Alas Vine & Hitchens Cancel Culture and Something Rotten at the BBC
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Nov 12, 2025 This discussion dives into the fallout from Kate Clanchy’s cancellation, spotlighting the increasingly vocal outrage on social media and its impact on authors. The hosts analyze controversies at the BBC, including edits of Trump’s speeches and the debate over institutional bias. They ponder the role of publishers and the cowardice in the face of online pressure, while also debating the balance between free speech and online regulation. Plus, amusing anecdotes about travel mishaps and a love for vivid food descriptions in literature add a lighthearted touch.
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BBC Suffering Institutional Capture
- The BBC has systemic bias and editorial capture that undermines its charter of impartiality.
- Peter Hitchens argues reform requires government-backed, time-limited intervention to enforce charter obligations.
Separate Core News From Commercial Output
- Use licence-fee money only to fund impartial national news while commercialising entertainment and archives.
- Convert licence collection to account-based payments so BBC content becomes a commercial asset and reduces the need for punitive enforcement.
Drama Shapes Public Opinion Deeply
- Impartiality matters beyond news and extends into drama and entertainment, which shape public opinion.
- Peter Hitchens notes dramas like Cathy Come Home had greater cultural impact than documentaries.
