Alex Salmond criticises 'state broadcaster' BBC | Channel 4 News

Alex Salmond criticises the BBC for its coverage of the Scottish independence referendum, saying the organisation does not know the difference between being a "public service broadcaster" and a "state broadcaster".

The leaders on the referendum result:

[TheDaviebhoy]

The bbc coverage of the referendum campaign was completely biased, and Mr Salmond has actually shown great reserve, the establishment threw everything at them and it was close. After facing death threats and being bombarded with so much punishment this man fought a courageous campaign. He gave scotland an option which they decided against, which is more than any other politician has given.

[carolineduncan]

A fine man... we were shafted big time. Scotland will be free one day. 

[mereality]

The NO Voters did not divorce Westminster!
But they broke Scotlands heart!

[karymart]

Salmond's a clever man, and can now say what he wants without the shackles he wore as First Minister, and I believe he will have plenty to say. He has been vilified like no other politician has ever been, and most of it on a very personal level, for no other reason than his honest passionate belief that Scotland should be Independent.

[martyrea]

Salmond is the man, he has put us on the road to independence.

[moonspellsdumb]

Watch bbc video on American gun rights if you want to see bias coverage. But thinking back I don't remember seeing any bbc video on the positive aspects of Scotland leaving.

[Singapom]

I am seriously beginning to wonder about the man's sanity...

[martind]

Some of you guys just don't get it do you? Not only was the referendum about separation. It was about another vision of a fairer and more open society with opportunity for those who are forced from their jobs and have to rely on food banks just to get by. It was also about the dignity and profit that is robbed from the Scots with every drop of oil extracted from the fields in the North Sea. t was about the need for Scotland to decide how to spend and invest in it's own future. Is voting No to that something to be so smug about? How are you going to feel when your job is cut too from a decision made in Westminster?
Like him or not Alex Salmond had vision. Like them or not the people who voted yes had you in mind too in their vision.

[TheLouisXXI]

Alex Salmond, you have nothing but to blame but yourself, the SNP copied the PQ model of a independence referendum and managed to copy their mistakes when calling for one after you one a majority government. SNP just managed to to kill the independence idea all together.

[kennymoffat]

He is spot on. I don't think that the BBC are deliberately biased, but as a British state broadcaster, they were completely out of their depth in covering the independence debate.

[DuncanMcA]

They never complained about the Scottish media and 'Westminster elite' when they campaigned for a Yes-Yes in 1997.

[SiskinOnUTube]

It might seem weird as an observation, but I do think it's a bit odd that the BBC chose to show the entire Wallace and Gromit catalogue during the Westminster election campaign. It did seem to be underlining a political jibe, by doing that. Much like "What's funny about the indy ref" is constantly available on iPlayer, even now.

[Iazzaboyce]

When Jane Hill was speaking live about the BBC protest, she said the protesters believed the BBC was "too biased". Her expression immediately conceded that this had been a Freudian slip of gigantic proportion, as she had revealed live that she was aware of the BBC's partial stance on the question of Scottish independence....Because of course it is no more possible to be too biased than to be too guilty.    

[saderin]

the currency issue really was a sticking point. If Salmond had said we will have a gold/silver backed currency then I would see this as a very serious attempt at creating a healthy country. But what I felt was his plan B was the Euro and that would mean giving sovereignty to Brussels and would totally defeat the independence movement. I know he said he was against joining the EU but the fact is as a politician how do we know he wouldn't flip flop and do it as an emergency measure.

[alecbaldwin]

Bitterness and bile. The world is out to get us....

[willboberoonysmith]

The more this bloke goes on tv blaming, the more at risk he is of the usual media assasination of his character. He should accept he lost, and leave it at that.

[navylaks]

BBC's job is to maintain the UK, other European medias should have been brought in to cover the referendum

[martind]

You may just get those politicians in Westminster. Judging by the groundswell of people joining the SNP, Green and other benign parties It seems like my hopes for those who wanted that fairer society are staying engaged and so the 1.6 million votes may not go to waste after all. Furthermore, that they are doing it in those different groups is a refreshing reminder of the diversity within the Yes movement and the whole idea of an inclusive society. Take care qebesenuef13 perhaps we shall see you around this site again.

[wepzuk]

Whine whine whine, ...the people of Scotland have spoken, get over it Salmond! 

[johnmacgregor]

What I thought would have been really news worthy was the cunning devious underhanded way the realignment of the border of the North Sea took place, The Argyle and AUK  and 5 other oilfields overnight were moved from Scotland into English waters did this make the headlines in any newspapers before the referendum, Think about of course we are all one country.