As noted on the open thread, the BBC News website has an article about "Anti-Islam campaigner" Anne Marie Waters's bid for the leadership of UKIP.
Ms Waters is the founder of Sharia Watch.
The most striking thing (for me) about the article by the BBC's Brian Wheeler is how Mr Wheeler uses people's titles. It's quite something.
Mr Wheeler of the BBC repeatedly calls UKIP's Paul Nuttall "Mr Nuttall" and calls Ms Waters's critic councillor Allen Cowles "Mr Cowles".
That's properly respectful.
That's properly respectful.
In contrast, however, Mr Wheeler calls Ms Waters "Waters" throughout, as if she were a criminal.
(He calls her "Waters" seven times in the piece. The only time she is called "Ms Waters" is when Mr Cowles is quoted calling her "Ms Waters").
(He calls her "Waters" seven times in the piece. The only time she is called "Ms Waters" is when Mr Cowles is quoted calling her "Ms Waters").
Now, 'in fairness', Mr Wheeler of the BBC also calls Tommy Robinson "Robinson" too - though that only serves to highlight the difference even more starkly.
Mr Nuttall and Mr Cowles are evidently (just about) within the pale for Wheeler but Ms Waters and Mr Robinson are very much beyond Wheeler's pale so no respect is accorded them whatsoever.
Ergo, Wheeler is showing his bias.
Mr Nuttall and Mr Cowles are evidently (just about) within the pale for Wheeler but Ms Waters and Mr Robinson are very much beyond Wheeler's pale so no respect is accorded them whatsoever.
Ergo, Wheeler is showing his bias.
