Billett: ‘Why does Jim Marshall so consistently shoot himself in the foot?’

Why does Jim Marshall so consistently shoot himself in the foot? His often provocative, thought provoking and well worth reading observations on the media scene have to be ruined by his insistence on inserting unwise and ill-informed social comment on the standing of those with whose views he disagrees.

On this occasion he lam-basts the House of Lords report on broadcasting just because it stems – in his words – from “Unelected toffs”. He cannot leave aside his bitter prejudices and recognise that the House of Lords team includes Lords Bragg, Gordon & McDonald, who between them have more intimate and proven track record on the inside of commercial TV operations than the sum of such experience in the aggregate of the House of Commons plus media agencies and Ofcom put together.

Perhaps Jim could listen more to open debate and leave his writing to one side from time to time

Thanks John, you are right to point out my blatant prejudices. In fact I thought I might get a hard time because of some the opinions expressed in the piece, but I was actually more concerned about my rampant blasphemy as opposed to my (mildly) left wing views on the ‘second chamber’.