Russell Merryman
@merryarty.bsky.social
Journalist, editor (ex-BBC/Al Jazeera), academic, PhD candidate, journalism trainer, media historian, future media geek, hardline realist, former gravedigger. Yorkshireman in exile, SWFC, WCCC & YCCC.
Pinned
Russell Merryman
@merryarty.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Hello? *tap tap* Is this thing on? Been here awhile but felt the tectonic shift and decided to start making better use of this site. Have been made to feel very welcome, thank you! Keeping a strategic presence in Deadbirdistan just to annoy all the wrong people.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Great letter in today's Guardian. What sort of free speech is prevented by factchecking, Zuck?
January 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Great letter in today's Guardian. What sort of free speech is prevented by factchecking, Zuck?
The regeneration and choices scenes were naughty, but the colourisation was excellent. Can understand the cutting for today's audiences, but, like The Daleks, I'd much prefer to see all the original episodes colourised. #doctorwho #thewargames #thewargamesincolour
December 23, 2024 at 11:18 PM
The regeneration and choices scenes were naughty, but the colourisation was excellent. Can understand the cutting for today's audiences, but, like The Daleks, I'd much prefer to see all the original episodes colourised. #doctorwho #thewargames #thewargamesincolour
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Appointing a pathological liar as the ‘Voice of America.’
A unique approach to public diplomacy.
A unique approach to public diplomacy.
December 12, 2024 at 12:40 PM
Appointing a pathological liar as the ‘Voice of America.’
A unique approach to public diplomacy.
A unique approach to public diplomacy.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Hey guys look the ferengi wants to try to start Starfleet.
December 10, 2024 at 8:37 PM
Hey guys look the ferengi wants to try to start Starfleet.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
If you’re keen on building a really healthy news environment on Bluesky from the outset… 🦋
…then please do follow all (and share!) these publications of the Bylines Network (local citizen journalism) and these other for-public-good news sources…
…then please do follow all (and share!) these publications of the Bylines Network (local citizen journalism) and these other for-public-good news sources…
December 4, 2024 at 10:17 AM
If you’re keen on building a really healthy news environment on Bluesky from the outset… 🦋
…then please do follow all (and share!) these publications of the Bylines Network (local citizen journalism) and these other for-public-good news sources…
…then please do follow all (and share!) these publications of the Bylines Network (local citizen journalism) and these other for-public-good news sources…
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Mighty impressed by the people of South Korea who came out in protest against their ridiculous president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Inspirational.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
Inspirational.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
Yoon Suk Yeol: South Korea president faces impeachment after attempt to impose martial law
The president made a shock decision to impose military control - but reversed his decision after lawmakers forced their way into parliament and voted against the move.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2024 at 8:23 AM
Mighty impressed by the people of South Korea who came out in protest against their ridiculous president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Inspirational.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
Inspirational.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Wow. This post from @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social has been shared 11,300 times & has 60,400 likes on @bsky.app. On X it has just 8 shares & 13 likes (despite a much larger following). Don’t tell me Musk isn’t throttling accounts. Thankfully the forecast going forward is BlueSky’s.
December 4, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Wow. This post from @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social has been shared 11,300 times & has 60,400 likes on @bsky.app. On X it has just 8 shares & 13 likes (despite a much larger following). Don’t tell me Musk isn’t throttling accounts. Thankfully the forecast going forward is BlueSky’s.
Meanwhile in today's "Non-story of confected outrage" – the #ElginMarbles:
December 3, 2024 at 5:25 PM
Meanwhile in today's "Non-story of confected outrage" – the #ElginMarbles:
Reposted by Russell Merryman
"Like many other parts of the world, the UK is in the firm grip of an epidemic of disinformation and misinformation"
A good list of origins of the problem - and tools we need to combat it.
A good list of origins of the problem - and tools we need to combat it.
How the UK became a nation of misinformation and disinformation
Like many other parts of the world, the UK is in the firm grip of an epidemic of disinformation and misinformation
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 28, 2024 at 9:56 AM
"Like many other parts of the world, the UK is in the firm grip of an epidemic of disinformation and misinformation"
A good list of origins of the problem - and tools we need to combat it.
A good list of origins of the problem - and tools we need to combat it.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
A future conversation...
"Dad, how could people want things to be so bad?"
"Well son, we used the internet mostly for porn and screaming our feelings. When it came time to look up things like "fascism" and "tariffs" I'm afraid it was a bridge too far for most."
"Dad, how could people want things to be so bad?"
"Well son, we used the internet mostly for porn and screaming our feelings. When it came time to look up things like "fascism" and "tariffs" I'm afraid it was a bridge too far for most."
November 28, 2024 at 2:59 AM
A future conversation...
"Dad, how could people want things to be so bad?"
"Well son, we used the internet mostly for porn and screaming our feelings. When it came time to look up things like "fascism" and "tariffs" I'm afraid it was a bridge too far for most."
"Dad, how could people want things to be so bad?"
"Well son, we used the internet mostly for porn and screaming our feelings. When it came time to look up things like "fascism" and "tariffs" I'm afraid it was a bridge too far for most."
Reposted by Russell Merryman
The fact that China doesn't like people switching to Bluesky seems like another sign that it's a great thing
November 27, 2024 at 12:46 PM
The fact that China doesn't like people switching to Bluesky seems like another sign that it's a great thing
Reposted by Russell Merryman
If you needed even MORE of a reason to switch to Bluesky, China is "troubled" by the fact that they've invested so much time on Twitter buying ads, bots, and influencers... only to see the people they're seeking to manipulate (us) flee the site.
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
November 27, 2024 at 3:04 AM
If you needed even MORE of a reason to switch to Bluesky, China is "troubled" by the fact that they've invested so much time on Twitter buying ads, bots, and influencers... only to see the people they're seeking to manipulate (us) flee the site.
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Sad to hear of the passing of John Prescott. One of the real characters of politics. Interviewing him was always a joy, especially when there was a big transport story breaking and he was camped out in BBC Radio Humberside's network studio doing back-to-back down-the-line spots for all the networks.
November 21, 2024 at 8:04 AM
Sad to hear of the passing of John Prescott. One of the real characters of politics. Interviewing him was always a joy, especially when there was a big transport story breaking and he was camped out in BBC Radio Humberside's network studio doing back-to-back down-the-line spots for all the networks.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
We are all witnessing anticipatory obedience in real time.
November 19, 2024 at 3:12 PM
We are all witnessing anticipatory obedience in real time.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
"Trump has ignored many of the rules and practices intended to guide a seamless transfer of power."
No shit Sherlocks.
Fascism is taking over and they're just waking up.
#BrokenPost
Trump ignores transition rules. It’s a ‘hostile takeover,’ ally says. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
No shit Sherlocks.
Fascism is taking over and they're just waking up.
#BrokenPost
Trump ignores transition rules. It’s a ‘hostile takeover,’ ally says. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump ignores transition rules. It’s a ‘hostile takeover,’ ally says.
Donald Trump’s transition team has begun what a close ally calls a hostile takeover of the federal government, ignoring the rules for the handover of power in the process.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2024 at 12:01 PM
"Trump has ignored many of the rules and practices intended to guide a seamless transfer of power."
No shit Sherlocks.
Fascism is taking over and they're just waking up.
#BrokenPost
Trump ignores transition rules. It’s a ‘hostile takeover,’ ally says. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
No shit Sherlocks.
Fascism is taking over and they're just waking up.
#BrokenPost
Trump ignores transition rules. It’s a ‘hostile takeover,’ ally says. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Ron is correct. If you are terrified of the man you are supposed to be aggressively covering, retire. That television slot can be taken by someone with a spine.
November 19, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Ron is correct. If you are terrified of the man you are supposed to be aggressively covering, retire. That television slot can be taken by someone with a spine.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
If you bring central London to a halt in order to campaign against catastrophic climate change then you're a "barmy" eco "fanatic" who deserves to be locked up.
If you do the same to hang on to your multimillion pound inheritance tax exemption then you're a brave freedom fighter defying the odds
If you do the same to hang on to your multimillion pound inheritance tax exemption then you're a brave freedom fighter defying the odds
November 19, 2024 at 10:22 AM
If you bring central London to a halt in order to campaign against catastrophic climate change then you're a "barmy" eco "fanatic" who deserves to be locked up.
If you do the same to hang on to your multimillion pound inheritance tax exemption then you're a brave freedom fighter defying the odds
If you do the same to hang on to your multimillion pound inheritance tax exemption then you're a brave freedom fighter defying the odds
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Good breakdown of the actual impact of the inheritance tax changes on farms.
The £1m is ON TOP of standard exemptions. So it's £1.3m tax-free if includes a residence. £2.6m if the spouse inherits. £3m if kids get some too.
And the tax is on surplus, not the total.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The £1m is ON TOP of standard exemptions. So it's £1.3m tax-free if includes a residence. £2.6m if the spouse inherits. £3m if kids get some too.
And the tax is on surplus, not the total.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How many farms would be affected by Budget changes?
Estimates of the number of farms affected range from 100 to 70,000.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Good breakdown of the actual impact of the inheritance tax changes on farms.
The £1m is ON TOP of standard exemptions. So it's £1.3m tax-free if includes a residence. £2.6m if the spouse inherits. £3m if kids get some too.
And the tax is on surplus, not the total.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The £1m is ON TOP of standard exemptions. So it's £1.3m tax-free if includes a residence. £2.6m if the spouse inherits. £3m if kids get some too.
And the tax is on surplus, not the total.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Russell Merryman
I listened to someone try and explain it on LBC yesterday and it's literally just as stupid as Jack says
I do find the Rachel Reeves CV Truther stuff a bit baffling. I was starting to think that there had to be *something* to it but no, it's literally just a story in search of a smoking gun.
November 19, 2024 at 7:59 AM
I listened to someone try and explain it on LBC yesterday and it's literally just as stupid as Jack says
Reposted by Russell Merryman
No longer calling myself middle aged. New descriptor: Umpteenager.
November 15, 2024 at 12:39 PM
No longer calling myself middle aged. New descriptor: Umpteenager.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
Also, part of the reason we did bought InfoWars is because people on Bluesky told us it would be funny to buy InfoWars. And those people were right. This is the funniest thing that has ever happened.
November 14, 2024 at 2:35 PM
Also, part of the reason we did bought InfoWars is because people on Bluesky told us it would be funny to buy InfoWars. And those people were right. This is the funniest thing that has ever happened.
Reposted by Russell Merryman
I would love to tell you about the times vaccines prevented me from getting sick, but every time it happens, I don’t notice. I just keep feeling well.
Neither do you.
Public health, when it’s working, is invisible.
Neither do you.
Public health, when it’s working, is invisible.
November 15, 2024 at 11:20 AM
I would love to tell you about the times vaccines prevented me from getting sick, but every time it happens, I don’t notice. I just keep feeling well.
Neither do you.
Public health, when it’s working, is invisible.
Neither do you.
Public health, when it’s working, is invisible.
Things can only get better…
I am going to start following people by the way - just getting started :-)
November 16, 2024 at 6:55 AM
Things can only get better…