'The BBC is under threat' | Private Eye editor Ian Hislop interview

Ian Hislop is the editor of Private Eye and team captain on Have I Got News For You?
He will be discussing the Private Eye Annual 2020 at Cheltenham Literature Festival on Sunday 11th October: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/l...
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[@notbloodylikely4817]

A lot of people know Ian Hislop is the editor of Private Eye, but did you know the magazine started as an irreverent and rebellious school rag mag (Shrewsbury school) and when it first became a proper magazine it was owned by comedy legend Peter Cook. What we take for granted as part of British life was born from a few students giving a finger to the establishment and owes its longevity to one of this country's comedy heroes. And they say Britain has no culture. A blessing that none of the corrupt b*stards Private Eye exposed were ever successful in shutting it down. Kudos to Ian too for keeping it going during Covid. Ian himself is, IMO, a British institution. Only in the last couple of weeks he took MPs to task over lobbying. Don't take these things for granted fellow Brits. They could so easily not exist but for the efforts of a few extraordinary people. I guess what I'm saying is get your subscription to PE and support one of the truly brilliant things to come out of this country in the last century.

[@Grogster2007]

IMPARTIAL ????? Is Hislop on drugs?????

[@simpletruths5322]

He's high from having his nose in the BBC trough for far too long and isn't in touch with the common man!

[@stephenwilliams1269]

Complan.

[@simpletruths5322]

@Ursus Maritimus 😂

[@duncanrobinson3200]

@@simpletruths5322 He is a middle class liberal 'woke' university educated pratt and out of touch with the majority of working class people in Britain as are the BBC management these days! Most of the BBC's audience are working class white British people who voted for Brexit (including myself) who are ignored and despised by the BBC.

[@Karen1963Yorks]

@Ursus Maritimus HIGNFY used to be amazingly good. Now the guests are lefty rubbish and Hislop is a ranting old Champaign Socialist while Paul Merton looks bored and embarrassed to be there. Paul Merton shines more on Just a Minuit.

[@monty1864]

What he means is my wages are under threat

[@magna4100]

Well said.

[@nichloasrich5293]

No they don't talk radio dose lb c. Is woke and pc.

[@roblyons6232]

Student want to work for the BBC because of the public money they dish out to the likes of him it's riddled with lefties top to bottom defund them massive salaries for drivel don't pay their licence

[@fuckfannyfiddlefart]

@Paul Sebastian So the radical and extreme right and you think this is representative! Meanwhile the BBC has NOBODY from the left! I can't believe you still like Farage when he is selling out NHS to the Yanks, you really are F in TRAITOR!

[@satnitcboy]

I'm a Hislop fan - admittedly purely via HIGNFY. Unlike some of those below I think this is a good interview. Thanks from NY NY.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

I concur. Ian appears to me to be "the real deal". The *right* is befuddled that anyone can both tell the truth _and_ be funny.

[@linedriver1]

£ 2500 per show !!Hypocrite!!

[@chrisbeadle6287]

Ian’s Orwell lecture is very good 👍

[@stephenholmes1036]

I'm a Ian Hislop fan through Private eye.

[@mrbritishguyesq2846]

Private eye is well worth a subscription. That plus a news paper a day makes you feel informed. 👍

[@stepheng9607]

Very interesting and entertaining interview. The problem with current TV is that it does not show intelligent and lengthy programmes. So intelligent and curious people turn to KZbin. There we can watch lengthy interviews and lectures by academics given the time to explore their topics.

[@loafersheffield]

"So, what you're saying is..."

[@yakedup]

Very, very good point

[@neddystark3351]

End the BBC now,.. why should I pay nearly £200 a year for a channel I literally don't watch, that's fundamentally wrong.

[@ForTheLoveOfSuits]

Idiot.

[@neddystark3351]

@@seang2700 Thanks Sean, unfortunately these are the standard replies from rabid BBC/License Fee supporters, and I have had to just get used to it over the years. My argument has always been that the BBC can still be there for those that want it, but the UK government force those that don't watch it, to to still pay for it or suffer penalties or criminality, and I cannot see how that can be justified in 2020. However there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel and it does seem those days are reaching their end.

[@johnnywhite58]

@@neddystark3351 just curious ? You pro brexit also ?

[@barryjones8008]

@@johnnywhite58 Big jump?

[@neddystark3351]

@@johnnywhite58 no, pro EU and usually Labour voter (except for the last election where I voted Lib Dem). @colinridiculous you seem to have some kind of chip on shoulder, want some vinegar with that or are you sour enough already?

[@LunaTdC]

Massive fan of Ian and Paul! ❤️

[@BassistPaul]

I used to love HIGNFY, and memorably, went to a hilarious recording once. But then, in those distant days of the 90's, guests were booked on the basis of their talent and wit, rather than craven compliance to box-ticking requirements.

[@bycromwellshelmet2369]

I recognized a change was coming when they booked Robert Kilroy Silk all those years ago after he made the "we owe the Arabs nothing" comment and spent the entire time (Hislop, Merton, Deayton - that's at least 6 faces so far), baiting him in the most contemptible way.

[@charlottewilloughby6839]

Well done to PoliticsJoe for more engaging content. Great to see Ian Hislop via a different channel.

[@lordrockingham7803]

The BBC kept hitting the dog, no suprise it finally turned and sunk it's teeth in. Bye bye BBC.

[@tb-cg6vd]

Move to the States and watch their TV then. Bye bye.

[@lordrockingham7803]

@@tb-cg6vd what a bitter little Bolshevik you are.

[@lordrockingham7803]

@@tb-cg6vd why when I have 100 channels on Freeview to choose from|?

[@tb-cg6vd]

@@lordrockingham7803 Bitter? I'm not the one frothing at the mouth about the BBC. Look in the mirror for bitterness.

[@tb-cg6vd]

@@lordrockingham7803 But you're quite right, the UK has Americanised admirably over the last few decades, so get rid of the BBC and you can assimilate perfectly with them. You can be Lord of the 51st State if you beat Puerto Rico.

[@mpdirigent]

Ian Hislop is a national treasure! Thank you for posting this!

[@maxmullen6337]

The BRITISH Broadcasting Company is now part of the endeavour to remove the British people from the history of Britain. And now the “lets get rid of the British” are out to remove even Horatio Nelson from our list of heroes. Soon there will be nothing British left of this country. And the BBC can’t wait.

[@pjmoseley243]

This sounds like the BBC, am I right? I just read the " royal charter bbc" I dont think the bbc is an independent broadcaster and I dont think its unbiased. Am I right? The news, the presenters , Question Time where The Fox guy was set up, and last week they cut off the previous Question time presenter. The bbc are not the only ones itv is just as bad. Xfactor BGT political stuff.

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

ROFLMFAO - gammon intellect

[@maxmullen6337]

@Jewels Star. It all depends on what you consider to be “education”. Western civilisation is actually dying because our “clever” people are receiving the wrong kind of education. They read lots of books written by people who have read lots of books. It’s a kind of incest with similar results. And just because something is written in a book doesn’t mean it’s true. History shows all civilisations collapse eventually and it’s now clear ours will be no different. Some historians believe the Roman Empire failed because of lead poisoning when they began moving water through lead pipes. Lead is disastrous for the brain, that’s why lead was removed from petrol so rapidly in the sixties. The problem now is lack of diversity of thought. Practically everyone you see on television or in politics is university educated only. Lots of theory but little or no practical knowledge. They are exactly the sort people who will destroy and are destroying, our civilisation. How often are we told the only way to solve a problem caused by too many immigrants is to - wait for it - bring in more immigrants!! Insane. How often are those same people amazed that working class people vote Tory. They don’t know that ordinary people are likely to be living next door to a family of six where no one works, the children are causing trouble in the street and the parents are often drunk and disorderly. Those decent people know that easy access to benefits doesn’t always solve the problem. I could go on. To be brief. Most people you see on tv or hear on the radio are actually mentally defective.

[@maxmullen6337]

@Jewels Star. As usual with you lot, no rational reply. I learnt not from university, but from working in industry with normal people facing real problems. We had to get things right or we went bust. That’s the difference. Few of our “leaders” and probably none of our broadcast media people have any knowledge of anything real. They so stupid and ignorant they don’t even know they are stupid and ignorant. And that’s saying something. In fact they are really mentally defective. Like that Jon Snow of Channel Four News. He thought he was being - oh so clever = when he remarked that he hadn’t seen so many white people at a Brexit rally. Subtle eh? What that cretin didn’t understand was there are seldom any non-white people at anything fundamentally British and he was drawing attention to that sad fact. If you don’t believe me (not that reality has any meaning for the likes of you) watch a video of Trooping the Colour. A great spectacle watched by many thousands cheering the Queen and the Red Arrows. Not one face in 5000 is black or Asian. Yet there are a couple of million such people living almost within walking distance of the event. But you won’t have noticed that either. Though I admit the BBC try to hide the truth of the situation. They employ BAME people as interviewers and if there is one black or Asian anywhere to be seen, they will focus in. Britain ceased to be a democracy a long time ago and free speech which dates from the 1690s (did educated you know that?) has gone for ever.

[@maxmullen6337]

@Jewels Star. Thanks. You confirm everything I said, You know nothing. You think you are wonderful because you have a few childish ideas and believe no one has thought of them before. You are completely out of your depth so you resort to anger.

[@scottgordon1781]

Brilliant , so glad I caught this . Once I picked up a PE in WHS back in the late 60s , was hooked :-) At one stage were available in South Africa too . So nice going back in time , to when there were only 2 channels . Am also thrilled at the return of Spitting Image . Just watched an HIGNFY episode from around 1994 , election time in South Africa , not another African dictatorship , just wallowing in corruption ! Hislop and Merton , they are just a classic . As Ian says , most of what the BBC does is world class ! And can still call upon Mr Attenborough :-) Keep up the good work Messers Hislop and Merton , long live the 'Eye' :-)

[@jeffsparey9585]

He is in a dreamworld if he believes the biased broadcasting company is impartial, unbelievable well not really

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Impartiality doesn't exist, but it strives to be impartial far more than any other news source.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Cockoff Gewgle - The BBC has editors who will not let a programme fly unless it has a BAME or LGBT angle. That is not impartiality, that is systemic bias.

[@jeffsparey9585]

@James Donnelly 👍👍👍👍

[@Karen1963Yorks]

He is in a dream world. He turns up now and then, sits on a panel show, contributes next to nothing and the BBC throw millions at him. He has lived that for about 40 years and thinks it is real life.

[@jeffsparey9585]

@@Karen1963Yorks he is also a former public school boy who went to school with the top BBC people and polititions

[@Prod-23]

This guy, Ian, is a national treasure. Fantastic human.

[@johnking5174]

Ian Hislop is technically correct saying he never works for the BBC. For his role on HIGNFY he is paid by Hat Trick Productions for his weekly appearance. The BBC pay Hat Trick a budget for salaries etc, and in turn they pay Hislop, Merton and the guest host.

[@johnking5174]

@@seang2700 No Sean, Ian pays tax on his income.

[@anth5122]

The end is nigh for the BBC, there audience is literally dying off

[@maxmullen6337]

Ant H. It’s either the BBC or Britain. The two are now incompatible.

[@ian9outof10]

The sort of audience that knows the difference between their and there? Or even the sort of person that understands that companies are singular, and therefore "its audience is literally dying off" is the correct grammar?

[@maxmullen6337]

ian9outof10. The staff at the BBC certainly know their grammar. Unfortunately that’s just about all they know, just like all the other media people and the civil service. That’s why the Britain of history will be gone in thirty years. Or less.

[@maxmullen6337]

@Jewels Star. If you think that Britain controlled by Islam is Britain, or a Britain where its history is condemned is Britain, or where people who resist invasion are condemned as white supremacists are British then Britain will continue. But many when doubt the rationality of the argument.

[@jaquesravalec242]

@Ali Alkuwari Take it from the Guardian instead. Such an improvement.

[@chico1223]

I don’t even leave the tv on the bbc when it’s on standby.

[@jackgenre11]

Same here just a such of snidey over prvalledge ideots on it getting high on their own farts. I can't even stand reading the private eye now just can't stand this guy.

[@benwilson6145]

@@jackgenre11 then why did you watch this?

[@jackgenre11]

@@benwilson6145 If you only watch the political sources and commentators you like then you are being in an echo chamber. You have to watch as many different sources and commentators as possible. So this means watching people you do not respect.

[@benwilson6145]

@@jackgenre11 Trolling does not count as learning

[@jackgenre11]

@@benwilson6145 Criticism is not really trolling.

[@peteredwards338]

Used to be a Hislop fan,not now ,haven't watched HIGNRY for five years or bought Private Eye for ten .

[@petergrossett9236]

Same.

[@BigHenFor]

Big mistake. You're missing all the juicy stuff about the corruption going on. No other publication is doing this in such detail.

[@peteredwards338]

@@BigHenFor When has corruption not gone on 😀 ?

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

I’m in the same boat. He is a remoaner and has gone fanatical on HIGNFY and in Private Eye.

[@fredfred7222]

@@alphabetaxenonzzzcat Fanatical? What are you smoking. Most people with more than a few brain cells were remoaners, Iain clearly has some.

[@hutrowsuc]

And now a party political broadcast on behalf of the BBC party. This programme will also be shown on Channel 4.

[@readmylisp]

The BBC has been under threat for quite a long time ......It's the self-entitled rot within.

[@roncollins3078]

Philip McDonald They have become the "Enemy Within"...

[@jonhelmer8591]

The BBC sacked Danny Baker. At that moment they lost my support; end of story.

[@jedtattum9996]

the bbc sacked danny baker because he was talking like a twat.

[@jaquesravalec242]

@@jedtattum9996 No problem for Frankie Boyle or his guests.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

The BBC turned Frankie Boyle from a yob into a twat. Quite an achievement. Shame he’s no longer remotely funny... there’s progress for you.

[@lesscott2041]

with you on that. DB one of the greatest ever radio broadcasters

[@timokaaarp7779]

The BBC must be relevant in the 21st century, packing it with old white men trotting out tired opinions formed in the 1970's has been killing the beeb for years.

[@Jack-fs2im]

Three BBC directors were Labour Donors.Sean Milne son of Alister Milne is Corbyns advisor.Ex labour cabinet minister Purnell is head of BBC radio.The BBC is the Guardians biggest customer It just goes on and on

[@AlexAlex-vn2dz]

Why do they always say the bbc is uncommercial? They charge me £157.50 per year with or without me wanting it basically. That is not uncommercial, they exist from individuals private funding.

[@johntowers1213]

I'd be interested in knowing what Ian considers are right leaning shows on the BBC ? ....

[@ian9outof10]

Well the Corbyn crowd will happily explain the BBC's right wing bias to you. And the brexiteers will have their own opinion. Meanwhile Tory voters have plenty to say about why it's "leftist".

[@hitchikerspie]

Andrew O’Neil’s various shows for the longest time, Kuenssberg is a mouthpiece for the conservative whips, the BBC ebbs and flows at various stages, in where it leans, but to lose it would be an absolute tragedy

[@johnhooper7040]

John Towers: Thank goodness there aren't any right leaning shows on the BBC! There is more than enough right-wing propaganda from the far-right gutter press and on youtube

[@paulfestoon8019]

@@hitchikerspie I agree. I don't think the BBC'S critics, who are desperate to see it defunded/abolished, have any real concept of its importance toto British Culture and the soft power it provides for the UK in the world. To get rid of the BBC would be the end of a force for good in the world.

[@johntowers1213]

​@@paulfestoon8019 Its a concept that's seen its day you basically demanding the public financially supports a state owned horse and buggy service...under pain of imprisonment....there's nothing the BBC offers today that isn't being done better outside of its walls... the world has moved on...the idea soft power is being projected by the BBC is a longing for the past that has long since faded into obscurity..... Think I'm wrong ? go ask any one under the age of 40 how much time they spend consuming content produced by the corporation...

[@pigknickers2975]

Hislop: "My gravy train is running out of juice"

[@bjorntoulouse7523]

I’m amazed it’s still going, no, not HIGNFY, the BBC itself. Come on Boris, scrap it.

[@crazyfreakyawsomekid]

As a counter to most of the other comments, and as an Australian, the BBC is looked up to down here. The quality of reporting and range of issues covered is great, and the services they do for music/drama/arts are felt throughout the world. So frustrating having our government defunding the ABC but even with expanded funding it could never do what the BBC does, even if it's in crisis.

[@johntowers1213]

how would you feel if your government said if you want to own a TV you'll have to pay a compulsory fee...or we put you in prison ? sound reasonable ?

[@michaelanstis5668]

As an Australian that's not my impression

[@babaganoush6106]

We look down on it up here…lol sorry couldn’t resist

[@Prod-23]

@@johntowers1213 YOu only need a license for live TV. Watching on catch up doesn't need a license. I haven't watched live TV in years so I just complete a no license needed declaration every 2 years.

[@anorian7992]

Ian Hislop is a rare bird, intelligent, fearless, and not full of himself.

[@COIcultist]

Not full of himself? Hardly the best of Private Eye editors. Being it was an adult after 21.00hrs programme why did him and Merton sell Angus Deayton down the river for a bit of coke snorting and Ugandan Relations. Supercilious twunt of the first order.

[@carolcarr7867]

It's Ian hislop whose also under threat. Ridiculing SRA,? Effectively protecting the elite.

[@rocketman48]

great interview,well done to you both,Bill

[@timelwell7002]

'The BBC is a national treasure second only to the NHS.' Absolutely true. Sadly, however, both of these institutions are now under considerable threat.

[@norman7527]

Tim with respect. I agree that the NHS is to be treasured but I'm worried powerful forces at play. As for the BBC it's become a national disgrace, but I guess their in good company, not there to inform but to misinform

[@timelwell7002]

@@norman7527 Both editors and journalists from BBC News have been cowed (in the words of Peter Oborne) or 'nobbled' (my words). To a degree Newsnight (BBC 2) has had some more editorial freedom, but in effect, the BBC have been rendered more or less useless in terms of holding the government to account. The Director General is a staunch Tory and supporter of Brexit. The Chairman is a Tory and a supporter of Brexit. And even more worryingly, there is pressure to make Paul Dacre (former editor of the Daily Mail and staunch Tory supporter) to head up the watchdog for standards in public broadcasting. Other than that part of the BBC which deals with drama and music, which remains pretty good, I fear the BBC is no longer fit for purpose.

[@digbycrankshaft7572]

BBC is a right wing institution posing as a slightly doddery, well meaning entity. That becomes obvious after a brief examination of its history.

[@timelwell7002]

The BBC is no longer a reliable source of news, sadly. The situation could be redeemed by replacing the current Director General, Chariman and other key figures - who are currently active members/supporters of this Tory government. There are still able journalists and commentators who are currently prevented from doing their jobs by senior management. If you treat the BBC as a great source of music and drama, then that's fine. But don't rely on the BBC for unbiased reportage of UK politics.

[@BrassToff]

Sorry, Ian, you're living in the past. We all remember a time when Auntie Beeb was the pride of Britain. Sadly, she started to undergo a personality change some years ago and we don't recognise her any more. HIGNFY was one of the best but, like so much of the BBC now, became one-dimensional and predictable.

[@duncanrobinson3200]

They have gone too much down the 'diversity', 'woke', liberal metropolitan elite road; the BBC can hardly be described as impartial or balanced anymore. If the licence fee is scrapped, it is entirely their own fault - they have been the architects of their own downfall - much of Britain is not like an inner city with it's multi racial makeup; they seem entirely obsessed by BLM and diversity/multiculturalism/LGBT rights it has just become as you say so predicatble and one dimensional; irritating and tiresome to the silent majority; anyone who doesn't follow the ' BBC woke mantra' is immediately called some kind of a racist lunatic in this cancel culture we now have - which is plainly not true - most people are not 'racists' the so much overused word that now means nothing just want balanced level headed coverage and views from a public service broadcaster.

[@newsles2]

@@duncanrobinson3200 Enjoyed your alt-right talking-point word stream there. Not an original thought. Just parroted nonsense.

[@kbutterworth7225]

HiGNFY used to be genuine satire. It became pathetically toothless.

[@duncanrobinson3200]

@@newsles2 I bet you are in your twenties and got brainwashed at university by do-gooders.

[@richardchorley9759]

@@newsles2 spot on and it is very tragic to witness these cliches regurgitated endlessly....This by people who do not even realise themselves as to what turgid, rancid propaganda they have swallowed utterly and willingly via the online drip fed food chain....They actually now believe they conceived all these absolutely rusted cliches themselves, that is how absurd all this has become.

[@limeyfox]

Good old Ian Hislop, he could play his own Spitting Image puppet 😂

[@CoherentChimp]

Yeah, but the puppet is funnier.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

Do you mind if I use this as an example of clever-by-half?

[@Tj930]

BBC should be funded by people who want it. If - even now - you can't see the problems with the Beeb... further explanation isn't going to help

[@Tommo77ful]

Imagine having to pay for Netflix if you didn't want to watch it

[@nicksimmons7234]

@Tj930 Wow you must be really anti British

[@Tj930]

@@nicksimmons7234 Ad-hominem? No, I am not anti-British. Very obviously the reverse. But let me cite a little example to show you, Nick, just how stupid that assertion you have just made is: The BNP is widely regarded as a dispicable bunch of racists. I guess it is reasonable then to assume that you, Nick, are not a fan? Oh, but hey, they have "British" in the title. Guess that means that you are Anti-British? D*ck head.

[@Retrostar619]

Agreed. I used to accept that BBC shows won't always appeal to me, a bit like knowing a bus will stop at lots of places you don't want to get off. But the little gems I stuck around for grew fewer and fewer, to the point where the value for money arguement no longer made sense. I haven't watched the BBC for 15 years, and I don't intend to start again anytime soon.

[@Tommo77ful]

@@nicksimmons7234 What's Anti-British about not liking the BBC? If you want an example of something being Anti-British, you could could start with the BBC's general coverage of Brexit ;)

[@derekspitz9225]

"Impartial state broadcaster"?! That's funny.

[@denishoulan1491]

I thought exactly the same.

[@tb-cg6vd]

@Roderick antifemnasty Oh yeah? when was the last time you put the UK's Home Secretary in her place? What major cultural moments have you lit up in the UK? I take it your busy putting the establishment to task on KZbin with your laser sharp wit and acerbic judgment. Wow.

[@martinnolan4800]

@Roderick antifemnasty So, you’re saying that Hislop is “the Establishment”. Would you prefer a corporation owned by some “non dom” billionaire, to the B.B.C? That’s the alternative!! The B.B.C. is a unique institution in the world. An actual British once-off. Anyone who shows up Priti Patel as a shallow self promoting idiot is alright with me.

[@martinnolan4800]

@FemboyGandhi What part of anything that I wrote was racist?? Actually, some of the policies that she pushes may be quite good. She is not, however, somehow exempt from criticism because of her “race”. That argument is itself “racist”.

[@derekspitz9225]

@FemboyGandhi You are clearly an utter spastic. Kindly take your tiresome bellendery elsewhere. Rheally!

[@nuttall47]

Governments used to be irritated by the BBC, but now It's the public.

[@jimmycakes7158]

Liberal governments were never bothered by it

[@CoherentChimp]

@@jimmycakes7158 Of course they weren't. The last Liberal government was before the BBC existed.

[@cloudymccloud00]

I lost interest in HIGHFY about 20 years ago, but I respect this guy -- and at least someone is standing up for British institutions.

[@calvingentles8205]

this man should be the pm lovely human been

[@harleyblue999]

TooBin or not TooBin to quote Shakespear,like so many at the BBC.

[@simpletruths5322]

The interviewer was fawning to Hislop, not a pretty sight!

[@tomkent4656]

He gets a good rake-off from HIGNFY, so he's not going to rock the boat, is he?

[@zapfanzapfan]

May Ian live forever!

[@lks6248]

Hislop has the kind of face I could never tire of switching off.

[@marktrickett5081]

You must be really bored then if you're here.

[@jmmypaddy]

Your existance saddens me as you came onto a video about him to comment your dislike of him. I am sure there are many videos on youtube you could click on to be happy. Instead of choosing to be happy you decided the option that upsets you. If you want to air why you dislike him on his views then at the very least you are doing something of worth.

[@johnleckieWATP]

No push back on Left-wing bias that's how ignorant these people are they think Stalin was a centrist, un-subbed.

[@johnleckieWATP]

@Praxis Alba They are all fake, centrists if not left-leaning, but all EU globalist fanatics.

[@2opler]

`Under threat`? Ought to be under six feet of cold damp earth.

[@englishguy215]

So Ian thinks the BBC is impartial. The last thing I watched from the BBC, and that was on KZbin, was a debate on whether the BBC should be de-funded. Four different people in the debate and they all worked for the BBC, a fine example of impartiality. The fact is nobody should be charged an additional tax for a "service" they do not watch. De-fund them and let them work on a subscription basis, surely if they are so good they will have people lining up to pay the subscription; but I won't hold my breath.

[@clearlake3492]

English Guy Firstly, nobody is 'charged for a service they do not want'. If you genuinely don't watch the BBC , there is no license fee (although call me an old cynic, but I suspect that a lot of non-payers are actually freeloaders). That aside, I feel the tide is running against the BBC and sooner or later, it will have to be a subscription service. So would I pay 157 quid a year if the service was exactly the same as it is now. Yes, I would, despite the fact about 90% of the BBC's output is of no interest to me. However, I would much rather the Beeb became an unashamedly elitist channel which only targeted the well-educated. Naturally, I put myself in that category! Therefore out would go all the populist crap like 'soaps', Strictly Come Dancing, Bargain Hunt, all game shows....the list is endless. All of these could easily find a new home on ITV or Channel 5. Sport could also go to Sky - which, let's face it, has already taken about 90% of the BBC's sports output. Which would leave the 'cream' eg. documentaries (BBC 4 is great), David Attenborough, in-depth political programmes, 24-hour news. In short, the sort of programmes that Sky Arts already provides. Would I pay a subscription if the 'new' and greatly slimmed-down BBC tried to offer a range of programmes aimed at all sectors? No, I wouldn't. I would simply mourn the passing of a great institution.

[@taxidude]

All through May's premiership and the Brexit negotiation debacle, the Question Time panel always had 4 remainers and one Brexiteer...... usually someone as unpleasant as possible from UKIP!

[@taxidude]

@@clearlake3492 You have no idea what you are talking about! You need a licence to watch live television regardless of whether or not you watch the BBC!

[@clearlake3492]

@@taxidude If what you say is true, then I am happy to stand corrected. My only excuse is that the issue of whether to pay my license or not has never arisen, as I feel that it offers excellent value.

[@johnhooper7040]

English Guy: I've just received my TV licence renewal. It states quite clearly that it is a licence to watch TV, not just the BBC. I presume some of the money collected goes to maintain the infrastructure that all the broadcasters use, like the transmission masts etc. I welcome the BBC becoming free of it's present funding method, I'll pay a subscription as I would never watch Sky or anything that benefits the disgusting Rupert Murdoch's companies.

[@tariqlear5172]

How would you write an impartial view of the top 30 or so comments ?

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Have I Got News For You, had it's day 10 years ago.

[@juanamigo]

Is there any reason it shouldn’t be under threat?

[@juanamigo]

@Jimmy Jams It sure seems biased for the way you describe it Jimmy. Do conservatives in the UK think of it how you do? Because if what you say is true...why wouldn’t they, right?

[@makara80]

​@Jimmy Jams Again, you neglect to mention the prospect of bringing the BBC into the 21st century by transitioning it to a far fairer _subscription service_ . No, apparently the only options on the table are preserve as is or ! Don’t be so disingenuous. You also seem to be only fearful of the Beeb pushing an “agenda” if it’s one you don’t personally agree with. How very revealing. ;)

[@Terry-xf5pt]

Brussels Broadcasting corp.Get rid of it,its junk

[@pjmoseley243]

This sounds like the BBC, am I right? I just read the " royal charter bbc" I dont think the bbc is an independent broadcaster and I dont think its unbiased. Am I right? The news, the presenters , Question Time where The Fox guy was set up, and last week they cut off the previous Question time presenter. The bbc are not the only ones itv is just as bad. Xfactor BGT political stuff.

[@Terry-xf5pt]

yes correct.The "Woke" channel.Nothing but left wing bias and repeats

[@presstodelete1165]

We are all sharing the current moment - despite being held isolated.

[@Simonet1309]

“The BBC is under threat”.. well, lets hope so.

[@sonnyxlbright5904]

Many believe that FOX NEWS should be brought in to replace the BBC. What do you think ?

[@pjmoseley243]

@@sonnyxlbright5904 it might be more honest than the BBC and not edit important news out. They are WOKE and to far left.

[@sonnyxlbright5904]

@@pjmoseley243 : Really, with the likes of Andrew Neil ( not sure if he's finally left the BBC), Laura Kuensberg and, who can forget Robbie Gibb, the head of live political programming from 2008 to 2017, when he left to join Theresa May's administration as her spin doctor. If you have insufficient information about these people, then Google is your friend. Have you forgotten how the BBC treated Jeremy Corbyn, from photo-shopping his face on the Kremlin to the anti-Semitic smears and the unabashed parochialism of those who interviewed him in the lead up to the last election ? Why is the so-called "right" consumed by a victim complex when this country has been anything but truly left wing in it's outlook ?

[@pjmoseley243]

@@sonnyxlbright5904 Andrew Neil top man. mean to everyone, dont let anyone get away with nothing! but he does treat everyone the same.

[@sonnyxlbright5904]

@@pjmoseley243 And the others, including Kuensberg and Gibb ?

[@anitahornbrook745]

Rather shocked by this interview. I thought Ian Hislop was articulate! So many ‘ums’ it is unwatchable

[@tentringer4065]

Bet Hislop and co are regretting their part in creating the eccentric buffoon personality which Johnson has carefully cultivated.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

It was that show HIGNFY that put Johnson in the public eye. Social engineering?

[@Bread_Media]

@@edwardmulholland7912 it helped. They let him host an episode once.

[@johntheoldmod]

Edit out the UMM & ERR and cut the video in umm err half

[@vatsmith8759]

If the BBC is so good it will have no trouble surviving in the marketplace without the compulsory TV tax. If Mr Hislop likes it let him pay for it. I can live without it.

[@chazsach6594]

I do live without it.

[@mohsinrao4334]

There is a very sizable contingent of people in the UK who, increasingly post-Brexit, take the idea of public broadcasting utterly for granted or rail at the BBC for not towing slavishly to populist mantras. Ask people in other countries who don't have robust public broadcasting and maybe you will appreciate it more.

[@adrianclarke6829]

If it is a "very sizable contingent" doesn't that indicate something amiss? Appreciating something (as many do the BBC, or at least the memory of what the BBC used to be) does not raise it above criticism. If we pay for it, we have a stake in it and many people want to see it re-calibrate itself and serve the general public as it used to rather than serving up the views and associated beliefs of a tiny slice of the population. I'm all for "robust public broadcasting" but that, increasingly, does not describe the BBC.

[@mohsinrao4334]

​@@adrianclarke6829 It does not so much "serve up the views and associated beliefs of a tiny slice of the population" as much as it makes a large amount of programming, a lot of it educational, that has to fully reflect the social, demographic and ideational makeup of modern Britain. Said educational broadcasting also involves, by necessity, people who are vilified these days as "experts". Well I am sorry, the private media, especially the tabloids, have to take society's worst fears and prejudices and reflect them back at the public to make a quid. It is the nature of the beast. The BBC does not have to pander to those impulses because it has no private proprietors. I also do not agree with your majoritarian logic of "BBC should reflect the mindset and views of the majority of the population". It is a media outlet, not a mirror. The BBC might not be on the populist side of the broader cultural war that seems to be raging, but to suggest that the BBC is liberal elite propaganda is to assume that arts, culture, entertainment and news it produces is somehow the antithesis of the rest of society.

[@horatioredgreenblue2130]

what the hell happened to Hislop? Used to be sharp and satirical.

[@fluxington]

I suspect Mr Hislop has been drinking the same water as Boris. His views have changed in a way I don't like and I really don't have time for him these days.

[@CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

he has made an extremely good living out of the BBC for thirty years from a programme that ceased being funny at least ten years ago. Of course he is going to defend the BBC.

[@trevorgiddings3053]

Well said.

[@poppypalais3108]

It's been garbage since labour were elected in 1997.

[@raypurchase801]

Private Eye used to be the anti-establishment mouthpiece. By accepting the BBC's payments, Mr. Hislop has himself become the establishment's mouthpiece.

[@lolwalters2936]

Those who constantly bemoan the BBC should be careful what they wish for.... yes it needs changes, but the change it needs urgently is to take it out of political control. It is a fine public broadcaster. We don't need an American model of PPV and totally partisan ultra right wing news!

[@0w784g]

It's truly bizarre to think that would be the outcome if you get rid of the BBC.

[@madeleineprice9645]

@@0w784g A very widespread view here 🇬🇧. The last thing we want is USA-type broadcasting where, if you're rich enough, you get to spread your of political beliefs over your very own broadcasting network. (We have our biased newspaper owners for that, thanks!) The BBC is like our constitutional monarchy: the Queen is our buffer between an over-arching parliament and the military. The Beeb stands between - oh I dunno - Fox News and the viewing public. It's unbiased, consummately professional and a worldwide standard of quality. Treasure your PBS, nobody's bought them as far as I know...

[@0w784g]

@@madeleineprice9645 Widespread and incorrect. All broadcast news in the UK regardless of medium is regulated by the same set of Ofcom rules. Take away the BBC, and those rules still apply. You may think the BBC has a worldwide standard of quality, such a claim may even be true, but that's as much to do with it being a tax-funded monopoly than anything else.

[@Tom_murray89]

Ian and Paul are great. So is HIGNFY

[@stephenwilliams1269]

Time to shut the funding. ILet them prove it is such a wonder product make it fund its self.

[@stucrossland3719]

An interview you will never see on the BBC,and that says it all. Bye bye BBC.

[@nickreeves3382]

These two guys can't see that the BBC is left wing .... Really!! We've had enough, honestly

[@langdontomkins001]

Have they changed the meaning of impartial?

[@sarahhhh775]

Surprisingly complacent, I thought. Expected something a little more mordant but all rather quaffingly agreeable bufferism, nothing to see here, twas ever thus, what-oh. Inside the tent and happy. Large ones all round. The conversation was a little too cosy for comfort. Sorry. 🤔

[@seanmoran6510]

Always question someone who doesn’t declare their real bias and what they really want. Hislop likes making backhanded comments while never showing his own hand ! I’d just revoke the laws on the license fee ! Let it survive or wither on the money people want to give it !

[@pjmoseley243]

This sounds like the BBC, am I right? I just read the " royal charter bbc" I dont think the bbc is an independent broadcaster and I dont think its unbiased. Am I right? The news, the presenters , Question Time where The Fox guy was set up, and last week they cut off the previous Question time presenter. The bbc are not the only ones itv is just as bad. Xfactor BGT political stuff.

[@DW-dd4iw]

The TV licence is completely outdated from when there was only 3 channels. It's like being forced (by imprisonment) to pay for, say, a Sky Sports subscription but you don't want to watch it!?!?!

[@raypurchase801]

I thought pandas were an endangered species. I've never seen so much pandering as Ian Hislop defending the BBC as an unbiased broadcaster.

[@cynthiastogden7000]

I don't understand him, I read him and Paul were for the chop. To be replaced by diversity type people.

[@lee1170]

Pressed play, scrolled the comments, decided to leave immediately after this rather than getting angry like the majority. :)

[@nikolaki]

I stopped watching broadcast TV many years ago including the BBC. If it wasnt for the missus watching the odd documentary on iPlayer and whodunnit itv show on her tablet I would cancel my TV licence. Can commenters here provide examples of the BBC's partiality? In the news I read about not singing at the proms cos of covid. But what else? Thx!

[@hannahjordan9833]

Do you hold other channels to the same standard of impartiality? And this is coming from someone who finds the majority of television inane and switched to chosen KZbin channels and streaming services a decade ago. What channels are too right-leaning in your opinion?

[@nikolaki]

@@hannahjordan9833 Like you I find most terrestrial telly inane and watch YT and streaming services.I am genuinely asking people here examples of BBC partiality. Another example that comes to mind (from remembering YT videos about it) was when deFeffel laid a wreath at the Cenotaph. He botched it up, laying it down back to front. The BBC used footage from the previous year that had him doing it correctly. The BBC did this to protect the prime minister. I am asking for specific instances.

[@Retrostar619]

​@@nikolaki Peter Hitchins has described how, when the BBC has him on a political discussion show, the moderator will usually ask: "Do you really believe that?" after he has finished stating his position, a response that is: a) making an assumption that the audience is feeling equally incredulous b) not probing his position properly, as they might do with another guest. I think this is a case where the BBC presenter doesn't believe they are being biased, but they certainly are.

[@sawyerhja]

HIGNFY used to be our top programme; I tried many times to get tickets, but in vain. Now? Because of the unnecessary unpleasantness that has been displayed in recent episodes, the programme is finished, just like the rest of the BBC that has lost the plot.

[@howardsend6589]

So true. Always used to look out for HIGNFY back in the day. Gave up on it years back. Watched the latest episode to try it again yesterday and could only last 5 minutes. Hislop and Merton are just tired and generally not funny. The programme has simply gone to seed and should be dumped. Very much like the BBC.

[@howardsend6589]

@Phil Weatherley In the spirit of your ‘competition’, name me your favourite dictator first.

[@flemwad]

I hope the bbc continues to be under threat until it is finished

[@vladputin3664]

Good Lord he has a room dedicated to himself

[@annoyingbstard9407]

Surprisingly, Hislop seems to be defending the organisation that provides him with a living otherwise only possible in his imagination. Shome mishtake shurely?

[@charlieperales6629]

Got to the tenth erm and couldn’t stand to watch anymore.

[@ianparker4186]

Quoting Anthony Burgess, now there's a surprise

[@simonineaston]

It's all the rage to diss the BBC - with some reason - but boy will you guys miss it when it's been taken away from you?! When the shit hits the fan and the penny drops that nobody tells the truth anymore and you realise there's nowhere to turn to, you'll see the value in what there was and regret the day you flushed it all down the pan. And that's a promise.

[@smartychase]

There are millions of people me included who have not watched the BBC for several years now and have not missed it an iota why the hell would others who understand the damage it is contributing to our country miss it when it's gone the only people who will miss it are those who even now think it is a force for good which it is not it, and just to add is anyone asking for it to be done away with or just that it funds itself as do most other media organisations thus allowing them to do as they fancy not obligating us to fund it or risk criminal sanctions how anyone can think that's an appropriate way to fund an organisation that leaves huge sections of our society feeling it does not represent them but must none the less cough up is beyond crazy would it be reasonable for Facebook KZbin or Twitter to charge an entire nation a subscription fee weather people wanted their services or not most people would scoff at any media outlet that proposed that modal today because it's crazy

[@horatio655]

“The truth” if you honestly believe the BBC speaks “the truth” you’re beyond saving. The BBC has become nothing more than the megaphone to distribute Marxian and anti-British rhetoric on behalf of its glorious leaders who wish to squeeze their ideology into the British population.

[@brianmusson1827]

If the BBC was so bloody good then they should be confident of being a subscription channel or commercial channel . I object being made to pay for something that I don’t watch or agree with. The BBC’s time is up and the sooner it is defunded the better.

[@MrSatnavatron]

THERE HAS BEEN NO DECENT SATIRE FOR YEARS

[@inger9727]

Just needed to read a few comments instead of watching.

[@bencpope]

From an Australian perspective, the BBC is impartial.... it appears, though that the overwhelmingly conservative or basically ukip-ish commentators here just don’t like that there’s so very, very, much wrong with Tory/farage... keep in mind that the bbc also criticised labor when in power.

[@krpkrp3033]

Ian and his ilk like the BBC, as it pays very well for them. They want the gravy train to carry on, otherwise they will have to make big cut backs in their life’s.

[@user-jr9wy6tl5k]

Yeah - they'd never make any money from other broadcasters......

[@Nosmo90]

14:27: I think we should refer to them as 'Remainers'; just to annoy them.

[@Jack-fs2im]

Billy Bragg.Joe Brand,Russell Brand.Benjamin Zepheniah,Will Self,Polly Toynbee,Eddie Izzard.Sandy Toksvig.Gary Lineker,Andrew Marr,Owen Jones......IMPARTIAL BBC?

[@johnhooper7040]

Jack: And what is your problem with the people you've listed? They are all either, funny, clever or sensible people. Who do you suggest instead of them? More lies from the likes of Farage?

[@Jack-fs2im]

John Hooper there are people just as funny on the other side like Norcott but they are excluded and I don,t think they are funny with one joke.Also I understand they set up companies and their pay is hidden.If the BBC was an airplane it would go around in circles because it only has one wing hahahahahaha( loud burst of canned laughter)

[@Jack-fs2im]

John Hooper Sorry I missed out Owen Jones and Andrew Marr and Newsnight phew the tv kicence is a political donation to the far left

[@Jack-fs2im]

@@johnhooper7040 Farage has never told lies and won alone from nothing and is like Nelson Mandele and is the father of a new nation.suck it up loser

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@johnhooper7040 THEY'RE ALL DIE HARD MARXISTS

[@jacksfan122]

'The BBC is under threat' - sounds promising, I'll put the champagne on ice for when it's gone completely.

[@benkent865]

You want to end a national institution?

[@JamesNardell]

@@benkent865 Most of the country do.

[@garethfitzpatrick3932]

What utopia do you forsee that bringing?

[@Cartoonman154]

@@benkent865 A lot of national institutions have gone over the years e.g. British Rail.

[@Andy-kj5et]

I can remember then Have I got news was funny

[@chazsach6594]

You must have a good memory.

[@sbwords]

Last two minutes it started to get interesting and they cut off. Shame.

[@Scotlanz]

I watched last Friday's episode of HIGNFY and it really was just three blokes making extremely weak jokes and two women giggling hysterically at them.

[@philippepalmer2968]

HIGNFY is not there to create news but to reflect and give a comedic sometimes satirical slant to the news that week but sometimes news will be dull and uneventful.There's a famous WW2 correspondent called Chester Wilmot one of the principal reporters for D-Day & right through most of the actions during the liberation of Europe & up to when the German high command surrendered.Today,he wrote has been a quiet day,in fact dull & very little to report.9th May 1945

[@elemar5]

@@philippepalmer2968 No-one is anywhere to create news. News is stuff that actually happens on it's own and should be reported not concocted.

[@FergusWalsh-dz7mq]

You took your eye off the BBC Ian ,as long as you were doing HIGNFY. Now you can put Jimmy Saville on your Christmas edition's cover.Bit late but there is your joke straight away,or maybe Straight Upstairs at Great Portland Street.We will see a new fearless voice for fairness in the UK media.OK Your probably finding it hard to keep Boris off the front but give it a go,try,effort,last gasp,swing for the fences.

[@theloneranger2101]

Ian is not going to slag off the BBC, because he gets £30,000 an episode for Have I Got News For You! So over 30 years its not been a bad little earner for him, hasn't it people!!!! DE - FUND THE BBC NOW!

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

I heard it was 20k, according to Johnny Mercer from that infamous episode but yeh the point still stands.

[@theloneranger2101]

@@user-br3bw7wr2l yes I watched that episode, but didn't he say that panelists like he received 20k but he assumed that the 2 main Captains Ian & Paul must be getting 30k an episode. Even daytime TV guests get 30k for a 10-15 minute appearance and they are only Joe Public!

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

@@theloneranger2101 I had no idea panellists got that kind of fee ! 😲

[@DavidPirouet]

TV licence should be scrapped, they make enough money commercially for adequate biased station, BBC.

[@AchtungEnglander]

short but sweet

[@25dimensionsfrancis42]

THE PROMS ? The B.B.C. almost destroyed it a couple of weeks ago with P.C. overkill. Wake up Ian.

[@iaindunbar1578]

So you think the audience should have sung Land of Hope and Glory?? There was NO audience to sing it you dumb whinger

[@iancollins4320]

If the public was told the truth, by the BBC, I wonder what would happen,

[@Simonet1309]

Dont worry, it never will.

[@horatiobumbleton-smythe9427]

"the prime miister has been caught out lying most of his life" If only Ian knew what we know now. He was still lying when this interview went out.

[@photosphotos]

What’s MSN mean?

[@photosphotos]

@Tim H i see I must have misheard. It’s mainstream media he meant but used abbreviation for that.

[@photosphotos]

@Tim H maybe Ian misspoke?