Information / misinformation

My alarm goes off at 4.00 am every morning. 

Don't get me wrong I don't leap out of bed and start doing press ups rather my radio which has been the cause of my awakening is tuned to a program called Up All Night. It's a program which discusses world issues, not the sanitised version of broadcasting which has become the norm across all domestic channels but a series of insights or discussions with people around the world who know a thing or two about their country and the problems their countries have. 

The conversations seem far less adversarial, far more measured where time is put aside to discuss at some length and there is far less the push of an agenda. I became aware of the program when I went through the period of having to get up at 2.30 every morning to start a job at 3.00 am finish at 7.00 and then drive down to London to begin the day job. The radio kept me sane and this program and the program hosts especially a chap called Rod Stewart became soal mates. The signature tune and the sound of their voices brings back deep seated memories of a discouraging  time when we first arrived here.

The issue that is troubling the UK  at the moment is the extra 2 billion pound payment the EU is demanding and David Cameron's outburst "we are not going to pay". I wonder how many of us when ruffled by a letter from Inland Revenue have said the same thing. Of course we pay because we have have to pay its part of the contract we enter into when we decide to live here. It's also part of the almost universal ruling that the richest in society ie the ones who earn the most in any one year should contribute the most. 

If set in these clear terms then usually everyone accepts it but in the disinformation that is the stock in trade of the mainstream media, run up the jingoistic flag and cry foul. The problem with that is the masses believe what ever they are fed and cry foul also. 

Listening to a dispassionate explanation on Up All Night on has a balanced view put forward which explains the commitments we entered into and weighs the 2 billion against, for instance the rebate we receive (3 billion) and measure the money demanded against out trade with the EU and the economic benefit we gain from being a member.

Serious issues are decided when misinformation is paraded as fact and the power of the Fourth Estate in this matter is crucial.