If you set your timepiece to Ibrox time, then the little chubby hand always points to statement o’clock.
Yesterday was no different:
“We note BBC Scotland’s comment about Michael Stewart and we also note they have had to remind him about their guidelines around fairness and accuracy.
“That they have had to do so, makes it clear he was neither fair nor accurate during his outburst which was broadcast on radio.
“It is important to remember that during that broadcast he was dismissive of any racist behaviour towards Alfredo Morelos during the last Old Firm match.
“That the BBC is now happy to allow this contributor a return to their platforms even though he has shown no remorse or offered an apology to Rangers, Alfredo Morelos, or James Traynor, who has been attacked online and also physically, defies belief.
“This also tells us that BBC Scotland has no wish to resolve our long-standing issues, which are of course around fairness and accuracy.
“In light of this Rangers will not now resume discussions on resolving those issues with the BBC.”
I think it interesting that this statement was released to the normal media outlets but apparently it has not appeared on any official club platform.
This was in response to this statement released by the BBC:
I was not surprised at the Sevco reaction to the news that Michael Stewart was had been released from quarantine at Pacific Quay.
In a broadcast, on Monday, February 3rd the ex-Manchester United player had shown worrying symptoms of clear thinking about the Ibrox PR shambles.
Obviously a contagion was feared and the state broadcaster did not want usually staunch voices being infected with the Courageous Honesty Virus.
A Pacific Quay insider has been keeping me updated with the story ever since the initial broadcast.
Firstly, this was no “rant”.
My information is that Stewart had prepared himself with notes and all his assertions about Mr Traynor were based on previously published material.
For example, this one about stories being pre-approved by Craig Whyte.
I’m told that in the immediate aftermath of the broadcast the view in the production team was that it was quality.
However, one experienced head did voice his concerns about the fortitude of the BBC management when the inevitable reaction would come from Edmiston Drive.
He quite correctly provided a Level 5 cyclone of dignified rage.
The BBC hierarchy wobbled as the resulting gush of hot air hit them.
Thankfully, Stewart stood firm as hew knew that he had done nothing wrong from a journalistic standpoint.
If I were to give the management at the BBC some guidance going forward, then it would be this:
Do not just have editorial guidelines but to let folk know what they actually are.
For someone to allegedly break said rules they must be aware that they exist in the first place!
I am sure that Stewart, now a member of the National Unions of Journalists, will have the full support of the NUJ Chapel at Pacific Quay.
This entire shitshow has shown up some serious flaws in the management structures at the BBC’s North British HQ on the Clyde.
All Stewart did was to broadcast material that was already in the public domain and to exercise fair comment around them.
Normal service will now be resumed and the citizenry of Planet Fitba will have the views of the best pundit in Fair Caledonia.
Viewers in Sevco have their own programmes…
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Thank Heavens Mikey’s back. He’s the only pundit on any channel that seems to have a brain and can think for himself. I just hope he doesn’t stop after getting his wrists slapped.
Who gives a rat’s arse if sevco have spat out their dummy, their contribution to the BBC airwaves won’t be missed. HH
So the Klan are all giddy about club 18to30 statement today oh dear . They are even having the cheek to call the statement out as totally professional and that the club/board should make club 18to30 the only people to speak out for the club as it’s exactly what the fans want and demand especially as it’s pointed out here that club 18to30 is the 2nd highest shareholder at the club. Oh that’s right 2nd highest shareholder at the club but can’t get a seat on the board while others punt nickels & dimes into club and get a seat. These dafties pumped millions into the club year in year out and get the middle of a doughnut for their troubles KERCHING . Lol no wonder the CHISLING chairman keeps them sweet and club 18to30 spew out statements to please the sevco fans as they are mugging them every month for that £18.72 subscription or should that be prescription for deludimol.
It`s a pity Stewart didn`t tell them where to stick their job as he will now be unable to express an honest opinion.
It might not be long now until we will be giving him laldy.
Incredible that they also mention the alleged physical attack of Traynor, inferring of course that Michael Stewart’s comments are related to this.
Welcome back Michael Stewart – the best pundit onTV, bar none.
I wonder if he might be invited to do commentary on any of the games shown by BBC Sevconialba?
Sevco’s “long running dispute” with them hasn’t seemed to have effected the BBC’s wholehearted and undying support for them. Not sure who’s kidding who.
A rather emotional statement there from Ibrox.
And despite doing nothing wrong, [in the ears of most listeners anyway], Stewart has still effectively served a ‘3 weeks ban’ at the BBC.
I suppose this is just another useful distraction,
… just where are the Interims from RIFC, which were due for release two days ago – on Monday 24th ?!
In the interest of fairness and accuracy the last Old Firm match was in 2012 when Alfredo Morelos was a 16 year-old kick a ball around the streets of Cerete, Columbia so could not possibly have been the subject of racist abuse from Celtic fans.
Also, in the interest of fairness and accuracy, Celtic won that match 3-0.
Sevco are currently trying to put out fires…. just about everywhere.
From their point of view… it makes sense to deflect away from the ongoing and varied problems that they have…by stoking the flames of victimisation ( again )…and giving their support something to rant about.
Forget the fact that they are in deep financial distress…forget the fact that the League Title is slipping away from them…or that they could be out of Europe tonight…or that there is infighting among the players….or…( wish I hadn’t started this now..:0)..
that their manager is throwing everyone but himself under the bus…or…nah…that’s enough…you get the picture.
Slippy was only in the door 5 minutes when he went on a rant about Sevco having been systematically cheated by referees for the previous 10 years…and…putting aside the total irony of those remarks…what was done or said about it…?
The square root of feck all was done about it.
This Club operates on a ” We can say what we like about anything…and you can all go take a flying feck ” policy ….but woe betide any one having the courage to criticise them…( which…let’s be honest …isn’t difficult .)
The bottom line on this is…Their PR team needed something to draw scrutiny away from the damaging issues now affecting this Club…and this is how they do it.
PS:
Welcome back Mikey…you were sorely missed mate.
Indeed, Phil!!.. Sevco do have their own programmes, and they all start at 16:90 on their staunchly orange tellys!
Very interesting stuff. Glad he’s about to return! That BBC statement was extremely patronising as (if I may…) I point out here… https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2020/02/25/patronising-michael-stewart/