Really, Auntie Beeb? UPDATED

UPDATE: Success! The story’s headline is suddenly altered. I usually go out of my way to resist the BBC-bashing instincts of many of my readers, mostly cuz I...

UPDATE: Success! The story’s headline is suddenly altered.

I usually go out of my way to resist the BBC-bashing instincts of many of my readers, mostly cuz I listen to the World Service every day and I know these guys do tremendous journalism in unbelievably tough circumstances all of the world day in and day out.

That said, the beeb’s Bambi insouciance on Venezuelan issues is really reaching an untenable extreme.

Witness…

BBC

Really? These guys announce that they intend to to import – notice, announce that they intend to import – 1.3 rolls of TP per capita (what’s that? like a week’s worth if you’re stingy?) and THAT’S your headline?

If I announce that I intend to smack your headline writer upside the head for being a lazy hack, is the headline “Venezuelan blogger assaults BBC staff”?!!?

Ferchrissake. Listen, those guys you got dodging bullets in Aleppo are unbelievable. Just amazing journos doing amazing work. Best in the world, really, and you have my undying gratitude for empowering them to do the work they do.

But that does not give you carte blanche to phone it in when it comes to covering lower priority countries…