By Islam El-Sakka
BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg has warned that politicians across the British spectrum are increasingly adopting Donald Trump’s “fake news” strategy to dodge difficult questions, accusing the media of bias rather than engaging with scrutiny.
From Farage to Polanski
Speaking on the In The Room podcast, Kuenssberg said the “crooked media” tactic popularised by the former US president has become “part of the script” for figures such as Nigel Farage and Green Party leader Zack Polanski. She cited a recent interview with Polanski in which he dismissed questions about a Zionism controversy within his party by declaring “it’s not controversial,” a move she compared to claiming “the moon’s made of cheese.”
Echoes of the Corbyn Era
Kuenssberg noted similar confrontational approaches during Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership, recalling a 2017 interview where Corbyn accused ITV News of being “utterly obsessed” with questions about his resignation. She contrasted this with the more humorous deflections used by former prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson, who often used jokes to sidestep awkward exchanges.
Undermining the Conversation
The veteran broadcaster argued that the current trend goes beyond mere evasion: politicians now seek to “undermine the conversation” itself. This shift comes amid growing concerns over press freedom and trust in traditional journalism, fuelled partly by Trump’s attacks on news organisations.
Traditional Media Still Dominant
Kuenssberg pushed back against suggestions that established broadcasters have lost their ability to hold power to account, pointing out that major outlets still command audiences far larger than newer partisan platforms. She cited Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first interviews being given to traditional broadcasters as evidence.
