Stephen Cushion
@stephencushion.bsky.social
Professor of journalism & political communication at Cardiff University & night time 🚖 for my kids
Great summary of our Caerphilly by election media study 👇
The Caerphilly by-election highlighted a significant moment in Welsh politics.
The result prompted wider discussion about party support ahead of the 2026 Senedd election & how political developments in Wales are interpreted across the UK.
🔗 tinyurl.com/3zbpujtn
🧵👇
#impartiality #byelection
The result prompted wider discussion about party support ahead of the 2026 Senedd election & how political developments in Wales are interpreted across the UK.
🔗 tinyurl.com/3zbpujtn
🧵👇
#impartiality #byelection
Caerphilly by-election: Why Wales fell out of love with Labour
Now Labour faces its toughest task yet in Wales - convincing voters to keep believing, ahead of the 2026 Senedd election
tinyurl.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Great summary of our Caerphilly by election media study 👇
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
A new article by @stephencushion.bsky.social for @theconversation.com highlights while the BBC is no stranger to accusations of bias, the Prescott memo is far from the rigorous assessment many assumed it to be.
🔗 tinyurl.com/3cx8edjp
🧵👇
#journalism #journalismstudies #BBC #mediareporting
🔗 tinyurl.com/3cx8edjp
🧵👇
#journalism #journalismstudies #BBC #mediareporting
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
tinyurl.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM
A new article by @stephencushion.bsky.social for @theconversation.com highlights while the BBC is no stranger to accusations of bias, the Prescott memo is far from the rigorous assessment many assumed it to be.
🔗 tinyurl.com/3cx8edjp
🧵👇
#journalism #journalismstudies #BBC #mediareporting
🔗 tinyurl.com/3cx8edjp
🧵👇
#journalism #journalismstudies #BBC #mediareporting
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
The roof is falling in at the BBC on the back of the Prescott investigation, but the report itself is badly flawed. Good piece here by @stephencushion.bsky.social.
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The roof is falling in at the BBC on the back of the Prescott investigation, but the report itself is badly flawed. Good piece here by @stephencushion.bsky.social.
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
The Prescott memo which sparked chaos at the BBC was in no sense a rigorous, systematic or scientific document. All it did was cherrypick a few examples of alleged bias, as well as a couple of mistakes. So why isn’t the memo being put under greater scrutiny, asks @stephencushion.bsky.social?
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The Prescott memo which sparked chaos at the BBC was in no sense a rigorous, systematic or scientific document. All it did was cherrypick a few examples of alleged bias, as well as a couple of mistakes. So why isn’t the memo being put under greater scrutiny, asks @stephencushion.bsky.social?
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:59 AM
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Claims of bias against the BBC in the recent furore rest on the ‘Prescott Report’. Apart from the wrongful editing of Trump on Panorama for which the BBC has apologised the claims do not meet normal research standards, as this expert refutation shows.
Claims of bias against the BBC in the recent furore rest on the ‘Prescott Report’. Apart from the wrongful editing of Trump on Panorama for which the BBC has apologised the claims do not meet normal research standards, as this expert refutation shows.
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Claims of bias against the BBC in the recent furore rest on the ‘Prescott Report’. Apart from the wrongful editing of Trump on Panorama for which the BBC has apologised the claims do not meet normal research standards, as this expert refutation shows.
Claims of bias against the BBC in the recent furore rest on the ‘Prescott Report’. Apart from the wrongful editing of Trump on Panorama for which the BBC has apologised the claims do not meet normal research standards, as this expert refutation shows.
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
And as @stephencushion.bsky.social has written ‘The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:50 AM
And as @stephencushion.bsky.social has written ‘The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
NEW: What on earth happened at the BBC this week?
And why would anyone want to replace Tim Davie?
The behind the scenes concerns about this week’s impact on the BBC’s future:
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
And why would anyone want to replace Tim Davie?
The behind the scenes concerns about this week’s impact on the BBC’s future:
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
‘Not for the faint-hearted’: is running the BBC an impossible job?
After Tim Davie’s resignation, the next director general will face internal strife, external noise and looming talks over the corporation’s existence and purpose
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:03 AM
NEW: What on earth happened at the BBC this week?
And why would anyone want to replace Tim Davie?
The behind the scenes concerns about this week’s impact on the BBC’s future:
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
And why would anyone want to replace Tim Davie?
The behind the scenes concerns about this week’s impact on the BBC’s future:
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
Our new @cujournmedcul.bsky.social analysis of the Prescott Memo - the research informing was not impartial. We need more rigorous and robust research 👇
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
tcnv.link
November 15, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Our new @cujournmedcul.bsky.social analysis of the Prescott Memo - the research informing was not impartial. We need more rigorous and robust research 👇
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
“Broadly speaking, we have not found evidence of any systemic [ #BBC] #bias as alleged in the #Prescott memo. Nor have we alleged flagrant breaches of broadcast #impartiality.
We have, however, identified blind spots where more context, background and explanation would help audiences…”
We have, however, identified blind spots where more context, background and explanation would help audiences…”
I’ve just published a new article in the @uk.theconversation.com entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8: theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
“Broadly speaking, we have not found evidence of any systemic [ #BBC] #bias as alleged in the #Prescott memo. Nor have we alleged flagrant breaches of broadcast #impartiality.
We have, however, identified blind spots where more context, background and explanation would help audiences…”
We have, however, identified blind spots where more context, background and explanation would help audiences…”
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
Excellent article from @stephencushion.bsky.social interrogating the quality of evidence in the Prescott memo and whether it proves its claims of systematic bias in the BBC.
Ultimately, it is a rallying cry for robust, transparent and clearly evidenced research into the impartiality.
Ultimately, it is a rallying cry for robust, transparent and clearly evidenced research into the impartiality.
I’ve just published a new article in the @uk.theconversation.com entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8: theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Excellent article from @stephencushion.bsky.social interrogating the quality of evidence in the Prescott memo and whether it proves its claims of systematic bias in the BBC.
Ultimately, it is a rallying cry for robust, transparent and clearly evidenced research into the impartiality.
Ultimately, it is a rallying cry for robust, transparent and clearly evidenced research into the impartiality.
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
Talking about the BBC News crisis to @markurban.bsky.social & former dep chief exec of BBC News Richard Ayre for latest BBC Newswatch. From midnight Fri on link or BBC1 Sat 745am www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC News - Newswatch, 15/11/2025
Your views on the coverage of events by BBC News.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Talking about the BBC News crisis to @markurban.bsky.social & former dep chief exec of BBC News Richard Ayre for latest BBC Newswatch. From midnight Fri on link or BBC1 Sat 745am www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I’ve just published a new article in the @uk.theconversation.com entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8: theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I’ve just published a new article in the @uk.theconversation.com entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8: theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Is there political bias at BBC Wales News - favouring @plaidcymru.bsky.social? Our new systematic study of the Caerphilly by-election coverage on BBC TV, online and social media found NO evidence supporting this allegation - BBC Wales broadly balanced coverage of the major parties 👇
UK-network coverage was largely framed around the decline of Welsh Labour & Reform’s political ascendancy. There was more balanced party coverage in national media in Wales, but the Reform by-election candidate was the most referenced during the campaign 2/10 public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
References to Caerphilly by-election candidates on TV and Online News
A Flourish data visualization by Maxwll Modell
public.flourish.studio
November 12, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Is there political bias at BBC Wales News - favouring @plaidcymru.bsky.social? Our new systematic study of the Caerphilly by-election coverage on BBC TV, online and social media found NO evidence supporting this allegation - BBC Wales broadly balanced coverage of the major parties 👇
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
Since joining the impartiality project, I’ve been been diving into debates on impartiality (trying to catch up with @stephencushion.bsky.social, @mattwalshjourno.bsky.social & @maxwellmodell.bsky.social!).
Nick Bradshaw’s new IDA piece is a must-read.
🔗 tinyurl.com/ycxkbu8s
🧵👇
#impartiality #BBC
Nick Bradshaw’s new IDA piece is a must-read.
🔗 tinyurl.com/ycxkbu8s
🧵👇
#impartiality #BBC
The Explainer: What Is British Impartiality (And Can It Survive)?
How the BBC elevated impartiality to its “very essence” amid documentary cancellations and regulatory pressures, and whether this embattled value can survive partisan challenges
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Since joining the impartiality project, I’ve been been diving into debates on impartiality (trying to catch up with @stephencushion.bsky.social, @mattwalshjourno.bsky.social & @maxwellmodell.bsky.social!).
Nick Bradshaw’s new IDA piece is a must-read.
🔗 tinyurl.com/ycxkbu8s
🧵👇
#impartiality #BBC
Nick Bradshaw’s new IDA piece is a must-read.
🔗 tinyurl.com/ycxkbu8s
🧵👇
#impartiality #BBC
Important thread about how the BBC mitigates political polarisation in the 🇬🇧 because it’s so widely consumed compared to the 🇺🇸 where people rely on a wide range of information sources 👇
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Important thread about how the BBC mitigates political polarisation in the 🇬🇧 because it’s so widely consumed compared to the 🇺🇸 where people rely on a wide range of information sources 👇
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
"The main UK BBC analysis of the Caerphilly result read: 'Extraordinary by-election humbles Westminster’s big beasts' with a narrative centred on the decline of Labour & the Tories.
"Plaid Cymru, who won by 11%, was the fourth party mentioned." Its leader was not.
Farage had a photo AND quotes.
"Plaid Cymru, who won by 11%, was the fourth party mentioned." Its leader was not.
Farage had a photo AND quotes.
The worst person to be in Wales
A crisis we are just accepting
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"The main UK BBC analysis of the Caerphilly result read: 'Extraordinary by-election humbles Westminster’s big beasts' with a narrative centred on the decline of Labour & the Tories.
"Plaid Cymru, who won by 11%, was the fourth party mentioned." Its leader was not.
Farage had a photo AND quotes.
"Plaid Cymru, who won by 11%, was the fourth party mentioned." Its leader was not.
Farage had a photo AND quotes.
Important article shining a light on how BBC News regulates itself, including when confronted by allegations of breaching impartiality 👇
November 8, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Important article shining a light on how BBC News regulates itself, including when confronted by allegations of breaching impartiality 👇
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
Great write-up of our latest Caerphilly by-election report by Martin Shipton and Nation Cymru
UK-wide broadcasters framed the coverage of the Caerphilly by-election result not around Plaid Cymru’s victory but the implications for the Labour Party and Reform UK, according to research carried out at Cardiff University ✍️Martin Shipton nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
Plaid Cymru's Caerphilly victory overshadowed by UK broadcasters' obsession with Reform UK and Labour
Martin Shipton UK-wide broadcasters framed the coverage of the Caerphilly by-election result not around Plaid Cymru’s victory but the implications for the Labour Party and Reform UK, according to rese...
nation.cymru
November 7, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Great write-up of our latest Caerphilly by-election report by Martin Shipton and Nation Cymru
Our new @cujournmedcul.bsky.social study of how the #Caerphilly by-election was reported featured in @nation.cymru - the distinction between how Wales and UK-wide media cover the Senedd elections next year could be significant given more people rely on news produced in England than in Wales 👇
UK-wide broadcasters framed the coverage of the Caerphilly by-election result not around Plaid Cymru’s victory but the implications for the Labour Party and Reform UK, according to research carried out at Cardiff University ✍️Martin Shipton nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
Plaid Cymru's Caerphilly victory overshadowed by UK broadcasters' obsession with Reform UK and Labour
Martin Shipton UK-wide broadcasters framed the coverage of the Caerphilly by-election result not around Plaid Cymru’s victory but the implications for the Labour Party and Reform UK, according to rese...
nation.cymru
November 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Our new @cujournmedcul.bsky.social study of how the #Caerphilly by-election was reported featured in @nation.cymru - the distinction between how Wales and UK-wide media cover the Senedd elections next year could be significant given more people rely on news produced in England than in Wales 👇
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
A really fascinating piece of research.
New impartiality study: Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? Thread 1/10 www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/caerphi...
Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? — Researching the impartiality of political news
In UK-wide media, the Caerphilly by-election result was framed around Reform UK’s defeat, the terminal decline of Labour in Wales, and the implications for Keir Starmer’s UK government in Westminster....
www.enhancingimpartiality.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:18 AM
A really fascinating piece of research.
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
New impartiality study: Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? Thread 1/10 www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/caerphi...
Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? — Researching the impartiality of political news
In UK-wide media, the Caerphilly by-election result was framed around Reform UK’s defeat, the terminal decline of Labour in Wales, and the implications for Keir Starmer’s UK government in Westminster....
www.enhancingimpartiality.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New impartiality study: Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? Thread 1/10 www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/caerphi...
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
Despite shifting politics and declining support for the industry, Dudfield said the goal hasn’t changed. “We’re fact-checkers. We check facts,”
The UK’s fact-checkers are sending their AI to help Americans cover elections - Poynter
From person-to-person coaching and intensive hands-on seminars to interactive online courses and media reporting, Poynter helps journalists sharpen skills and elevate storytelling throughout their car...
www.poynter.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Despite shifting politics and declining support for the industry, Dudfield said the goal hasn’t changed. “We’re fact-checkers. We check facts,”
Reposted by Stephen Cushion
“On BBC News at Ten, the time provided to the Reform candidate UK (1m 01s) was much longer than those given to candidates from Labour (36 seconds), Plaid Cymru (30 seconds) and the Conservatives (16 seconds). Nigel Farage was the only UK party leader referenced.”
New impartiality study: Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? Thread 1/10 www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/caerphi...
Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? — Researching the impartiality of political news
In UK-wide media, the Caerphilly by-election result was framed around Reform UK’s defeat, the terminal decline of Labour in Wales, and the implications for Keir Starmer’s UK government in Westminster....
www.enhancingimpartiality.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
“On BBC News at Ten, the time provided to the Reform candidate UK (1m 01s) was much longer than those given to candidates from Labour (36 seconds), Plaid Cymru (30 seconds) and the Conservatives (16 seconds). Nigel Farage was the only UK party leader referenced.”
New impartiality study: Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? Thread 1/10 www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/caerphi...
Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? — Researching the impartiality of political news
In UK-wide media, the Caerphilly by-election result was framed around Reform UK’s defeat, the terminal decline of Labour in Wales, and the implications for Keir Starmer’s UK government in Westminster....
www.enhancingimpartiality.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New impartiality study: Contrasting media coverage of the Caerphilly by-election in Wales with UK-wide news: how did broadcasters balance parties and leaders? Thread 1/10 www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/caerphi...