Steven
@stevenm5.bsky.social
Autistic, gay, deaf. Currently into translated fiction canon and film monographs. Here for (reading) political punditry, cinema and literature.
Read in February 2026
February 16, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Read in February 2026
Watched in February 2026
February 16, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Watched in February 2026
Reposted by Steven
The BBC News summary of Minnesota is *worse* than both-siding.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
January 25, 2026 at 7:40 AM
The BBC News summary of Minnesota is *worse* than both-siding.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
It says there are 'conflicting accounts'.
But only states *one* of them - that ICE agents fired 'defensive shots'.
Nothing about the *other* account - that ICE agents murdered him.
Reposted by Steven
The BBC is again going with a "who can possibly say which version of events is correct" approach in reporting on the US (BBC reporting this morning vs the story in the NYT and the Guardian)
January 25, 2026 at 6:34 AM
The BBC is again going with a "who can possibly say which version of events is correct" approach in reporting on the US (BBC reporting this morning vs the story in the NYT and the Guardian)
Reposted by Steven
Characteristically excellent thread from @sundersays.bsky.social
I don't know of anyone who has done more to expose the realities of X, especially on its continual failure to remove overtly racist material.
I don't know of anyone who has done more to expose the realities of X, especially on its continual failure to remove overtly racist material.
Views of Twitter/X in Britain
Favourable 14% (3% very favourable)
Unfavourable 65% (37% very unfavourable)
By gender
Men 16-65 (-49)
Women 10-64 (-54)
By 2024 vote
Reform 23-46 (-23)
Cons 17-57 (-40)
Labour 10-76 (-66)
LibDem 6-79 (-73)
Green 5-89 (-84)
YouGov: V similar Jan 2025/Jan 2026
Favourable 14% (3% very favourable)
Unfavourable 65% (37% very unfavourable)
By gender
Men 16-65 (-49)
Women 10-64 (-54)
By 2024 vote
Reform 23-46 (-23)
Cons 17-57 (-40)
Labour 10-76 (-66)
LibDem 6-79 (-73)
Green 5-89 (-84)
YouGov: V similar Jan 2025/Jan 2026
January 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Characteristically excellent thread from @sundersays.bsky.social
I don't know of anyone who has done more to expose the realities of X, especially on its continual failure to remove overtly racist material.
I don't know of anyone who has done more to expose the realities of X, especially on its continual failure to remove overtly racist material.
Reposted by Steven
The government does not appear to be even considering any of these options
- direct communication to X by the Prime Minister or an SoS
- a temporary cessation of government communications until this stops
- an inquiry to the police as well as to Ofcom about the production of unlawful content
- direct communication to X by the Prime Minister or an SoS
- a temporary cessation of government communications until this stops
- an inquiry to the police as well as to Ofcom about the production of unlawful content
Keir Starmer's spokesman tells me that X and Grok's creation of sexual deepfakes of children is "completely unacceptable" but again won't commit to taking direct action against them, or to stop posting there.
Says "all options are on the table" but suggests it's a matter for Ofcom, not Government
Says "all options are on the table" but suggests it's a matter for Ofcom, not Government
January 7, 2026 at 1:22 PM
The government does not appear to be even considering any of these options
- direct communication to X by the Prime Minister or an SoS
- a temporary cessation of government communications until this stops
- an inquiry to the police as well as to Ofcom about the production of unlawful content
- direct communication to X by the Prime Minister or an SoS
- a temporary cessation of government communications until this stops
- an inquiry to the police as well as to Ofcom about the production of unlawful content
Reposted by Steven
A longer post from me to start the year: the Dutch are panicking. Their digital ID system will soon fall under the control of an American company and far-reaching US government powers.
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Digital ID, big tech and the Dutch dilemma
A planned US takeover of critical infrastructure raises troubling questions
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM
A longer post from me to start the year: the Dutch are panicking. Their digital ID system will soon fall under the control of an American company and far-reaching US government powers.
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Steven
And also more than @ofcom.bsky.social has done
January 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
And also more than @ofcom.bsky.social has done
Reposted by Steven
For the BFI, 10 great films from 1926 www.bfi.org.uk/lists/10-gre...
10 great films of 1926
As we hurtle into 2026, take a 10-film trip back in time to celebrate these 100th anniversaries.
www.bfi.org.uk
January 2, 2026 at 12:33 PM
For the BFI, 10 great films from 1926 www.bfi.org.uk/lists/10-gre...
Reposted by Steven
I have spent 25 years as a regulatory lawyer of one kind or another, and I have come to realise one truth.
In any commercial context, the regulator will tend to be captured. And in any lucrative commercial context, the regulator will be captured completely.
In any commercial context, the regulator will tend to be captured. And in any lucrative commercial context, the regulator will be captured completely.
January 2, 2026 at 8:31 AM
I have spent 25 years as a regulatory lawyer of one kind or another, and I have come to realise one truth.
In any commercial context, the regulator will tend to be captured. And in any lucrative commercial context, the regulator will be captured completely.
In any commercial context, the regulator will tend to be captured. And in any lucrative commercial context, the regulator will be captured completely.
Reposted by Steven
#bestxmasholidayfilmonTVtoday Thu Jan 1: ‘ One of Ophuls's 4 Hollywood films, this masterpiece nearly defines the film melodrama' Extraordinary LETTER FROM AN UNKOWN WOMAN (1948) BBCTwo 8.50am … and of course now on BBCiPlayer
#bestxmasholidayfilmonTVtoday Thu Jan 1: ‘ One of Ophuls's 4 Hollywood films, this masterpiece nearly defines the film melodrama' Extraordinary LETTER FROM AN UNKOWN WOMAN (1948) BBC Two 8.50am
January 1, 2026 at 9:54 AM
#bestxmasholidayfilmonTVtoday Thu Jan 1: ‘ One of Ophuls's 4 Hollywood films, this masterpiece nearly defines the film melodrama' Extraordinary LETTER FROM AN UNKOWN WOMAN (1948) BBCTwo 8.50am … and of course now on BBCiPlayer
Reposted by Steven
Always nice to hear the review of the year from Laura Kuenssberg.
Trump:
- moved into the White House
- asked Europe to increase defence spending
- moved to create a ceasefire in Gaza
- didn't create a global trade war
Hmm. I sort of thought he did more than that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump:
- moved into the White House
- asked Europe to increase defence spending
- moved to create a ceasefire in Gaza
- didn't create a global trade war
Hmm. I sort of thought he did more than that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 13, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Always nice to hear the review of the year from Laura Kuenssberg.
Trump:
- moved into the White House
- asked Europe to increase defence spending
- moved to create a ceasefire in Gaza
- didn't create a global trade war
Hmm. I sort of thought he did more than that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump:
- moved into the White House
- asked Europe to increase defence spending
- moved to create a ceasefire in Gaza
- didn't create a global trade war
Hmm. I sort of thought he did more than that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steven
This is a piece on how my GP practice appeared to be misuing the new online booking service by suggesting it's the only way of making appointments. (ie not through phone or walk-in)
If something similar has happened to you, I'd be interested to hear about it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If something similar has happened to you, I'd be interested to hear about it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sign in - Google Accounts
dashboard.ophan.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This is a piece on how my GP practice appeared to be misuing the new online booking service by suggesting it's the only way of making appointments. (ie not through phone or walk-in)
If something similar has happened to you, I'd be interested to hear about it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If something similar has happened to you, I'd be interested to hear about it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Steven
Interesting that the BBC will call National Rally "Far Right" (in an article about Bardella meeting Farage) - when they would never use that term for Reform. Their policies are very similar. If anything Reform's are more authoritarian.
December 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Interesting that the BBC will call National Rally "Far Right" (in an article about Bardella meeting Farage) - when they would never use that term for Reform. Their policies are very similar. If anything Reform's are more authoritarian.
Reposted by Steven
Appalling from @tottenhamhotspur.com to agree to this too
Where’s their sense of solidarity with all of its supporters
Really shameful this from both sides
Where’s their sense of solidarity with all of its supporters
Really shameful this from both sides
December 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Appalling from @tottenhamhotspur.com to agree to this too
Where’s their sense of solidarity with all of its supporters
Really shameful this from both sides
Where’s their sense of solidarity with all of its supporters
Really shameful this from both sides