From the Radio Times (via the Telegraph), some interesting words from Nick Robinson:
The Brand v Farage pre-Christmas Question Time panto drew the crowds in a way few political programmes ever do.
And yet Brand continues to tell people that all politics and all politicians are corrupt or venal or a waste of time.
Now, you may ask – ‘Aren’t you meant to be impartial as the Beeb’s political guy?’ And, you’d be right… and wrong.
Yes, it’s my job to leave my personal views and prejudices at the door when I report on TV or radio or online.
I am not, though, required to be impartial between democracy and the alternatives. What’s more, if Auntie ever asked me to be I’d refuse or quit the job.
My German Jewish grandparents were forced to flee the Nazis and then, later, the Communist who took over China, the place they’d sought refuge. In this election year I am an unapologetic believer in elections.
He's not wrong that BBC reporters should not be required to be impartial between democracy and the alternatives. They shouldn't go out of their way to give the alternatives a hearing, certainly shouldn't given them an equal platform with democracy and should never, under any circumstances, give them a privileged platform.
