A few people have responded to Donald Trump’s announcement that he will sue the BBC for up to £5 billion as a wonderful answer to prayer.
I want to suggest that it isn’t and here is why. First of all, let me emphasise that I have consistently argued that the BBC is in the wrong, that we shouldn’t focus on defending an institution and that politicians should not interfere in the judicial process.
However, first remember that Trump may not get his day in court. It is hard to see how he can make the case in a US court as the programme wasn’t aired there and unless he gets a judge who is generous about exceptional circumstances, it’s past the one year statute of limitations deadline here.
Even if he is successful, that doesn’t mean he just gets the 5 billion he has demanded. The court will decide damages. But this highlights another factor. If you are gloating at the potential destruction of the BBC then you are gloating at thousands of lost jobs and a bill that will fall on the British tax payer. Was that the answer to prayer you were really looking for
Secondly, I would argue that this is a distraction. Everyone is now focused on Donald Trump. He has successfully made this about him. The doctoring of footage was egregious but we should be more concerned about systemic issues affecting reporting of ethical issues and reporting on Gaza and Nigeria.
Thirdly, those who are keenly interested in news stories have strong views about the BBC but they are mistaken if they have the British public behind them. You may not like it but most people don’t care. They may grumble a bit about bias but the BBC remains the most trusted news outlet. Further, it is much more than a news outlet. So, yes, people do have affection for it. It’s the BBC they turn to for the big football games, death of monarchs and much entertainment. Few people think of the Panorama when they think of the Beeb, rather they think Blue Peter, Strictly, Dr Who, CBeebies and East Enders.
That’s why the patriotic appeal of “save our BBC from foreign attack” works in the same way that Russians might rally around Putin the more they feel under siege. We may grumble against the BBC but it is our BBC.
The result of all of these things is that we are now further away from addressing the real issues raised by the Telegraph investigation. Furthermore, this exposes a shallow understanding of prayer and how it is answered. Answered prayer is not wish fulfilment. After all, what about all of those people who were praying that they wouldn’t have their job put at risk? I may consider it an answered prayer that the Chancellor U-Turned on tax rises but what if she had not. Indeed if the U-Turn means no end to the child benefit cap then others may feel their prayers have not been answered
Finally, as we watch the unfolding genocide of Christians in Nigeria, I wonder what it says about our priorities if we are praying for the destruction of the BBC.
Faithroots 