John Simpson
@johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social
BBC lifer since 1966, international affairs editor since 1982. Presenter of ‘Unspun World’ on BBC Two, BBC World & World Service. Two daughters, one son, six grandchildren, a loving wife, lots of books, and an Irish terrier. Defender of the Oxford comma.
I was deeply sorry that the BBC paid no tribute to John Osman’s long service—meeting Idi Amin & other dictators, being jailed in Ian Smith’s Rhodesia, & revealing the dodgy links between the Soviet U. & apartheid S. Africa to fix gold & diamond prices. Quite a story—but untold.
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I was deeply sorry that the BBC paid no tribute to John Osman’s long service—meeting Idi Amin & other dictators, being jailed in Ian Smith’s Rhodesia, & revealing the dodgy links between the Soviet U. & apartheid S. Africa to fix gold & diamond prices. Quite a story—but untold.
Lovely funeral service near Oxford for the great BBC correspondent John Osman. His g’daughter Katy wrote and read a poem including these unforgettable lines:
‘You spoke for those who do not have a voice,
The slaves, the prisoners, those who lack a choice.’ John absolutely did.
‘You spoke for those who do not have a voice,
The slaves, the prisoners, those who lack a choice.’ John absolutely did.
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Lovely funeral service near Oxford for the great BBC correspondent John Osman. His g’daughter Katy wrote and read a poem including these unforgettable lines:
‘You spoke for those who do not have a voice,
The slaves, the prisoners, those who lack a choice.’ John absolutely did.
‘You spoke for those who do not have a voice,
The slaves, the prisoners, those who lack a choice.’ John absolutely did.
Chelsea on fire! Estêvăo, Cucurella, James all excellent. Maresca’s tactics made Barcelona look flat-footed — the first time since last December that they haven’t scored. It was 3-0 for Chelsea against PSG; now it’s 3-0 against Barça.
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Chelsea on fire! Estêvăo, Cucurella, James all excellent. Maresca’s tactics made Barcelona look flat-footed — the first time since last December that they haven’t scored. It was 3-0 for Chelsea against PSG; now it’s 3-0 against Barça.
Times headline: ‘BBC failing to tackle systemic bias, says author of leaked memo’. In fact, when asked by MPs, this man, Michael Prescott, said he didn’t believe the BBC was institutionally biased. The Times failed to quote that, in an article about the issue of truthful reporting.
November 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Times headline: ‘BBC failing to tackle systemic bias, says author of leaked memo’. In fact, when asked by MPs, this man, Michael Prescott, said he didn’t believe the BBC was institutionally biased. The Times failed to quote that, in an article about the issue of truthful reporting.
According to a new study from a respected US think tank, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Britain’s decision to leave the EU has meant that its GDP is between 6 per cent and 8 per cent smaller than it would have been.
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
According to a new study from a respected US think tank, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Britain’s decision to leave the EU has meant that its GDP is between 6 per cent and 8 per cent smaller than it would have been.
First Donald Trump, then Joe Biden using the terms of the Trump ‘deal’, sold out Afghanistan to the Taliban. Most European govts think Trump is now selling out Ukraine in the same way — trading major concessions for a belief in Putin’s promises, and not caring very much anyway.
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
First Donald Trump, then Joe Biden using the terms of the Trump ‘deal’, sold out Afghanistan to the Taliban. Most European govts think Trump is now selling out Ukraine in the same way — trading major concessions for a belief in Putin’s promises, and not caring very much anyway.
Delightful lunch at Magdalene Coll Cambridge in memory of the poet & critic Arthur Sale (d. 2000). F. R. Leavis, no friend of his, still called him ‘the best individual teacher of English in Cambridge’. Arthur’s pupils included Bamber Gascoigne, Alan Rusbridger, Nicholas Shakespeare & Monty Don.
November 22, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Delightful lunch at Magdalene Coll Cambridge in memory of the poet & critic Arthur Sale (d. 2000). F. R. Leavis, no friend of his, still called him ‘the best individual teacher of English in Cambridge’. Arthur’s pupils included Bamber Gascoigne, Alan Rusbridger, Nicholas Shakespeare & Monty Don.
The report into Boris Johnson’s record during the Covid epidemic blames a ‘toxic, sexist and chaotic culture’ in Downing Street. Who’d have thought it?
November 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The report into Boris Johnson’s record during the Covid epidemic blames a ‘toxic, sexist and chaotic culture’ in Downing Street. Who’d have thought it?
The FT writes: ‘In Trump’s interview with GB News, its correspondent, Bev Turner, gave North Korea’s broadcasters a run for their money. “It feels much safer here,” Turner said, contrasting Washington to London, though the chances of being murdered in DC are around 26 times higher than in London.
Home - Financial Times
News, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics
FT.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The FT writes: ‘In Trump’s interview with GB News, its correspondent, Bev Turner, gave North Korea’s broadcasters a run for their money. “It feels much safer here,” Turner said, contrasting Washington to London, though the chances of being murdered in DC are around 26 times higher than in London.
Brilliant Scotland!
November 19, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Brilliant Scotland!
In December 1992, in the Sarajevo siege, a sniper pinned me down for 40 mins. Each time I lifted my head, he fired into the wall just above me. When I got up, too cold to lie there any longer, he deliberately missed me again. Was this one of the tourist killers we hear about?
November 18, 2025 at 11:25 PM
In December 1992, in the Sarajevo siege, a sniper pinned me down for 40 mins. Each time I lifted my head, he fired into the wall just above me. When I got up, too cold to lie there any longer, he deliberately missed me again. Was this one of the tourist killers we hear about?
Reposted by John Simpson
Thank you @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social for an incredibly inspiring talk this afternoon in Malvern. I found your message of seeking light and decency amidst the despair and hate profoundly moving. May the BBC retain and engage more journalists like you.
November 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Thank you @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social for an incredibly inspiring talk this afternoon in Malvern. I found your message of seeking light and decency amidst the despair and hate profoundly moving. May the BBC retain and engage more journalists like you.
I was privileged to be present in Prague at the magnificent moment 36 years ago today when Alexander Dubcek and Vaclav Havel celebrated the collapse of the old Soviet-backed government and declared a new, democratic government for the Czechs and Slovaks.
November 18, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I was privileged to be present in Prague at the magnificent moment 36 years ago today when Alexander Dubcek and Vaclav Havel celebrated the collapse of the old Soviet-backed government and declared a new, democratic government for the Czechs and Slovaks.
Tonight’s Unspun World (11pm BBC Two) is a cracker: Russia’s aims in Ukraine, plans to rebuild Gaza (worse destroyed than Berlin 1945), Iraq improving, & the promise/threat of quantum computing. Also on iPlayer/News Channel/World Service. Our last show of 2025 - back in the New Year.
November 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Tonight’s Unspun World (11pm BBC Two) is a cracker: Russia’s aims in Ukraine, plans to rebuild Gaza (worse destroyed than Berlin 1945), Iraq improving, & the promise/threat of quantum computing. Also on iPlayer/News Channel/World Service. Our last show of 2025 - back in the New Year.
On this day in 1918 the parents of the poet Wilfred Owen were just listening to the church bells ringing to announce the Armistice when a telegram boy arrived with the message that their son had died.
November 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM
On this day in 1918 the parents of the poet Wilfred Owen were just listening to the church bells ringing to announce the Armistice when a telegram boy arrived with the message that their son had died.
It’s apologising season. The audience for BBC output in the US is just over 40 million, not 77 million as I said. That’s the figure for the Americas as a whole. But the BBC is indeed the second most trusted news source in the US.
November 11, 2025 at 10:22 AM
It’s apologising season. The audience for BBC output in the US is just over 40 million, not 77 million as I said. That’s the figure for the Americas as a whole. But the BBC is indeed the second most trusted news source in the US.
Donald Trump’s demand for a billion dollars from the BBC comes from a local Florida law firm. It was sent to the wrong address, and the writer didn’t know what ‘salacious’ really means: ‘Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC…’
November 11, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Donald Trump’s demand for a billion dollars from the BBC comes from a local Florida law firm. It was sent to the wrong address, and the writer didn’t know what ‘salacious’ really means: ‘Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC…’
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Tim Davie was one of the best D-Gs the BBC has had, and Deborah Turness was a brilliant head of news. Only the BBC’s enemies could possibly be glad they’ve resigned. We’ve now got a real fight on our hands to defend public service broadcasting, because that’s under threat too.
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Tim Davie was one of the best D-Gs the BBC has had, and Deborah Turness was a brilliant head of news. Only the BBC’s enemies could possibly be glad they’ve resigned. We’ve now got a real fight on our hands to defend public service broadcasting, because that’s under threat too.
Exactly right. Mistakes must be corrected, but deliberate campaigns should be recognised for what they are.
BBC’s Nick Robinson on #Trump #BBC row: “As ever..it’s clear that there is genuine concern about editorial standards+mistakes. There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation that you are currently listening to. Both things are happening at the same time.”
Today - 08/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Exactly right. Mistakes must be corrected, but deliberate campaigns should be recognised for what they are.
Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war
November 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war
‘Unspun World’ at 11.00 tonight on BBC Two, then iPlayer, News Channel & World Service: what do Russians feel about the Ukraine war? Why are Gulf states involved in the Sudan fighting? Who do Americans blame for the govt shutdown? And the climate change conference - any good?
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
‘Unspun World’ at 11.00 tonight on BBC Two, then iPlayer, News Channel & World Service: what do Russians feel about the Ukraine war? Why are Gulf states involved in the Sudan fighting? Who do Americans blame for the govt shutdown? And the climate change conference - any good?
The great S African lawyer Sir Sydney Kentridge is 103 today. In a Pretoria court in 1977 I watched in awe as he crucified the secret police who had murdered the Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko - arguably the start of apartheid’s downfall. A very happy birthday, dear Sydney!
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The great S African lawyer Sir Sydney Kentridge is 103 today. In a Pretoria court in 1977 I watched in awe as he crucified the secret police who had murdered the Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko - arguably the start of apartheid’s downfall. A very happy birthday, dear Sydney!
Escargots, anyone?
November 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Escargots, anyone?
Just heard the sad news that John Osman, the doyen of BBC foreign correspondents and an inspiration to people like me, has died. A life really well lived. Farewell dear friend.
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Just heard the sad news that John Osman, the doyen of BBC foreign correspondents and an inspiration to people like me, has died. A life really well lived. Farewell dear friend.