When I read the most recent statement from Club 1872 I immediately dismissed it as a squirrel.
In the aftermath of the shameful scenes at Rugby Park, there was a need for deflection.
Therefore, I wasn’t surprised when Statement O’Clock came around again.
You can read it here if you really want to.
I find it particularly sinister that BBC journalist Chris McLaughlin is mentioned in the statement:
“We also note that BBC Scotland did not address our concerns regarding the contributor that they continue to present as a neutral commentator on their current affairs programmes, despite senior production staff being aware of a back catalogue of hate speech by that individual towards Rangers supporters.
“We fully back Rangers stance in not providing Chris McLaughlin with press privileges for Ibrox following his repeated, biased and dishonest coverage of our club. For BBC Scotland to suggest that his exclusion hinders their ability to report properly from Ibrox is also disingenuous. In fact, by any sensible measure, his exclusion marginally increases the chance that BBC Scotland might finally meet their obligations for fair and accurate reporting – something they continue to fall short of on a weekly basis.”
I’m very familiar with this technique as I have been the target of it myself from various dignified quarters over the past decade.
Smear the messenger and the message will be tarnished and devalued:
“…a back catalogue of hate speech…” and “…biased and dishonest coverage of our club…”
This is straight out of the Trump Alt-Right playbook.
I’m not surprised that the BBC is the main target for this ongoing campaign.
It should be self-evident that the Radar Press can be brought to heel quite easily by anyone who controls the home dressing room at Ibrox.
As these titles circle the circulation drain they are desperate for any scraps from the basket of assets.
That the morsels are often marinated in pish doesn’t seem to matter to the Stenography Corps.
It isn’t just the newspapers, as commercial broadcasters can also be vulnerable to this stuff.
However, the BBC is immune to these commercial pressures.
Consequently, the content providers at Pacific Quay, be they staffers or freelancers, can call it as they see it as long as they remain within the law.
Therefore, the public service broadcaster in Scotland remains a problem for the Sevco PR effort.
Yesterday I caught up with a Pacific Quay insider and he spoke to me about his concerns apropos the ongoing campaign against the BBC by those associated with the Ibrox brand.
He was happy to be quoted on the basis that I protect his identity.
Firstly, he pointed me to the fact that in the age of the smartphone there is no such thing as a dearth of video footage at any major public event.
Consequently, he stated that he wasn’t buying the narrative about a dangerous crush outside of Rugby Park.
I was sent this graphic image of the terrible scenes outside of Kilmarnock’s ground.
Was there a crush outside of Rugby Park?
Well, can make up your own mind dear reader.
My chap at the BBC certainly didn’t think that there was.
Instead, he offered an alternative explanation:
“Rangers fans turned up with tickets that were copied. So the codes had been already used. Two fans were trying to get in on one ticket. The stewards were then told to check everyone manually. That is what caused the delay. Rangers even admitted that some of their fans forced the gate. If it was a crush then why were there no casualties? That’s what happens at a crush. There as one at Celtic Park last season. People needed treatment and there was mobile phone footage and an inquiry afterwards. The crush story was needed to deflect from what their own fans did inside the ground. The persistent sectarian singing and then their own supporters collapsed the roof of the disabled section.
“So, what we have is that the war against the BBC has been ratcheted up after the first game of the season.”
He then expressed a concern that:
“I hope that the resolve of senior management will not be battered into submission”.
He was able to tell me that since the reportage on the Rugby Park incidents that the BBC HQ in Glasgow had been “deluged” with complaints by angry chaps of an Ibrox persuasion.
For the avoidance of doubt, the klan doesn’t need to do any of that with the Radar Press.
The Stenography Corps know that they have to obey the well understood high-Level rules.
Conversely, the BBC doesn’t fear falling circulation figures or a threat to withdraw advertising.
That means that they can call it as they see it and that is what gives the Sevco High Command a problem.
The role of a healthy Fourth estate is to hold power to account.
That the BBC in Scotland is atypical by competently fulfilling this role on matters Ibrox is a powerful indicator just how much the rest of them fail in that regard.
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If BBC Scotland are honest why does Sportsound still support the Big Lie
Is this the same “Honest” BBC that doctored a picture of Corbyn to make him look a Russian spy? Or The BBC that every week on Question Time has Conservative Party Members planted in the audience? Asking for a friend.
Just seen the Scotsman headline ‘Rangers close in on PL signing.’
Wow, big deal on the way, who is this superstar?
Up pops Brandon Barker whose been loaned out here and there for the last few seasons from Man City.
He has.not, nor ever will be, part of the Man City first team squad.
Surely to go with the headline PL signing then that player must have had a few outings with the first team?
No surprise to see Rodgers popping up at the last minute with a bid for Calmac.
With the English window shut will we now be subjected to alleged bids from Spain, Italy, France and Italy for Morelos?
Has anyone seen the call to arms ticket advert for the Danes visit to Ibrox next week?
‘Roll up, roll up, Big Mike’s legal bills won’t pay themselves’.
I’m advised….there was NO bid…despite what you may read elsewhere.
Over the past four weeks or so the Shuns have issued over £3.87 million in shares: £1.72 million at the end of June and a further £2.15 million on August 6th.
Have you any idea who would throw so much good money after bad?
Pretty sure it’s the old switcheroo debt for equity playing out
These clowns that support sevco have no sense of morals or scruples!
It probably stems to before then, but the BBC programme that was aired (I think it was entitled The Men Who Sold The Jersey’s, or something similar) was their “final straw” moment, and consequently the BBC were shown the door.
The same BBC “doorstepped” Dermot Desmond when they launched a programme relating to the Panama Papers. No doubt, the Silly Boys praised Mark Daly of that self-same BBC for this “investigation”.
As the saying goes, these “peepul” have more faces than the proverbial town hall clock!!
Good to see you sticking up for the much abused BBC Phil.
In Scotland the BBC gets attacked for being anti-SNP and in England it is accused of being anti-tory.
That must mean they are doing something right in delivering “truth to power”, as you might say.
Anti-Tory ? It’s the most Tory biased TV station on air . You ever seen Question Time or watched Newsnight ? Laura Kuenssberg is a personal attack dog for Jeremy Corbyn and the SNP and Labour never get a fair shake .
It would be interesting , though highly dangerous for him , if Mr McLaughlin were to sue the Club 1872 individuals who printed the statement accusing him of ”hate speech ” and ”dishonest reporting ” .
It would not take much to disprove these calumnies in a court of law – Sevco and its adherents being very familiar with these surroundings – and then the lie could be laid to rest ( says he naively ) that the BBC had an agenda against the Zombie Klub and its remarkably civilised , law abiding , tolerant ( Everyone -Anyone ) supporters .
Yes indeed.
“…hate speech…” is crossing a line.
Libellous.
McLaughlin – or more pertinently the BBC – should very publicly demand a very public apology from Club1872.
At the very least.
The only problem I have with, the BBC is it certainly is biased on all union based reporting including reporting on ibrox matters.
It’s difficult to believe we’re heading for the third decade of the 21st century. What a strange wee backward country Escocia remains. Thank God for the BBC and the few honourable print journalists still allowed to have a say.