Gary Lineker's tweet

I hope hes kind growstuff then you can overlook the sports addiction

Katie59

It will kill the BBC for sure if it becomes subscription because very few will pay for news and culture, the future could well be commercial like almost all other broadcasters.

Lineker went too far with his tweet, as a celebrity with a massive BBC contract, his private opinions should be kept private. Do we really want presenters expressing personal opinions on every controversial subject or using their public profile to promote any particular agenda.

You’re right, we don’t!
Massively overpaid presenters start to get high opinions of themselves and their pronouncements to the waiting world.
Nobody’s indispensable either.

David Baddiel is interesting on this subject, he is trying to support GL whilst raising concerns about using the comparison of 1930 s Germany, I think that's probably how I feel.

I think it would be farcical if it wasn’t so blatantly biased. I agree with Labour’s comment
“Tories lobbying to get people sacked for disagreeing with policies should be laughed at, not pandered to. The BBC should rethink their decision.”
And with Alastair Campbell, the former Labour spin doctor who said:
“Rather than BBC presenters stepping down, it should be “Richard Sharp, the chairman – the Tory donor, the friend of [Rishi] Sunak, the man who arranges loans for Boris Johnson.”
The BBC is a disgrace -they got rid of Ken Bruce and now the BBC Singers are to be axed. “Our BBC” really? hardly recognisable as “mine”

Galaxy

David Baddiel is interesting on this subject, he is trying to support GL whilst raising concerns about using the comparison of 1930 s Germany, I think that's probably how I feel.

I'm sorry but there are parallels with the language used in the 1930s in Germany. Lineker isn't the only one who has mentioned it - so have a number of history and language academics.

Why is Baddiel concerned about the comparison with 1930s Germany?

In the 1920s and early 1930s Germany, it was precisely this kind of language which was being used. The first targets weren't Jews, but communists, socialists and trade unionists. The seeds were sown for what later happened many years before. The kind of language to scapegoat vulnerable minorities is never right.

Eventually, people had been so brainwashed by all the drip feeding that they didn't recognise the truth any more. There were conspiracy theories, which nobody dared to challenge, but it all started with words like "invasion" and "traitor".

I really wish people would refer to Lineker's actual tweet.

Galaxy

David Baddiel is interesting on this subject, he is trying to support GL whilst raising concerns about using the comparison of 1930 s Germany, I think that's probably how I feel.

Lineker was talking about the 'language' and there is no doubt whatsoever that the language is the same. So are the plans for deportation and the dehumanisation.

Oreo

Katie59

It will kill the BBC for sure if it becomes subscription because very few will pay for news and culture, the future could well be commercial like almost all other broadcasters.

Lineker went too far with his tweet, as a celebrity with a massive BBC contract, his private opinions should be kept private. Do we really want presenters expressing personal opinions on every controversial subject or using their public profile to promote any particular agenda.

You’re right, we don’t!
Massively overpaid presenters start to get high opinions of themselves and their pronouncements to the waiting world.
Nobody’s indispensable either.

Who's "we"? You don't speak for me and don't even dare to think you do.

I love watching films and series on Netflix and Prime I think they are great value for money better than watching BBC repeats. Actually a lot of BBC series are shown on them. I believe the public should have a choice who they subscribe to not be forced by threats of legal action to pay for a TV licence.

Perhaps some people will prefer watching MOTD without all the pundits and experts joining in?

Maudi

I love watching films and series on Netflix and Prime I think they are great value for money better than watching BBC repeats. Actually a lot of BBC series are shown on them. I believe the public should have a choice who they subscribe to not be forced by threats of legal action to pay for a TV licence.

That's your opinion and it's good you have the choice.

I'll carry on paying my £3 a week for what I get on the BBC.

Calendargirl

Perhaps some people will prefer watching MOTD without all the pundits and experts joining in?

My OH watches MOTD. If Lineker moves to Sky or another channel (along with Ian Wright and Alan Shearer), he'd follow them rather than continuing to watch MOTD without commentary. He goes to a live match most Saturdays anyway.

BBC “mandarins” might like to think on this

I think it's fine for Jewish people to raise concerns, it's not just Baddiel, it's something about devaluing what happened in Germany. He or someone he is retweeting makes an interesting point that in agreeing with 'it's the same as 1930 s Germany' collude with the idea that Jews werent German. I am just trying to think that point through but it's interesting.

When asked by Gaby Logan several years ago if he would consider a political career GL he said absolutely not.He would find making small talk,shaking hands and holding babies far too boring.And why give up such an eye watering salary ?I'm not a football fan or viewer of MOTD .What are the viewing figures anyway ?But eveytime I see the vast transfer fees,deals etc nothing smacks of capitalism more.DDs boyfriend says the atmosphere in his favourite stand of a very well known club has changed completely. All corporate seats blocked out and genuine fans barely able to get a ticket. It seems GL wants another in both camps.And yes I agree about Alan Sugar and Chris Packham too.I'm a huge nature lover,and worried about the environment but I don't want a little lecture on veganism slipping into Soringwatch.It is a tricky one isn't it ?And I understand the argument that GL first made his comments whilst presenting MOTD.It has seemed as though some presenters think they are invaluable. Give some new fresh talent a go.And pay well but not extortionately.

Greg Dyke has stated that the BBC has undermined its own credibility in taking GL off air.

I believe the public should have a choice who they subscribe to not be forced by threats of legal action to pay for a TV licence.

The licence is for the equipment used to receive live television broadcasting. Does anyone remember that one used to have to have a wireless (radio) licence? Same principle. It theoretically 'paid for' the BBC because that was the only broadcaster when it was introduced. It really is obsolete now. And it's practically unenforceable. It needs replacing, as I suggested earlier.

And yes, we buy one every year.

Nobody can say anything now without someone jumping on them. Everyone seems to be out to catch you out or trip you up….can we sack them or take action against them etc. What’s happening to our world !

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. "
George Orwell .Words inscribed outside Broadcasting House .
Food for thought.

Nowadays every hot topic has become so polarised.
“You with us - or agin us?”.

^ it's something about devaluing what happened in Germany.^

I have made the point several times that Germany was not the only fascist regime using similar language in Europe in the 1930s. But I don't think the general public would even think of them. Citing Germany makes it meaningful to them.

If another fascist regime had been named I'm sure that someone would have popped up to make the same sort of claim.

Does Baddiel not believe that the UK is becoming a fascist state?

With the awful example of the Holocaust in front of us, people are saying 'For god's sake, let's not go there again; let's not ignore the warning signs.'

westendgirl

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. "
George Orwell .Words inscribed outside Broadcasting House .
Food for thought.

He must be turning in his grave as the BBC dishonours this statement.

The presenters have pulled out of the lunch time BBC football show.

Washerwoman

When asked by Gaby Logan several years ago if he would consider a political career GL he said absolutely not.He would find making small talk,shaking hands and holding babies far too boring.And why give up such an eye watering salary ?I'm not a football fan or viewer of MOTD .What are the viewing figures anyway ?But eveytime I see the vast transfer fees,deals etc nothing smacks of capitalism more.DDs boyfriend says the atmosphere in his favourite stand of a very well known club has changed completely. All corporate seats blocked out and genuine fans barely able to get a ticket. It seems GL wants another in both camps.And yes I agree about Alan Sugar and Chris Packham too.I'm a huge nature lover,and worried about the environment but I don't want a little lecture on veganism slipping into Soringwatch.It is a tricky one isn't it ?And I understand the argument that GL first made his comments whilst presenting MOTD.It has seemed as though some presenters think they are invaluable. Give some new fresh talent a go.And pay well but not extortionately.

I don't think he did make any comments on air, but if you can prove me wrong, please do so.

westendgirl

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. "
George Orwell .Words inscribed outside Broadcasting House .
Food for thought.

MaizieD

Fleurpepper

How do you get away with not paying a TV Licence?

It's easy, loads of people do it. Like all state agencies the service is short of cash so can't afford to chase people up.

The 'licence' you buy isn't for the privilege of watching the BBC, it is a licence to receive live broadcast TV on your receiving equipment. That is any channel on any device.

It was originally for funding the public broadcaster when the British Broadcasting Corporation was the only service in operation but the proliferation of broadcasters and paid for services has made the 'licensing' model quite obsolete.

I don't know what you put in its place. I value highly an advert free, quality service such as the BBC provides. I think the state should provide it without the pretence of having to fund it from the licence fee. Perhaps by putting a purchase levy on every form of device that can receive TV broadcasts...

The 'licence' you buy isn't for the privilege of watching the BBC, it is a licence to receive live broadcast TV on your receiving equipment. That is any channel on any device.

exactly. We have a holiday apartment and we pay our TV licence for when we are there, a few weeks a year.