OttoDog,

In your opinion, what are the top 3 broadcasters in the news category on TV, and on radio?

I'm just curious to get some perspective on how much your view of them as so far left, they have fallen off a cliff. Do your political views make the BBC a bad broadcaster, or do your upset political views signal problems with their broadcasting?

OttoDog,

I think the BBC has one of the best international network of news bureaus. That being said, I've taken a liking to Deutsche Welle over the last few months. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp is good so long as they don't get sucked into the "lighter side of the news that isn't really news at all" segments. I find NPR to be hit and miss. Radio Africa (South Africa really) is barely tolerable. Australian Broadcasting Corp is solid. I need to learn one or two asian languages before I get some good news from them regularly. Central asia is just a void with state pr agencies in love with whichever king they've had since the USSR retreated. There are many more that I regularly check, I really care little about what is being said. To me it's how a certain people receive and react to given news that's important.

For example, all the world and their dog could know Saddam couldn't hit London under 15 minute notice with WMDs. But if the politicians are telling you this, what could their reason be? If the local population believes it, those politicians will have no choice as the voters demand action. The original story or the facts from which it was derived are irrelevant as to what will happen tomorrow.

Whenever it's international news I read the local state and private broadcasts or reportings. Then I look at the same subject from the same of their enemy's or others in the region. I only go so far if it's a momentous story, otherwise I get a decent picture of most average events through a variety of sources. But for ones like Iran wanting to prosecute the 15 British for treason I hit up a bunch of Iranian sources.

It's not about what they tell you. It's why or how they tell you. I rely on my own brain to construct my own opinion; you know ignoring the 'infotainment', reading between the lines. Hell most reporters are telling you things they know little about and had to prepare in too little time.

I don't have a political tendency. I see there being a right and wrong way to do things.

So pardon my rambling, I just thought it suited your response that did not answer my question. That is unless you wish me to presume that I damn well already know that you consider the entire rest of the world to be leftist with all the connotations you wish to imply. It's clearly not your own problem, it's apparently every news reporter other than a special few who reinforce your pre-conceived notions, interpretations, and ideals.

Oh and as a continuation; if you want to the point news, I find there is nothing better than financial centred news. Bloomberg, WSJ, NYT Business, the London FT, etc. They just skip past the BS and get to what something means and leave the speculation or opinion to you (unless it's an opinion or editorial piece, then they at least support whatever they declare contritely)

There are also good magazines, and even blogs (based on stories and facts, I don't care about diaries or rants). I guess I'm an info junky.