The BBC’s 'Immigration Week'

A masterclass in sentimental spin

They say the public sector never does anything quite as well as the private sector. It certainly seems true in the media; whilst the Discovery Channel has made a behemoth out of ‘Shark Week’, our state organ has decided to institute ‘immigration week’, to little fanfare.

Since Monday, the BBC has produced over 20 stories on the issue, and has self-reported that it has ‘been seeking a variety of views from people on the issue.’ But, as is so often the case, revealed preference is very different to stated; only one of these could be construed as talking about the negatives of immigration.

Most, in fact, are ‘human interest’ stories that seem to reinforce decades-old pro-immigration arguments. There is an interview with the founder of charity Plymouth Hope, David Feindouno, who said he hoped more information about who was coming to the country - and why - would help reduce tensions.