Akala, Michael Gove, Ed Balls on press and media treatment of Jeremy Corbyn - BBC News

The UK media is "defending the elite" and failing to give Jeremy Corbyn a fair hearing, says Akala. The rapper claims the media "had written off Jeremy Corbyn as totally unelectable", while failing to investigate Theresa May's policies over Saudi Arabia and the NHS. He was joined by Michael Gove and Ed Balls.
From This Week broadcast on June 2.
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[@jayeshpatel7045]

My god Akala is polite. Being patronised by Michael Gove like that.

[@eastsideresident5814]

He actually talked about this once. Said he really wanted to tell him to fuck off and then meet him outside 😂😂

[@oomz1975]

@Henry Bishop You would shit yourself chief.

[@djbuoy]

Akala is such a hero

[@loyreyenas7478]

@@eastsideresident5814 wait where i need to see it 😭😭

[@ibraheemmonks8866]

This is so ironic, 3 people against 1 arguing the media is not biased. WHAT?!

[@desnebula5699]

Firstly I dont like Akala because hes a racist and uses trickery to fool well meaning but uneducated Brits that they belong to a racist society. I mean he just slides bold points very quickly such "the only Great thing about Britain is its history of conquest" ignoring our merits like human rights record, technological advancements (trains, time, industry etc). His arguments were flawed but he unloads so many accusations so quickly and with so much confidence its hard to have a debate with him, its more of a soapbox preacher type thing. So I was very happy to see him left speechless on several occasions here by more learned and intelligent men. I dont like racists.

[@timeless_heritage]

@@desnebula5699 Idk what to even say to this responce. You may well be the one needing education.

[@desnebula5699]

@NayPalm3000 You say this because you watched some youtube videos and now you are an expert

[@desnebula5699]

@NayPalm3000 who is the last historical author you read?

[@mittens2015]

@@desnebula5699 Human rights such as supporting Apartheid states, the commonwealth, excluding European Jews from relocation while importing millions of other Europeans, and shit? Great that you had some machinery, at least it finally made it a little more appealing to stop abusing huge swats of the planet's population for cheap labour while implementing policy after policy to restrict coloured people from climbing the social ladder in the colonies. Everyone knows the UK's stance on Mandela's imprisonment and what they did when asked if they wanted to do business with a white ethnostate in the making in South Africa even in our lifetimes, you're not fooling anyone but yourself.

[@jamesduffy7549]

Let's have a 3 vs 1 argument where the host only challenges the one persons points, to prove we aren't biased

[@thespizz5074]

lmao

[@DanGolag]

To make it a fair fight they would've needed at least five more politicians and media talking heads to counter Akala's arguments. This is like putting Anthony Joshua in the ring with three... well, with those three.

[@leesimone2]

No no...not at all, but he did okay. Many interviews also show others the insights the enter thoughts of the people on the panel (they have forgotten that).

[@desnebula5699]

Firstly I dont like Akala because hes a racist and uses trickery to fool well meaning but uneducated Brits that they belong to a racist society. I mean he just slides bold points very quickly such "the only Great thing about Britain is its history of conquest" ignoring our merits like human rights record, technological advancements (trains, time, industry etc). His arguments were flawed but he unloads so many accusations so quickly and with so much confidence its hard to have a debate with him, its more of a soapbox preacher type thing. So I was very happy to see him left speechless on several occasions here by more learned and intelligent men. I dont like racists.

[@desnebula5699]

​@@smokedog2185 LOL he just mentions a historical fact so it looks like hes extremely intelligent.

[@lilayin]

akala has the patience of a saint

[@robbiebea]

Aside from the obvious bias in the panel.... the way Michael Gove tries to undermine and infantilise Akala's points throughout the interview, whether deliberately or due to institutionalisation , is quite simply perverse and actually ends up strengthening Akala's argument. A running theme of this tory campaign one could argue...

[@drpepperyumm]

Rob Watson yes it does come across as rather patronising

[@akan1]

Greetings. ...Kings Abdul's funeral...no response. OL.

[@thespizz5074]

Very good point. It must be institutionalisation and indoctrination that can churn out the robotic politicians like Gove and May yet somehow these people are still considered as more electable than JC by the larger amount of the population.

[@NextSound170]

Rob, stand up tall man. Institutionalism to the T.

[@Ishtarthemoon]

TOTAL institutionalisation. They're so superior and condescending they don't even realise it!! They're quite jealous though as well. This is where most anti-black racism comes from: they are threatened by him and it's obvious why.

[@RobSef6]

Fair play to Akala for sitting there just bearing witness to that 3-person echo chamber; must've been frustrating AF.

[@jedcar4376]

Love how condescending they are to Akala despite him being miles more clever than them.

[@TheJTD1982]

Dunning-Kruger effect right there.

[@roryanderson1773]

Every point he raised unravelled with only a little questioning. He's only clever when in front of stupid people.

[@smokedog2185]

Am street smart n book smart You guys just look smart lol

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

He is also very condescending.

[@desnebula5699]

Firstly I dont like Akala because hes a racist and uses trickery to fool well meaning but uneducated Brits that they belong to a racist society. I mean he just slides bold points very quickly such "the only Great thing about Britain is its history of conquest" ignoring our merits like human rights record, technological advancements (trains, time, industry etc). His arguments were flawed but he unloads so many accusations so quickly and with so much confidence its hard to have a debate with him, its more of a soapbox preacher type thing. So I was very happy to see him left speechless on several occasions here by more learned and intelligent men. I dont like racists.

[@seanybzebra]

'you've actually made some good points' - Michael Gove, I shall crown thee 'King of patronising'

[@TalentSpotter83]

I thought he was being sincere and showed some contrition.

[@seanybzebra]

@@TalentSpotter83 he's not exactly famed for that though is he? let's be honest.

[@Russtick92]

Imagine saying this to a literal genius.

[@JNM781]

These are forms of subtle racism... People need to acknowledge this. Michael Gove does not say this to other people who make very good points. But being black it's less expected to make good points. I'm not saying his racism, I'm saying he set a different level of expectation on him

[@jamesmegarry8242]

its got to be the 'actually' afterwards which is the worst.

[@yosho7053]

How are they denying media bias with a panel of 3 bias people lool??

[@xforcey2826]

Yo Sho Where is the bias?

[@grantjsimon]

Yo Sho Balls is labour. You reckon they paid him off ?

[@000121m]

Yo Sho They're a panel of people with different views expressing their difference of opinion, of which Akala is one, with a mediator who grills each guest on their views. Well done on simply not understanding TV, opinions, people, or even the simple nature of life and discussion. Conspiratorial dope.

[@AdhocHoopla]

To Corbyn's followers, anything except unwavering love for their leader is bias.

[@SIXITHS]

Ed Balls' wife Yvette Cooper was a part of the attempted coup against Corbyn.

[@ztronb5996]

Gotter love how the bloke in the middle let's the other two talk and then constantly interrupts akala.

[@ShizukaRose]

Akala - smartest man in the room.

[@desnebula5699]

Firstly I dont like Akala because hes a racist and uses trickery to fool well meaning but uneducated Brits that they belong to a racist society. I mean he just slides bold points very quickly such "the only Great thing about Britain is its history of conquest" ignoring our merits like human rights record, technological advancements (trains, time, industry etc). His arguments were flawed but he unloads so many accusations so quickly and with so much confidence its hard to have a debate with him, its more of a soapbox preacher type thing. So I was very happy to see him left speechless on several occasions here by more learned and intelligent men. I dont like racists.

[@azza4044]

He is a fool

[@closeencounter-cultureclos4200]

He's articulate as hell! I mean, he does talk a LOT of shit, but he's good to listen to

[@closeencounter-cultureclos4200]

@Osobossy Kuda Oh, sorry I thought you watched this video! My bad.

[@closeencounter-cultureclos4200]

@Osobossy Kuda Oh shit, I didn't realise you were a child. I'll keep this short. This debate is about media bias. Corbyn and his posh boy following is not treated with negative media bias. I'm actually a die-hard communist. I one day dream of moving to North Korea and bathing in the fruits of their utopia.

[@JustinRSoles]

Akala for PM... one day..

[@akan1]

Amen!

[@nakkadu]

Hopefully not

[@anonymousanonymous2319]

J R please

[@bole56]

My unconditional support

[@archiebennett2955]

We could only pray

[@2005peasah]

Big up to you Akala, you're so special my bro.

[@oriyenamoojoong]

It seems like a 3:1 fight. Media have been downplaying JC. It seems they think they were fair on him since they didn't even consider him as a 'leader' or a 'politician'.

[@resonate3987]

They look bewildered as to how a young mixed race man from inner-city London can convey himself with such confidence and poise.

[@michaelgayle68]

And far more articulate...

[@hellosirimlookingforcrackg776]

@Henry Bishopakala actually did make some very good points in things, I mean this country is immersed with biased media and institutional racism, they were so shocked akala understood corbyns view of the IRA situation and wanted to rebuff it, but then they didn't really have nothing much to say when akala mentioned this government being involved in terrorism and how they allowed it to happen to further justify their cause to keep the "war on terror" up and running

[@akan1]

Greetings. What is so interesting is the class that Akala brings to the table. His skill, confidence and ability to be silent, is so obviously superior. Very proud of him. OL.

[@deanhava4157]

the left will move into the dark unless they smarten up, all i heard him do is mention some insane childish conspiracy, i dont see why your praising him.

[@deanhava4157]

@Mohamed Hussein I'm liberal, I embrace diversity of opionion, I dont oppress and force my dogma onto others and I especially dont promote separation by embracing a flag or an ethnicity. You think your woke but your just ignorant. Good luck with that!

[@boogzOgunttv]

Akala still came out standing on top in this 3 on 1 tag team match 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿 General Salute ✊🏿

[@negan9751]

I could see the way this was going as soon as I pressed play. just look at the seating positions. Akala for prime minister

[@broomebrothers_bruceandbane]

You don't need evidence to ask a question!

[@shivrajb640]

Bbc have been disgraceful

[@joecritch]

Gove's first act here is to patronise and belittle Akala.

[@TalentSpotter83]

How?

[@jasonwarner8219]

By saying "you actually made some good points" like Akala is a child

[@kayzar293]

So all 3 people including the host piled in on one guest. Yet that proves we aren't biased

[@undertoned-418]

no glass of water for akala? that mean, bro.

[@JustinRSoles]

racists

[@TheShamanicHealerGod]

Is it possible he turned it down? lol

[@adamski6312]

Theunkownman 3.0 That would have been cultural appropriation...

[@SIXITHS]

You can't give a man who spits fire a glass of water...

[@GoooObama08]

Don't think he would have drunk it

[@chrishaynes4392]

Akala is so level headed, getting ganged up on, and staying chill

[@Jack-uh3bp]

Notice how they always disagree with akala truth hurts

[@christiancoulson2559]

I have nothing but respect for AKALA. Very well mannered against inferior intellects

[@akan1]

Greetings. Perfect. OL.

[@Dgreen47]

Hints of shuddering tones of racism from those two fools on the left... regardless Akala spoke Impeccably, kept cool and composed and his vocabulary far exceeded all of theirs

[@KingKurt]

@Henry Bishop mayo face

[@jusnabegum1905]

THEY GOT MONEY FOR THE WAR BUT CAN’T FEED THE POOR - TUPAC SHAKUR #VOTELABOUR

[@TheJTD1982]

Why is it someone else's responsibility to 'feed the poor'? You do realises that most of the benefits class wouldn't have survived to adulthood if it weren't for them being mollycoddled by the state?

[@resilienceofagypsy3998]

Pizzaismykryptonite I implore you to both delete your untrue and idiotic statement and then thoroughly educate yourself before passing such indoctrinated and biased propaganda. “Mollycoddled by the state” to an educated person translates as ‘I believe everything I read in the heavily biased and strictly alt right wing media. Which, might I add is ALL owned and published by six corporations who are all marrying into and related to one another. Thus meaning the agenda they’re pushing is neither objective nor accurate’.

[@VICTORERIKA]

I like Tupac but he also contradicted himself all the time.

[@resilienceofagypsy3998]

@J S that could not be further from the truth lol omg

[@resilienceofagypsy3998]

@J S all media is owned by a corporate capitalistic conglomerate whose best interest is using manipulative language to portray specific feeling in the consumer. Twisting stats, negative facts and falsifying accounts to perpetuate a very right wing and conservative narrative. Its not real life. Nothing you see in the news is actually how it plays out.

[@inkitatus1]

The Thatcherite bias in all media is disgraceful.

[@martsandrou9423]

The cheek of the BBC. You're not kidding anybody anymore. You should be funded by the tories not the public. Vote Labour

[@MarjorieMay-kc6ls]

Mart Sandrou are you joking? I would not vote Labour. Jeremy Corbin would have us all blown up if we were seriously threatened by North Korea or some mad b.... like him.

[@pabbylink]

Marjorie May So why exactly would North Korea want to nuke the UK?

[@martsandrou9423]

It doesn't matter what you think because you are obviously not very bright. Never mind. Vote Labour

[@kingdom7777]

pabbylink Tell him!!!

[@dimavasilev5342]

That last point from Akala was bang on

[@grizzd6586]

Why didn't they show the video that this discussion was based on.

[@grizzd6586]

Akala made a film that was shown on the original show but the BBC have edited it out

[@rhythm242able]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ_Jd4qpqb6Jd6s

[@easyak]

Akala legend

[@praveeshachapman677]

Really want akala to go into politics. He'd show them up well. This man is a real one.

[@ufsland]

Jeremy Corbyn is the only reason I ever got in to politics and actually voted. As long as he is the Labour party leader I will continue to vote for him.

[@liamgerrard2246]

rip

[@daftydave5349]

🤣

[@serenityinside1]

Well that was a short run for you 😂😂

[@ufsland]

Short run indeed 🤣🤣🤣 very sad times to have these damn career politicians who only care about their personal progressions.

[@fairahzan]

Yeah, that's it, everyone else keep laughing while we ignore the egregious state this awful govt has left it over the past 12 years, completely destroyed it, from public services to people's social security.@@daftydave5349

[@gjdj9213]

Gove, what an intellectual lightweight.

[@anneanne9009]

I admire his persistence. It must be hard smacking your head up against a brick wall sometimes but he always manages to get his message across. I love the way Akala always manages to use his platform.

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Akala is an intellectual giant

[@eddiesid1149]

An Independent BBC ?!?!!? WTF.

[@shajali5481]

BBC is objective?....... lol

[@KaiusKing]

Akala surely knows how to handle a debate well - Michael never seemed to offer a suitable rebuttal to Akala's point. Yet, only seemed determined to emphasise his disapproval of a 1 min silence to IRA victims. :(

[@hannahchege2009]

This is what news has come too lmao, state your opinion let other do that whilst simultaneously not listening and record that opinion 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@HealMobile]

strange, I thought Akala was a professor; the description calls him a rapper. That's belittling in a nutshell whatever his day job!

[@MMartinVideo]

I mean this segment highlights the media bias so blatantly. 3 establishment figures V Akala, then about 80% of the time talking about Corbyn, 20% on May. With the host seemingly under the impression there is no bias at all?! Do me a favour. Fair play to Akala, what a guy!

[@ptiquinquin]

The similarity in the colour of their shirt reflects the similarity in their ideology. Thanks very much Aka. 3 against one. You made much more sense than them.

[@GoooObama08]

Could Gove be any more condescending. Typical Tory Toff

[@kittyg6650]

How awkward is Ed Balls banging on about the BBC being objective and trusted....trusted my arse. Deep, DEEP, belly laughs all round.

[@DJSARG3NT]

Hold on, these people are actually suggesting that there ISN’T a media bias? Amazing.

[@KaiusKing]

Akala - The gift that keeps on giving !

[@barrycreed9886]

You can feel the arrogance from Gove oozing through the screen... "I know everything"

[@riversguy92]

The man’s tired of listening to experts

[@leotarn2755]

"Vauxhall Conference doesn't exist. Maybe Division 3." Mate, "Division 3" doesnt exist either.

[@drashmaria]

Akala is such an intelligent humane courteous person

[@getthoseskills4451]

So damn refreshing to see such a clever and articulate UK artist. Love Akala and other rebellious and politicised British artists like Idles, Sleaford Mods, Kate Tempest, Allflaws

[@0rb1thunter]

Socrates said True knowledge is knowing you know nothing.......my addition to his statement is that anything else is arrogance.. Think you're clever? Arrogance Think you know ? Arrogance! Don't look for answers to your questions, look for questions to your answers!

[@LivegoodWilliam]

Akala is actually schooling them

[@noodle845]

A "victory" should be if a government has made society better. And after 10 years, I dont think they have.

[@shabbeall]

Some say they’re not wearing the same blue shirt 🙄

[@Repton137]

Akala did well after being ganged up on

[@didgeridoda863]

Gove says nobody is forced to buy certain papers or watch certain channels, but we pay the BBC and the other TV channels through our licence fee so we are entitled to a fair representation of the political parties

[@michel3691]

I think all three hosts should have let Akala finish his sentences without interruption. Akala's mention of a story that multiple press sources had released shouldn't have been met with rebuke for him to have evidence. The press sources obviously should have had the evidence before the story was released. In all this interview seemed to be a session of the old crew attempting to force their views and the status quo on Akala and the new generation.

[@problemchimp4231]

BBC...TRUSTED??? Sarah Sands, Neil, Marr, Humphries, Robinson etc. etc.....Look where these sorts come from.

[@Kpot009]

Gove is a soggy biscuit. Well at least akala didn’t storm off like benny boy Shapiro

[@sciadredan5410]

Akala is a class act.

[@sterlihalla]

Everyone seems like they had a drink a part from Akala. The debate seemed quite unprofessional but at least akala tried to be.

[@ConsiderThis12]

I'm not voting for any party this year. I'M VOTING JEREMY CORBYN!!

[@adamski6312]

Zoro Roronoa And dianne Abbott

[@haafa920]

Zoro Roronoa me to

[@dan_rad]

0:00 - Did he say "Kakala"?

[@leesimone2]

Absolutely love listening to intelligent men debate. 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@jolenastevens4487]

Man**

[@user-lt1fv2xo7t]

For real akala l like to listing to u You are fantastic

[@winningwithwarriors9914]

I know I'm late to the party, I'm just seeing this in 2023. Alot of comments have said that Gove was patronising. I can't see it though. I think Gove gave his side of the argument, which he can do. He gave Akala his props, including at the end, when he admitted that Akala has a strong argument. He even mocked himself and his attempt at challenging Theresa May for the Tory leadership during the interview. Is that the sign of a man, who doesn't take himself too seriously? The fact is, Akala went onto a political programme to defend a documentary, that criticised the political media. I've no doubt, Akala knew he was going into the lions den. The host had every right to defend the integrity of his profession. The question was, would Akala's view be able to stand up under scrutiny? I think he did it with aplomb! Without raising his voice, Akala made clear valid points. He agreed when he felt the person was right. He demonstrated patience, humility and wisdom, without conceding his point. I did notice that as the interview went on, the host went from challenging and suggesting answers, to asking Akala for his opinion. By the end, the host even agreed with some of the points, he questioned in the beginning. Big up Akala!

[@pezushka]

I agree.

[@Limitless200]

He said "Kakala"

[@braders96]

Akala was patronised here, he stood out and they didn't like it.

[@editorx11]

whats the film akala keeps referring to?

[@rhythm242able]

Must have been a short he shot for the program. Can't seem to find a copy of it as its 3 years old now, possibly on bbc iplayer if the ironically named 'This Week' is archived.

[@rhythm242able]

My bad found it here, kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ_Jd4qpqb6Jd6s they edited his piece out from their official channel broadcast here, as he tells the truth and they don't like that obviously, oh and the "all of what they feed us in the news it is bullshit".... hook line probably didn't help! haha Legend.

[@annenunney9907]

Well done Alana

[@homebusinessdad]

Akala reveals to us, when you go on TV to discuss politics you BETTER BE PREPARED....3 vs 1 and he held his own very well.

[@thehoneyeffect]

Akala is several times more intelligent than all of the other people on the show, the levels of patronisation here are horrific, it reminds me of being at school.

[@KG-yz5il]

3 V 1? This is ridiculous

[@nmp3132]

Just dismissed everything he said and played devil's advocate

[@OLLIEPOOP1986]

Clutching at straws with this IRA bullshit

[@NextSound170]

They don’t like to be told they’re wrong, very militant attitude.

[@didgeridoda863]

Good job Ed Balls got kicked into touch!

[@blicknessraven]

Oh, so Michael Guff has always made that face when talking to actual humans...

[@xaviersariceable]

3 against 1

[@saradobravc3143]

3 against one... Around year 2061 they will admit Akala was right

[@MadeInManny0161]

They live : 3 aliens 1 human

[@almudd]

How Akala put up with this bullshit, I'll never know!!

[@keepitrealtv6266]

The seating arrangement pally pally body language an absolute disgrace. Hail Akala!

[@cc1210]

Oh look, the chairman of a right wing newspaper posing as a neutral mediator. And the media wonders why people don’t take them seriously.

[@judechukwuelue617]

Very suspect! It was a good interview!

[@TheRaptorXX]

Fuck me, WHAT a lesson in restraint from Akala. A lot of people could learn an awful lot from that. It was like watching the roots of a martial arts philosophy. How the FUCK did he not open up on them?

[@AddersonHawdon]

One of these people is not like the others.

[@khadija6140]

they’re patronizing him so much

[@praveeshachapman677]

Ed and Michael definitely get up to mischief in the bedroom.

[@alexhowe1913]

I don't agree with all of Akala's politics - least of all am I a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn - but especially watching this in 2020 it's clear that he absolutely wiped the floor with all three of the other men in the room. Not only was he polite, open-minded and accepted opposing views to his own, but his knowledge and ability to examine things way beyond surface level is a total contrast to 99% of the people you see interviewed on mainstream TV these days. Compare that to Michael Gove's brazen assertion that "Theresa May will increase her majority", and Akala blows him totally out of the water with facts, logic and a genuine desire to be objective.

[@fazahmed5182]

They ain’t got the balls one on one. Three on one is still not fair for them

[@moiramackenzie4025]

i certainly do not consume the main stream media and i agree with Akala

[@johngreenstreet9347]

"Independent BBC" positively risible 🤣🤣🤣

[@Generalscorpio]

I get Akala's point about comparing Britain's relationship with Saudi Arabia to Corbyn's relationship with the IRA. I think where the subtle distinction lies is that Corbyn by choice when he had zero political clout, willingly interacted with the IRA, when you're in government you often have to interact with other governments whatever their form or values. For me our relationship with Saudi Arabia doesn't sit well, it's part of why I favour renewable sources or energy and alternatives to oil so we can hopefully be less reliant on the Saudis. We should also be better at picking our allies, but short of various interventions all of which look like some form of imperialism, the governments in those countries are the governments in those countries. How much will change by not interacting with them? Personally I'd have us avoid trade with Saudi Arabia due to it's funding of terrorism and also China due to it's actions in Hong Kong. However there is a difference, no matter how miniscule, between inheriting a series of alliances and treaties from a previous PM, some of which are with states with appalling records, and choosing to interact with a terrorist group before ever you had a whiff of real power.

[@mrchow4106]

I don't know about this one, I like Akala but that comparison with King Abdullah was poor. And I do not accept that Saudi supports terrorism rather oppose it largely.

[@broadway254]

Hindsight. Now the Tories are wanting to court martial squaddies over what happened in NI.

[@blackfilminstitute9138]

3 philistines v one bredda ⚡🤣👏🏽

[@shorditchiscool]

Akala is so obviously more competent