Bishop Hill The Report
Dec 2, 2009 BBC Climate: CRU Climate: HSI So my encounter with the BBC is over and they're off to St Andrews for their next interview. There was only one hiccup: I got a nasty shock when the interviewer, Simon Cox, said they wanted to interview me in front of my PC - the office looks like a bomb hit it. I would try to convince you that this is not normal, but that would be a gratuitous lie. Simon and Wesley, the researcher, were very nice though and didn't bat an eyelid.
L-R: Wesley (researcher), Simon, Bishop
The whole thing was very relaxed and I surprised myself by not being particularly nervous. Simon has a rather laconic manner, which suddenly disappears when he slips into super-interested-interviewer mode, and I was slightly taken aback the first time it happened, but after that I found myself waffling away quite happily. Simon clearly knew his stuff, having spent the whole weekend reading the emails - all of them he said - and he also covered the NAS hearings in 2006, so he had spoken to many of the key players before. He seems convinced that there is a story to tell. Interestingly he had also taken in my less-than-complimentary views on the BBC, but seemed completely unconcerned by them.
They're going to talk to McIntyre and Mann as well, so I think there's a fair range of views in there. They were quite interested in my visitor numbers and where people were coming from, so I think there may be a media angle to the story as well.
All in all, I enjoyed it. I just wish I could have tidied (and preferably redecorated) the office first.
Reader Comments (18)
Good lord, it looks fine. I will be interested to see what kind of angle they put on the story in the end, though. There's always an angle!
Have you any idea when this will be going out? Is it for a special report, or a news item?
It's certainly about time we saw something about this on the BBC - even the Daily Express brought it out as front page news today!
That's not a mess! Jeez, I'd love to have such a tidy office! ;o)
...looks up from the computer...glances around the room...wonders what you call THIS if THAT's 'untidy'...
Do keep us informed about the schedule.
Well played, Bishop, for getting the attention. But I fear you are correct on the "angle". I've worked in print and broadcast for years now and I think your untidy office, visitor numbers and the kind of people who come to the site will all play a part in brqanding you as a "conspircay theorist". I haven't seen a "fair and balanced" piece by the BBC on such a polemic issue in a long time.
I think you'll have to be prepare for a hit-piece. But I hope I'm mistaken!
Bish, be heartened! The BBC website is at least opening up to debate about 'climategate' in a thought-provoking article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8388485.stm
Mike Hulme and Jerome Ravetz (famous for the quote: "Wherever there's a system, there's a racket to beat it.") have been granted a momentous public platform to plead the case for reform of the scientific process. In a clear acknowledgement to the invaluable public service performed in the blogosphere ( most obviously Climate Audit and Wattsupwiththat) the very thoughtful and wordy piece knocks into a cocked hat all the usual drivel written by most 'environment correspondents' from the mainstream media.
At last there appears a chink of light to guide the public out of the murk created by the IPCC and vested political lobbyists. It's slightly gentile in that the gloves are not off to lambast the CRU but I would hope this will be the first of many articles turning the tide against the pro-alarmist propaganda.
I do not agree with John O'Sullivan that the BBC article is opening up debate about Climategate.
They are chunnering on about the politics as per usual.
They are NOT analysing the CONTENTS of the emails and the files.
Until they do we can speak of a cover up at the BBC
The "Moral Maze" on BBC radio4 tonight has just been trailed.
YET MORE chunnering about the morality surrounding of the issue of "Climate Change".
The BBC is resolutely refusing to look at the arithmetic of "global" temperature calculation
Aaargh!
Looking at the other two, you needn't have worried about getting that haircut.
Simon Cox and Richard Vadon (producer) did some excellent sceptical programmes on AGW in the days when such things were possible at the BBC. Myles Allen tried to savage Richard at RC over his absolutely accurate reporting of the notorious press release that Allen put out saying that temperatures would rise by 11c by the end of the century. It didn't quite go the way Myles wanted.
http://ccgi.newbery1.plus.com/blog/?p=81
Vadon's a nice guy and I hope that he's still involved.
I agree with the posters above - thats an extremely tidy office!
I look forward to hearing the interview - not to be missed.
"Chunnering" is my favorite "new" word.
As TonyN notes, Simon Cox has done some balanced work on climate change in the past. Also, I didn't say anything that could be misconstrued as conspiracy-mongering. We'll see in the fullness of time, but I don't have any particular concerns at the moment.
Looks very tidy to me. My wife would be overjoyed if mine looked like that.
I don't see the BBC changing. Here is part of the reply I got after complaining:
"I understand you're unhappy at the reporting of climate change is unbalanced. I also note you're unhappy as you feel that the story on hacked climate change e-mails has not received enough coverage. The BBC is committed to impartial and balanced coverage when it comes to this issue. There is broad scientific agreement on the issue of climate change and we reflect this accordingly; however, we do aim to ensure that we also offer time to the dissenting voices."
So the BBC is impartial and balanced but reflects one side of the argument more than the other???
It's business as usual at the "we are never wrong" BBC.
It'll all be in the cutting. Climate deniers always come out with argument X, cut to you stating argument X.
I gather there will be an interview with Michael Mann on 'The World Tonight' on R4 (Wed 2nd Dec).
I think this will go out on 10th December at 8pm on Radio 4. The show is called The Report. I'll post a notice nearer the time.
Hmmm... had an image of you looking more ascetic, dark and severe.
You should see my office!