Gary Lineker, BBC and Freedom of Speech - **Read OP**

What about when part of the crisis is a shortage of workers, both skilled and unskilled? Is that still farcical?

(Now quickly, crack that 'joke' about refugees being doctors and scientists, it gets funnier every time it's told.)

Spectacular fail by the BBC

It's not that bizarre really. The function of Twitter other than providing information (which he wasn't) is seeking attention.

Similar =\= Same. In fact it means different but with common characteristics

As no doubt has been said, Freedom of speech does NOT mean Freedom from consequences. One should not be expected to spout threats, hate or known lies without expecting fallout/ramifications.

However this reaction from the BBC, IMHO is disturbing. Linekar is entitled to his opinion. He did not state this as a member of MoTD or as a representative of the BBC or anything (as we know, he is not). He voiced this as Gary Linekar. At most, the BBC should have said something like "These are his opinions and we neither condone nor condem them". Right or wrong, it really does smack of the national broadcaster not being independent but instead towing the government line. In fairness to BBC News website, they seem to be handling this with impartiality. The BBC is one of the most respected broadcasting and news services in the world (Despite the thoughts of a former US president) and this, yeah, is a really bad look.

He’s been seen as attention seeking going back years. He is well known for gaffs with his commentary. He relentlessly comes out with woke stuff that he thinks the public wants to hear and laps up the praise when it comes, although it backfires sometimes.

I wonder if he'd agreed with Government policy would would the BBC have had an issue?

Lineker also has the support of pretty much the entire sporting department - he doesn't need to do anything. I believe it's an international weekend next, so it'll be interesting to see if the commentary teams continue the boycott or whether everything goes back to normal.

There was an interesting question posed on the BBC's on website: if Lineker had come out and say that he totally agreed with the policy and that it was great, would he still have been suspended? Needless to say, it didn't get a direct answer.

Interview here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64918162

I can't be sure, but it was his comparison to the Nazis in the 30s is the issue. He's a professional he should know better. I know it's popular, in particular on here, to call people who don't agree with you a fascist but a grown man who works in the public broadcaster should know better, but I've already said, there is a rot in management in the BBC, that much is abundantly clear, they now have a major headache now all of their own making. It's actually hilarious to watch...as the lads here keep saying, grab the popcorn, this one is going to be good!!!

In the interview I linked to. The guy repeatedly said that it was a lack of impartiality that was the issue.

Lineker also has the support of pretty much the entire sporting department

All sporting departments, not just the BBC.

But the big one is the union support. Including the the national union of journalists who are actually striking this week I think.

This hasn't even begun to escalate yet, I predict a lot more broadcasting of reruns over the next week or so.

Nah. He could walk into a well paid job with Sky.

There is a podcast called "the newsagents" with three ex BBC news journalists, Emily Matliss, john Soffel and Lewis Goodall. It's very good but they had an interesting article on this story and the whole idea of BBC impartiality earlier in the week. Well worth a listen.

He could for sure, but he would have to work for his money at Sky - such as travelling to multiple games a week, doing live games unscripted, and doing some of his own research.

The issue here really is the reactionary rights inability to deal with anyone have the temerity to question their policies