Scotland has only 8.3% of the UK's population. 8.3%! Remember this important figure... 8.3% But we DO have... 32% of the land area. 61% of the sea area. 90% of the fresh water. 65% of the natural gas production. 96.5% of the crude oil production. 47% of the open cast coal production 81% of the untapped coal reserves 62% of the timber production 46% of the total forest area 92% of the hydro electric production 40% of the wind wave and solar energy production 60% of the fish landings 30% of the beef herd 20% of the sheep herd 9% of the dairy herd 10% of the pig herd 15% if the cereal holdings 20% of the potato holdings ...obviously 100% of the Scotch Whiskey industry. We have a... 17 billion pound construction industry 13 billion food and drink industry 10 billion business services industry 9.3 billion chemical services industry A 9.3 billion tourism industry 7 billion financial services industry 5 billion aeroservice industry 4.5 billion pound whiskey exports industry 3.1 billion pound life sciences industry Scotland still has 350 million pounds worth of textile exports We have 25% of Europes wave and wind energy potential. And finally we are blessed to have 1.5 trillion pound worth of oil and gas reserves. All of this, yet only 8.3% of The UK's population... Whaow Scotland should be rich! IGNORANCE... If you hear anyone saying "I DONT LIKE ALEX SALMOND" or "I DONT LIKE SNP"... THIS VOTE IS ABOUT SCOTLAND'S RIGHT TO ELECT ITS OWN GOVERNMENT... IT HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH ALEX SALMOND OR THE SNP. DONT LET POLITICAL IGNORANCE RUIN THIS OPPORTUNITY. Do you know... This is the UK's legacy of success in our history of being better-together is as follows... The UK has the 3rd lowest pensions in the 34 OECD countries of the world The UK has the single most expensive childcare in the European Union The UK has the second lowest-paid economy in the entire developed world The UK has the 3rd longest working hours in the EU The UK has the lowest number of holidays in the EU The UK has the 8th highest gender inequality pay gap out of the EU's 28 countries The UK has the highest likelihood of poverty in disablement in the EU The UK has the highest rail prices in Europe The UK has the second highest housing cost in Europe The UK has the highest fuel poverty rates in Europe. The UK is the 4th highest country of wealth inequality in the entire planet! But surely these awful figures cannot be possible when you read the following Scottish statistics... Now, finally, did you also know that in all of the UK's elections for Westminster ever!... Not one vote cast in SCOTLAND has ever mattered! Because of the Westminster numbers, whatever government England votes for, the UK gets. So we have no democracy here!!! 4 decades of tory rule that we voted against is proof enough, and our defiance was punished by the closure of all the mines; closure of all the steelworks; closure of all the shipyards losing hundreds if thousands of jobs. The term used by Westminster's Thatcher when these industries needed some assistance was "let the markets decide". Funny how when the greedy bankers collapsed everywhere they were bailed out to the tune of over a trillion pounds of our money... Not a mention of "let the markets decide". FACTS: Fact: Scotland has an oil boom waiting to happen on the West Coast, but Michael Hesaltine signed a cessation of any form of oil exploration in the entire area in the 80's to make way for nuclear submarines which Scotland doesn't want! Fact: Scotland has shown its revulsion time and time again to nuclear weapons but they place them here against our countries wishes. A recent contingency report was carried out a out the feasibility of relocating them in Portsmouth. The report stated that it was unfeasible because the detrimental risk to the area of an incident was too high. (Ok for the Clyde though) Fact: Scotland, with only 1 Tory MP, was forced to take the shocking attack on the poor & disabled called The Bedroom Tax, even though as our nations government, Holyrood voted to utterly reject this awful tax on the poor. Westminster gave us it anyway! Fact: We are led to believe that the oil in our waters is finished and its a dying industry. Yet 13.5 billion has been invested by oil companies in the last 2 years alone! Fact: The Clair Oil Field is about to open, and on its own has over 650 million barrels which will be extracted over 20+ years with production reaching a hundred thousand barrels a day! Fact: Scotland gives more to Westminster than it gets back. Do you really think they'd be so keen to keep us if we were being subsidised like they'd have us believe? Fact: Westminster has amassed over £1.3 trillion debt and still growing at nearly £6000 a second. Thats another £516 million today alone which YOU will have to pay for. Fact: Of the 178 countries that have gained their own independence across this planet, not one single one of them has ever asked to reverse this independence, and very few of them have the assets we have. SCOTLAND, WHAT ARE WE SCARED OF? WE HAVE A CHANCE... WITHOUT A SINGLE BULLET BEING FIRED, WITHOUT A SINGLE DEATH... TO GET OUR FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUT A CROSS IN THE YES BOX. SCOTLAND, ITS TIME TO STAND UP AS A NATION AND VOTE YES ON THE 18TH OF SEPTEMBER... AND BECOME A FREE AND CARING NATION AGAIN!!! VOTE YES AND SET OUR COUNTRY FREE!!!! Y E S ! ! ! Y E S ! ! ! Y E S ! !
Boon1333 Well several things stand out Switzerland has the highest price per km for Rail travel ,the £1.5 trillion figure for oil reserves is a Scottish government (ie SNP) figure not accepted by the- UK government or the oil industry and much more. But you have asked for proof that one thing is wrong Scotland's voted decide the 1974 election en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_February_1974 And it is the case that without Scotland the Tory's would have won a majority in the last election
Boon1333. Also Scotland has Scots like me who have left, but would love to return. There is a drift effect (Lowland clearance)? Just as the population didnt climb between The Bruce & Mary Queen of Scots. So the population is managed today.
Boon1333 typical Scottish person desperate to keep Scotland relevant by copy and pasting crap so other overlyproud Scottish people can have something to talk about as well Hahaha, just remember that England owns you forever and always, keep speaking our language and pretending that Scotland has something to offer :)
Professor Robertson view on Currency Union issue and BBC's bias technique of Ommission: BBC Bias by Omission When my research revealing BBC Bias against the Yes campaign was published, several people correctly identified that I had not exposed the way good news stories about Scottish independence were often ignored by the BBC. At the time, I knew that to do so would make it easy for critics to accuse me of selection bias. It’s more objective to simply look at what is broadcast and find what is there in the editorial selection and in presentation so that is what I did. But my critics were correct in that bias by omission is a very important form of bias. So, I thought I'd point to examples of it now in the last few weeks before the vote and disseminate them as widely as I can. I’ve set up a Facebook page (at my age!) and invited friends to contribute. I’m already indebted to the very well-informed Cindie Reiter who sent me the very useful Adam Smith Institute piece below and to newsnetscotland.com which on a daily basis provides a powerful counterbalance to BBC Scotland’s bias. In only two days, three excellent examples have emerged, countering the criticism of alleged weaknesses in the Yes campaign - currency, the banks, detail - and from high status ‘establishment’ sources which former chancellors will be hard placed to contradict. It’s a pity FM Salmond didn’t make much of them in his debate with Alistair Darling. BBC Scotland has ingnored them all. Tuesday 5th August 2014 Let's see if BBC Scotland report this important expert view from former RBS Chief Executive and Chairman Sir George Mathewson in yesterday's Financial Times. He probably knows a bit more about this than the BBC financial 'experts'. 'A split from the UK would not threaten Scottish banks. Ignore the unionists’ scaremongering about the financial sector.' www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ecd409fc-1b37-11e4-b649 00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=uk#axzz39WsfLS8j Wednesday 6th August In a press release from the Adam Smith Institute, champion of liberal capitalism and no friend to the Social Democracy favoured by Scots, Kate Andrews, Research Director, demolishes Better Together’s suggestion that the SNp’s lack of a plan B matters so much. She writes: “An independent Scotland could flourish either by using the pound sterling without the permission of the rUK (or by setting up a “ScotPound” pegged to sterling through a currency board, which would achieve a similar end). This ‘sterlingization’ would emulate a number of Latin American countries that use the US Dollar without an official agreement with the US government. Because Scottish banks would not have access to a currency-printing lender of last resort, they would have to make their own provisions for illiquidity, and would necessarily act more prudently. “Scotland actually had this system of ‘free banking’ during the 18th and 19th centuries, during which time its economy boomed relative to England’s and its banks were remarkably secure. And Panama, which uses the US Dollar in this way, has the seventh most stable financial system in the world. “Everyone says Mr Salmond needs a Plan B if the rUK does not agree to a currency union with Scotland. But unilateral adoption should be Plan A, making Scotland’s economy more stable and secure. The UK’s obstinacy would be Scotland’s opportunity.” www.adamsmith.org/news/press-release-an-independent-scotland-should-keep-the-pound-without-ruks-permission/ Wednesday 6th August What exactly happens if you vote no? We've heard repeated calls for the Yes campaign to provide more information on currency, the EU and pensions. BBC commentators have encouraged viewers to see these as areas of failure by, especially, Alex Salmond.Yet we hear no real criticism of the No campaign's failure to explain exactly what voting No would mean. So much for balance? Ian Bell of the Glasgow Herald wrote beginning with this below. ‘If the long argument over independence has had a sub-text, it has been the demand for information. To hear it told, there's a national shortage. Nervous voters are asked to make a leap into the forbidding dark without so much as a few flimsy parachutes of facts. So the No side would have it, at any rate. Yet where the future is concerned they don't stock many facts themselves because that is not, it seems, their job. Will David Cameron and Nick Clegg be offering another coalition if we vote No? Will Scotland remain in membership of the European Union beyond 2017? Which coalition deeds - which deeds specifically - will be undone if Ed Miliband wins office?...’ www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/talking-of-hard-facts-exactly-what-happens-if-you-vote-no.24930155 Powerful arguments from mainstream sources omitted from coverage because….? I’ll keep this up till the big day. My Facebook page is at: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005589228387&sk=wall
A vote yes; is a vote against all the centuries of wrongs England has perpetrated against the Scottish nation through ethnic cleansing, mass murders & total subjugation of the Scottish people. This is a chance for Scotland to right the wrongs of the past & finally bring honour to their history & people.
Thank you for this evidence based research. Information is power. This confirms what attentive people have obsserved, particularly in the last few weeks. Well done and keep up the good/ethical work.
***** see I don't know why you people do this. "Tartan disneyland"? No why they want to leave- and everything I see coming from the "Better Together" crowd is full of snide comments about Scottish culture. Maybe if the English weren't such ASSHOLES to everyone you could actually convince people to stay with you.
As Sean Connery has said many times in the past, in his wonderful Scottish brogue, "My Scotland must be a free Scotland." Let it be finally and have no doubt the vote will be for independence.
I know a lot of Scots and a lot of English and they are very, very different people I have to say. My Scottish friends always emphasized how much Scotland got suppressed by the English government etc. I think you should vote 'YES', it may cost you at the beginning a bit but at the end it will be a win win for Scotland, I am sure. Scotland has so much potential. And it saddens me to see how much the English government tries to scare the Scots 'cause their desire for independence. Please vote 'YES'. Don't let the English intimidate you. You are a great nation!
Professor you have highlighted the clever activities of the intelligent people who have real power in this country, the media and the commentators working within.
A tirade of biased misrepresentations and underhanded tactics. That's how you know how valued and respected you are by the British establishment. Vote Yes, Scotland!
Excellent work, I think this is also how the BBC tackle the general election, using the same subtle but effective techniques to support their party of choice.
John, very interesting video, well worthy of discussion. Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Studies students in Scotland would find this very relevant to their studies and I'll share it with my network if that's ok?
John this documentary is perfectly put. Honesty in politics inspires everyday people to think for themselves. 9:19 is the single most important point you make for this. I will be sharing this :-)
Not one English media referred Joseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University, recipient of the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in economics, one of the TOP 3 economics in the planet. The latest esteemed economist to share their thoughts on the Scottish independence debate has called some of the talk around Scotland’s post-independence economy “fear mongering” and the hot-button issue of currency a “non-issue”. He said the greater risk for Scotland is to stay in the UK and for the UK to leave the EU, adding that the standard of living for most Scots could fall with cutbacks in UK public education and health .
This was a really fantastic documentary. Actually showing a degree of balance missing from some of the invective thrown at the BBC. The bias is institutionalised around hard wired attitudes, rather than being a deliberate act of sabotage, but even so, it's still not good enough. But despite that I do believe Yes are winning the arguments and making better progress. I think Scotland is going to rock the foundations of the remains of empire.
Good example of Prof Robertson's example of bias through use of 'independent experts' last night on BBC Scotland2014 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04d85tx/scotland-2014-07082014 - Presenter Sarah Smith presents as independent then feeds loaded questions to Dr Angus Armstrong who is given full 10 minutes to attack Salmond on currency. Armstrong is from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) an 'independent' research organisation located in the City of Westminster, London. "Angus Armstrong spent most of his working life at the Treasury before moving to the NIESR, where his 'referendum' work is funded by .... Vince Cable's Westminster department (as is the IFS 'Scotland and the UK' series of papers)." - Eric24A
There is no independent research organisations they are all loaded with a particular bias. This has been how the UK is drowning in propagandabut as its frames by these 'independent organisations' by the BBC another 'independent' organisation.
Although John Robertson is stating the obvious. The analysis that he put forward for the way the bias was given more effect, was very interesting. His final comments about media bias backfiring on the perpetrators really struck a cord when he used Russian media as the example.
makes me sad to think we all missed the biggest opportunity for a long time. I will be forever Scottish and never British though, even though its a no from the majority.
Thanks to the Traitorous SNP we missed the opportunity in March 1979 when it was thanks to the SNP voting against Scottish Independence and back stabbing the working class, tax-paying citizens of Scotland, that Thatcher's Conservative government was elected in 1979 and proceeded to lay waste to Scotland.
Good example of BBC media bias technique of 'Labelling' on BBC Radio Scotland Crossfire 24/08/14. At close of show John Beattie uses the term 'Separatists' in selected listener email - a negative term with extremist connotations. Well done, John. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8t6f Approx: 58:45
Hello from Russia! Freedom SCOTLAND !!! FREEDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only do not give away the british navy and nuclear weapons!
I'm a Welshman watching this from London and am very interested in the debate - I would prefer it if Scotland remained part of the UK, but would wish Scotland well if it departed. My views are partly held on the basis of preference for being in a union with several celtic partners, as well as England. I also feel that academic, scientific and business interests are best served in a union rather than across boundaries, although I'm sure the Scots are savvy enough to be a success without the rest of the UK. I'd be interested to read your research paper on this. I would have thought that the majority of our news stories start with a negative slant and then go on the defensive (but I trust your judgment!)? It would be interesting to do a comparison of the Scottish referendum debate against other news stories in which there are two different sides, and to see how the sequential order of ideas compare. You make some particularly strong points and I hope that the BBC and ITV take some of them on board (I just watched a short clip on BBC Wales and thought that the sequential order of points of view was balanced: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28945524).
On another note, I wholeheartedly agree with John Clarke, a poster below, who makes a very good point about bias within this piece, e.g. the descriptions of Alex Salmond as being a 'gifted' politician (I actually agree with the professor on this one, but it is an odd thing to mention in the context of an academic report which is attempting to be objective). Evidently, this doesn't diminish the points the professor makes, but it probably isn't the best context for such a subjective comment.
Michael Thomas Andrews Michael, thanks for your comments and interesting views on the debate. Please find links to research papers above. There will be range of openings but overall, across the year, they were found to be weigh on the negative. On the 'gifted ' point I understand the word as meaning 'natural ability, intelligence, talent' which does fit Salmond but take your point it could be read otherwise. I have said I am pro- independence but I included the description to counter claims that Salmond was a monomaniacal dictator - the mainstream media/tabloid portrait of him. Respect to Wales.
More unadulterated #BBCbias in sickeningly sycophantic Radio 4 profile of 'independent' Treasury Head Sir Nicholas Macpherson - politically partial, empire devotee, vested interests, Eton-educated, 30,0000 acre estate in Wester Ross and bankers best friend all rolled into one. No friend of Scottish independence, this is the guy behind the currency union denial. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8fbg
I'm from QUEBEC (part of Canada) and in 1995 our referendum has been stolen by federalists so don't move back, Thursday go put your "X" beside YES, DON'T believe promises from the UK, don't be influenced by cheers and sympathy coming from UK, don't fear, you can reach your goal. In Quebec since 1995 we have lost lots of decision power within Canada. In 1995, the week before referendum, Canada was even GIVING airplane tickets across the country so people could come to Quebec and beg us not to separate... Biggest bullshit EVER! Do it for us, this could light up the separatist flame again. Thanks and good luck!
I recall thinking when the results were announced that if it weren't for the BBC, Scotland could well have gained independence. It was obvious to me as a mere observer that their coverage was largely against separation. There are other devices they use regularly, such as the word 'admitted' rather than 'said', or to repeat a claim despite knowing that it is false.They seem to rely to a large extent on stories from the newspapers, and the few correspondents they have left are all sent to the most active war-zone (or, rather, to some hotel as safe distance from where the events are actually taking place). Thank you for confirming my suspicions that the media are not entirely unbiased, despite insisting that they are.
This is great. Thanks for making this video - thank goodness for social media in this referendum debate. It's made finding a way through the web of media opinion, politicians' comments and big issues possible for ordinary people.
Professor Robertson's Research on Media Bias: issuu.com/creative_futur/docs/robertson2014fairnessinthefirstyear issuu.com/creative_futur/docs/robertson2014goodmorningscotland
Theirs been too much sucking up to Scottish nationalists in the old days they would have got their independance in Botany Bay. Nationalism is a dangerous mindset yesterday the two faced lieing little toad Alex Salmond had to separate himself from one of his close cronies or is it crankies when the cronie went on about "A Day of Reckoning for business bods who had warned against voting yes" If Scotland get independance,and as sure as the day is long as independant Scotlands miniscule economy spirals down,and the benefits system in Scotland collapses then their is every chance we here in blighty could end up with Northern Ireland situation on our doorstep as desperation settles in,but this time linked by land to us. David Cameron and Ian Duncan Smith have been the best recruiters to the SNP,that the Scottish nationalists ever had,the only problem is and for once I agree with Cameron Independance for Scotland to rid them of the Tory party is not just for Christmas,its permanent,and a country of 5 million people and only about a third of them in paid employment cannot after 300 years of being bankrolled by England suddenly maintain the modern needs of the Scottish population. The Scots already have their own cultural differences which will always be there and are commendable,but seperating from your UK family will bring you nothing but economic disaster there is no pot of gold at the end of the SNP rainbow other than for more here today gone tomorrow nest feathering politicians aka the SNP junta,
My new film THE NUMBERS GAME is just out - a critical look at the dark art and politics of opinion polls with the brilliant James Kelly of ScotGoesPop THE NUMBERS GAME - Politics & Polling in the Independence Referendum scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk
That must be an endlessly busy job. I noticed that the day before the voting, I received emails from one currency company announcing that if there was a vote for separation, the pound would likely de-value 10%. This was a fear-mongering announcement in my view, although it was masquerading as a chance to buy alternative currency and make some cash, to gamble on the outcome.
It is totally natural for England to push and pull for a no vote. Self interests are natural, as natural as Scotland's quest to be ruled by government of Scotts alone, by Scotts alone, for the Scotts alone.
Why is Alistair Darling not asked about what an independent Scotland would do to him personally? He'd lose that flat and job in London, opportunity to schmooze with business people, world leaders, celebs... you too Charles Kennedy. Why not declare your own personal interests in the debate. Then there are the journalists who one day want to be James Naughtie or Kirsty Wark. The big important media person in London is their career aim. As Prof Robertson says, the idea of impartiality is ridiculous. And Reporting Scotland, why is your back drop the view out your own window? What does that mean to people outside Glasgow? Are you not the first to complain of a London dominated media...
very good , loved this video, am not in scotland, but watching how debates and everything rolls out, and I can say all I have witnessed on mainland UK is nothing but pure filth ocastrated against Alex salmond, not sure if the scots are fully aware of how much sensational news they have printed over last 6 months about alex salmand this etc etc all set him up for a fail and try to white wash by creating scandal, this is no doubt a atypical ploy that has been used many many times. People need to ask themsleves if the british had any respect what so ever over the elected leader would they permitt this scandal and entertain it? I DONT THINK SO...scottish better wake up now before its too late, not only that people firmly in england believe the scottish dont really have a chance and will vote 'no' as they will have no where to turn with westminster dictatorial propaganda flying at them, the no vote is secure! Once again the scottish are being twarted, and being lead down a path by Westminster! The economic arguments as now more clearer than ever especially about oil, jobs, currancy- alex salmond spells it out, it seems like future will be good if independant.
Come on Scotland, believe in yourselves and ignore the fear mongers. Remember what Goethe said: Until there is commitment, there is hesitancy, The chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, Then Providence moves in too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues forth from the decision, Raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen Incidents and material assistance which No Man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
Perhaps the BBC was reporting more negative things about independence than positive because the REALITY is there are more things negative than positive about Scottish separation.
I find this very interesting. The continued focus on the economic impact betrays a much deeper fear. It's not the effect on the economy that has them worried, it's the possibility of having an alternative within driving distance, that has them worried. People will be able to "vote with their feet", as it were. Don't like a particular tax in England, move to Scotland. And if Scotland starts doing well economically, or socially, then that'd put the burden to change things in London as well. The monopoly would be gone. This has more to do with social, rather than economic, stability. I'm curious to see how this all plays out, and wish nothing but the best for all concerned.
Conflict of interest = no publication in impartial refereed media Publishing it yourself is even less credit worthy than wikipedia 'Find a Professor who disagrees with me and call me in'? WTF?
so if an "independant" expert gives a positive view on independance issues professor Robertson will also question their bias? I have always thought of the BBC as biased but is the professor any better? As for discussing his findings, he himself said his research took over a year, I think it doubtful that many will qualify to challenge him, and in that year of study did the professor find any bias in the "experts" that the yes campaign fielded?
Prof Robertson weighed both stances on independence and there was imbalance found in the reporting towards No. He admits the effect of this is hard to prove but the main issues were the emphasis on bad news about the future of independence and the techniques used. I get your point about the difficulty of getting a second opinion. The question here is why isn't the BBC, who have a duty to provide impartiality and balance written into their charter, measuring and moderating bias themselves?
... and Angus Armstrong spent most of his working life at the Treasury before moving to the NIESR, where his 'referendum' work is funded by .... Vince Cable's Westminster department (as is the IFS 'Scotland and the UK' series of papers).
What you didn't cover was the use of emotive language in the constructed and scripted reporting, I think the use of negative descriptive words to add flavour and bias to the reports is a major consideration.
think it's a case of Turkeys not voting for Christmas when it comes to the BBC and Scottish independence. My only hope for a yes vote is that our parliament strongly regulates a national media service with a mandate of impartiality.
I was a journalist in the 90s and worked for the Daily Record, which is a Labour paper. I wrote up awesome stories which went against the Labour Party's policies. I was freelance so the editor claimed that they owned my stories. I could not go anywhere else to get the stories published. So they were spiked and deleted from the editor's computer and mine as well. I went to the National Union of Journalist and i was told if i wanted further contracts there and in other newspapers it would be better to drop my accusations. Total censorship of newspapers being protected further by the NUJ. Now there are numerous claims of election fraud today. I know from people who had their name scored through on the polling station's list, to find that there name had already been used so were sent home without voting. I also felt suspicious voting behaviour as when i went to the table for my area i caught one of the volunteers saying to the other : "will i skip this one?" As he tore out one of the ballot papers that i presumed was being given to me, but he just put the ballot paper to ine side and tore out the next one and gave it to me. As i headed for the polling booth, i saw from the corner of my eye, one of the volunteers running out if the room with a piece of paper in his hand. I then put my cross in the yes box. But i then turned the to see the back of the ballot paper, trying to memorise my ballot paper nunber as i felt something illegal was taking place. Then the volunteer shouted to me as he watched me intently: "you need to just to put your ballot paper in this box here." I believe he was trying to divert my attention and probably noticed i looked disturbed. I can only surmise they were ripping out these ballot paper forms to rig the vote in favour of the No campaign. After all Obama, Merkel et al warned Westminister that there could not be a win for the Yes camp.
Freedom does not need complicated explanations to support! Freedom make rich and is the power for every kind of negotiation! Blackmail has a guilty conscience and is weak and fragile! W Freedom and sovereignty of the people in their own land! Scotland will be one of the richest country of Europe! Veneto is with Scotland and we also will be independent as soon!
Its a microcosm of our lives. We are either guided by our heart or by fear. It is only us that knows what feels good and what doesn't. Following the path that feels good to us rather than one rooted in fear is the path that attracts riches of every kind. Follow yourself and everything else will fall into place.
Bit puzzled as to why he ends by saying the BBC 'is the most important voice in Scotland'. Does he mean it is the most important, or is he simply referring to the fact that it is CONSIDERED to be the most important voice in Scotland by the majority of people. I think I just answered my own question there, but in any case having just illustrated the BBC's tendency to finish with negative tones or their side of the argument it just seems like an odd place to end the clip.
A breath of fresh air, thank you. This is an article posted on 31 August 2014 by the Grimsby Telegraph which I never knew existed, the headline reads "Good news the economy is better now than before the recession" www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Good-news-economy-better-recession/story-21941908-detail/story.html Yet been kept quiet around the country, wonder why? Changing the masters of who we are made to serve is not going to deal with the problems of the common man, only exacerbated them as this is going to cost us either way!
Professor Robertson is obliged to carry out research as part of his role at the University West of Scotland. The production was entirely voluntarily and created without a budget or payment of any kind. I should declare that Professor Robertson bought me a sandwich. I think it was about £2.
Phantom Power Ooooh! A professor! Let's all bow down in supplication. Wee Eck has visions of the Promised Land. And this 'Professor' believes him. OK, I'm sold. Here we come Nirvana! Oh, haad on there! Which professor are we supposed to be believing? Here's a lesson in maths. 4-1=3. 1 is less than 3. 3 is less than 4. Are you following this? Or is it too abstract?
Phantom Power That Kim-Jock-Eck is a mental midget. That all who believe that Scotland will be better off outside of the union are equally lacking in the brains department. Clear enough? You're really lacking if you had to have it spelt oot!
LOL. Investigation? What do you actually think the purpose of the BBC is or have ever been, other than to manufacture consent? Panem et circenses. Oldest trick in the book. It is used everywhere, and with great success.
Its a embarrassment, and recognised all over the bais in the referendum.....The should be impartical........they are not. They should lose their licenese........
Experts are predicting the UK debt is likely to double by 2018. This is the same UK that 'Better Together' claim we Scots should 'stick with', amid warnings of the dire financial consequences we will face if we do not. While I am no financial genius I would hazard to say that sticking with a Union that continues to borrow money, thereby increasing the budget deficit, it will never be able to repay, is akin to fiscal suicide for Scotland. Those revenues accrued from the extraction of the oil in the North Sea will, if it remains in UK hands, be frittered away, in much the same manner, it has been for the past 40 years. We don't need the UK, the UK needs us or, at least, our resources, until they run out.
did you know there is a huge oil field off the Ayrshire cost, the Westminster government refused the oil companies to explore it fully as it would be a danger to their nuclear subs, true look it up ! my postal ballot paper came in today 27/8/2014 and I have put down a big lovely yes on it , if you want to see a true Scottish labour party in the future you have to vote yes, you will never get social democracy if you rely on the voters in England to elect a labour government, its completely out of the hands of the Scottish electorate
Free Scotland, Tell the British Govenment and The Queen to go and do one. Scotland will be better off without the control or influance from a greedy corporate owned british government, I hear you have your own oil fields, Great, Build up your economy and tell england where to go, Good luck on your referendom in september,
Thanks for sharing this!! It's so important to have someone who methodically can gather facts and proof of what a commun citizen can only suspect. But my comment's theme is Structure and Sequence used to organize the news, which is VERY SIMILAR TO SALES TECHNIQUES when trying to sell a product when compared to another. Here is a very simple outline: The product which is not desirable to sell is the first one to be described focussing it's flaws in a very subtle way. But speaking bad of others is politically incorrect, right? So, you should name good points about this product because that way you sound more neutral.The trick is: for each good thing you name two or three "buts" / flaws. If necessary, repeat the same flaw but with different words. You can even make some questions to the audience about this product, but questions with a negative structure, and the answer expected has to be "No". After this, it's presented the product supposed to be sold and all the argument focuses on its advantages and how it can actually be a solution to the first one's flaws. Then again, you can question the audience, but this time the questions have a positive structure, and the answer expected has to be "Yes". At the end a final question is presented: Which product do you prefer, A or B? Being the last the one we want to sell if you are speaking portuguese, because that depends of the phonetic accentuation which language has. Form and content of the speech and its effects on audiences is something very carefully studied, being used on marketing or political propaganda. And it's a scary thing because, ultimately, it's massive manipulation!
Scotland has only 8.3% of the UK's population. 8.3%! Remember this important figure... 8.3%
But we DO have...
32% of the land area.
61% of the sea area.
90% of the fresh water.
65% of the natural gas production.
96.5% of the crude oil production.
47% of the open cast coal production
81% of the untapped coal reserves
62% of the timber production
46% of the total forest area
92% of the hydro electric production
40% of the wind wave and solar energy production
60% of the fish landings
30% of the beef herd
20% of the sheep herd
9% of the dairy herd
10% of the pig herd
15% if the cereal holdings
20% of the potato holdings
...obviously 100% of the Scotch Whiskey industry.
We have a...
17 billion pound construction industry
13 billion food and drink industry
10 billion business services industry
9.3 billion chemical services industry
A 9.3 billion tourism industry
7 billion financial services industry
5 billion aeroservice industry
4.5 billion pound whiskey exports industry
3.1 billion pound life sciences industry
Scotland still has 350 million pounds worth of textile exports
We have 25% of Europes wave and wind energy potential.
And finally we are blessed to have 1.5 trillion pound worth of oil and gas reserves.
All of this, yet only 8.3% of The UK's population... Whaow Scotland should be rich!
IGNORANCE...
If you hear anyone saying "I DONT LIKE ALEX SALMOND" or "I DONT LIKE SNP"...
THIS VOTE IS ABOUT SCOTLAND'S RIGHT TO ELECT ITS OWN GOVERNMENT... IT HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH ALEX SALMOND OR THE SNP.
DONT LET POLITICAL IGNORANCE RUIN THIS OPPORTUNITY.
Do you know... This is the UK's legacy of success in our history of being better-together is as follows...
The UK has the 3rd lowest pensions in the 34 OECD countries of the world
The UK has the single most expensive childcare in the European Union
The UK has the second lowest-paid economy in the entire developed world
The UK has the 3rd longest working hours in the EU
The UK has the lowest number of holidays in the EU
The UK has the 8th highest gender inequality pay gap out of the EU's 28 countries
The UK has the highest likelihood of poverty in disablement in the EU
The UK has the highest rail prices in Europe
The UK has the second highest housing cost in Europe
The UK has the highest fuel poverty rates in Europe.
The UK is the 4th highest country of wealth inequality in the entire planet!
But surely these awful figures cannot be possible when you read the following Scottish statistics...
Now, finally, did you also know that in all of the UK's elections for Westminster ever!... Not one vote cast in SCOTLAND has ever mattered! Because of the Westminster numbers, whatever government England votes for, the UK gets. So we have no democracy here!!! 4 decades of tory rule that we voted against is proof enough, and our defiance was punished by the closure of all the mines; closure of all the steelworks; closure of all the shipyards losing hundreds if thousands of jobs. The term used by Westminster's Thatcher when these industries needed some assistance was "let the markets decide". Funny how when the greedy bankers collapsed everywhere they were bailed out to the tune of over a trillion pounds of our money... Not a mention of "let the markets decide".
FACTS:
Fact: Scotland has an oil boom waiting to happen on the West Coast, but Michael Hesaltine signed a cessation of any form of oil exploration in the entire area in the 80's to make way for nuclear submarines which Scotland doesn't want!
Fact: Scotland has shown its revulsion time and time again to nuclear weapons but they place them here against our countries wishes. A recent contingency report was carried out a out the feasibility of relocating them in Portsmouth. The report stated that it was unfeasible because the detrimental risk to the area of an incident was too high. (Ok for the Clyde though)
Fact: Scotland, with only 1 Tory MP, was forced to take the shocking attack on the poor & disabled called The Bedroom Tax, even though as our nations government, Holyrood voted to utterly reject this awful tax on the poor. Westminster gave us it anyway!
Fact: We are led to believe that the oil in our waters is finished and its a dying industry. Yet 13.5 billion has been invested by oil companies in the last 2 years alone!
Fact: The Clair Oil Field is about to open, and on its own has over 650 million barrels which will be extracted over 20+ years with production reaching a hundred thousand barrels a day!
Fact: Scotland gives more to Westminster than it gets back. Do you really think they'd be so keen to keep us if we were being subsidised like they'd have us believe?
Fact: Westminster has amassed over £1.3 trillion debt and still growing at nearly £6000 a second. Thats another £516 million today alone which YOU will have to pay for.
Fact: Of the 178 countries that have gained their own independence across this planet, not one single one of them has ever asked to reverse this independence, and very few of them have the assets we have.
SCOTLAND, WHAT ARE WE SCARED OF? WE HAVE A CHANCE... WITHOUT A SINGLE BULLET BEING FIRED, WITHOUT A SINGLE DEATH... TO GET OUR FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUT A CROSS IN THE YES BOX.
SCOTLAND, ITS TIME TO STAND UP AS A NATION AND VOTE YES ON THE 18TH OF SEPTEMBER... AND BECOME A FREE AND CARING NATION AGAIN!!!
VOTE YES AND SET OUR COUNTRY FREE!!!!
Y E S ! ! ! Y E S ! ! ! Y E S ! !
Boon1333 Cut an paste crap most of which is wrong or irrelevant
yes its cut n paste but its not wrong or irrelevant .. prove one thing thats wrong
Boon1333 Well several things stand out Switzerland has the highest price per km for Rail travel ,the £1.5 trillion figure for oil reserves is a Scottish government (ie SNP) figure not accepted by the- UK government or the oil industry and much more.
But you have asked for proof that one thing is wrong Scotland's voted decide the 1974 election en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_February_1974
And it is the case that without Scotland the Tory's would have won a majority in the last election
Boon1333. Also Scotland has Scots like me who have left, but would love to return. There is a drift effect (Lowland clearance)? Just as the population didnt climb between The Bruce & Mary Queen of Scots. So the population is managed today.
Boon1333 typical Scottish person desperate to keep Scotland relevant by copy and pasting crap so other overlyproud Scottish people can have something to talk about as well Hahaha, just remember that England owns you forever and always, keep speaking our language and pretending that Scotland has something to offer :)
Great post Prof. Robertson, you're the first pundit I've seen who's had the courage and honesty to reveal their political leaning.
I'm English and I support independence for Scotland.
I think you have articulated and analysed using good research and statistical methods what most of us have already felt. Great job.
Professor Robertson view on Currency Union issue and BBC's bias technique of Ommission:
BBC Bias by Omission
When my research revealing BBC Bias against the Yes campaign was published, several people correctly identified that I had not exposed the way good news stories about Scottish independence were often ignored by the BBC. At the time, I knew that to do so would make it easy for critics to accuse me of selection bias. It’s more objective to simply look at what is broadcast and find what is there in the editorial selection and in presentation so that is what I did. But my critics were correct in that bias by omission is a very important form of bias. So, I thought I'd point to examples of it now in the last few weeks before the vote and disseminate them as widely as I can. I’ve set up a Facebook page (at my age!) and invited friends to contribute. I’m already indebted to the very well-informed Cindie Reiter who sent me the very useful Adam Smith Institute piece below and to newsnetscotland.com which on a daily basis provides a powerful counterbalance to BBC Scotland’s bias. In only two days, three excellent examples have emerged, countering the criticism of alleged weaknesses in the Yes campaign - currency, the banks, detail - and from high status ‘establishment’ sources which former chancellors will be hard placed to contradict. It’s a pity FM Salmond didn’t make much of them in his debate with Alistair Darling. BBC Scotland has ingnored them all.
Tuesday 5th August 2014
Let's see if BBC Scotland report this important expert view from former RBS Chief Executive and Chairman Sir George Mathewson in yesterday's Financial Times. He probably knows a bit more about this than the BBC financial 'experts'.
'A split from the UK would not threaten Scottish banks. Ignore the unionists’ scaremongering about the financial sector.'
www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ecd409fc-1b37-11e4-b649 00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=uk#axzz39WsfLS8j
Wednesday 6th August
In a press release from the Adam Smith Institute, champion of liberal capitalism and no friend to the Social Democracy favoured by Scots, Kate Andrews, Research Director, demolishes Better Together’s suggestion that the SNp’s lack of a plan B matters so much. She writes:
“An independent Scotland could flourish either by using the pound sterling without the permission of the rUK (or by setting up a “ScotPound” pegged to sterling through a currency board, which would achieve a similar end). This ‘sterlingization’ would emulate a number of Latin American countries that use the US Dollar without an official agreement with the US government. Because Scottish banks would not have access to a currency-printing lender of last resort, they would have to make their own provisions for illiquidity, and would necessarily act more prudently.
“Scotland actually had this system of ‘free banking’ during the 18th and 19th centuries, during which time its economy boomed relative to England’s and its banks were remarkably secure. And Panama, which uses the US Dollar in this way, has the seventh most stable financial system in the world.
“Everyone says Mr Salmond needs a Plan B if the rUK does not agree to a currency union with Scotland. But unilateral adoption should be Plan A, making Scotland’s economy more stable and secure. The UK’s obstinacy would be Scotland’s opportunity.”
www.adamsmith.org/news/press-release-an-independent-scotland-should-keep-the-pound-without-ruks-permission/
Wednesday 6th August
What exactly happens if you vote no?
We've heard repeated calls for the Yes campaign to provide more information on currency, the EU and pensions. BBC commentators have encouraged viewers to see these as areas of failure by, especially, Alex Salmond.Yet we hear no real criticism of the No campaign's failure to explain exactly what voting No would mean. So much for balance? Ian Bell of the Glasgow Herald wrote beginning with this below.
‘If the long argument over independence has had a sub-text, it has been the demand for information.
To hear it told, there's a national shortage. Nervous voters are asked to make a leap into the forbidding dark without so much as a few flimsy parachutes of facts.
So the No side would have it, at any rate. Yet where the future is concerned they don't stock many facts themselves because that is not, it seems, their job. Will David Cameron and Nick Clegg be offering another coalition if we vote No? Will Scotland remain in membership of the European Union beyond 2017? Which coalition deeds - which deeds specifically - will be undone if Ed Miliband wins office?...’
www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/talking-of-hard-facts-exactly-what-happens-if-you-vote-no.24930155
Powerful arguments from mainstream sources omitted from coverage because….? I’ll keep this up till the big day.
My Facebook page is at: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005589228387&sk=wall
Free Scotland.. Voice from Malaysia
A vote yes; is a vote against all the centuries of wrongs England has perpetrated against the Scottish nation through ethnic cleansing, mass murders & total subjugation of the Scottish people. This is a chance for Scotland to right the wrongs of the past & finally bring honour to their history & people.
Not England, the UK government
Fascinating video with well articulated research
Proff Robertson... one of the most entertaining lecturers I have ever had!!
Not only bad news but downright lies.
Thank you for this evidence based research. Information is power. This confirms what attentive people have obsserved, particularly in the last few weeks. Well done and keep up the good/ethical work.
MAY YOUR DECISIONS REFLECT YOUR HOPES NOT YOUR FEARS - Nelson Mandela.
"may your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears"..otherwise known as wishful thinking.
***** see I don't know why you people do this. "Tartan disneyland"? No why they want to leave- and everything I see coming from the "Better Together" crowd is full of snide comments about Scottish culture. Maybe if the English weren't such ASSHOLES to everyone you could actually convince people to stay with you.
@@rabbitsplifffunnily enough, the only people using the cult rhetoric like 'utopia' are the fear fed unionists
Very good interview, and very believable!!
this video should have millions of views, why arent scots passing this around on facebook? such a shame
As Sean Connery has said many times in the past, in his wonderful Scottish brogue, "My Scotland must be a free Scotland." Let it be finally and have no doubt the vote will be for independence.
Hey ho! Fun fact - he was a tax exile, did not even live in Shcotland.
I know a lot of Scots and a lot of English and they are very, very different people I have to say. My Scottish friends always emphasized how much Scotland got suppressed by the English government etc. I think you should vote 'YES', it may cost you at the beginning a bit but at the end it will be a win win for Scotland, I am sure. Scotland has so much potential. And it saddens me to see how much the English government tries to scare the Scots 'cause their desire for independence. Please vote 'YES'. Don't let the English intimidate you. You are a great nation!
Professor you have highlighted the clever activities of the intelligent people who have real power in this country, the media and the commentators working within.
Vote YES for a brighter future!
This land is your land
Excellent!
A tirade of biased misrepresentations and underhanded tactics. That's how you know how valued and respected you are by the British establishment. Vote Yes, Scotland!
This is no surprise to me it is what I thought was happening on the media
Excellent work, I think this is also how the BBC tackle the general election, using the same subtle but effective techniques to support their party of choice.
John, very interesting video, well worthy of discussion. Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Studies students in Scotland would find this very relevant to their studies and I'll share it with my network if that's ok?
Please do, John. Links to the original research listed above.
John this documentary is perfectly put. Honesty in politics inspires everyday people to think for themselves. 9:19 is the single most important point you make for this. I will be sharing this :-)
Not one English media referred Joseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University, recipient of the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in economics, one of the TOP 3 economics in the planet. The latest esteemed economist to share their thoughts on the Scottish independence debate has called some of the talk around Scotland’s post-independence economy “fear mongering” and the hot-button issue of currency a “non-issue”.
He said the greater risk for Scotland is to stay in the UK and for the UK to leave the EU, adding that the standard of living for most Scots could fall with cutbacks in UK public education and health .
SCOTLAND FOREVER!!! We're almost there.. This is OUR time! (Say YES) HIGH QUALITY
This was a really fantastic documentary. Actually showing a degree of balance missing from some of the invective thrown at the BBC. The bias is institutionalised around hard wired attitudes, rather than being a deliberate act of sabotage, but even so, it's still not good enough. But despite that I do believe Yes are winning the arguments and making better progress. I think Scotland is going to rock the foundations of the remains of empire.
Good example of Prof Robertson's example of bias through use of 'independent experts' last night on BBC Scotland2014
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04d85tx/scotland-2014-07082014 - Presenter Sarah Smith presents as independent then feeds loaded questions to Dr Angus Armstrong who is given full 10 minutes to attack Salmond on currency. Armstrong is from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) an 'independent' research organisation located in the City of Westminster, London.
"Angus Armstrong spent most of his working life at the Treasury before moving to the NIESR, where his 'referendum' work is funded by .... Vince Cable's Westminster department (as is the IFS 'Scotland and the UK' series of papers)." - Eric24A
There is no independent research organisations they are all loaded with a particular bias. This has been how the UK is drowning in propagandabut as its frames by these 'independent organisations' by the BBC another 'independent' organisation.
chrissiboi1
Who pays the piper calls the tune.
dcanmore this is a rich country....
David Davies The price of lamb will be increased?
baaaaa abaaaaaa baaaa
David Davies Ah wee bit like what yer auldman done to you then David !
This was eye opening, especially to an undecided voter.
“Propaganda is as powerful as heroin; it surreptitiously dissolves all capacity to think.”
― Gil Courtemanche
Fantastic that this has resurfaced. Nothing has changed. If anything, it's even worse.
The government's official independent forecaster....! Is the BBC having a laugh?
Although John Robertson is stating the obvious. The analysis that he put forward for the way the bias was given more effect, was very interesting.
His final comments about media bias backfiring on the perpetrators really struck a cord when he used Russian media as the example.
makes me sad to think we all missed the biggest opportunity for a long time. I will be forever Scottish and never British though, even though its a no from the majority.
Thanks to the Traitorous SNP we missed the opportunity in March 1979 when it was thanks to the SNP voting against Scottish Independence and back stabbing the working class, tax-paying citizens of Scotland, that Thatcher's Conservative government was elected in 1979 and proceeded to lay waste to Scotland.
Awesome Research!!!!! This is nice.
Good example of BBC media bias technique of 'Labelling' on BBC Radio Scotland Crossfire 24/08/14. At close of show John Beattie uses the term 'Separatists' in selected listener email - a negative term with extremist connotations. Well done, John.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8t6f
Approx: 58:45
Alex Salmond has the most important voice in Scotland !!
As a Traitor to the hard working, tax-paying citizens of Scotland. FUCK SALMOND who is Nothing but a Rotten FISH, just like his side-kick STURGEON.
I've noticed that for a long time with the BBC, they always end with their own negative, biased view point.
The IFS are as independant as the government allows
Hello from Russia! Freedom SCOTLAND !!!
FREEDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only do not give away the british navy and nuclear weapons!
Excellent video!
Great video.
I'm a Welshman watching this from London and am very interested in the debate - I would prefer it if Scotland remained part of the UK, but would wish Scotland well if it departed. My views are partly held on the basis of preference for being in a union with several celtic partners, as well as England. I also feel that academic, scientific and business interests are best served in a union rather than across boundaries, although I'm sure the Scots are savvy enough to be a success without the rest of the UK. I'd be interested to read your research paper on this. I would have thought that the majority of our news stories start with a negative slant and then go on the defensive (but I trust your judgment!)? It would be interesting to do a comparison of the Scottish referendum debate against other news stories in which there are two different sides, and to see how the sequential order of ideas compare. You make some particularly strong points and I hope that the BBC and ITV take some of them on board (I just watched a short clip on BBC Wales and thought that the sequential order of points of view was balanced: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28945524).
On another note, I wholeheartedly agree with John Clarke, a poster below, who makes a very good point about bias within this piece, e.g. the descriptions of Alex Salmond as being a 'gifted' politician (I actually agree with the professor on this one, but it is an odd thing to mention in the context of an academic report which is attempting to be objective). Evidently, this doesn't diminish the points the professor makes, but it probably isn't the best context for such a subjective comment.
Michael Thomas Andrews Michael, thanks for your comments and interesting views on the debate. Please find links to research papers above. There will be range of openings but overall, across the year, they were found to be weigh on the negative. On the 'gifted ' point I understand the word as meaning 'natural ability, intelligence, talent' which does fit Salmond but take your point it could be read otherwise. I have said I am pro- independence but I included the description to counter claims that Salmond was a monomaniacal dictator - the mainstream media/tabloid portrait of him. Respect to Wales.
More unadulterated #BBCbias in sickeningly sycophantic Radio 4 profile of 'independent' Treasury Head Sir Nicholas Macpherson - politically partial, empire devotee, vested interests, Eton-educated, 30,0000 acre estate in Wester Ross and bankers best friend all rolled into one. No friend of Scottish independence, this is the guy behind the currency union denial.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8fbg
Vote YES
I am unsurprised by his finding that the media prefer to focus on bad stories because they do that with every subject not just Scottish Independence.
Interesting. I've always said the difference between CNN and the BBC is the BBC are subtle.
Jane Hill actually commented live on BBC news that the yes campaigners thought the BBC news coverage was "too biased".
I'm from QUEBEC (part of Canada) and in 1995 our referendum has been stolen by federalists so don't move back, Thursday go put your "X" beside YES, DON'T believe promises from the UK, don't be influenced by cheers and sympathy coming from UK, don't fear, you can reach your goal.
In Quebec since 1995 we have lost lots of decision power within Canada. In 1995, the week before referendum, Canada was even GIVING airplane tickets across the country so people could come to Quebec and beg us not to separate... Biggest bullshit EVER!
Do it for us, this could light up the separatist flame again. Thanks and good luck!
3 years on, nothing has changed.
Nothing may change in decades, and decades may come to change in weeks.
And holy fuck lads, ain't we seeing that now.
how unsurprisingly spooky.. er, I mean TRUE.
I have a question. Is it possible for the same destabilization and civil war to erupt in Scotland as what happened in Ireland over independence?
I recall thinking when the results were announced that if it weren't for the BBC, Scotland could well have gained independence. It was obvious to me as a mere observer that their coverage was largely against separation.
There are other devices they use regularly, such as the word 'admitted' rather than 'said', or to repeat a claim despite knowing that it is false.They seem to rely to a large extent on stories from the newspapers, and the few correspondents they have left are all sent to the most active war-zone (or, rather, to some hotel as safe distance from where the events are actually taking place).
Thank you for confirming my suspicions that the media are not entirely unbiased, despite insisting that they are.
Well made nice links,a thank you from a sasanach :D
This is great. Thanks for making this video - thank goodness for social media in this referendum debate. It's made finding a way through the web of media opinion, politicians' comments and big issues possible for ordinary people.
Professor Robertson's Research on Media Bias:
issuu.com/creative_futur/docs/robertson2014fairnessinthefirstyear
issuu.com/creative_futur/docs/robertson2014goodmorningscotland
Theirs been too much sucking up to Scottish nationalists in the old days they would have got their independance in Botany Bay. Nationalism is a dangerous mindset yesterday the two faced lieing little toad Alex Salmond had to separate himself from one of his close cronies or is it crankies when the cronie went on about "A Day of Reckoning for business bods who had warned against voting yes" If Scotland get independance,and as sure as the day is long as independant Scotlands miniscule economy spirals down,and the benefits system in Scotland collapses then their is every chance we here in blighty could end up with Northern Ireland situation on our doorstep as desperation settles in,but this time linked by land to us. David Cameron and Ian Duncan Smith have been the best recruiters to the SNP,that the Scottish nationalists ever had,the only problem is and for once I agree with Cameron Independance for Scotland to rid them of the Tory party is not just for Christmas,its permanent,and a country of 5 million people and only about a third of them in paid employment cannot after 300 years of being bankrolled by England suddenly maintain the modern needs of the Scottish population. The Scots already have their own cultural differences which will always be there and are commendable,but seperating from your UK family will bring you nothing but economic disaster there is no pot of gold at the end of the SNP rainbow other than for more here today gone tomorrow nest feathering politicians aka the SNP junta,
My new film THE NUMBERS GAME is just out - a critical look at the dark art and politics of opinion polls with the brilliant James Kelly of ScotGoesPop
THE NUMBERS GAME - Politics & Polling in the Independence Referendum
scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk
That must be an endlessly busy job.
I noticed that the day before the voting, I received emails from one currency company announcing that if there was a vote for separation, the pound would likely de-value 10%. This was a fear-mongering announcement in my view, although it was masquerading as a chance to buy alternative currency and make some cash, to gamble on the outcome.
BBC and ITV should maybe extensively reconstruct their bias approach.
Hope you're going to update this!
Scotland independence VOTE we say NO @ daily polittics
Who wants Boris J as the PM ? Remember what Thatcher done to Scotland last time we had a vote and failed to get away ! We did not vote in to the UK !
It is totally natural for England to push and pull for a no vote. Self interests are natural, as natural as Scotland's quest to be ruled by government of Scotts alone, by Scotts alone, for the Scotts alone.
Ah .. the long tentacles of English Imperialism are still alive and well.
Why is Alistair Darling not asked about what an independent Scotland would do to him personally? He'd lose that flat and job in London, opportunity to schmooze with business people, world leaders, celebs... you too Charles Kennedy. Why not declare your own personal interests in the debate. Then there are the journalists who one day want to be James Naughtie or Kirsty Wark. The big important media person in London is their career aim.
As Prof Robertson says, the idea of impartiality is ridiculous. And Reporting Scotland, why is your back drop the view out your own window? What does that mean to people outside Glasgow? Are you not the first to complain of a London dominated media...
brilliant vid thank you for share
shared
very good , loved this video, am not in scotland, but watching how debates and everything rolls out, and I can say all I have witnessed on mainland UK is nothing but pure filth ocastrated against Alex salmond, not sure if the scots are fully aware of how much sensational news they have printed over last 6 months about alex salmand this etc etc all set him up for a fail and try to white wash by creating scandal, this is no doubt a atypical ploy that has been used many many times. People need to ask themsleves if the british had any respect what so ever over the elected leader would they permitt this scandal and entertain it? I DONT THINK SO...scottish better wake up now before its too late, not only that people firmly in england believe the scottish dont really have a chance and will vote 'no' as they will have no where to turn with westminster dictatorial propaganda flying at them, the no vote is secure! Once again the scottish are being twarted, and being lead down a path by Westminster! The economic arguments as now more clearer than ever especially about oil, jobs, currancy- alex salmond spells it out, it seems like future will be good if independant.
Come on Scotland, believe in yourselves and ignore the fear mongers. Remember what Goethe said:
Until there is commitment, there is hesitancy,
The chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness,
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
There is one elementary truth the ignorance
of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
Then Providence moves in too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would
never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues forth from the decision,
Raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen
Incidents and material assistance which
No Man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can,
begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now.
I don't get it, If Scotland wants independence, then why would it want into the EU? This is a contradiction.
Perhaps the BBC was reporting more negative things about independence than positive because the REALITY is there are more things negative than positive about Scottish separation.
This should be a much bigger scandal, than some Diana pish from the 90s
I find this very interesting. The continued focus on the economic impact betrays a much deeper fear. It's not the effect on the economy that has them worried, it's the possibility of having an alternative within driving distance, that has them worried. People will be able to "vote with their feet", as it were. Don't like a particular tax in England, move to Scotland. And if Scotland starts doing well economically, or socially, then that'd put the burden to change things in London as well. The monopoly would be gone. This has more to do with social, rather than economic, stability.
I'm curious to see how this all plays out, and wish nothing but the best for all concerned.
Conflict of interest = no publication in impartial refereed media
Publishing it yourself is even less credit worthy than wikipedia
'Find a Professor who disagrees with me and call me in'? WTF?
Support Scotland free from English regime..
so if an "independant" expert gives a positive view on independance issues professor Robertson will also question their bias? I have always thought of the BBC as biased but is the professor any better?
As for discussing his findings, he himself said his research took over a year, I think it doubtful that many will qualify to challenge him, and in that year of study did the professor find any bias in the "experts" that the yes campaign fielded?
Prof Robertson weighed both stances on independence and there was imbalance found in the reporting towards No. He admits the effect of this is hard to prove but the main issues were the emphasis on bad news about the future of independence and the techniques used.
I get your point about the difficulty of getting a second opinion. The question here is why isn't the BBC, who have a duty to provide impartiality and balance written into their charter, measuring and moderating bias themselves?
... and Angus Armstrong spent most of his working life at the Treasury before moving to the NIESR, where his 'referendum' work is funded by .... Vince Cable's Westminster department (as is the IFS 'Scotland and the UK' series of papers).
Eric - thank you for the information.
What you didn't cover was the use of emotive language in the constructed and scripted reporting, I think the use of negative descriptive words to add flavour and bias to the reports is a major consideration.
Very good point. Reviewing material, I lost count of the amount of 'major blows' Alex Salmond has had.
think it's a case of Turkeys not voting for Christmas when it comes to the BBC and Scottish independence. My only hope for a yes vote is that our parliament strongly regulates a national media service with a mandate of impartiality.
I was a journalist in the 90s and worked for the Daily Record, which is a Labour paper. I wrote up awesome stories which went against the Labour Party's policies. I was freelance so the editor claimed that they owned my stories. I could not go anywhere else to get the stories published. So they were spiked and deleted from the editor's computer and mine as well. I went to the National Union of Journalist and i was told if i wanted further contracts there and in other newspapers it would be better to drop my accusations. Total censorship of newspapers being protected further by the NUJ. Now there are numerous claims of election fraud today. I know from people who had their name scored through on the polling station's list, to find that there name had already been used so were sent home without voting. I also felt suspicious voting behaviour as when i went to the table for my area i caught one of the volunteers saying to the other : "will i skip this one?" As he tore out one of the ballot papers that i presumed was being given to me, but he just put the ballot paper to ine side and tore out the next one and gave it to me. As i headed for the polling booth, i saw from the corner of my eye, one of the volunteers running out if the room with a piece of paper in his hand. I then put my cross in the yes box. But i then turned the to see the back of the ballot paper, trying to memorise my ballot paper nunber as i felt something illegal was taking place. Then the volunteer shouted to me as he watched me intently: "you need to just to put your ballot paper in this box here." I believe he was trying to divert my attention and probably noticed i looked disturbed. I can only surmise they were ripping out these ballot paper forms to rig the vote in favour of the No campaign. After all Obama, Merkel et al warned Westminister that there could not be a win for the Yes camp.
The reference is swayed in that "No" is a negative word. You could get an 'academic' to look into that
Freedom does not need complicated explanations to support!
Freedom make rich and is the power for every kind of negotiation!
Blackmail has a guilty conscience and is weak and fragile!
W Freedom and sovereignty of the people in their own land!
Scotland will be one of the richest country of Europe!
Veneto is with Scotland and we also will be independent as soon!
Isn't the focus on bad news typical for the media?
If Scotland votes Yes they'll have a separate time zone. When it is 2014 in the UK, in Scotland it will be 1707.
Its a microcosm of our lives. We are either guided by our heart or by fear. It is only us that knows what feels good and what doesn't. Following the path that feels good to us rather than one rooted in fear is the path that attracts riches of every kind. Follow yourself and everything else will fall into place.
Bit puzzled as to why he ends by saying the BBC 'is the most important voice in Scotland'. Does he mean it is the most important, or is he simply referring to the fact that it is CONSIDERED to be the most important voice in Scotland by the majority of people. I think I just answered my own question there, but in any case having just illustrated the BBC's tendency to finish with negative tones or their side of the argument it just seems like an odd place to end the clip.
A breath of fresh air, thank you. This is an article posted on 31 August 2014 by the Grimsby Telegraph which I never knew existed, the headline reads "Good news the economy is better now than before the recession" www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Good-news-economy-better-recession/story-21941908-detail/story.html Yet been kept quiet around the country, wonder why?
Changing the masters of who we are made to serve is not going to deal with the problems of the common man, only exacerbated them as this is going to cost us either way!
Hmm would the BRITISH broadcaster be biased in favour of Britain, wow, shocking.
Disgusting how your work was mis -interpreted
thanks for speaking out .
Who financed your research
Professor Robertson is obliged to carry out research as part of his role at the University West of Scotland.
The production was entirely voluntarily and created without a budget or payment of any kind. I should declare that Professor Robertson bought me a sandwich. I think it was about £2.
Phantom Power Ooooh! A professor!
Let's all bow down in supplication.
Wee Eck has visions of the Promised Land. And this 'Professor' believes him. OK, I'm sold. Here we come Nirvana!
Oh, haad on there! Which professor are we supposed to be believing?
Here's a lesson in maths. 4-1=3. 1 is less than 3. 3 is less than 4. Are you following this? Or is it too abstract?
Difficult to argue your point. What exactly is it?
Phantom Power That Kim-Jock-Eck is a mental midget. That all who believe that Scotland will be better off outside of the union are equally lacking in the brains department.
Clear enough? You're really lacking if you had to have it spelt oot!
scotchprofessor Keep off the scotch! You're an embarrassment to both sides of this debate.
What 'race' do you think I am you numpty?
Vote YES!
There should be in investigation into the BBC, and its good example to lose their licence
LOL. Investigation? What do you actually think the purpose of the BBC is or have ever been, other than to manufacture consent? Panem et circenses. Oldest trick in the book. It is used everywhere, and with great success.
Its a embarrassment, and recognised all over the bais in the referendum.....The should be impartical........they are not. They should lose their licenese........
i want to stop paying the license fee because i never watch the shitty,tory bbc
England should just become a new state in America
i lift my hat to Professor John Robertson. he did his job and the bbc tried to hang him for it. A man with morals well done sir.
Experts are predicting the UK debt is likely to double by 2018. This is the same UK that 'Better Together' claim we Scots should 'stick with', amid warnings of the dire financial consequences we will face if we do not. While I am no financial genius I would hazard to say that sticking with a Union that continues to borrow money, thereby increasing the budget deficit, it will never be able to repay, is akin to fiscal suicide for Scotland. Those revenues accrued from the extraction of the oil in the North Sea will, if it remains in UK hands, be frittered away, in much the same manner, it has been for the past 40 years. We don't need the UK, the UK needs us or, at least, our resources, until they run out.
did you know there is a huge oil field off the Ayrshire cost, the Westminster government refused the oil companies to explore it fully as it would be a danger to their nuclear subs, true look it up !
my postal ballot paper came in today 27/8/2014 and I have put down a big lovely yes on it , if you want to see a true Scottish labour party in the future you have to vote yes, you will never get social democracy if you rely on the voters in England to elect a labour government, its completely out of the hands of the Scottish electorate
YES Mel Gibson should pay for the entire Referendum costs. Get your Check/Cheque Book out Mel - make us proud of yee Son.
Free Scotland, Tell the British Govenment and The Queen to go and do one. Scotland will be better off without the control or influance from a greedy corporate owned british government, I hear you have your own oil fields, Great, Build up your economy and tell england where to go, Good luck on your referendom in september,
Thanks for sharing this!! It's so important to have someone who methodically can gather facts and proof of what a commun citizen can only suspect.
But my comment's theme is Structure and Sequence used to organize the news, which is VERY SIMILAR TO SALES TECHNIQUES when trying to sell a product when compared to another. Here is a very simple outline:
The product which is not desirable to sell is the first one to be described focussing it's flaws in a very subtle way. But speaking bad of others is politically incorrect, right? So, you should name good points about this product because that way you sound more neutral.The trick is: for each good thing you name two or three "buts" / flaws. If necessary, repeat the same flaw but with different words. You can even make some questions to the audience about this product, but questions with a negative structure, and the answer expected has to be "No".
After this, it's presented the product supposed to be sold and all the argument focuses on its advantages and how it can actually be a solution to the first one's flaws. Then again, you can question the audience, but this time the questions have a positive structure, and the answer expected has to be "Yes".
At the end a final question is presented: Which product do you prefer, A or B? Being the last the one we want to sell if you are speaking portuguese, because that depends of the phonetic accentuation which language has.
Form and content of the speech and its effects on audiences is something very carefully studied, being used on marketing or political propaganda. And it's a scary thing because, ultimately, it's massive manipulation!
" the governments independent forecaster"- Really? How?