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BBC: Brainwashing Britain?: How and why the BBC controls your mind
The people of Britain are under attack. We are being brainwashed. We are being brainwashed completely, ceaselessly and cynically... So just who is doing the brainwashing? How are they doing it and for what purposes? David Sedgwick’s latest book takes the reader on a disturbing journey deep into the realms of mistruth and deception to reveal, for the very first time, the many tricks and subterfuges used by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Every time we engage with BBC content, the author argues, we are exposing ourselves to a very dark the art of brainwashing. Wilful, deceitful and incessant, Orwellian parallels define the modern corporation and should chill the soul of all who cherish freedom and liberty. Mind control is here. This is not fiction. Brainwashing Britain? is a shocking expose of mass propaganda, its components, and aims. You may never look at Auntie in the same way ever again.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2018
195 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 47 reviews
April 27, 2020
Writing book reviews has never been a pleasant experience for me, but forcing myself to read this was a far more painful experience. Regardless of Sedgewick’s dire need for an editor, I tried to read this with an open mind.
Sedgewick's argument that the BBC is a systemic instrument of political machinations is not well supported by this anonymous anecdotal mess, a question that requires inference that is unsullied by real facts and pure silliness. There's no question that the BBC is a flawed organisation guilty of systemic mistakes, as this book's segment on case studies indicates very clearly. But to say that propagating a form of cultural Marxism is all its ethos is self-evident nonsense.
The book's weakest aspect disregarding the authors regular usage of tweets as a reliable online source, is its presumption from the first page that its thesis is right. A presumption that frees it from the need to provide evidence which should be alarming, even if your views align with the authors you would surely want evidence to prove to yourself you’re not lost in a state of cognitive dissonance.
Brexit and the post-truth age, anti-BBC feelings have much more traction and passion than the pro-BBC lobby, so it doesn’t really matter who says what once you pick your side you dismiss all conflicting sources of information.
Personally I’d recommend this book as I believe it gave me insight on how some perceive reality but by no means do I think the book represents reality :). Thanks for coming to my TED talk
Sedgewick's argument that the BBC is a systemic instrument of political machinations is not well supported by this anonymous anecdotal mess, a question that requires inference that is unsullied by real facts and pure silliness. There's no question that the BBC is a flawed organisation guilty of systemic mistakes, as this book's segment on case studies indicates very clearly. But to say that propagating a form of cultural Marxism is all its ethos is self-evident nonsense.
The book's weakest aspect disregarding the authors regular usage of tweets as a reliable online source, is its presumption from the first page that its thesis is right. A presumption that frees it from the need to provide evidence which should be alarming, even if your views align with the authors you would surely want evidence to prove to yourself you’re not lost in a state of cognitive dissonance.
Brexit and the post-truth age, anti-BBC feelings have much more traction and passion than the pro-BBC lobby, so it doesn’t really matter who says what once you pick your side you dismiss all conflicting sources of information.
Personally I’d recommend this book as I believe it gave me insight on how some perceive reality but by no means do I think the book represents reality :). Thanks for coming to my TED talk
January 1, 2019
This book needed editing. There are far too many spelling and grammatical mistakes, and unnecessary repetition. However, it is well worth reading for its content, which is a well-researched condemnation of bad BBC practices, especially in journalism, which undermine its claim to be fair and impartial. There is much here that is well researched and, I'm sorry to say, highly convincing. Brexit has undoubtedly brought out the worst in the BBC, with very little attempt to be impartial - not just in current affairs, but also in drama and comedy (I was surprised how little attention is given in this book to The News Quiz, which is breathtakingly foolish and arrogant). The nastily ad hominem treatment of Jacob Rees-Mogg, Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson is extremely relevant, and in general the BBC comedy and news departments don't exactly cover themselves in glory. An amazing amount of BBC output is blindly bigoted and geared to the prejudices of a left-liberal minority. Obviously, those within the BBC can't see this or, more likely, refuse to see it. This volume won't be reviewed at all by most elite, mainstream publications, and it ought to be. Favourably, despite the poor editing.
April 23, 2020
An Object Lesson in Fake News
Mr Sedgewick is very fond of quoting George Orwell, so perhaps he won't mind if I do the same. "It is a book that stinks. If it were possible for a book to give off a physical stink from its pages then this one would." Mr Sedgewick's contention, that the BBC is a systematic instrument of political conspiracy is not well served by this gallimaufry of anonymous anecdotage, question begging assertion unsullied by actual evidence and mere silliness. The worst feature of the book is its assumption from the first page that its thesis is correct, an assumption which frees him from the necessity of evidencing it as the book proceeds. There is no doubt that the BBC is a flawed organization capable of errors of judgement, as the Case Studies section of this book shows very clearly. But to suggest that its entire ethos is to propagate a form of cultural Marxism is self evident nonsense. Mr Sedgwick's book is sometimes economical with the truth but always generous with malicious half truth, and its overall effect is to stink the place out.
Mr Sedgewick is very fond of quoting George Orwell, so perhaps he won't mind if I do the same. "It is a book that stinks. If it were possible for a book to give off a physical stink from its pages then this one would." Mr Sedgewick's contention, that the BBC is a systematic instrument of political conspiracy is not well served by this gallimaufry of anonymous anecdotage, question begging assertion unsullied by actual evidence and mere silliness. The worst feature of the book is its assumption from the first page that its thesis is correct, an assumption which frees him from the necessity of evidencing it as the book proceeds. There is no doubt that the BBC is a flawed organization capable of errors of judgement, as the Case Studies section of this book shows very clearly. But to suggest that its entire ethos is to propagate a form of cultural Marxism is self evident nonsense. Mr Sedgwick's book is sometimes economical with the truth but always generous with malicious half truth, and its overall effect is to stink the place out.
April 28, 2020
Limited to 5 stars but it deserves more! Think the BBC has lost the plot and become a lefty LBGT, Islamist, Trump hating propaganda machine? This book proves it and explains why - essential reading and highly recommended
March 11, 2019
Brilliant
Read this book! I haven't tuned into the BBC for some months now and this book proves i was right. The mental gymnastics you have to do to not see the bias is staggering. This book condenses and gives valuable examples of the propaganda at play. Take the red pill people.
Read this book! I haven't tuned into the BBC for some months now and this book proves i was right. The mental gymnastics you have to do to not see the bias is staggering. This book condenses and gives valuable examples of the propaganda at play. Take the red pill people.
April 21, 2020
Oh my god, who puts this kind of crap out?!? I’m no fan of the BBC hence why I even considered reading this in the first place but this book is just lazy and awful. The fact that so much of the book is based on what people say on Twitter (that wholly reliable online source!) just says it all. I’m not exaggerating- large parts of the book are literally just the author quoting tweets he’s pulled off the platform! Had to stop reading quite early on.
September 12, 2019
Read this book
Excellent analysis of the Propaganda machine brainwashing this nation. Everyone needs to open their eyes to what is an attempt to change our culture...
Excellent analysis of the Propaganda machine brainwashing this nation. Everyone needs to open their eyes to what is an attempt to change our culture...
February 1, 2021
The devious and unworthy BBC
David Sedgwick has written a thorough and very damning examination of the methods deliberately employed by the BBC to make sure that the British public are fed the correct narrative and don't under any circumstances indulge in wrongthink. Slowly and insidiously instead of giving us what is supposed to be fair and impartial news coverage the BBC have more and more blatantly fed us cultural Marxist propaganda. Only a very limited number of opinions are allowed in their world. The BBC and its reporters feel entirely justified in doing this because they have socialist liberal views shaped by The Guardian.
This is the thesis of Sedgwick's view of the BBC,as he peels back the apparently bland methods used which when examined closely appear more and more outrageous when exposed to scrutiny.
He asserts that over the past decade and more we have been subjected to this manipulation and at times, using outright lies the BBC has moulded our opinions and shaped what it is acceptable to think. Anyone who dares to disagree and have a conservative point of view is vilified and attacked using such dishonest methods as ommission,loading the dice against those the BBC oppose, using plausible deniability in the form of quotes to get others to express opinions they can't promote directly themselves. They thus maintain a narrative of hatred against those they disagree with. He illustrates where people have been attacked after the BBC have in effect incited dislike and sheer hatred against them.
I was disillusioned already with the BBC before I read this book, but that disillusion turned to anger as I perceived even more clearly how the public are misled and those who are forced to finance the BBC are called names and made to feel out of step with what is 'right'. The Brexit vote was an illustration of this. The true situation is that the BBC's is a minority and extreme opinion and would often be detrimental to the people who are being brainwashed into supporting it.
More and more people are waking up and saying no to this financing model. They refuse to finance an organisation which works against their interests.
Read this book!
David Sedgwick has written a thorough and very damning examination of the methods deliberately employed by the BBC to make sure that the British public are fed the correct narrative and don't under any circumstances indulge in wrongthink. Slowly and insidiously instead of giving us what is supposed to be fair and impartial news coverage the BBC have more and more blatantly fed us cultural Marxist propaganda. Only a very limited number of opinions are allowed in their world. The BBC and its reporters feel entirely justified in doing this because they have socialist liberal views shaped by The Guardian.
This is the thesis of Sedgwick's view of the BBC,as he peels back the apparently bland methods used which when examined closely appear more and more outrageous when exposed to scrutiny.
He asserts that over the past decade and more we have been subjected to this manipulation and at times, using outright lies the BBC has moulded our opinions and shaped what it is acceptable to think. Anyone who dares to disagree and have a conservative point of view is vilified and attacked using such dishonest methods as ommission,loading the dice against those the BBC oppose, using plausible deniability in the form of quotes to get others to express opinions they can't promote directly themselves. They thus maintain a narrative of hatred against those they disagree with. He illustrates where people have been attacked after the BBC have in effect incited dislike and sheer hatred against them.
I was disillusioned already with the BBC before I read this book, but that disillusion turned to anger as I perceived even more clearly how the public are misled and those who are forced to finance the BBC are called names and made to feel out of step with what is 'right'. The Brexit vote was an illustration of this. The true situation is that the BBC's is a minority and extreme opinion and would often be detrimental to the people who are being brainwashed into supporting it.
More and more people are waking up and saying no to this financing model. They refuse to finance an organisation which works against their interests.
Read this book!
March 9, 2019
This book is a serious indictment of the British national broadcaster, the BBC. Full of real-world examples of political bias in its “balanced” news reporting and entertainment programming across recent years, author Sedgwick also travels back decades in an attempt to find the root cause of the problem, and what brought us to where we are. He makes myriad parallels to the dystopian nightmare depicted in Orwell's 1984, and only a plethora of clear evidence prevents him from coming across as a conspiracy nut. However, he doesn’t really suggest any workable solutions – only that people continue to opt out of the TV licence that funds the BBC and let it die a quiet death. Yet the BBC has a solid international reputation and access to an incredible amount of resources. I would have liked to see a more thoughtful resolution to the problem that would restore its reliability and trustworthiness.
Replete with spelling and grammar mistakes and too much repetition, the text badly needs editing. In places, it feels as if it were rushed to publication without due care, and that petty neglect takes away some of its credibility. However, if you persist with it, the content is sound and well-researched, and anybody can check the author’s claims with the help of an Internet search engine and a little time. Definitely worth reading if you care about fairness, balance and truth in our modern times.
Replete with spelling and grammar mistakes and too much repetition, the text badly needs editing. In places, it feels as if it were rushed to publication without due care, and that petty neglect takes away some of its credibility. However, if you persist with it, the content is sound and well-researched, and anybody can check the author’s claims with the help of an Internet search engine and a little time. Definitely worth reading if you care about fairness, balance and truth in our modern times.
March 13, 2020
Yes I'm giving this a 5 star. As a fan of 1984 and of the ways governments and the media can deceive their constituents, this book exposes a ton. I'm also giving it a 5 because I've probably mentioned how much I'm enjoying this book to multiple people. I'm in the US, Yes I'm ok with who the BBC is not a fan of but wow I never knew the extent to how much media lies for their own agenda.
What I also didn't know living in the US is the fee that all Brits pay and that they can be jailed for non payment. Truly if you are destitute and they lock you up because they want a fee, c'mon.
This book also proves to me that often when someone is saying "did you hear this", "did you see what he said/did ..." it's probably dreamed up and traceable back to BBC. I'm not sure where the BBC is going, I am a fan of Doctor Who and other shows and I enjoy some British humor. (Yes still a die hard Monty Python Fan).
... And George Orwell actually worked for the BBC; I found that fascinating.
If you're looking for a great way to lie and deceive a nation working to getting them on your side, this book is for you.
What I also didn't know living in the US is the fee that all Brits pay and that they can be jailed for non payment. Truly if you are destitute and they lock you up because they want a fee, c'mon.
This book also proves to me that often when someone is saying "did you hear this", "did you see what he said/did ..." it's probably dreamed up and traceable back to BBC. I'm not sure where the BBC is going, I am a fan of Doctor Who and other shows and I enjoy some British humor. (Yes still a die hard Monty Python Fan).
... And George Orwell actually worked for the BBC; I found that fascinating.
If you're looking for a great way to lie and deceive a nation working to getting them on your side, this book is for you.
May 1, 2020
Awful. I've read better rants on Facebook. A somewhat biased and selective view of an organisation which, if anything, leans the other way. I didn't realise 'TLDR;' should also apply to books more often. File under propaganda and 'outriders' if you can retain attention. Having a review system which puts 5* at the top of each list is also highly misleading.
March 21, 2020
An excellent book that makes powerful points about what the BBC has turned into. Good range of examples used.
April 28, 2020
David Sedgwick manages to pull together many of those threads that had been going around in my mind, ie why is its corporate mind made up over several subjects: why does almost every programme push some gender bending agenda: how does it manage to pay such grotesque salaries to so many and make 6 figure payoffs, contrary to policy as if it had an unlimited pot of gold: why has it managed to reach out through so many TV and radio channels plus a large on-line presence? Its 'groupthink' mentality pervades everything that it does.
As you can imagine, reading the other reviews, this is a very divisive subject as the BBC tries hard to maintain its status as a 'national treasure'.
The big question, he poses, is why do those of us who find the current BBC so objectionable, have to pay a licence fee so that we can watch other channels on television? The Licence Fee system is archaic and will die, with so many watching on-line services, but quite when it will die, is an unknown.
As Sedgwick says, the good thing is that the BBC is digging its own grave without even realising it.
(The audio book is narrated by Philip D'Arcy, who does an excellent job of narration.)
As you can imagine, reading the other reviews, this is a very divisive subject as the BBC tries hard to maintain its status as a 'national treasure'.
The big question, he poses, is why do those of us who find the current BBC so objectionable, have to pay a licence fee so that we can watch other channels on television? The Licence Fee system is archaic and will die, with so many watching on-line services, but quite when it will die, is an unknown.
As Sedgwick says, the good thing is that the BBC is digging its own grave without even realising it.
(The audio book is narrated by Philip D'Arcy, who does an excellent job of narration.)
May 29, 2020
The truth is out there
Well what a surprise, the BBC has honesty issues. At last a book that tells it as it is.
I realized some time ago that something wasn't quite right at the BBC. Anyone who watched there coverage of the Brexit election couldn't have failed to notice their reaction to the outcome.
Now only this week their host of Newsnight has been suspended over her rant about a conservative adviser breaking lock down due the corona virus outbreak. Which to date has provoked upwards of 18000 complaints.
This book details many such occasions where the stories have been reported in such away to fit in with the BBC 's believe system.
The BBC takes money off the public, who have to pay the license fee. Then they seem to think it's ok to decide what the public should believe.
This book refers to George Orwell's 1984 in which the similarities are striking.
Well what a surprise, the BBC has honesty issues. At last a book that tells it as it is.
I realized some time ago that something wasn't quite right at the BBC. Anyone who watched there coverage of the Brexit election couldn't have failed to notice their reaction to the outcome.
Now only this week their host of Newsnight has been suspended over her rant about a conservative adviser breaking lock down due the corona virus outbreak. Which to date has provoked upwards of 18000 complaints.
This book details many such occasions where the stories have been reported in such away to fit in with the BBC 's believe system.
The BBC takes money off the public, who have to pay the license fee. Then they seem to think it's ok to decide what the public should believe.
This book refers to George Orwell's 1984 in which the similarities are striking.
June 12, 2020
Using an Australian idiom -“Do yourselves a favour” and read this book. It will enhance or develop your inner cynic and prompt you to read news feeds beyond the first paragraph, search beyond the first page of google, verify data and see socio political agendas stand out like dog gonads. With at times painstaking repetition of Orwellian, Nazi, Marxist and general non-populist strategies of mass manipulation, the author deconstructs not only the BBC but alludes to all elements of extremism in our society and media. More than half of the book can have a single letter altered and refer to the ABC in Australia which shatters another of my childhood myths that Aunty is trustworthy and an authority commensurate with unbiased truth and justice. Journalists and activists are apparently synonymous entities.
July 2, 2020
Well researched and critically constructed, this book gives an evidence based case for the BBC constantly pushing its own “right thinking” agenda. It also explains how this is done under the guise of impartiality and balance, and how other news channels are flooded out making independent corroboration of BBC “news” difficult. The financial side is also ruthlessly exposed, how the BBC extorts billions from the public through a ludicrous TV tax, pays its presenters and managers vastly excessive amounts and then fought hard to keep it all secret.
Read it the book, it may open your eyes.
Read it the book, it may open your eyes.
June 7, 2020
Awesome
I have for years thought that Auntie was a left wing institution and that reports in recent years have only cemented my opinion. Marxist to the core, and a massive purveyor of false if not one side news and views.
A truly good read for me.
I truly hope subscription comes to the BBC asap.
I have for years thought that Auntie was a left wing institution and that reports in recent years have only cemented my opinion. Marxist to the core, and a massive purveyor of false if not one side news and views.
A truly good read for me.
I truly hope subscription comes to the BBC asap.
September 21, 2024
Must read for those fed up with the BBC.
Finally someone exposes how the BBC avoids journalism and pushes their agenda upon the masses at their own annual TV licence cost.
Many similarities are drawn to the book 1984 by George Orwell.
Finally someone exposes how the BBC avoids journalism and pushes their agenda upon the masses at their own annual TV licence cost.
Many similarities are drawn to the book 1984 by George Orwell.
September 15, 2020
I read, David Sedgwick's latest book first (published 2020), 'The Fake News Factory' and it was so shockingly revealing about the BBC and its sinister modus operandi, I just had to read this earlier book too (published 2018).
As any academic should do he diligently researches into his subject matter and leaves no stone unturned, backed up with countless examples of BBC bias. I had been aware of the degrading of our so-called national broadcaster for a long time now and it is little more than a megaphone for the centre left and far left causes. This book has educated me even further regarding the BBC's modus operandi (as with Sedgwick's follow up book - see above) and I didn't know that could be remotely possible. The result; I have cancelled my BBC TV Licence. Allow it to compete in the open market place and let it die a natural death. Or perhaps having been defunded it may think twice that 'diversity of opinion' is the only way to succeed?
A MUST READ... BUY IT!
As any academic should do he diligently researches into his subject matter and leaves no stone unturned, backed up with countless examples of BBC bias. I had been aware of the degrading of our so-called national broadcaster for a long time now and it is little more than a megaphone for the centre left and far left causes. This book has educated me even further regarding the BBC's modus operandi (as with Sedgwick's follow up book - see above) and I didn't know that could be remotely possible. The result; I have cancelled my BBC TV Licence. Allow it to compete in the open market place and let it die a natural death. Or perhaps having been defunded it may think twice that 'diversity of opinion' is the only way to succeed?
A MUST READ... BUY IT!
May 6, 2021
I am not even finished this book yet but I can already see David's premise for the book is baseless. For a start the BBC top brass are major conservative doners to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The nationalist pride of his conjecture is obvious and rather sickening for someone like me, who prefers Bakunnin because Marx wasn't radical enough. This review is not based on defense of the BBC as they're a divisive institution used to further corporate agendas not the new propaganda arm of the british communist party. If you want to save the british curry from asylum seekers this books for you.
May 10, 2020
The BBC used to report the news and produce programmes to entertain us. Sadly those days are gone. The BBC now spins the news to it's own ends whilst it's programmes are produced in a manner designed to ensure we all view the world as dictated by the BBC. Dr Who is a prime example; once it was all about the sci fi now it's about gender, colour and being woke.
This book is well worth a read especially for those in the USA.
This book is well worth a read especially for those in the USA.
April 25, 2022
Rather than an urgent wake-up call this book reads more like an eulogy to western civilisation. I do understand that those on the left abhor Sedgwick but he has much to offer when nonpartisan readers wish to view our society through clear rather than a rose-coloured lens. When you scroll through the list of ex-BBC journalists and correspondents who were fired for ‘wrong-think’ over the last 20 years you suddenly realise all is not well at the BBC.
Read
May 4, 2020I read this on paperback and found it an excellent informative read. It goes into great detail into the inner workings of the BBC, and how they can manipulate a story to read something completely different.
It seems very well researched an is enlightening with regards to how I will view the news in future
It seems very well researched an is enlightening with regards to how I will view the news in future
January 18, 2021
Brain washing Britain
I started to read and listen to this book on on audible because my friend has been going on about left/right BBC/CNN discussions for months now. Do I decided to reread and listen to this ebook. Surprisingly I found authors research very interesting. Interesting where BBC was, present and it future.
I started to read and listen to this book on on audible because my friend has been going on about left/right BBC/CNN discussions for months now. Do I decided to reread and listen to this ebook. Surprisingly I found authors research very interesting. Interesting where BBC was, present and it future.
February 19, 2021
Absolute rubbish. Goes on a rant about communists within the first chapter as though that's what is destroying the country....get real. Intelligent people in the UK know that capitalism is ruining the world. Change is needed and it won't come through greed (which is capitalism). This book is pure nonsense and anyone who thinks it is well researched is lacking a lot of rational thinking.
May 9, 2020
a cracking good read. Excellent analysis. Turn off, tune out, read this.
May 19, 2020
I managed 1 chapter. Don't waste your time
June 6, 2020
Read this on my kindle as like the title suggests I think the same. However, this book was nothing but right-wing propaganda and should be avoided at all costs.
August 31, 2020
Clarifying clearly my thoughts on the BBC.
The book is easy to read. Food for thought and gives you a different outlook when you flick past the Beeb on your remote.
The book is easy to read. Food for thought and gives you a different outlook when you flick past the Beeb on your remote.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 47 reviews