Another Twitter conversation, provoked by the following tweet:
Rob Burley, BBC: This is an odd “exclusive” because that makes it sound as if Tommy Robinson is somebody all broadcasters are definitely bidding and competing for. Whereas, for my programmes anyway, we’re just not.
Owen Jones (to Rob Burley): An honourable decision.
James O'Brien (to Rob Burley): Respect.
Jonathan Dimbleby (to Rob Burley): How strange. The same is true of BBC Any Questions as well. Who are all those broadcasters busily bidding for Mr Robinson?
Dan Hodges (to Rob Burley): Genuine question. On what editorial basis would you exclude Robinson?
Rob Burley (to Dan Hodges): I’m just not bidding for him. Obviously things could change and he could become a political leader of a significant party etc. but he’s not. So my point was that it’s a funny use of “exclusive”.
Dominic Casciani, BBC (to Rob Burley): I think the appropriate phrase would be “INCLUSIVE: Man finally gets round to speaking to Sky after all of us who are interested have done our bit and gone to the pub”.
Update
Whatever your views of Tommy Robinson, this 12-minute video is an absolute 'Gotcha!' as regards Sky News:
