Sky News runs churnalism bashing NHS – updated


by Sunny Hundal    
4:33 pm - August 18th 2009

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Sky News today has a story saying that nearly a third of people do not believe any major political party can run the NHS properly.

That is suggested by a poll of 2,000 people commissioned by the private health insurers AXA PPP.

But not only was the poll data released over a month ago, but there are questions over the polling company OnePoll.

According to Slugger O’Toole, One Poll states on it’s website that it offers: “Assistance with drafting questions – to gain news angles and get the results you’re looking for.”

The company doesn’t not seem to be a member of the British Polling Council either.

The Guardian columnist Ben Goldacre wrote this week about OnePoll here, saying:

Most if not all of these surveys are conducted by OnePoll. They won’t tell me anything about the questions they asked, the responses they got, or the people responding, so I couldn’t possibly assess whether their results are sound, but I doubt it. To gather a representative and scientific sample of the UK population giving thoughtful responses they have a website which says: “Register using our simple sign-up form and start earning cash right now.”

To companies, they offer a “no coverage, no fee price structure”, with tailored seduction for journalists, and other services which include “mining the data”.

Churnalism at it’s best.

Update: Sky News has responded.

I mentioned this story on Twitter, to which Cheryl Smith from Sky News responded by saying the story had now been removed from the site.

She later clarified by saying the story was no longer linked from the politics section but was still available to read if searched by Google.

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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


1. Marcus Hunt

I should say there should be questions over this poll: just a straw poll here shows it should be far, far higher. I suspect the real answer to the question would be at least two thirds.

2. James Graham

Regarding the update: it appears that Sky are as concerned with covering up their mistakes as the BBC. What’s wrong with printing a retraction?

3. Sunny H

So a straw poll amongst your mates tells you the NHS needs to be completely reformed eh Marcus? How scientific.

James – I’m not sure what they would retract, other than take the entire story down if its basis was questioned. I’m assuming they’re keeping it up there for the googlejuice.

4. James Graham

Keep the whole story up and write a correction at the top. It isn’t difficult. What’s wrong with publicly admitting you’re wrong?

I understand that it’s still there at the moment but for how much longer?

5. Mark Hanson

Good work Sunny and exactly what the blogosphere is for

http://m-hanson.livejournal.com/3864.html

6. Shatterface

‘Sky News today has a story saying that nearly a third of people do not believe any major political party can run the NHS properly.’

I don’t think you have to be anti-NHS to think it shouldn’t be run by a POLITICAL PARTY.

Funded by government is one thing, managed by lawyers and supermarket entrepeneurs is another.


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Imran Khan

    RT @pickledpolitics Twitter power: Sky News respond to my tweet about their churnalism, and took story link off website http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

  2. Mark Pack

    RT @pickledpolitics: Twitter power:Sky News responded to my tweet about their churnalism + took story link off website http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

  3. Ryan Bestford

    RT @libcon: Liberal Conspiracy » Sky News runs churnalism bashing the NHS http://tinyurl.com/q3q78t

  4. Ryan Bestford

    RT @libcon: Liberal Conspiracy » Sky News runs churnalism bashing the NHS http://tinyurl.com/q3q78t #skynewshatestheNHS

  5. Clay Harris

    RT @KerryMP: RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

  6. SteveSmedley

    RT @libcon Sky News is forced to withdraw poll bashing the NHS – commissioned by private health insurers http://bit.ly/jczh6

  7. Steve Smedley

    RT @libcon Sky News is forced to withdraw poll bashing the NHS – commissioned by private health insurers http://bit.ly/jczh6

  8. Leon Green

    RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  9. mervino

    RT @KerryMP: RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  10. Tom Sheppard

    RT @tweetmeme Liberal Conspiracy » Sky News runs churnalism bashing the NHS http://tinyurl.com/q3q78t

    [Original tweet]

  11. Imran Khan

    RT @pickledpolitics Twitter power: Sky News respond to my tweet about their churnalism, and took story link off website http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  12. Mark Pack

    RT @pickledpolitics: Twitter power:Sky News responded to my tweet about their churnalism + took story link off website http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  13. Tory Politico | Conservative news and comment

    [...] H over on the liberal Conspiracy blog points out that the data is not new and was in fact released a month ago. Also the polling company, [...]

  14. Ryan Bestford

    RT @libcon: Liberal Conspiracy » Sky News runs churnalism bashing the NHS http://tinyurl.com/q3q78t

    [Original tweet]

  15. Ryan Bestford

    RT @libcon: Liberal Conspiracy » Sky News runs churnalism bashing the NHS http://tinyurl.com/q3q78t #skynewshatestheNHS

    [Original tweet]

  16. Clay Harris

    RT @KerryMP: RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  17. SteveSmedley

    RT @libcon Sky News is forced to withdraw poll bashing the NHS – commissioned by private health insurers http://bit.ly/jczh6

    [Original tweet]

  18. Leon Green

    RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  19. mervino

    RT @KerryMP: RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  20. Paul Nelson

    RT: @KerryMP: RT @smithsky1979: Liberal Conspiracy vs Sky News on the NHS. Surprise victor emerges: http://bit.ly/1qmIXw

    [Original tweet]

  21. Tom Sheppard

    RT @tweetmeme Liberal Conspiracy » Sky News runs churnalism bashing the NHS http://tinyurl.com/q3q78t

    [Original tweet]

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