Talk:Gavin Esler/Archive 1

Archive 1

[Untitled]

This page appears awfully at pains to point out Esler's impartiality, i wonder if this article was written by the BBC press office. I thought everyone has a personal bias one way or another.

I agree. The article reads like a biography from a BBC website. I note that a Google search does not reveal the term "neo-con apologist" being applied to Esler. The only reference it unearths for Esler being a "left-wing anti-American" is a generalised comment on a blog regarding the BBC. Without sources I don't think these quotes can stand.

Even if these epithets are real, they show nothing about Esler, or his alleged lack of bias. It's common practice for entities taking criticism from two sides to imply, by mentioning both directions of criticism, that they cancel one another out. This isn't the case, not least because it gives no clue as to how much criticism of either sort has occurred.

On a separate point, I do not believe Esler's interviewing style on Newsnight can be accurately characterised as "confrontational". He is far less confrontational than Jeremy Paxman, and not noticeably more so than Kirsty Wark. In any case, currently the article attempts to link this spurious claim of being "confrontational" with even-handedness. Even if the premise were true (I don't believe it is), the conclusion would not follow.

As a consequence of these considerations, I am removing the final paragraph.

Stuarta 16:44, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

I should also say that entry was extremely poorly punctuated. While it still isn't very well written, I've tried to eliminate the various run-on sentences.

Stuarta 16:52, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

John Kennedy: Beyond Conspiracy

I have added the following, as I believe Esler's right wing leanings need further commentary. It needs tidying re. the sources I have provided, but otherwise I would be grateful if it was not edited.

In 2003 Esler provided an alterntate, British narration for the American PJ Productions' film John Kennedy: Beyond Conspiracy. It is argued that the film does not provide a balanced view on the assassination, and the use of the widely respected BBC logo onto an American film has been viewed as attempting to give the film some otherwise lacking gravitas. Esler showed his right wing credentials in his treatment of Geoerge Galloway and Ronald Reagan (see Criticism), and by parroting the narrative of ABC's presenter Peter Jenning's, he is open to similar criticism from the leftist or neutral commentator.

Sources:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=4381

http://boards.history.com/topic/Jfk-A-Presidency/Abc-Peter-Jennings/300002552

Kennedy Assassination- Beyond Conspiracy A BBC documentary deconstructing conspiracy theories:

http://uk.truveo.com/Kennedy-Assassination-Beyond-Conspiracy/id/1490234068

It is NOT a BBC documentary.

Guv2006 (talk) 15:33, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

Autobiography?

Is Esler removing my contribution? Or is it the BBC? I see nothing wrong with my above comment (especially in edited form) in Esler's profile. "Citation needed" may be added, but the opinion is online from many souces. Guv2006 (talk) 18:39, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

I agree! Ciderapple and Settheworldtorights appear to have real problem/revert edits which are even slightly negative. Applied the autobiography tag here, and vandal1 on their talk pages. Rgds, --Trident13 (talk) 01:42, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

Birth date

Does anyone have a citation for the full DoB? If not, it should be reduced to just the year, which has been cited. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 21:43, 27 December 2015 (UTC)

Yes, I reintroduced the full date of birth and included this reference: [1] Drchriswilliams (talk) 21:48, 27 December 2015 (UTC)

Thank you. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 11:27, 28 December 2015 (UTC)

Nationality?

British, not Scottish. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.254.147.228 (talk) 16:46, 26 July 2012 (UTC)

Do you know how he defines himself? Nationality is not necessarily identical to the passport you hold.PhilomenaO'M (talk) 17:29, 19 August 2015 (UTC)

I think this article from 2004 provides some good insight: [2]. Drchriswilliams (talk) 20:28, 29 December 2015 (UTC)