A Professor, 11 years after BBC Scotland told Deacon Blue his research was ‘poor quality’, supposed CalMac supporters say his work is ‘not to be taken seriously’ but when challenged cannot offer any evidence

The BBC Scotland leaders in 2014

Professor John Robertson OBA, former teacher, education lecturer, Associate Dean for Quality Assurance and Faculty Research Ethics Chair – why the F would I lie about anything when I don’t need to?

First They Ignore You, Then They Laugh at You, Then They Attack You, Then…..

In 2014, BBC Scotland accused me of bringing my employer, the University of the West of Scotland, AND the BBC, into disrepute. They copied in my boss, the Principal and vice Chancellor. For two weeks I feared for my job and if I’d worked in an ‘ancient’ university, might well have been reprimanded, even sacked. UWS, in the end distanced themselves from the research but did not sanction me. I suspect someone thought a ‘dissident’ prof might attract students.

You can read a full account at:

https://www.medialens.org/2014/scotlandshire-bbc-scotland-coverage-of-the-independence-referendum/#:~:text=On%20March%2011,%202014,%20Professor%20Robertson%20appearedin

At the time, not one leading academic spoke in favour of my academic freedom. Knowing a few of them personally, I was deeply saddened but understood that that’s how it goes in this part-democracy if you enjoy being on the TV.

Then, a friend, colleague and the key member of the Scottish band, Deacon Blue, told me that another member of the band, a radio DJ with BBC Scotland, had been told reliably and seemed to accept, that my research was of ‘poor quality’ or words to that effect. Other colleagues in Journalism at UWS were told to stay away from me if they valued their links with the BBC or other MSM.

The research is, for some reason, suppressed at the moment but should be here: https://issuu.com/creative_futur/docs/robertson2014fairnessinthefirstyear

A follow-up specifically on Radio Scotland, is still up at: https://issuu.com/creative_futur/docs/robertson2014goodmorningscotland

Mud sticks and despite my attempts to always provide reliable sources, unlike any of my critics, any slip-up is quickly used to imply that, thus, all of my work cannot be trusted.

My research in 2014, suggesting bias against the Yes campaign, like all social science, did have an element of subjectivity in it. I did not try to deny that, ever. Over these 11 years and around 15 000 posts, I have made a tiny handful of errors with, for example A&E statistics but, always, I have learned from any constructive criticism. I challenge anyone to offer me further examples and I will respond directly.

11 years later, yesterday, I posted a piece on the very real ferry fiasco in British Columbia in Canada, on the Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/194383548581592 only too see several comments suggesting that, just as BBC Scotland and their allies had in 2014, that my ‘work was not to be taken seriously‘ and that I had misused health statistics to make political points. When challenged, of course, none would offer any precise example from one of my posts, merely offering more anecdote and suggesting that I should not be commenting on ferries because of a lack of familiarity with them.

I have a reputation to protect here. I have real authentic stuff – a professorship and a PhD. I have supervised PhDs and taught research methods. I was Faculty Research Ethics Chair. If I made a mistake it was a rare mistake and only that.

Am I pissed off? You bet.

16 thoughts on “A Professor, 11 years after BBC Scotland told Deacon Blue his research was ‘poor quality’, supposed CalMac supporters say his work is ‘not to be taken seriously’ but when challenged cannot offer any evidence”

  1. I value your research and often pass on your observations to others who are not stupid. Don’t get pissed off. Carry on the good work. If they weren’t scared of you they would ignore you.

    I read an article by Heidi Sigmund Cuda this morning. It is about dissident intellectuals like you and Vaclav Havel. You will find it in today’s ‘Byline Supplement’ online.

    Her article today, while aimed at Trumpistan, resonates in 2025 Scotland and the local office of the state broadcaster. Cuda writes that Havel explained why dictators are so afraid of artists, poets, musicians, writers, and philosophers because those who unfailingly “live withing the truth” can raise the “social consciousness of others”. Yes, you do that.

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  2. The fact that they are trying to discredit you speaks volumes. You should be in a high level position in the rebuffing department of the Scottish Government!!!! The SNP and wider Yes movement should have your work on every poster and social media post!

    Liked by 6 people

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  3. Unfortunately, any real threat to the neo-liberal mind set attracts these feeble attempts to discredit. Take it as a badge of honour that they feel the need to cast doubt on your reputation. If they had real evidence they would have posted it.

    But the more people read your articles and understand the extent of the brainwashing we are exposed to, the less effective it is. Keep on keeping on. You are clearly annoying all the right people.

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  4. I say Watson… – Don’t give in to the shite John, one of the first criticisers I noted had one follower, probably the one in charge of his psychiatric ward.

    Even one talking in your favour (from Wales?) referred to an ‘ageing fleet’ FFS, compared to what in the UK ?

    Your work is about exposing the disinformation, the one who ‘can’t unsee it’ opens others’ eyes and thus the gaslighting unravels. That’s the only weapon we have in an age of 24/7 manipulation.

    Facebook has been notorious for targeted ‘nudging’ since Alexander Nix’s time, hence I don’t dwell any more but dip it and out within a highly restricted group, ignoring all the promotions – I’ve seen far too many good friends turned by these psych-wars war games, and they don’t even realise it, very 1930’s germany but faster.

    Post, then park the criticisms in the round file on the floor….

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  5. It just shows how terrified BBC Scotland were in 2014, of their bias being exposed and the pressure they made to supress it. Sadly for them, your sterling work and of others since then, has highlighted just how much deception and miss-information was and still is being promoted by the BBC via their branch office in Scotland.

    OK, I guess you will never be invited onto Desert Island Discs, but at least you could, with confidence, advise on the best type of ferry to rescue you.

    Keep up the great work.

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  6. SOUND FAMILIAR?

    The status quo was beginning to crack!!!

    In 1967, the FBI quietly unleashed a covert surveillance operation targeting “subversive” civil rights groups and Black leaders, including the Black Panther Party, Martin Luther King Jr., Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and many others.

    The objective, according to the FBI, was to “expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit, or otherwise neutralize” the radical fight for Black rights — and Black power.

    Details of that sabotage plaster internal FBI records, with thousands of pages scattered across a medley of databases.

    ‘Discredit, disrupt, and destroy’: FBI records acquired by the Library reveal violent surveillance of Black leaders, civil rights organizations | UC Berkeley Library

    Keep up the good work John, you know when you are doing something right when the establishment try to discredit you!!!

    Then up spoke the men of Knoydart:

    “You have no earthly right.

    For this is the land of Scotland,

    And not the Isle of Wight.

    When Scotland’s proud Fianna,

    With ten thousand lads is manned,

    We will show the world that Highlanders

    Have a right to Scottish Land.”

    JB

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  7. I read a lot of posts and to me this is the one I always believe and another thing why is it that you John are never invited on to any panel or talk shows maybe they are afraid of hearing the truth…. Thank you Prof John.

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      1. I cited a previous concern, which you corrected at the time, on an article about naval vessels. With respect, I was polite. Which is a shame, you’ve cited my work many times in your blog, even used my imagery, but I’m sad to see you took the criticism in response to why another user had bad mouthed you in such a personal way, especially after my defending of your reputation. Either way, have a pleasant day.

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  10. When you have the BBC held up as the blue print, go to example of the perfect propaganda machine by someone like Goebles, when only the right sort are selected( prepared to lie their socks off to protect the state) and military intelligence were involved the selection process, you got to say they have some brass neck. Goebbles said ‘ a lie can be halfway round world while the truth is putting it socks on ‘ might just have been inspired by the bullshit corporation.

    Golfnut

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