinstein 12:28 PM

Well Im not sure about that, its not really a programme about debating with AM but I agree that we need to extend the conversation

and have it better

Claire Khaw  12:28 PM

It is not about just going through the motions, Louisa.

Louisa Weinstein  12:29 PM

Absolutely agree

Claire Khaw  12:29 PM

A lot of these "debate" shows are just going through the motions of appearing to have a debate.

The format is controlled, the title narrows the debate so much that even if one "won" it, no one would care.

Claire Khaw  12:31 PM

I have a YouTube channel and just the two of us could talk.

And if we did, I hope you won't get cancelled by the BBC!

Louisa Weinstein  12:34 PM

Maybe, my role though is to set up circumstances for constructive communication

Claire Khaw  12:34 PM

If you can find anyone at all prepared to engage with me, that would be great!

Louisa Weinstein  12:35 PM

If I can I would be happy to.  What do you want them to discuss though?

Claire Khaw  12:35 PM

Feminism is a big topic, the viability of democracy, the failure of Christianity is another.

The Sacred Cows of the West

Louisa Weinstein  12:36 PM

👍

Claire Khaw  12:36 PM

I can fit myself round most topics though.

Lockdown is a good one.

OCTOBER 28 2020

Claire Khaw  9:06 AM

These conflict resolution experts seem to female. This week's is also female. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p0k8

Claire Khaw  9:14 AM

Risk aversion is a sign of a feminised and senescent society.