How to insult your liberators

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Oh I think that there are more Brits and other Europeans who are au fait with the basics than you seem to think - our news and TV media are somewhat less insular in what they cover...

I find that comment condescending, coming as it does from a country with state run television that devotes tediously endless hours of broadcast time to billiards, darts, and lawn bowling, and whose best presenters end up coming to the USA and working for Fox News. My 21 years in Europe have actually led me to the conclusion that European television, especially news coverage, is extremely insular. The proof, if any is required, is that American channels-- such as the History Channel-- post phenomenally high ratings.

Have just watched "ABC WORLD NEWS" on BBC News 24 - every single item was about America!

Every single item was about America? Well that's a shock! The reason every single item was about America is that ABC in its infinite wisdom has twigged to the fact that Britons watching ABC News in the UK probably are more interested in US domestic news than US coverage of non-US news. As limited as I found the BBC news coverage to be, I rather think that they can do a better job of reporting the closure of a hospital in Leeds than some US broadcasting company in New York.

As far as "...more Brits and Europeans being au fait" with the basics of constitutional government in the US is concerned, I'm sorry, but slightly more that two decades in Europe repeatedly proved that statement doesn't hold water. I'm not talking about watching the news and keeping up with current events. Watching BBC WORLD NEWS here in the USA would hardly qualify one to claim an understanding of how the British government works. I'm specifically referring to the way in which government functions in the United States within the framework of US Constitutional Law. To cite but one example, the average European probably doesn't have a clew about "Reserved Powers" as defined in the U.S. Constitution. Likewise, most Americans would assume that Gordon Brown was elected to the office of Prime Minister, rather than selected for the job by his party.

Whilst our systems of government are somewhat similar, they are in no way identical. No matter what one may think from watching TV.

[McClef]

I find that comment condescending, coming as it does from a country with state run television that devotes tediously endless hours of broadcast time to billiards, darts, and lawn bowling, and whose best presenters end up coming to the USA and working for Fox News. My 21 years in Europe have actually led me to the conclusion that European television, especially news coverage, is extremely insular. The proof, if any is required, is that American channels-- such as the History Channel-- post phenomenally high ratings.

It was not meant to be condescending, it was an observation. The BBC is NOT "state run" - do not confuse the fact that it is funded by a TV licence with its management or editorial independence. Some people happen to be interested in darts etc and their interests are catered for just as many other interests are. Naturally there is a large amount of domestic news coverage but the overseas coverage forms a large part of every news program in the UK whether it's the BBC or ITV or Sky News. I haven't watched a lot of TV news in the rest of Europe but that which I have seen still covered international stuff also.

As to these "best presenters" - who are these paragons? I remember that Angela Rippon did a stint with a Boston station back in the 70s or 80s but know of no others. No doubt any that have done so do it for the money.

The History channel is only available on satellite over here and I cannot get a signal due to an inconvenient hill in the way but what I have seen on friends sets have varied from good to mediocre. But history is still not current events.

Every single item was about America? Well that's a shock! The reason every single item was about America is that ABC in its infinite wisdom has twigged to the fact that Britons watching ABC News in the UK probably are more interested in US domestic news than US coverage of non-US news. As limited as I found the BBC news coverage to be, I rather think that they can do a better job of reporting the closure of a hospital in Leeds than some US broadcasting company in New York.

We get plenty of US domestic news already. What we do like to see is how Americans view the news from outside the US - difficult if there is none. The ABC programme is not produced for the UK market but recorded and rebroadcast on BBC News 24. For a programme that claims to be "world news" it is therefore breaching its own title.

The BBC is internationally respected for its coverage and covers important news from both Leeds and New York. It also has regional news programmes, as does ITV.

As far as "...more Brits and Europeans being au fait" with the basics of constitutional government in the US is concerned, I'm sorry, but slightly more that two decades in Europe repeatedly proved that statement doesn't hold water. I'm not talking about watching the news and keeping up with current events. Watching BBC WORLD NEWS here in the USA would hardly qualify one to claim an understanding of how the British government works. I'm specifically referring to the way in which government functions in the United States within the framework of US Constitutional Law. To cite but one example, the average European probably doesn't have a clew about "Reserved Powers" as defined in the U.S. Constitution. Likewise, most Americans would assume that Gordon Brown was elected to the office of Prime Minister, rather than selected for the job by his party.

Whilst our systems of government are somewhat similar, they are in no way identical. No matter what one may think from watching TV.

I have had slightly more than 5 decades in Europe and have to take a completely different view. I was even taught at school how the basics work in the US. I wonder for that matter how many Americans would "have a clue" about "Reserved Powers." We know exactly how a President is elected and full election coverage and explanation is always given - we even have our "best presenters" there on the spot. Does that happen when it comes to American coverage of a UK General Election?

Indeed our systems are no way identical and you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that some people over here think that our system should be more like yours. I watched Question Time last night and several ordinary audience members talked knowledgeably about the recall system that we do not have but they wished we did so we could get rid of MPs caught fiddling their expenses rather than having to wait for the next General Election to vote them out.