BBC 'WRONG' ABOUT THE EU

→ ‘EU Commission doesn’t like interference’ says senior BBC journalist
𝗕𝗕𝗖 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗨 - 𝟳-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼
BBC News on 10 June inaccurately described how the EU functions.
Senior BBC journalist, Christian Fraser - who usually presents the BBC’s Context news programme - got the context of the European Commission completely wrong.
Reporting from Brussels for the European Parliament elections, Mr Fraser said, “There are two things to say about this [European] Parliament, it doesn’t work like a conventional Parliament.
“Legislation is reserved for the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU.
“They don’t like interference from the Parliament. They don’t like interference from the European leaders...”
The impression given was that it’s the Commission that has all the power in the EU, above that of the elected European Parliament and the elected Presidents and Prime Ministers of EU member states.
In truth, it’s the other way around. The Commission is the servant of the EU and not its master.
The BBC journalist’s incorrect description of the EU has provoked the ire of former British Members of the European Parliament.
Catherine Bearder, formerly a Liberal Democrat MEP, told me:
“How sad that again we hear what amounts to misunderstanding of how European Parliament works, alarmingly from the BBC who should know better.”
Former MEP Richard Corbett, who was Labour’s leader in the European Parliament, emailed Christian Fraser to explain that he had got it wrong:
‘Dear Christian Fraser,
'I must confess that I was shocked to hear you say just now on BBC news that the European Parliament is not like a normal parliament because "legislation is reserved for the European Commission".
‘This is entirely incorrect. Under the EU's ordinary legislative procedure, proposals require the approval of the European Parliament and the EU Council, with up to three readings in each body. They cannot simply be enacted by the Commission.’
Dr Charles Tannock was previously a Conservative MEP for London. He commented:
“The BBC Reporter really should be better briefed about the formal role of EU Institutions.”
[Dr Tannock resigned from the Conservatives in 2021].
Susanne Oberhauser, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, responded:
"Let me clarify that the European Parliament, alongside with the Council of Ministers, is co-legislator. It is thus ultimately co-deciding on matters falling under the ordinary legislative procedure.
“The European Commission is not deciding on legislation, its role is to present draft legislation and ensure the implementation of all legislation in force."
Last week I emailed the BBC Press Office:
‘Do you agree that Christian Fraser’s statement about the European Commission was incorrect? Will you issue a correction? If not, why not?’
I am awaiting their reply.
© Report and video production by ‪@JonDanzig‬
#EU #EuropeanUnion #Brexit ‪@europeanparliament‬ ‪@EuropeanCommission‬ ‪@BBCNews‬

[@JonDanzig]

→ ‘EU Commission doesn’t like interference’ says senior BBC journalist 𝗕𝗕𝗖 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗨 - 𝟳-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 BBC News on 10 June inaccurately described how the EU functions. Senior BBC journalist, Christian Fraser - who usually presents the BBC’s Context news programme - got the context of the European Commission completely wrong. Reporting from Brussels for the European Parliament elections, Mr Fraser said, “There are two things to say about this [European] Parliament, it doesn’t work like a conventional Parliament. “Legislation is reserved for the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU. “They don’t like interference from the Parliament. They don’t like interference from the European leaders...” The impression given was that it’s the Commission that has all the power in the EU, above that of the elected European Parliament and the elected Presidents and Prime Ministers of EU member states. In truth, it’s the other way around. The Commission is the servant of the EU and not its master. The BBC journalist’s incorrect description of the EU has provoked the ire of former British Members of the European Parliament. Catherine Bearder, formerly a Liberal Democrat MEP, told me: “How sad that again we hear what amounts to misunderstanding of how European Parliament works, alarmingly from the BBC who should know better.” Former MEP Richard Corbett, who was Labour’s leader in the European Parliament, emailed Christian Fraser to explain that he had got it wrong: ‘Dear Christian Fraser, 'I must confess that I was shocked to hear you say just now on BBC news that the European Parliament is not like a normal parliament because "legislation is reserved for the European Commission". ‘This is entirely incorrect. Under the EU's ordinary legislative procedure, proposals require the approval of the European Parliament and the EU Council, with up to three readings in each body. They cannot simply be enacted by the Commission.’ Dr Charles Tannock was previously a Conservative MEP for London. He commented: “The BBC Reporter really should be better briefed about the formal role of EU Institutions.” [Dr Tannock resigned from the Conservatives in 2021]. Susanne Oberhauser, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, responded: "Let me clarify that the European Parliament, alongside with the Council of Ministers, is co-legislator. It is thus ultimately co-deciding on matters falling under the ordinary legislative procedure. “The European Commission is not deciding on legislation, its role is to present draft legislation and ensure the implementation of all legislation in force." Last week I emailed the BBC Press Office: ‘Do you agree that Christian Fraser’s statement about the European Commission was incorrect? Will you issue a correction? If not, why not?’ I am awaiting their reply. © Report and video production by @JonDanzig

[@progpuss]

Typical Tory BBC

[@flickthenick]

I'm suprised that they did not have Laura Kuenssberg present this to give this article her extra twist...

[@Karl_with_a_K]

What always surprised me about English perception of the EU was that they were receipients of laws that were passed by "faceless European bureaucrats" when in fact nothing got passed in the EU without it either being a British proposal or Britain had a special exemption or Optout. Britain was a key part of the EU and all EU legislation. Not some minnow that had to accept the will of others. However when a people doesnt understand this, then its easy to play the victim and create a false narrative.

[@grantogilvie3458]

that was an important part of the big lie. brexit was and is an attack on democracy

[@clickrick]

Equally ignored is the role of British civil servants in drafting UK legislation. By "faceless British bureaucrats".

[@danganbeg7225]

"Britain was a key part" Unlike the so-called united kingdom, every EU member state is a key part.

[@irminschembri8263]

Explaining EU legislation was always the hardest part when teaching 16year old Germans about how the EU works . But at least they were and ARE taught about it !

[@rogerbradley5213]

There should be a formal complaint to the BBC

[@dutchman7623]

The EU doesn't care any longer... And I do not think many non-British Europeans watch the BBC any longer, once a source of trustworthy news, it has become a gossip sewer of the Conservative Party.

[@JonDanzig]

@@dutchman7623 The EU does care. It's vital that disinformation about the EU is debunked every single time.

[@Paul_C]

Sorry, but neither the BBC nor the UK public has any notion what the EU does or how it functions. That became absolutely clear when THAT Farightatage took his seat in the EU chamber! He didn't even attend the mission for his fishermen, he didn't show up for any of them. Thank god you yourselves got rid of him, you voted out. Thank you.

[@DutchLabrat]

^THIS. I think the only truthful description of the EU I ever saw in UK media was a segment of QI. The tories are the worst of the lot but frankly anybody in the UK who only gets their information from UK sources knows sweet FA about the EU. Debating Brexit and the EU with them feels like debating quantum physics with a cat.....

[@michaelgoetze2103]

@@DutchLabrat You could debate quantum physics with me and get as much useful information as you get with a cat 😂.

[@aleph8888]

No-one can veto the ECJ, which is a court that bans its judges from writing dissents. Am I wrong?

[@ilokivi]

Misrepresentation by the BBC of the EU's institutions and their roles does harm to the cause of reconnecting the UK to reality and the facts. Christian Fraser needs to go back, do his research properly and correct his report.

[@deviousdescent9010]

These rudiments of how the eu works should be the very least of the understanding of the electorate before it was given the referendum vote. I'm far from convinced that it had. 🇬🇧 🇪🇺

[@MENSA.lady2]

No surprise. The BBC is frequently wrong, not just about the EU.

[@tomwalsh2244]

LOL…National broadcaster with a Bruxelles correspondent can’t get facts right and they wonder how Brexit happened! You couldn’t write this. LOL.

[@tappers50]

Question is was this a mistake or a deliberate attempt to mislead people. The latter seems most likely.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

There do seem to be some .... "differently motivated" people in key positions at the Beeb.

[@JonDanzig]

My comprehensive article on why the EU is more democratic than the UK. democracy.eu-rope.com

[@vullings1968]

​@@paullarne Is it? She can be sent away at a moments notice by the EP. Furthermore she can't legislate anything. As shown in this video btw. And then members still have a right to veto on important matters. Furthermore the president of the EC still has 26 other members, from 26 different countries to deal with. In UK you have FPTP, where a large portion of the votes isn't even represented in Parliament. Which more than often results in a one party rule, which has near absolute power. It has a PM that can hire or dismiss ministers at will, who don't even have to be elected. He/she can also grant seats in the HoL at will. The PM himself doesn't even have to be elected as such, as UK now has its 3rd PM since last elections. With all 3 having different policies.

[@danganbeg7225]

​@@paullarneDelusional nonsense. Typical british ignorance

[@leondincesoar4947]

@@paullarne thoughts from a pure brexiter. You've never tried to understand anything about the elections to the European institutions!and Ms Von der Leyen's power is far from absolute.

[@The_Scienceboy]

Just continuing the same cack they did in the referendum

[@borypilgrim533]

Disgraceful reporting

[@alansdorsetfossils4028]

I hope this ill informed journalist retracts this misunderstanding publically. Knowing the tory infiltrated BBC I doubt it.

[@Rosbif06600]

That's a Brixiters / Daily Mail view of the EU.

[@edwardmitchell9048]

An excellent guide from the European Parliament is: "The European Parliament: The Citizen's Voice in the EU" (2017). We see on the BBC more and more of this sort of thing: newsreaders commenting on subjects better left to experts (about whom Mr Gove was incorrect). Channels such as ITV and Sky are generally more accurate in their reporting.

[@23merlino]

please do update us on the bbc reply if and when you actually get one...

[@JonDanzig]

I will for sure.

[@TheMichael949]

Thank goodness someone is putting the truth out there. It’s a shame it came too late

[@JonDanzig]

Well, I have been campaigning and making videos about Brexit since the word was invented in 2012. But I am only a small voice in all this.

[@user-km6nm5uw3b]

As I said before, uk press and poor journalism after 40 years you got uk out of it

[@Mar-enfrance]

Everything and anything to blame the EU and to avoid admitting Brexit was their own choice, cheered on at times by the BBC.

[@jackmellor5536]

Time to abolish the TV licence

[@JonDanzig]

An excellent article by Paul Taylor, a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre. ‘After a disastrous decade in which they blew up Britain’s relationship with the rest of Europe, shrank trade and made life miserable for cross-Channel travellers, the Tories can’t leave office soon enough for most continental Europeans.’ www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/article/2024/jun/18/europe-message-tories-labour-conservatives

[@iainb1577]

Trust in the BBC for me has fallen so far that I don't even believe David Attenborough anymore. Even his programmes are compromised.

[@ipohtennischannel5482]

What a load of bollocks! 😅😅😅

[@Nicho2020]

Looks to me that the BBC is transitioning to support a Labour government. We pay for objective and accurate information from the BBC - but where is it?

[@zotter2542]

Great explanation

[@mickyg6981]

Rejoin ASAP

[@JonDanzig]

For the avoidance of doubt, I welcome divergent views and cherish good debate. But those who come to my KZbin channel (yes, it is my KZbin channel) to post personal or rude attacks, against me or other contributors, or who want to use my channel to post misinformation, will be blocked if I see those comments (unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to read all the comments here, as there are thousands of them, but I do read some of them). I cannot offer a platform to those who don’t know how to debate respectfully, or who want to bombard my Channel with statements purporting to be factual that are patently untrue (i.e. that the EU accounts are never signed off, or that the EU is corrupt or undemocratic, etc). Those posting defamatory allegations that I am lying, without providing any specific and justifiable foundation, will also be removed. (Conversely, if anyone points out a verifiable inaccuracy in my reports, they will be thanked and I will make a correction, but just to make a blanket accusation against me that I am lying is not acceptable and could be actionable.) Further, anyone who comes to my Channel telling me that I must stop what I am doing, move on, give up, etc, will be blocked. Some say that’s undemocratic. But whilst I 100% support democratic governance, I am not a democracy. Nobody voted for me to do what I do, and nobody can tell me to stop. That’s up to me.

[@ab-ym3bf]

"I am awaiting their reply." Don´t stop shaving while you wait. You will not be recognizable in a few weeks. You should know better than to ask question that go above their pay grade.

[@JonDanzig]

Of course I know they are unlikely to reply. That's the point.

[@ab-ym3bf]

@@JonDanzig it was a sneer at them, not at you, you seem to have missed that point.

[@JN-om6rw]

Very good explanation

[@JonDanzig]

Richard Corbett - who appeared on my video - produced an amazing website listing and debunking all the Brexit lies. It deserves a much wider audience. zhacwvgb.elementor.cloud/category/mythbusters/

[@terrywilliams8864]

Easy peasy!

[@pennypothoneypot634mimmahappun]

My intelligence first time using Social Media to say the opposite what I meant, was not for taking advantage to dominate. It was to protect myself from bullies. Since my only domination is to give to bad cats everything to be exposed as liars & dogs nothing to be humbled. MIMA

[@keithdonnelly8636]

Why use this guy? Before Brexit the BBC used to go to Katya Adler then BBC EU correspondent and highly regarded she was

[@JHatLpool]

That Christian Fraser is dreadful.

[@davidmcculloch8490]

And we wonder why we left, with such quality journalism. Lol

[@lawrencebishton9071]

be holden you say

[@kevinpendred2127]

BBC FOX .

[@sorenm.lairdsorries7547]

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

[@craigevans6156]

How can the BBC put out such disinformation?

[@ulfosterberg9116]

BBC is long gone. There is still some journalists that hold high standards but it is still like after a revolution the old ones are phased out.

[@spursgog835]

No shock here, this is the BBC after all.

[@user-ng2md3gg4z]

As politics is basically about power over others I would prefer that power to be more local than Brussels and Strasbourg. That is why I voted for Brexit and have not changed my mind. That is why power in the British Isles has devolved to Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff over the last 120 years. Whilst I respect many of the mainland European politicians, I still prefer them not to have power over me.

[@joecandy6490]

So basically what you are saying is you haven’t understood a single word said in this video.

[@plerpplerp5599]

🤦

[@Nice0n3]

In other words: You think Scotland/Northern Ireland/Wales should have the power to pass their own laws instead of being beholden to Westminster? Thanks for the clarification.

[@danganbeg7225]

Ireland was occupied by an aggressive neighbour and eventually kicked them out, nothing to do with "devolution "