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We are entering the next stage of a divisive and dangerous ‘culture war'

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Even I was surprised - albeit only somewhat - by the news that Boris Johnson is reported to have looking at Charles Moore and Paul Dacre for lucrative, influential roles at the highest echelons of UK media: BBC and Ofcom.

Not only are the two men in question deeply right-wing, but they appear to openly detest the BBC and all it stands for.

This seems to me to be the next stage of the government's divisive and dangerous “culture war” – destroying the impartiality and the worldwide influence of the BBC, turning it into a private corporation, and allowing an ever freer rein for news organisations to twist truth as much as it likes without even a hint of a problem arising. All while presenting anyone who questions such a scenario as a radical leftist who hates Britain.

Hardly free or fair reporting, as Ofcom exists to promote. Two such appointments are the stuff of nightmares, damaging real journalism, denting impartiality, and allowing the Tories to get away with even more owing to even less accountability.

Sebastian Monblat

London

I think it is very important that a deal is negotiated between the British public and Boris Johnson along the lines of “we will overlook some of Johnson's sillinesses if he ensures that Paul Dacre has no involvement with our BBC”.

Tony Baker

Thirsk

Levelling up

Rob Merrick asked in this piece how will we know if Boris Johnson is achieving his promise to level up the country. This to me is very straightforward Johnson is at the helm of the Conservative demolition machine. If you destroy the entire country and stand back it will indeed all be plum level.

Paul Morrison

Address supplied

Climate language

I wonder how long it will take for politicians to start talking about “our planet” instead of “our country”?

Steve Edmondson

Cambridge

Restriction questions

Leaving aside the whacky conspiracy theorists, I think the anti-restriction protest in London on Saturday demonstrates the growing unease felt by many regarding the government’s handling of coronavirus.

Given that this virus is likely to be with us forever in some form or other and that it's impact on most people is minimal, is it not time to learn to live with it and let people go about their lives as normal, while putting measures in place to protect the vulnerable and elderly?

Additionally, is it not time to give those considered vulnerable the choice as to the level of risk they wish to take?

A Brown

Derby

There are many stories around which are placing the blame on younger people and I agree – especially those returning to university who have been attending parties and have no desire to stay isolated. If they had been in contact with someone at home they would have been put into self isolation so what is the difference?

However the highest increase in infections has occurred since schools reopened so surely someone in the government should be questioning this

I know that they say that schools are important and will be the last to close but I think if they closed the schools again that infections would fall quickly.

The children can continue their education after we have suppressed the virus, They may be a year behind but they have any years ahead of them to catch up.

Janet Taplin

Address supplied

Read more

Cabinet minister refuses to deny ‘behind-the-scenes’ talks to line up right-wingers for Ofcom and BBC jobs