Press TV and me

It's the little things that brighten the day, such a a nice cleansing row.

Just picked up a call from Press TV, asking me to do a programme. I replied that I would have nothing to do with the channel. 'Why?' asked the mock-incredulous producer.

'Because', I said,'you are a propaganda arm of a regime which seeks the removal of Israel and Israelis from the face of the earth and funds terror organisations. I think your channel is a disgrace'.

'Don't you want to hear who else is on the panel?'

'I don't care who else is on - it doesn't affect my position.'

'Your position is a disgrace. You have your facts messed up. What evidence do you have?'

'I'm not interested in an argument with you. I won't do your programme, and that's all there is to say'.

What fascinates me about the conversation is that it is a departure from the usual line, that Press TV is independent, not propaganda.  Because the producer chose to respond to me not by saying that I could put my case to Iran, that it has editorial control or any of the usual sophistry, but by actually arguing with me about Iran and defending it.

So the next time you hear some self-justifying spin from Press TV, remember what its own employees think - that Ahmadinejad is the good guy.

(Actually, I do wonder who else was on the panel?)

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Yawn

According to the Telegraph:

Andy Murray wins match, and millions of fans with thrilling comeback

Thrilling? It's tennis! Never was the concept of thrilling less appropriately applied.

The Times' back page splash talked about 'the nation' being gripped.

Er, not in this corner of Finchley it wasn't. Nor in many other places, to judge from a quick phone and email survey I've just conducted amongst my sports-mad friends. Not one of the watched, or could care less about what happens to Mr Murray or any of his fellow competitors. Tennis, as I keep repeating, is the sport for people who don't like sport.

The only thing more tedious than the domination of the airwaves and newspapers by this dull event is my constant moaning about how bored I am by it. But heh, it's my blog, and I can bore anyone if I choose to!

But I do think I am performing a public service - doing my little bit to redress the balance.

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