My post three days ago – BBC Scotland’s James Cook wallows in one town’s drug deaths but does not tell you what is really happening there – the trend is down, the treatment is there and the new powerful drugs are pushed by English gangs – prompted a response from James Cook, BBC Scotland News Editor.
Leaving aside his frankly astonishing understanding of what a statistical trend might, he notes correctly that I have blocked him.
I did. Here’s why.
On 25 August 2018, I wrote to the Head of BBC Scotland, Donalda MacKinnon, to protest the appointment of James Cook as Scotland Editor.
Dear Donalda
I write to protest the above appointment based on the unsuitability of the candidate to hold such a post of responsibility in a national institution.
I draw your attention to a tweet by Mr Cook in which he suggested, in 2015, that I and another would ‘have lost their marbles’ if we disagreed with his opinion.
This is quite unacceptable language in that it reinforces derogatory and discriminatory perceptions of those with mental health problems. Mr Cook, as a media professional, should be particularly sensitive to the dangers of such language given the attested evidence of problems in this regard in UK media. See for example this:
One study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that out of a sample of one week of children’s television, 59 out of 128 programmes contained one or more references to mental illness. Terms like “crazy”, “mad” and “losing your mind” were commonly used to denote losing control.
Please confirm receipt and advise me of your intended action.
Professor (Retired) John Robertson
He’s still in post.
To my mind, ‘lost’ no doubt he’d say, to ‘lose your marbles’ means to ‘lose your mind’ or to ‘become mentally unstable.’ This stigmatises the victim.
BBC editorial guidelines from as far back as 2010, which surely an editor knows well, make it clear that such language can be offensive and should carefully considered:
Is the language used one of the strongest words, requiring a mandatory referral to the relevant Output Controller? Is the language racist or is it a pejorative term about sexuality, mental health or disability?
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
There is no reason to engage with the lying scum. Blocking is a good choice.
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Well, well, petulance from James over being called yet again – The only “Facts” James Cook wants to see discussed are those which suit his context-free agenda, not those which better inform the public.
Alasdair best summarised James Cook’s approach in comment to that original article, the part boldened by far the most grievous “This is a nasty journalist wallowing in the misery of families in Oban and using the opportunity to continue the BBC Scotland hostility to things Scottish – At no point does he address the issue of supply of drugs. How are they getting to a small community like Oban?“
How far the BBC’s credibility has fallen since creating a Scotland Editor position, propagandists both………
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The WestminsterGov cutting funding for the NHS and austerity have lead to earlier death. The Scottish Gov has to mitigate the cuts. The Westminster Gov borrows and spends more in the rest of the UK. Scotland has to pay for it.
Westminster controlled BBC cost £6Billion enough to eradicate poverty. Lying people lie for personal gain. Maths and statistics are a problem.
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why would Cook be interested in your site you produce fact he makes up facts
and he is not very good at it
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