Editorial
Blair's trust rating
His moment of truth arriving?
The various opinion polls in Britain conducted after the much talked about Hutton inquiry was made public only vindicate the broadcasting corporation that prides itself on the authenticity of its news. In his report, Lord Hutton castigated the BBC calling its editorial policy defective and cleared the British government, Prime Minister Tony Blair specifically, of lying about WMD in Iraq. But a majority of Britons finding the report as 'whitewash' and trusting the BBC all the more clearly tell us that such inquiries can not shift people's opinion on what's wrong and what's right.It all started with the suicide of British arms expert, David Kelly who was quoted by one of BBC's correspondents, though anonymously, that the British government had 'sexed up' the Iraq dossier in the prelude to going to war. An allegation that was vehemently denied by Blair's government. A fierce battle between the government and the BBC ensued after Kelly was named as the source of the BBC's claim. In the midst of a media frenzy over the naming of the source, Kelly committed suicide. Thus began the next round of battle between the government and the broadcaster ending in Blair claiming victory after Hutton report was released. Blair may bask in glory, but for how long. The opinion polls have already shown his trust rating sliding, support for the cause of invading Iraq also showing a downward trend. These are, no doubt, good enough reasons for considerable concern for the Blair government. The fact remains that not a single WMD has been found till now, not even a shred of evidence about any such weapons in Iraq has been located. Bush administration has already begun to shift its stance over WMD, maybe it's time for Blair to do the some serious rethinking too. That is if he really wants to increase his popularity among his own people. Hutton inquiry report may have got him the 'unreserved' apology that he desperately wanted from the BBC, but it has apparently also cost him his standing in the public mind which he may not have asked for.
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