'No more austerity' lack purpose, not coverage

SATURDAY'S "No more austerity" has reignited debate about British politics, just not the one the protestors envisaged.

Campaigners have complained that the march against the government's spending cuts did not receive the coverage they had wanted due to a "media blackout". News organisations hit back, stating that the lack of extensive coverage was down to a lack of interest in the story.

According to the group, the People's Assembly, 50,000 people turned up to the march. The problem according to some commentators, however, is that they weren't saying anything new, or providing solutions to their grievances. Instead many were there for a day in the sun and to take advantage of the after-protest festival, rather than any substantial political action. 

Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham, was among those who criticised the coverage of the event. 

"By any reckoning, this was a major national protest and it seems to me that the BBC's coverage did not reflect this," said Burnham in a letter to the trust.

"Indeed, other major news channels seemed to reach a different editorial judgement, covering the story in more depth and interviewing participants."

The problem facing Mr Burnham is that without a clear message the only thing the march showed was how little people know about politics, rather than how much they cared about the campaign.

Writing on the 'People's Assembly' website comedian Russell Brand, who has an estimated net worth of $15million, said: "The People's Assembly will bring down any government that doesn't end austerity. Austerity means keeping all the money among people who have loads of it. This is the biggest problem we face today, all other problems radiate from this toxic swindle.

"We can organise a fairer, more just society than they can, these demonstrations are the start, it will be a right laugh."

Without giving a clear agenda, and by making the whole affair sound like a day out at a festival some critics have pointed out that Mr Brand removed any purpose for the British Broadcasting Corporation to cover a "non-story".

Defending the corporations editorial decision a BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC has covered the protests against government spending cuts and NHS changes that took place in Manchester, with coverage across all platforms on Sunday including the BBC News Channel, radio news, within the lead story on both the News at Six and News at Ten, and a full report on BBC News online."

On the 10th July six key unions are planning a coordinated strike involving approximately 1.5 million people. It will impact business, harm public service and transport and cause chaos across the country, all in the name of making a political point. If the 'People's Assembly' want coverage then they need to realise that this is a protest, not a festival, and actually deserves coverage.